Chapter 589: Kaido's Divine Assist
Ian was now furious beyond measure!
When Kaido had awakened, everyone had already noticed the situation over there, so he had seen clearly the moment Kuina's figure was swallowed!
Damn it, a dignified Marine Admiral, and you actually stepped aside at a critical moment!? Don't you know that there were your Marine soldiers behind you!?
Well, Ian also knew that with Akainu's ruthless personality, the lives of ordinary Marine soldiers had never been on his mind. This kind of thing was indeed something he would do, and it was normal. After all, he was injured and could be understood for not wanting to clash head-on with Kaido.
But... but behind you was my little sister!
Earlier, when Akainu's hands had turned to glass, Ian had considered whether to cripple them, but he had given up the thought. He had come to stop this war. If a Marine Admiral were to be crippled, such disgrace would make the Marines unwilling to let things go. Perhaps by then, with both sides fighting with red eyes, only Shanks's Face-Face Fruit could salvage the situation...
However, things were so unpredictable. If he had known that Akainu would dodge because of his injured hands, thereby endangering Kuina, Ian would have killed Akainu even if it meant escalating the war!
Ian wasn't the only one with red eyes; Zoro was the same! He had also recognized Kuina's figure, so when Ian charged out, Zoro didn't hesitate either, biting his blade and rushing out as well. Both their eyes burned with murderous intent. Ian headed straight for Kaido's Yamata no Orochi head, while Zoro leaped up, attacking Akainu in midair!
This sudden turn of events left both Whitebeard's side and the Marines stunned. They couldn't understand what Ian and Zoro were trying to do, but Whitebeard's side didn't need to overthink it. They only needed to know that Ian was family. If he wanted to fight, then they would fight!
Without waiting for Whitebeard's orders, the pirates swarmed toward the Marines!
The war, which had seemed close to ending, was now stirred up again by this small incident, and it showed signs of escalating.
"What the hell is going on!?" Sengoku's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He could clearly see the murderous look in Ian's eyes, as if he wanted to devour someone. "Who is that Marine Lieutenant Commander!? Why does Ian look like he's poked a hornet's nest!?"
"That's Lieutenant Commander Kuina!" White Hunter Smoker was about to charge forward to engage the pirates when he passed by Sengoku and stopped to explain. "She might be friends with Ian, because she's also from the East Blue..."
Smoker had seen the fight between Kuina and Ian back at Marineford and could sense that although they had fought, they were likely familiar with each other.
"Damn it!" Hearing Smoker's explanation, Sengoku couldn't hold back anymore. He muttered to himself, "What were you thinking, Akainu!? You've stirred up such a big mess!?"
In midair, Akainu, who had leaped up, was attacked by Zoro's dual blades. He didn't dare block with his hands, as they would shatter with even a little force, so he simply took the blades on his chest.
However, Zoro now possessed a faint amount of Haki. When his dual blades struck Akainu's chest, they cut into his real body. The force from the blades not only left two wounds on Akainu but also knocked him to the ground.
With a crash, Akainu landed awkwardly. He looked up at Zoro, who had also landed, and his anger grew.
"Bastard! Even a small fry like this... Since when do any random cats and dogs dare to attack a Marine Admiral!?"
Ian had already reached Kaido's Yamata no Orochi head. Raising his blade, he slashed down at the snake's neck with blazing flames, intending to cut off the head and rescue Kuina. However, the blade only cut a few inches deep!
Ian knew that the flame edge of his Evil King Flame Slayer Sword could even cut through Seastone, yet it had caused so little damage to Kaido. This guy's body was truly absurdly tough.
Earlier, when Kaido had broken the Seastone shackles, Ian had realized it was due to his raw strength, even under the restriction of Seastone. With such an incredibly strong steel body and astonishing power, it was no wonder he was the most troublesome of the Four Emperors for the Marines.
Just as Ian gritted his teeth and prepared to strike again, he suddenly noticed that the body of Kaido's Yamata no Orochi was trembling slightly.
"Hmm!?" Turning to look, Ian saw that the originally closed mouth of the head was slowly opening!
"Damn it, what's going on!?" Kaido himself was shocked. He could feel that the Yamata no Orochi head he had manifested was being pushed open from the inside by an immense force!
Kuina hadn't been swallowed. Although the Yamata no Orochi head had bitten down on her, just as the ferocious mouth closed, she had transformed into her Ashura form. With three blades in hand, she used one to brace against the upper jaw and another to press against the lower jaw, slowly increasing the force and prying open Kaido's closed dragon mouth!
This scene was seen by many, who stared in shock at Kuina's three-headed, six-armed Ashura form!
"An... another Mythical Zoan!?" Sengoku nearly dropped his glasses. He had never seen Kuina before and never imagined that there was such a female Marine officer in his ranks...
"Kuina!!" Ian was both surprised and delighted. He immediately stopped and ran over to help Kuina escape from the dragon's mouth.
Kuina looked at Ian, touched that he and Zoro had come to save her, but couldn't help quietly complaining, "Ian, you were too impulsive. This might let others know about our relationship!"
"So what if they know? Could I just stand by and watch my little sister in danger!?" Ian glared at her and whispered, "If it comes to it, we'll just quit the Marines!"
Kuina shook her head, not wanting to discuss it further.
However, Kaido had now seen Kuina's form and was overjoyed.
Mythical Zoan fruits were exclusive to Zoan-type Devil Fruits. Kaido was surprised to encounter another Mythical Zoan user here, but more than that, he was delighted.
"Hahaha! Little girl, come with me! The Beast Pirates need someone like you!"
With that, Kaido reached out to grab Kuina!
"You dare!" Ian roared, about to charge at Kaido, but Kuina whispered, "Go help Zoro!"
Then she struck first at Kaido, leaping up and slashing her blade at his reaching hand!
Bang! The Haki on Kuina's blade clashed with the Haki on Kaido's palm. Although her Haki was weaker than Kaido's, the immense power from her Ashura Fruit knocked Kaido's hand away!
Those watching were stunned, especially the Marines. They couldn't believe that a Marine Lieutenant Commander could trade blows with Kaido!
This wasn't to say that Kuina was stronger than Garp, who had been knocked back by Kaido earlier. In fact, the opposite was true. Garp's Haki and physical combat were on par with Kaido's, but he had been at a disadvantage due to size and strength. Kuina's Haki and physical combat weren't as strong as Garp's, but her strength compensated, making it look like an even match.
Only Ian knew that Kuina might be able to hold Kaido off for a moment, but not for long. Meanwhile, Kizaru and Aokiji had resumed fighting Marco and Enel, leaving only Fujitora to help her with gravity.
So Ian decided to go help Zoro.
Akainu couldn't use his hands, but he still had his feet. He was kicking out Rankyaku attacks, clashing with Zoro's sword slashes. His Rankyaku was incredibly powerful, and the force could even disperse Zoro's slashes!
At that moment, Ian appeared from the side and thrust his blade at Akainu!
Akainu could only dodge, but Ian's aura had locked onto him. He relentlessly slashed at Akainu, targeting his glassified hands with every strike!
Ian was now ruthless. Damn it, even if the Celestial Dragons themselves showed up today, he would cripple that bastard's hands!
Akainu could feel Ian's unusual ferocity and knew this was bad. He didn't want to get entangled with Ian. After blocking several slashes with his kicks, he tried to leap back.
However, Ian had anticipated this. Just as Akainu leaped, Ian abandoned his blade, freed his right hand, and grabbed Akainu's ankle!
Coated in black Armament Haki, his hand caught Akainu's real body. Akainu reacted quickly, swinging his other foot to unleash a Rankyaku that struck Ian's shoulder!
But Ian didn't dodge. He let the Rankyaku hit his shoulder, the force breaking through his Armament Haki and drawing blood.
At the same time, black flames erupted from Ian's hand gripping Akainu's ankle!
Akainu's ankle burned with pain, knowing he had been scorched by Ian's high-temperature flames. But he didn't cry out. Instead, he furiously kicked out more Rankyaku at Ian.
Ian's body was slashed repeatedly, blood spraying, but he seemed to feel no pain. He held Akainu's ankle, roared, and spun around!
Akainu was swung into the air by Ian!
After spinning a few times, Ian suddenly let go, hurling Akainu toward Kaido!
Like a thrown projectile, Ian launched Akainu. Kaido, seeing the incoming human projectile, reacted instinctively without knowing the situation!
He casually swung his fist sideways at the flying Akainu!
Akainu, in midair, sensed Kaido behind him without turning around. Feeling the incoming force, he immediately tried to use Moon Step to dodge.
Akainu couldn't fly—that was a limitation of his Devil Fruit. How could molten rock fly? So his aerial techniques relied on Moon Step.
Of course, that was when he was uninjured...
As he kicked out with Moon Step, Akainu realized something was wrong! One of his ankles was in excruciating pain!
That momentary distraction prevented him from taking off in time, and then... he was directly hit by Kaido's arm!
Crack! The sound of shattering glass echoed across the entire battlefield!
The Marines watching were all stunned. They saw that under Kaido's arm strike, Akainu's glassified arms shattered into countless sparkling fragments, falling from midair...