Chapter 681: Faith Drives People Mad
Surprise was one thing, but after everyone picked their jaws up off the floor, the looks they gave Arest were more... strange!
"A Marine Admiral has infiltrated the heart of our BIG MOM Pirates' territory. Father Arest... no, Admiral Arest, do you understand what this means?" Katakuri stepped forward two paces, pointed at the ground, and said with a dark, brooding gaze.
"Of course I do!" Arest grinned widely and said, "It means... war?"
"Since you know that, you still dare to admit your identity!?" Perospero's eyes bulged wide, his face full of disbelief.
However, Arest spread his hands and said, "But... even if it means war, would you really make a move!?"
"Uh..." Perospero was taken aback and didn't dare to respond.
In truth, the BIG MOM Pirates weren't afraid to start a war with the Marines. As one of the Four Emperors, if they steeled their resolve, they could certainly have a major clash with the Marines. But the key question was: what benefit would come from starting such a war!?
The Marines weren't some pushover that could be easily manipulated. Initiating a war with the Marines meant being prepared for mutual destruction. Without sufficient benefits, no one dared to claim they could blindly start a war while ignoring the enormous cost of casualties.
Especially since there was a recent precedent right before their eyes. The war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates had just ended not long ago. Anyone who had watched that entire war would understand that if it hadn't been for Ian's sudden intervention, whether the Whitebeard Pirates could have won was still up for debate...
Now, the BIG MOM Pirates, for one, didn't have any important figures captured by the Marines, and for another, he hadn't done anything like attempting to assassinate BIG MOM. This was completely different from the situation when the Whitebeard Pirates had gone to war with the Marines.
So, talk of starting a war was just that—talk. Unless absolutely necessary, no one dared to easily initiate conflict. This applied not only to the BIG MOM Pirates but also to the Marines.
Everyone present suddenly understood why Arest had voluntarily revealed his identity.
To be honest, if he hadn't stated that he was a Marine Admiral, the BIG MOM Pirates would likely have treated him like Stussy—as a World Government intelligence agent! As one of the Four Emperors, BIG MOM wouldn't think twice about killing an intelligence agent; she'd just get rid of him. But she would definitely handle a Marine Admiral with caution.
It was like diplomatic immunity. The identity of a Marine Admiral was a protective charm, forcing anyone who considered making a move against him to think twice about the consequences.
However, revealing his identity was actually a last resort. Ian's sudden attack on Stussy, which had exposed her, had deeply shocked Arest. He couldn't figure out how Ian had discovered Stussy's identity. Even Caesar, the person directly involved, had no idea, yet Ian had pinpointed the target in one go.
Faced with this situation, Arest knew he would likely be found out by Ian as well. With the proof of Ian having instantly recognized Stussy's identity, it was safe to say that no matter who Ian pointed a finger at, the BIG MOM Pirates wouldn't doubt him. BIG MOM would kill him just like she had killed Stussy, treating him as a CP agent and eliminating him without mercy, leaving him dead without knowing why.
This was Whole Cake Island, BIG MOM's home base. If the BIG MOM Pirates wanted to kill him, he would definitely be in trouble. Although Arest was a Marine Admiral, challenging the entire BIG MOM Pirates alone was a stupid move he wouldn't make. So, out of necessity, he had pulled out his identity card.
Of course, even though Arest didn't back down verbally, he understood that he couldn't push the BIG MOM Pirates too far. So he immediately followed up by saying, "I admit, Stussy is indeed a CP agent, but I only found out after arriving at Whole Cake Island. Breaking into the treasure room to steal the rubbing was her plan. I just helped her a little. My true purpose in coming to Whole Cake Island has nothing to do with your BIG MOM Pirates!"
"Then what are you here for!?" BIG MOM frowned and said angrily.
Arest turned his head to look at Ian, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Black Dragon Ian, I'm actually here for you!"
"For me!?" Ian had a confused look on his face, scratching his head as he asked, "Uh, do I have a grudge against you?"
"No, I don't!" Arest shook his head.
"Then did Akainu order you to come and get revenge for him?" Ian pressed further.
"No, not that either!" Arest shook his head again.
Ian spread his hands. "That's strange. Among the Marine Admirals, the only ones I've had issues with are Akainu and Kizaru. You, who were just recruited as a Marine Admiral, I've never even seen before. Why did you attack me as soon as you arrived?"
However, Arest suddenly wore a devout expression, kissed the cross hanging around his neck, and said very seriously, "This is for the glory of my Lord!"
"Huh!??"
Not just Ian, but even the surrounding guests and the BIG MOM Pirates members were completely dumbfounded by this explanation.
But before anyone could react, Arest suddenly sprang into action, charging straight at Ian. At incredible speed, he thrust the dagger formed from blood toward Ian's throat!
Ian jerked his head back, dodging Arest's strike. As his body leaned back, he swung a roundhouse kick. Arest raised his left arm, hardening it with Armament Haki to block Ian's kick, while his right hand continued to stab with the dagger, targeting Ian's vital points!
As he attacked, Arest's face was filled with fanatical fervor. Veins bulged on his face, and he bared sharp canine teeth as he roared at Ian, "Come on! Show your true form! Today, I will deliver the final judgment on you, this demon!"
"Get lost!" Ian was furious. What was this nonsense!? Was this guy crazy? Spouting gibberish like that?
He spun around, drew Thousand Cherry Blossoms, and slashed at Arest. But Arest didn't dodge; he raised his right-hand dagger to block!
Based on Ian's previous experience, this should have been a clash of blades. But when the sword came down, Ian realized he was wrong. The dagger in Arest's hand wasn't an ordinary dagger. When the sword struck it, it cut through the dagger like tofu!
The dagger split apart, passed over Ian's blade, and then immediately reformed. Arest gripped it and stabbed it viciously into Ian's shoulder!
Of course, the consequence of this move was that Arest was also hit by Ian!
Ssshh! Arest's dagger pierced through Ian's Armament Haki defense, sinking the tip into the muscle of Ian's shoulder. At the same time, Ian's blade cut through Arest's skin and dug into his shoulder blade.
This was a mutual-destruction tactic. Ian never expected that a Marine Admiral like Arest would resort to such a self-harming approach!
"Damn it!" Ian kicked out at Arest, striking him in the abdomen. As Arest was sent flying back, his left hand instinctively clawed at Ian's calf.
Although Ian's kick sent Arest stumbling back a few steps, he still managed to leave scratches on Ian's calf.
Now Ian understood. This guy Arest was concentrating most of his Armament Haki on offense, completely ignoring his own defense, solely focused on damaging Ian!
Crazy. This guy really gave off a crazy vibe.
The next second, Arest charged again. Ian thought he would try the same mutual-destruction tactic, so he narrowed his eyes coldly, planning to teach him an unforgettable lesson.
You're not defending yourself? Fine, I'll just cut you down in one strike!
But just as Ian was about to go all out, he saw Arest, who was rushing at him again, suddenly extend his palm and clench it tightly toward Ian!
A strange, unbearable pain suddenly hit Ian. He felt as if all the blood vessels in his body were swelling at once, stretching his skin to the point of tearing!
In that moment of distraction, Arest was already in front of Ian. His left hand swung, leaving four claw marks on Ian's face, drawing blood. At the same time, he twisted his body and thrust the dagger in his right hand toward Ian's eye!
In the nick of time, Ian jerked his head to the side, letting Arest's dagger graze past his brow. He felt a warm gush of blood flow from the spot above his right eyebrow.
Without checking his injury, Ian thrust his sword upward from Arest's left ribcage. Arest tried to twist away, but Ian's blade suddenly erupted with a flaming sword aura, striking Arest, who had already dodged. The attack tore open his priestly robe, revealing a bloody wound.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Ian stepped back a few paces. But he was still amazed by the strange sensation he had just experienced. He knew that Arest was a Devil Fruit user, but he couldn't figure out what kind of ability it was.
Earlier, when he heard that Arest had been recruited from the civilian population through the World Military Draft to become a Marine Admiral, Ian had been very surprised. He knew that this was the result of him having taken Fujitora away. The original Fujitora hadn't become a Marine Admiral; instead, this White Wolf Arest had taken his place.
This was a person completely outside Ian's memories, so he knew nothing about him.
But Arest charged again, like a wolf hunting its prey. He didn't let up on Ian at all. As he attacked, he continued to shout fanatically, "Where's your flame!? Where are your demon wings!? I am the Lord's most loyal servant, but killing you like this gives me no pleasure!"
"A fanatic!?"
This time, not just Ian, but even the onlookers immediately understood what was going on!
But with that realization came a headache, because everyone knew that these fanatics were the hardest to deal with!
"Damn it, this guy isn't treating me like some kind of evil creature, is he!?" Ian thought to himself. He was getting angry too. Anyone would be furious if they were inexplicably treated as an outcast.
How did the Marines end up recruiting a guy like this as an Admiral? Did he really think he was part of an Inquisition?
After deflecting Arest's dagger with a swing of his sword, Ian thrust his arms outward. The next second, black flame wings blazed into existence.
"As you wish!" Ian floated in midair, looking down coldly at Arest...