Chapter 175: Fight
"Then come at me!"
Luffy was all fired up. After his defeat to Rodney last time, he had been training vigorously, hoping to challenge him again someday. He didn't want to completely avenge his previous loss, but he at least wanted to put up a better fight.
"But this time it's on the ship, and I won't let you bury me underground again!" Luffy exclaimed.
"I didn't plan on burying you underground. By the way, what happens if I destroy the ship?" Rodney suddenly asked.
"No way! The Thousand Sunny must not be destroyed!" a young man with a long nose exclaimed. Rodney's gaze fell on him, causing Usopp to shrink back and hide behind Zoro.
Nami said, "Mr. Rodney, please don't cause chaos here. Not everyone can stand on water as easily as you can."
"Alright, alright! Let's get started then!" Rodney finished his meal and wiped his mouth.
"Let's go! Gum-Gum Gatling!"
Fists rained down like a storm, approaching at high speed.
"Too slow!" Rodney took a step and effortlessly dodged Luffy's Gum-Gum Gatling, even without using his Sharingan. He swiftly closed the gap and flicked his finger.
Bang!
Luffy was sent flying, clutching his head and rolling on the ground. "Ouch, that hurts! Why does it hurt so much when you hit me? My body is made of rubber!"
In theory, Luffy's rubber body should absorb the impact of blunt attacks, but Rodney's strikes seemed to inflict real damage, leaving Luffy puzzled.
"Wanna go again?" Rodney suppressed a chuckle. During the previous attack, he had imbued his finger with Haki, unlike Nami, who could directly harm Luffy with her body.
"I don't believe it! Gomu Gomu no Pistol Shot!" Luffy extended his foot towards the sky, aiming to pierce through the deck with the elasticity of his rubber body and his strength.
Usopp, in a panic, yelled, "Luffy, you idiot! Don't damage Going Merry!"
Luffy, in his battle fervor, didn't pay attention to these warnings. His Gum-Gum Battle Axe came crashing down towards Rodney.
"Same old story, too slow!" Rodney, like a gust of wind, vanished before Luffy's attack. He reappeared behind Luffy, and before Luffy could react, Rodney's fist struck Luffy's face once more, sending him plummeting into the sea.
Rodney clapped his hands indifferently and said, "No improvement at all. Vice Admiral Garp's training only gave you a strong physique; it didn't teach you proper martial arts."
Luffy's strange ability to endure injuries was indeed remarkable. Garp's training with Ace was likely to involve the Rokushiki of the Marines, which allowed them to master Rokushiki. The brothers had unknowingly acquired the skill but were unaware of it.
This was probably the reason for their extraordinary vitality. The human body was like a treasure trove, and one never knew what kind of treasure they would unearth.
Zoro, again, had to dive into the sea to retrieve Luffy, tossing him aside once he was back on deck. Ignoring their reckless captain, Zoro unsheathed his sword and bit down on the blade.
"Three-Sword Style, Roronoa Zoro!"
"Are you challenging me too? Are you sure it's suitable for both of us to fight here?" Rodney glanced at the not-so-large Thousand Sunny and said, "I might end up destroying this place. You're worth using a sword against, and you'll take the position of the world's greatest swordsman in the future."
"I think so too! Draw your sword! I'll hold back!" Zoro replied, "I want to see your strength. You have two great swords; it'd be a waste not to fight you!"
"Very well! But can you keep up with my speed?" Rodney's words trailed off as he vanished, leaving Zoro standing still. A blade Zoro had never seen before sliced through his shoulder and appeared in his field of vision.
"Kashu and Shusui! Shusui is a national treasure from Wano! I obtained it by asking a favor from an elder." Rodney spoke softly.
"It's indeed a great sword!" Zoro admired and conceded defeat, saying, "I lost."
Rodney sheathed his sword and handed it to Zoro. "You're strong! I'll give you Kashu, as well. It's not necessary for me, so consider it a backup."
With a sword in hand, Zoro replied, "This is your sword! A swordsman should never abandon their own blade!"
"I know, but I'm not a swordsman. I've always said that; this is just my weapon. I already have Shusui, and Kashu was taken from an unlucky fellow. It's a bit surplus for me."
"You're welcome to challenge me again in the future! I'm ready to accept your challenge anytime! Of course, it has to be with swords!" Rodney emphasized. If it was any other way, he would kill Zoro. Moreover, he wanted to respect this genius swordsman.
A person recognized by the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, wouldn't be that simple.
"Is that so? Then I'll accept it! I also want to try the Four-Sword Style someday!"
Now, here came the problem: With the Four-Sword Style, what would he do with the extra sword? Although he hadn't thought it through, Rodney decided to give Kashu to Zoro anyway. He already had Shusui, and Shusui's practicality was much higher than Kashu's.
Giving it to Zoro was fine, and he thought that when he achieved Snow Walk, Hanazhou would break anyway.
So he gave it to him.
But this wasn't compensation for taking Shusui away. Once it was in his hands, it was his. He could give it away, but no one else was allowed to snatch it. That was Rodney's idea.
"Rodney! How did you hurt me?" Luffy, now recovered, climbed back up and curiously asked.
Actually, ever since he consumed the Rubber-Rubber Fruit, the only person capable of injuring him was Garp. Later, when he set sail, he met Nami, and now, Rodney was added to the list. Luffy was eager to understand this.
"That's Armament Haki, specifically designed to counter Devil Fruit users like you."
"Armament Haki?"
Everyone, except for Robin, tilted their heads, not understanding what Rodney was talking about.
So Rodney explained what Haki was to them. Luffy finally had an epiphany and clapped his hands, saying, "Rodney, can you teach me how to use Haki? After you teach me, I'll be able to beat you!"
Teaching me something and then using it against me? What kind of logic is that?
"I won't teach you. I don't have the time or the mood for it," Rodney shook his head and continued, "Learning to use Armament Haki isn't something you can master quickly. Although you have a strong physique, you still need time to train. You're not ready for the New World; you'll get killed there."
Don't rush; when they reach Sabaody Archipelago, the storyline involving Rayleigh might come into play.
Even though there was no Camie, there might still be a chance to encounter a Fish-Man or a Celestial Dragon. Unexpected things can happen, and it's best not to make things sound so absolute.
Lying back on the deck chair, Rodney said, "Luffy, your training is not enough. You're a reckless young pirate, and every year, the New World claims many lives. Don't you care about your crew?"
"We're not afraid."
"We are!" Nami, Chopper, and Usopp huddled together. The trio of the weaker crew members had the least courage.
Nami said, "There are many monsters in the New World even stronger than Mr. Rodney. Luffy, you can't even beat Mr. Rodney!"
"I don't care! I have to go to the New World! I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
"There are plenty of people stronger than you in the New World, and you can't even beat me. Not to mention the Admirals and the Four Emperors. You still need to grow. If you enter it now, you'll be throwing your life away," Rodney cautioned.
Don't worry; when they reach Sabaody Archipelago, the storyline might provide some corrective measures.
Although there was no Mermaid Kami, there could always be a chance encounter with a Fish-Man or a Celestial Dragon. In everything, there's a possibility; don't state things so absolutely.
Luffy lay back on the deck chair, saying, "Rodney, teach me Armament Haki when you're free. Once you teach me, I can challenge you again!"
This guy clearly lacks the insight of a wise person; he doesn't understand how terrifying the strong can be. But Rodney wasn't in a hurry. He said, "Learn it first. When you arrive at Sabaody Archipelago, find an old man. That old man taught me how to use Armament Haki. Just go and learn; it's a standard ability in the New World."