Super Card System - Chapter 497

Chapter 497: Rising to Fame in a Single Battle

Ian couldn’t help but notice the striking transformation in Kuina when he saw her again.

During this period, Kuina had changed her hairstyle. She had abandoned her previous ear-length haircut and now sported a fluffy bob with bangs, which made her appear even more spirited.

Now, even though Kuina resembled Tashigi, just from their hairstyles, one could easily tell them apart.

Ian silently praised Kuina in his heart and then greeted her, saying, “Hey, aren’t you Kuina? Are you here with Captain Smoker?”

At this point, Ian couldn’t pretend not to know Kuina anymore. After all, she had met Ian several times under Smoker’s command. Not acknowledging her would only raise suspicions.

Kuina, realizing this, nodded without changing her expression and replied, “Yes.”

She had only just noticed the bustling training ground and, upon realizing that Ian was there, continuously accepting challenges from Marine officers, she immediately understood that Ian might be looking for her!

Otherwise, she couldn’t fathom why Ian would set up such a grand stage within the Marine Headquarters.

Regardless of the reason, Kuina decided to step forward and spar with Ian. If Ian indeed had something to discuss with her, he would likely reveal it during their match.

So, she went along with the flow and joined the scene.

However, the Marine officers who had previously challenged Ian were all at least at the rank of Captain. Suddenly, a Commander, especially a female one, stepping forward surprised all the Marine officers present. It was truly an unexpected turn of events.

As they got a better look at Kuina’s appearance, they were even more stunned. They found her to exude an indescribable allure.

Some Marine officers couldn’t help but become entranced by Kuina and began discreetly inquiring about her among their colleagues.

When they discovered that Commander Kuina had recently been recruited into the Staff Headquarters under Vice Admiral Tsuru, their enthusiasm skyrocketed. Everyone knew that Tsuru’s Staff had a reputation for being both skilled and beautiful.

As a result, some of the younger Marine officers couldn’t resist cheering loudly for Kuina!

However, they didn’t think Kuina could defeat Ian, the Shichibukai. Still, being able to witness a charismatic female Marine officer of her rank in combat made the experience worthwhile.

Under the watchful eyes of the spectators, Ian and Kuina exchanged brief greetings. Then, Kuina unsheathed her Wado Ichimonji and charged toward Ian, utilizing one of her signature moves, “Ōnami.” (“Billow Wave”)

Ian blocked her attack with his horizontal slash, knowing that Kuina possessed considerable strength. However, when the overwhelming force from her blade reached him, Ian had to resort to using both hands to maintain his defense.

Even so, he struggled to withstand Kuina’s powerful strikes, almost succumbing to her pressure. His feet suddenly sank into the ground, redirecting and dissipating the force into the earth.

A thunderous noise echoed, causing the cheering Marine officers to fall silent. They were astonished to see that the ground beneath Ian’s feet had cracked like a spiderweb during the brief clash with Kuina.

Keep in mind that this was a remarkably sturdy concrete surface!

Even Aokiji couldn’t help but hold his forehead at the sight!

Who on earth was this girl?

No one could have anticipated that Ian, who even a Rear Admiral couldn’t make him break a sweat, would now find himself overpowered in terms of strength by a female Marine Commander. At this moment, countless Marine officers in the audience were left wide-eyed in disbelief.

After channeling Kuina’s strength into the ground, Ian swiftly adjusted his footing. He raised the Thousand Cherry Blossoms in his hand, sweeping it in an arc to deflect Kuina’s blade.

Swift Sword: New Moon!

Ian understood that in a pure contest of strength, he couldn’t match Kuina’s Asura Devil Fruit. Thus, facing Kuina, he had to leverage his speed advantage.

Swish! The blade of Ian’s Senbonzakura transformed into a bright arc of light, passing by Kuina and striking horizontally towards her waist.

Kuina blocked Ian’s strike by deflecting her blade to the right, but Ian didn’t stop. He changed direction at lightning speed, delivering a series of strikes towards Kuina.

Initially, Kuina managed to parry a few strikes, but as the battle continued, she struggled to keep up with Ian’s lightning-fast pace. When Ian began targeting her blind spots with each attack, she found herself increasingly overwhelmed.

Her turning speed couldn’t keep up…

When Ian swung his sword once more, aiming for Kuina’s back, she had no choice but to utilize her Devil Fruit powers.

In an instant, Kuina’s body transformed into a three-headed, six-armed figure resembling the mythical Asura. Astonishingly, she wielded two more identical Wado Ichimonji sword blades in her extra hands!

This was a unique replication ability of the Asura Devil Fruit. Essentially, Kuina was now holding three Wado Ichimonji swords. The two replicated blades were solid, but they would disappear if they left her grasp.

With her three-headed, six-armed war-god stance, Kuina had employed a similar technique to the one Roronoa Zoro had used. However, it was Ian’s first time witnessing it, and he was truly astounded.

The blade Ian swung was directly blocked by a horizontal slash of Kuina’s side. This time, it was Kuina who knocked Ian back with her increased strength.

Her strength had grown again!?

Ian was taken aback as he halted his charge, observing the new Kuina. He was at a loss for words.

As for the Marine officers in the vicinity and even Admiral Kuzan, they were all wearing expressions of absolute shock.

“Could it be… an Awakened Zoan Fruit!?”

Kuzan was familiar with the abilities of Sengoku. He had always believed that Sengoku’s Buddha Paramecia Fruit was perhaps the world’s only mythical Zoan Fruit. Even Marco, the Phoenix of the Whitebeard Pirates, couldn’t compare because Sengoku’s fruit was practically divine.

However, what no one expected was the sudden emergence of another Devil Fruit user with the powers of a mythical figure!

The legendary Asura, the God of War! Kuzan couldn’t help but wonder how Sengoku would react to this news. Perhaps Vice Admiral Tsuru, during the recruitment of this girl into the Marines, was unaware of this astounding revelation.

Kuina’s transformation sent shockwaves through Marine Headquarters, and the news spread like wildfire. More and more Marine officers flocked to the training ground.

Seeing this situation, Ian realized that he had unintentionally helped Kuina achieve her goal. Their battle had made Kuina an overnight sensation, showcasing her rare and legendary Zoan fruit abilities. This would undoubtedly lead to her receiving greater recognition within the Marines. It wouldn’t be surprising if she were groomed as a potential Marine Admiral in the future.

With this in mind, Ian just needed to display his full strength during his battle with Kuina, highlighting her exceptional abilities. In the eyes of the countless Marines now watching, Kuina would shine even brighter as a rising star within Marine Headquarters.

Thinking about this, Ian burst into laughter. He released the Black Dragon Wave, which soared into the sky before crashing back down onto him. In an instant, Ian was enveloped in roaring black flames.

Wings of black flames extended from his shoulders, and an illusion of the Evil Eye glowed on his forehead. Ian’s current presence was equally imposing, making it clear to the Marine officers that he hadn’t used his full power during their previous encounters.

“Go, Colonel Kuina! Defeat him!” The Marine officers rallied behind Kuina, placing all their hopes on her.

From this moment on, the entire Marine Headquarters would remember the name Kuina!

And Kuina didn’t disappoint. In her Asura form, she planted her Wado Ichimonji sword into the ground, half-kneeling and leaning on the blade, and chanted, “Asura Field!”

In the next moment, an inexplicable sensation washed over everyone present, including Ian. It felt as if something had passed through their bodies and spread outwards.

Before they could grasp what was happening, they noticed countless flames surging up from beneath their feet.

The Marine officers were startled and attempted to dodge, only to realize that the flames on the ground seemed to be some kind of illusion!

Once they realized the flames couldn’t harm them, Ian also comprehended the situation. Kuina had opened a unique space with her Asura abilities!

Ian was astounded by this revelation. He had never anticipated that the Asura Fruit would possess spatial abilities similar to Trafalgar Law’s Operation Fruit!

Trafalgar Law’s space, known as the “Operating Room,” allowed him to freely manipulate a specific area. So, what kind of ability had Kuina developed for her Asura Fruit?

Ian’s guess was spot on. This was a new ability derived from Kuina’s Asura Fruit, and the flames on the ground, while harmless, created the illusion of a blazing battlefield. In this battlefield-like space, Kuina’s fighting spirit reached its zenith, amplifying the powers of her Asura Fruit!

In this space, the Asura Fruit truly lived up to its name as the Fruit of the War God!

Although Ian wasn’t sure about the exact effects of Kuina’s Field, he wasn’t taking any chances. He decided to face Kuina in his most powerful state.

With the reversed grip of his Senbonzakura, Ian gently released the blade.

As it fell, the sword’s blade seemed to disappear into an unknown space.

“Bankai! Scatter! Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!”

Countless cherry blossom petals suddenly emerged, gathering around Ian’s body and forming a second pair of wings, distinct from the black flames.

These wings were a delicate shade of pink.

“Endscape: White Imperial Sword!”

A sword radiating a cherry blossom-colored light appeared in Ian’s hand.

Ian and Kuina locked eyes, both filled with a longing for this battle.

“No… This is bad! Everyone, get out of here immediately!” Kuzan instantly realized the danger and shouted at the Marine officers present.

However, it was already too late by the time everyone reacted. Ian and Kuina’s figures disappeared simultaneously, and when they reappeared, they were inches apart!

They both raised their swords high in the same motion and struck down.

As their blades clashed, an ear-shattering sound erupted, accompanied by a fierce release of power!

Baaaang!!!

The area exploded like a sudden burst of a shockwave, and the hurricane created by the collision of their powers swept across the entire training ground. The Marine officers who had been observing the battle were blown away, crashing down hundreds of meters away, tumbling several times before coming to a stop.

Even Kuzan had to use his Ice Fruit powers to erect a massive ice wall in front of him, which barely blocked the oncoming shockwave.

Due to this action, Kuzan didn’t witness what happened when Ian and Kuina collided. At that moment, Ian had silently mouthed one word to Kuina, who stood right in front of him: “Akainu”

Kuina understood Ian’s message and nodded in response.

Their silent communication was completed in an instant…