Chapter 133: Lightning Release Chakra Mode
"You... you scoundrel..."
Caesar, realizing his threats were in vain, immediately changed his approach, saying, "I... I can create large-scale lethal gas weapons. I still have some value to offer!"
This guy had absolutely no dignity left, willing to do anything to save his own skin.
"Large-scale lethal gas weapons? Reiju, take a look at his abilities," Rodney turned back and said.
"Captain, your sense of humor is quite something," Reiju teased as she released her poison gas. Caesar's eyes widened as his most prized asset was rendered useless.
"Do you see it now? Do I look like I need lethal gas weapons?"
"I-I-I can also manufacture artificial Devil Fruits! Just provide me with the equipment and funding, and I can easily enhance your crew's power," Caesar thought of another angle and tried to pitch himself.
"Oh, artificial Devil Fruits? Do you mean those low-success-rate wonders that might turn someone into a giggling Pleasure if things go wrong? Even if successful, they're just regular Zoan-type artificial Devil Fruits, right?"
"Wha-what? You know about that? That's top-secret research! How would you know?" Caesar was shocked.
"Heh, I know far more than you think. Well, Caesar, have you reconsidered becoming my subordinate? Think carefully. Someone like you, with no redeeming qualities, what ability do you have that's worth being in my crew? Just looking at you makes me want to wash my eyes. Seriously, if you don't have the ability, don't bother with research. You can't compare to Vegapunk, you know. People are different from each other, and the difference between you and Vegapunk is like comparing a small house to a skyscraper. There's no comparison," Rodney shook his head, degrading Caesar's research, leaving him pale, then red, then purple, and finally, a sickly white.
"Shut up! What do you know? Vegapunk could never compare to this genius! I can also... ughhhh!"
He lowered his head, and Rodney's hand went straight through his chest. "Time to die, Caesar. You have no use to me. Losing out on a bounty of 300 million Bellies might be a bit regrettable, but you can provide me with more by dying. Farewell, Caesar. I hope in your next life, you won't be scum."
Withdrawing his arm, Rodney's fist was enveloped in Haoshoku Haki as he landed another blow on Caesar's head.
Caesar's head exploded like a watermelon, and he fell to the ground, lifeless. Caesar Clown met his end at Rodney's hand.
[Mission: Kill Caesar Clown.]
Mission Level: B
[Mission Status: Completed!]
[Reward: Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Wind Release: Pressure Damage, Lightning Release: False Darkness, Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique, Wind Release: Shield of the Wind Count, Earth Release: Moving Earth Core, Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm, Water Release: Water Blade Technique, 1500 mission points!]
"Finally..."
Rodney's body emitted a strong Lightning Chakra, enveloping his entire body like a Tailed Beast's cloak. The Lighting Chakra coursed through his cells, causing a peculiar tingling sensation and a pain that was hard to describe.
Swoosh!
Enduring the pain, Rodney moved swiftly to the other side of the room, his speed now comparable to when he used Soru. This was just a simple step.
"Give me another punch!"
He struck the wall with his fist, leaving a clear fist imprint.
Rodney was extremely satisfied with this. Deactivating the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he knew it would take time to adapt to the Lightning Chakra's movement within his cells. Just like the Third and Fourth Raikage, who had obtained their formidable strength through years of training, Rodney was no exception.
"Haha!"
Breathing out a hot breath, Rodney laughed heartily. With the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he now had the strength to compete with users of Haoshoku Haki. He had precisely the thing he lacked the most—raw power.
"Is that the ability you used to electrify your whole body, Captain? Does it serve any purpose?" Reiju asked skeptically.
"It significantly boosts my strength, speed, and defense. Do you understand, Reiju? Now that I've mastered this mode, I can learn the Lightning Release techniques that go along with it," Rodney said.
Most of the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release techniques were based on the Raiton Chakra Mode. With over 7,000 mission points, Rodney could easily exchange them for several of the Fourth Raikage's techniques.
- Lightning Release: Lariat, 500 points.
- Chidori Current, 500 points.
- Lightning Cutter, 700 points.
- Lightning Release: Thunder Binding, 500 points.
- Lightning Release: Lightning Fang, 1,000 points.
Rodney had already exchanged for these known techniques used by the Fourth Raikage. Techniques like Hell Stab required 5,000 points, but for now, he could manage without it.
"Can you really fight in that state?" Reiju was still skeptical, saying, "Is that your combat mode? Won't it affect your body?"
"It will have some impact, but it's not as bad as what the Eight Inner Gates does to me. You see, Reiju, many of my techniques put a considerable strain on my body. This is just part of it. What I need now is strength!"
Rodney patted her shoulder and continued, "Reiju, we should go. Take Monet and leave this place. I'll handle the rest."
"Alright, I understand," Reiju said without hesitation, picking up Monet and exiting the room.
"Let me see if there's any money here. Sister Slug, can you locate it?"
Rodney placed the largest denomination of Berries in front of Sister Slug and asked her to find more.
"Is this it?"
Sister Slug's antennae moved over it and pointed in a direction.
"It seems that there's a room not far from here. The scent is similar to this, but there seems to be more gold inside."
"Gold? Even better."
Rodney clapped his hands and let Sister Slug lead the way. Soon, he arrived at a room that appeared to be Caesar's, filled with various gadgets and strange items. He simply tore the metal plates from the walls, revealing a safe, about three to four meters tall.
Rubbing his hands together, Rodney unsheathed his sword and cut open the safe. Inside, he found a pile of Bellies, gold, and jewels. Caesar was indeed quite wealthy.
As a scientist, Caesar had surely amassed wealth. He likely embezzled research funds from Doflamingo, Big Mom, and Kaido. This stash was probably just a drop in the bucket.
If only he had known earlier, he could have drained Caesar of his wealth before killing him. He was capable of such double-dealing, wasn't he?
Converting all the Bellies and gold into explosive tags, Rodney had his Shadow Clones distribute them throughout the research base, even in the bathrooms.
Returning to the Black Pearl, he gave a low shout, "Art is an Explosion!!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!