Rodney vs Enel

Chapter 169: Rodney vs. Enel

"Dong—"

A resounding drumbeat echoed.

Enel, with his golden staff broken, used lightning to reforge it, reconnecting the pieces. He then struck the thunder drum on his back with the golden staff.

The lightning he generated from the drum took the form of a thunderbird, swooping down towards Rodney.

"30 Million Volts: Thunderbird!"

The thunderbird was extremely fierce, flapping its wings in anger. It resembled an untamed phoenix and reached Rodney in an instant, letting out a silent scream, aiming to shred its target to pieces.

"Get lost! One-Sword Style: Lightning Slash!"

With Haki-infused strikes, Rodney cleaved the thunderbird in half. The flying slash attack still retained its momentum and headed towards Enel.

Enel struck the thunder drum again, summoning a fierce beast.

"30 Million Volts: Thunder Beast!"

The wolf-shaped thunder beast crushed the flying slash attack with its bite and rushed toward Rodney. Rodney swiftly closed the distance, severing the thunder beast's head.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

In Sage Mode, the number of shadow clones was limited, but Rodney executed the Crescent Moon Dance along with three shadow clones attacking from different directions.

Even with Observation Haki, Enel couldn't distinguish the real Rodney among the four. However, he had to evade the attacks. Surrounded by lightning, he exploded in a burst of light and heat, sending them flying.

Rodney's Sage Mode-enhanced shadow clones were far from fragile.

Sister Slug spoke up, "Lord Rodney, this enemy seems more powerful than any we've faced before."

"No, he's just lucky to have eaten the most potent Logia Devil Fruit. If I had gotten close, I could have pinned him down and beaten him to death with my fists. I should've caught him earlier and punched him to death!" Rodney replied.

"But it's not too late now."

Enel, clutching his abdomen in pain, where Rodney's punch had nearly taken his life, muttered, "Accursed Haki." He recalled that his body had been unscathed since he consumed the strange fruit. That punch brought back unpleasant memories.

"Sage Art: Vacuum Bullets!"

Bullets made of pure vacuum energy shot out from Rodney's mouth, effortlessly shattering rocks. Enel quickly dodged them and sneered, "You underestimate yourself. You have no idea of the greatness of divine power."

He roared, "60 Million Volts: Thunder Dragon!"

A fierce thunder dragon with bared fangs and claws soared into the sky. Rodney slapped the ground with both hands, using Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet.

It was like a giant rock snake meeting Pikachu. As long as it wasn't Shishui's Pikachu, it was all good.

The Earth Dragon bit the Thunder Dragon, remaining unscathed and charged at Enel.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

Enel attempted to escape, but his Observation Haki warned him frantically. Earth spears thrust out from the ground, aiming to pierce his body.

"You dare challenge me, you Blue Sea dweller? Do you think you can trifle with a god?" 

Enraged, Enel's lightning surged outside his body, shattering the Earth Spears. He then faced the approaching Earth Dragon and bellowed, releasing a dazzling lightning pillar, obliterating the Earth Dragon. Without hesitation, the residual energy of the lightning pillar rushed toward Rodney!

He was in a state of frenzied anger, enveloped in thunder. He appeared more like a deity wielding thunder, though his intelligence left much to be desired.

"100 Million Volts!"

The most furious natural punishment, with unparalleled brightness and heat, aimed to obliterate Rodney.

"Sage Art: Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

Rodney's body was enveloped in Lightning Release armor. Enhanced by Sage Mode, his strength, speed, attack power, and defense had all increased significantly.

He instantly formed seals and used Earth Release to dive into the ground, avoiding Enel's attack.

"Acting like a rat, always hiding, huh? Well, that's what Blue Sea dwellers are like. This is your way of fighting," Enel said with a hint of arrogance. Even though Rodney had struck him earlier, he refused to acknowledge that a mere Blue Sea dweller could be stronger than a deity.

"That lightning just now..." He furrowed his brows, recalling the Lightning Release armor that had appeared on Rodney's body. He felt uncomfortable; that power should belong exclusively to deities. But now, it was being used by this despicable Blue Sea dweller, which irked him.

"Stolen divine power, you Blue Sea dweller, you will pay for this! Only true deities can wield this power!" However, punishing him required forcing him out.

Observation Haki, the Heart Web of Skypiea, pinpointed Rodney's location. It seemed that he was moving his hands, but what was he doing?

"Earth Release: Earth Tremor!"

The ground beneath him suddenly descended. Enel jumped to avoid it, surprised by the sudden change. A figure emerged from the earth, wielding a black blade. Two more figures emerged from the side, and they all initiated the Crescent Moon Dance again.

"Release Lightning!"

The lightning surrounding Enel destroyed entire buildings as he clashed with Rodney, who had the black blade infused with Haki.

"Chidori!"

The palm covered in blackness lunged at Enel's chest, aiming to pierce his heart.

Would Enel fall for his trap?

"Die, Blue Sea dweller!"

Once again, his body transformed into lightning and exploded. At such close range, Rodney was caught in the attack.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Rodney was sent flying, coughing up blood despite the Lightning Release Chakra Mode enhancement. Slug Sister, who had been on his back, had disappeared from the lightning attack.

Sister Slug's clone had been destroyed, and Rodney cursed under his breath. He couldn't summon Sister Slug again at the moment. The remaining natural energy could only sustain him for another five minutes of battle, and he needed an opportunity to summon Slug Sister.

"What's wrong? Blue Sea dweller? Where's your arrogance?" 

Enel's lightning elements converged into Enel's form. He said with a hint of surprise, "Haha, your physical resilience is indeed remarkable. Can you withstand this, the power of a god? I told you, the power of gods isn't something you can bear."

"What power of gods? You ignorant fellow, you merely lucked into eating a Logia Devil Fruit with immense power. You call yourself a god, but with those long earlobes, you're more suited to impersonate a bald donkey." 

Rodney stood up and declared, "Human greatness lies in their ability to turn what was originally 'meant for gods' into their own. The anthem of humanity is the anthem of courage, and human greatness is the greatness of courage!"

"Gods should have vanished into the annals of history. Humans don't need the guidance of deities or these so-called 'gods'!" Rodney continued, his forehead seal automatically opening.

His injuries were instantly healed, and Enel was taken aback. Even he couldn't achieve such a feat. Rodney was unique. But if a single divine attack turned him into dust, his healing abilities would be useless.

"Let's give it a try then," Rodney said, though he knew Creation Rebirth wasn't all-powerful. He had to maintain his strength, and if he suffered an instant fatal injury, Creation Rebirth couldn't save him. Eventually, he would be defeated.

"So be it," Enel confidently replied, "You Blue Sea dweller who stole divine power, you will pay the price. Only true gods can wield this power!"