Super Card System - Chapter 499:
Chapter 499: Edd War
Ian had suspected that Kuina must have a solution, but he never expected Kuina to act so swiftly!
It was only the second day when Ian went out for a stroll with Aokiji, and he ran into Kuina again.
As Ian greeted her, Kuina responded with a disdainful snort and abruptly launched a swift kick toward his face!
Ian was caught off guard but promptly seized her foot. It was then that he made an intriguing discovery – a tiny piece of paper discreetly concealed on Kuina’s shoe, right where the shoelaces were fastened!
With a quick thought, Ian swiftly pulled the paper into his hand while pushing Kuina away.
The paper ended up in Ian’s hand without a trace!
“Hehe, Kuina! Do you really want to continue our fight?” Ian grinned and said, “Haven’t you noticed Admiral Kuzan right behind me?”
“Hmph!” Kuina pretended to be annoyed, then raised her hand to stand at attention. She saluted Kuzan and said, “Admiral Kuzan!”
Kuzan nodded and asked, “Kuina, where are you going?”
“I’m delivering a document to Vice Admiral Tsuru!” Kuina gestured towards the document she held in her hand.
“What kind of document?” Ian cooperatively leaned closer, wanting to take a look.
However, Kuina quickly moved the document aside, keeping it at a distance, and watched Ian warily.
Wow! My sister’s got some serious acting skills! Ian couldn’t help but mentally applaud Kuina’s performance. From start to finish, there was no physical contact between them, even with Aokiji trailing behind. There was absolutely no sign of a flaw!
Who would have thought that the moment Kuina kicked Ian, their information exchange had already taken place?
Seeing this, Aokiji sighed in relief and told Kuina, “Alright, you can go!”
After saluting, Kuina left without a word, and then Aokiji turned to Ian and asked, “What’s going on between you and her?”
“How should I know?” Ian shrugged. “Back when she was still with Smoker, we had a little scuffle. I guess she’s been holding a grudge ever since losing that fight. She seems like a pretty headstrong person…”
Aokiji nodded, having also picked up on Kuina’s personality. He didn’t doubt Ian’s words.
However, he then sighed and said, “You might not know this, but after yesterday’s battle, Commander Kuina suddenly gained a lot of admirers overnight! These guys went to the staff headquarters to give her flowers, and Vice Admiral Tsuru even came to complain to me about them disturbing their work…”
“Really!?” A dangerous glint suddenly flashed in Ian’s eyes. “Should I lend you a hand? I can just stand guard at the staff headquarters and give those guys a good beating if they dare approach her!”
No joking around! These Navy guys have some nerve! They actually dare to set their sights on my sister!?
At this moment, Ian, like a protective older brother, was ready to knock the teeth out of any would-be suitors who approached Kuina with ulterior motives!
There’s a saying, “An elder brother is like a father,” and that perfectly describes Ian’s mindset at this moment. In Ian’s eyes, his junior, Kuina, had always been his pride and joy. Even someone as stubborn as Zoro, Ian wanted to see him grow taller and stronger, let alone Kuina, an outstanding and talented sister. Naturally, Ian was even more protective of her.
So, for a moment, Ian’s fists clenched audibly.
Aokiji didn’t understand the reasons behind this and thought Ian wanted to take advantage of the situation to discipline the Navy personnel. How could he agree to that? So he outright rejected him, saying, “No need to worry, those guys have already been put in confinement!”
“Alright!” Ian’s mood improved upon hearing this news.
However, he suddenly realized why Kuina had obtained the information so quickly. Besides her being in the Staff Headquarters, it was likely related to her popularity at Marine Headquarters. Those admirers in the Marines, when Kuina casually asked something like, “I wonder where Admiral Akainu has gone, I can’t find him anywhere.” would eagerly tell her, trying to impress her…
The Marines might be wary of Ian as one of the Seven Warlords, but they wouldn’t suspect Kuina, who was also part of the Navy. It seemed that his decision to have Kuina gather intelligence had been absolutely correct.
After obtaining the information, Ian continued to stroll around, holding the small piece of paper in his hand, crumpled into an inconspicuous ball. He didn’t rush back but continued to wander around the Marine Base as if nothing was amiss.
During his leisurely walk, Ian also bumped into Smoker and Tashigi, so he stopped and chatted with them for a while.
Smoker and Tashigi held the rank of Commodore and Captain, and although they were elite members of Marine Headquarters, they remained unaware of the true intentions of the Warlords of the Sea. They found Ian’s presence within Marine Headquarters somewhat unusual, but they didn’t pry further.
In fact, upon closer examination, Ian had quite a few connections within the Navy. He had friends, like Smoker and Tashigi, and even Vice Admiral Garp. However, there were also adversaries, such as Vice Admiral Doberman, who had lost a hand to Ian, and Vice Admiral Momonga, whom Ian had defeated. Each of them had a different attitude toward Ian when they encountered him during his stroll around Marine Headquarters.
After his circuitous walk, Ian eventually returned to his quarters. During his stay, Aokiji and Kizaru remained outside, guarding the entrance.
Once back in his room, Ian finally opened the small note Kuina had given him.
The note was succinct, given its size, and Ian only found a name written on it: “Edd War!”
Ian wasn’t familiar with Whitebeard’s territories, so he wasn’t sure if this location fell within Whitebeard’s jurisdiction. However, upon some consideration, it became evident that it was highly unlikely to be Whitebeard’s territory. If Admiral Akainu, a prominent Navy Admiral, were to enter Whitebeard’s territory, he would immediately be under surveillance.
Since it was beyond Whitebeard’s territory, it was worth pondering Admiral Akainu’s purpose in this location.
Moreover, for some reason, Ian had a nagging feeling of familiarity with this name, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
With a furrowed brow, Ian began to contemplate. As he pondered, a sudden flash of insight struck him, and he finally recollected the name!
Edd War!? Could it be the Sea location of the Battle of Edd War?!
The Battle of Edd War was a famous historical event dating back to the era of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Furthermore, it’s impossible to discuss this without mentioning a key figure: Golden Lion Shiki of Flying Pirate Crew! During that time, the Flying Pirate Crew, the Roger Pirate Crew, and the Whitebeard Pirate Crew were arguably the three most famous pirate crews on the Grand Line!
This was approximately three years before Roger’s execution, making it an event that occurred at least twenty-five years ago. Captain Shiki and the Pirate King Roger were acquaintances who had known each other for decades, belonging to that unique category of being both foes and friends. However, Captain Shiki’s pirate crew was exceptionally formidable during that period. He approached Roger, seeking cooperation and aiming to dominate the world with his military might, combined with Roger’s knowledge of the “Ancient Weapons” that could Destroy the World.
Unfortunately, Roger didn’t share those ambitions at the time and outright refused Captain Shiki’s proposal. Enraged by this rejection, Golden Lion Shiki declared war on Roger!
In contrast to Roger, who followed the path of elites, the Flying Pirate Crew boasted a fleet of several dozen ships. They collectively besieged a single ship of the Roger Pirate Crew. Although Roger’s crew managed to decimate a significant portion of Shiki’s forces, they ultimately forced Pirate King Roger into a dire situation.
If not for an unexpected storm that instantaneously reversed the tide in favor of the Roger Pirate Crew and allowed Roger to seize the opportunity to turn the tables, there might not have been a Pirate King in this world…
This battle is now remembered as the Battle of Edd War, whispered about in the shadows by many. Ian found the name familiar, and this is the reason why.
That naval battle can be considered the catalyst that directly propelled Pirate King Roger to fame. With the power of a single ship, he defeated the vastly superior Flying Pirate Crew. Roger can be said to have risen to greatness standing on the shoulders of Captain Shiki.
What could Admiral Akainu be planning by taking the Marines there?
Could it be that the Navy is preparing for a “New Battle of Edd War” in this sea area, against the Whitebeard Pirate Crew?
As Ian pondered, he began to grasp the situation. The first Battle of Edd War had catapulted Pirate King Roger to fame. So, who would this second Battle of Edd Sea bring renown to?
The Navy or the Whitebeard Pirate Crew?
Ian understood that a showdown between the Navy and the Whitebeard Pirate Crew was inevitable. However, he hadn’t anticipated that due to his intervention, the Navy had missed its chance in the Summit War but might now provoke a new Battle of Edd War against the Whitebeard Pirate Crew.
Did they choose this location because it symbolized the Navy’s determination? Were they seeking to enhance the Navy’s reputation through this battle?
Ian was now certain that Admiral Akainu hadn’t chosen Edd War Sea randomly. While he didn’t know the exact plan, he speculated that Akainu might be laying some kind of groundwork there…
Currently, elite members from various Navy branches were constantly arriving at Marine Headquarters, indicating a gathering of forces. This war could erupt at any moment.
This situation left Ian feeling somewhat anxious. He wished to alert Ace to be cautious of Blackbeard and Akainu, but he was currently unable to leave Marine Headquarters.
“Luffy, Zoro! It’s up to you now!” Ian clenched his fist in frustration. “Please don’t disappoint me. If you encounter the Celestial Dragons, give them a fierce beating or just cut them down! If you do that, either Aokiji or Kizaru might leave Marine Headquarters for Sabaody Archipelago. When that happens, dealing with one remaining Navy Admiral will be much more manageable!”
