# Chapter 498: Playing the Villain for Once
Thanks to the **tacit understanding** between fellow disciples, without anyone noticing, Ian's objective for this visit had already been achieved.
Kuina probably didn't know Akainu's whereabouts right now. She was only a Lieutenant Commander, and the movements of a Marine Admiral like Akainu weren't something someone at her level could know, which was why she hadn't answered Ian immediately.
But Ian knew that she would find a way to help him find out. She was currently in the Staff Department, so she might have opportunities to access the Marines' operational secrets.
So, after finishing his instructions, Ian began to seriously fight Kuina.
The shockwave from their weapons clashing earlier had actually been mostly generated by Ian, just a way to create an opportunity.
To be honest, Kuina at this point couldn't defeat Ian, because she was relying purely on her Devil Fruit ability, but her Haki cultivation wasn't strong enough yet!
For one thing, Ian was constantly controlling the intensity of the Armament Haki on his sword, afraid that under such tremendous collision force, he might cut through Kuina's Wado Ichimonji. He didn't even dare to use the Evil King Flame Slayer Sword's flames on his blade...
He had noticed something: although Kuina's Haki had awakened, she seemed to excel not in Armament Haki but in Observation Haki!
Generally speaking, whatever type of Haki a person awakens with, that's what they'll be good at later. So Ian guessed that when Kuina first awakened, it definitely wasn't Armament Haki. Armament Haki was something she had gradually learned in the Marines afterward.
Although Haki is divided into three types, if someone awakens Conqueror's Haki, they can learn and cultivate all three types. But if they don't awaken Conqueror's Haki, it seems they can only cultivate Armament and Observation Haki.
Even though Kuina was skilled in Observation Haki, that didn't mean she couldn't cultivate Armament Haki to a very high level. It just took time.
At first glance, the application of Observation Haki seems relatively simple—just the commonly known ability to predict attacks. It sounds somewhat useless, but in fact, people skilled in Observation Haki often have special abilities!
For example, Enel's Mantra was a very special telepathic ability. Although this special ability was partly due to his Goro Goro no Mi, if Enel had been skilled in Armament Haki instead, Mantra might never have appeared...
So, Ian actually envied Kuina a little. Although she had awakened Observation Haki, her Ashura Fruit compensated for her lack of strength, making it a perfect match.
Ian felt that if Kuina had awakened Armament Haki instead, it might not have been as good...
After she deployed the Ashura Realm space, Ian clearly felt her speed increase significantly, enough to keep up with his movements.
Thus, Kuina's Observation Haki came into play. She could already "see" the trajectory of every attack Ian made and respond effectively.
Of course, Ian was still going easy on her. Although Kuina's speed had increased, so had his. With the eight-fold boost to all his attributes in the Final Release state of Thousand Cherry Blossoms, if Ian really wanted to win by speed, Kuina wouldn't even be able to dodge. Not to mention that Ian had now grasped the use and locking of momentum, which was a Grand Swordsman-level ability. Kuina hadn't reached that point yet.
Overall, although Kuina appeared to be able to match Ian, a Warlord of the Sea, there was still a gap. Ian roughly estimated that Kuina had probably reached the strength of an average Vice Admiral.
That was already very impressive. Kuina had been a genius since childhood. Now, having set sail only a little earlier than Zoro, she had already reached such heights. But that idiot Zoro still hadn't formally awakened his Haki power yet...
Clang! Clang! Clang! In the training ground, the sound of their swords clashing was incessant. By the time they had exchanged dozens of blows, the Marine officers who had been knocked down by the earlier shockwave finally stood up, staring dumbfounded at the sparks flying from their swords.
Kuina's swordsmanship had improved a lot, but Ian could still handle it. Unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged attack, Kuina began to use the Six Powers techniques she had learned in the Marines.
"Rankyaku: Sword Gun!"
Kuina, in her three-headed six-armed form, suddenly stopped. Her three Wado Ichimonji swords stabbed toward Ian at incredible speed!
Ian recognized the power of this move. He kicked off the ground and leaped into the air to dodge the attack.
But the Marine watchtower behind him suffered the consequences. Countless air bullets fired from Kuina's swords hit the tower's walls, instantly riddling it with holes the size of eggs, as if it had been hit by a heavy machine gun.
With so many holes in its foundation, the watchtower could no longer support itself. With a crash, it collapsed, filling the area with dirt and dust.
Seeing Ian jump into the air, Kuina immediately stopped her Sword Gun, kicked repeatedly, and used Geppo to fly into the sky.
As she rose, her body spun like a top. In her Ashura form, this spin turned into a whirlwind of blades. Ian blocked with his sword, but the blade rang with a series of metallic clangs.
Feeling his arm going numb from the successive impacts, Ian quickly pushed Kuina away.
Kuina flipped in midair and leaped backward, but before she could stabilize, she swung her right foot and fired a Rankyaku at Ian!
Although Ian dodged by tilting his head, this Rankyaku was just an appetizer. Kuina, staying in midair with Geppo, swung her three Wado Ichimonji swords repeatedly, sending countless sword slashes at Ian!
Even her sword slashes were this strong!?
Ian couldn't help but be amazed. Kuina's growth was truly astonishing!
But such attacks, in Ian's eyes, seemed more like a younger sister who hadn't seen her brother in a long time, showing off the results of her hard work! The flurry of sword slashes was dazzling, but for someone like Ian, who had Armament Haki hardening to protect him, it wasn't very effective!
Ian spread his black and pink wings and weaved through the flying sword slashes. Then, suddenly finding an opening, he fired a sword slash of his own toward Kuina!
Compared to Kuina's slashes, Ian's was much larger!
Ian had fought Hawk-Eye before, and this slash was modeled after Hawk-Eye's world's strongest slash. Although it wasn't as strong as Hawk-Eye's, it was still terrifyingly powerful!
However, Ian had no intention of hitting Kuina. This sword slash was deliberately slower. By the time Kuina dodged with Geppo, the real target was revealed!
The slash was angled downward. As soon as Kuina moved aside, the Marine buildings below became the target!
Boom! The slash hit the ground, instantly carving a deep trench. It continued forward for a distance before finally sinking into the earth.
But this single slash made the Marine officers break out in cold sweat!
They stared blankly at the dozen or so buildings Ian had cut through, unable to imagine what would happen if such a slash hit a person...
"Stop!" Aokiji suddenly shouted, leaping into the sky and charging between Ian and Kuina. He raised both arms, creating two huge ice shields to separate them.
Ian's earlier slash had reminded Aokiji that he couldn't let Ian continue wreaking havoc like this. This kid might be deliberately using the sparring match to cause destruction! If he wasn't stopped, the Marine port might be destroyed next!
In fact, that was exactly what Ian had been thinking. Being confined by Sengoku had made him a bit angry, and this was a perfect opportunity to cause trouble for the Marines.
Unfortunately, Aokiji, who usually seemed lazy, didn't slack off at critical moments. He had seen through Ian's intentions.
Seeing Aokiji staring at him, Ian knew he couldn't fight anymore. He dispersed his wings, landed on the ground, and sheathed his Thousand Cherry Blossoms blade.
Kuina also landed, deactivating her transformation, but she was panting heavily.
It seemed that using the Ashura Fruit's power was a huge drain on her stamina. Since girls weren't naturally strong in stamina, Kuina would probably need more stamina training in the future...
Shrugging, Ian said, "Admiral Kuzan, I've never seen anyone so boring!"
Aokiji stared at Ian and said, "Alright, you've stretched your muscles. Time to leave, right?"
"Fine, whatever you say!" Ian didn't waste words. He turned and left.
After Ian and Aokiji left, a thunderous cheer erupted behind him. Ian couldn't help but smile.
"Kuina!"
"Kuina!!"
A rhythmic, orderly chant came from behind. It seemed that Kuina was now being surrounded by the Marine officers like a hero.
After all, in their eyes, this Marine Lieutenant Commander had truly fought Ian, a Warlord of the Sea, to a standstill...
Ian had inadvertently played the role of a "villain," but he left satisfied. He knew that from today on, Kuina's name as a rising star of the Marines would be sung by officers throughout Marine Headquarters...