Super Card System - S.C.S Chapter 588: Heartless Bastard

Mythical Zoan-type Branched Giant Snake Form!?

Ian looked over at Kaido among the Navy. Although he had already guessed that Kaido, the big boss of the Beasts Pirates, was likely a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, he couldn’t help but be surprised to learn that Kaido’s Devil Fruit was the Mythical Zoan type of such an evil and ferocious beast.

He couldn’t imagine what this incredibly mighty giant would look like after transforming into the Yamata no Orochi. However, it made sense to him that only a beast as fearsome as the Branched Giant Snake could lead the Beasts Pirates.

Without the power of a Devil Fruit, it’s exceedingly rare for someone to reach the level of a Yonko through pure Haki and physical prowess alone. Unless someone is extraordinarily gifted, it’s almost impossible. In the vast world of pirates, Ian had only seen two such people: Red-Haired Shanks and Dracule Mihawk. They truly were as rare as a phoenix’s feather.

Moreover, Ian recalled that the reason Kaido sought artificial Devil Fruits from Doflamingo was to form a crew of all Devil Fruit users. Since his subordinates were all Devil Fruit users, it was unlikely that Kaido himself would be an exception.

This led Ian to think of his own Orochi card. In fact, the original concept of the Orochi card also came from the legendary Yamata no Orochi. Both are mythical creatures, but in Ian’s case, the Orochi appears in card form, providing him with special abilities. In Kaido’s case, it manifests as a Devil Fruit power…

As for which Orochi is more powerful, Ian had no idea…

While Ian was contemplating this, something unexpected happened on the Navy’s side.

At this moment, the three Navy Admirals were gathered around the bound Kaido. Although they had captured Kaido several times before, the Navy never dared to let their guard down. Given that the war with the Whitebeard Pirates seemed unlikely to continue, capturing Kaido in front of the whole world would be a significant achievement, preserving some face for the Navy and the World Government.

“How serious do you think the damage from Ian’s lightning strike was?” Kizaru asked. “How long until Kaido wakes up?”

“No idea! But…” Aokiji shook his head. “That move Ian used was probably the same one he used on us back on Sabaody Archipelago. That time, a tenth of the island’s area was destroyed, so the power is definitely strong enough! I guess Kaido won’t be waking up anytime soon…”

“Then we have another problem… We have to escort this guy together,” Kizaru said, clearly displeased. “Hopefully, he wakes up when we get back to Marineford. Otherwise, he might destroy another ship!”

Hearing Aokiji and Kizaru mention Ian, Akainu couldn’t help but snort coldly and look down at his own hands.

The condition of his hands was actually worse than everyone imagined. During the sea of flames, he hadn’t thought much and had curled his body, using his arms to shield himself from the impact of the fire. Now, although the rest of his body was fine, his hands, from fists to elbows, were completely immobile, stuck in a clenched position.

Akainu even suspected that his arms were completely necrotic… He hadn’t expected the flames created by Ian and Fire Fist Ace’s combined attack to be so powerful!

At that moment, a female Navy lieutenant colonel with a sword at her waist ran over, followed by a Navy medic. She saluted Akainu and said, “Admiral Sakazuki, this is the doctor assigned to you by Vice Admiral Tsuru. Your injuries need to be treated immediately!”

Under normal circumstances, getting medical treatment for injuries was routine, but for some reason, Akainu felt a sudden surge of anger.

He felt that this statement had hurt his pride!

As a dignified Navy Admiral, and the highest-ranked among the three Admirals, he now needed a young girl to bring a doctor to him? Did they really think he was already useless?

So, when the Navy doctor stepped forward to check Akainu’s injuries, he angrily waved his hand and sent the doctor flying.

“Go back and tell Vice Admiral Tsuru that I’m fine!” Akainu said sternly, turning away without looking back.

Aokiji and Kizaru, witnessing this, remained silent, understanding Akainu’s temperament.

The doctor who had been thrown aside got up, looking at the female Navy lieutenant colonel with a face full of grievance, seeking help, “Lieutenant Colonel Kuina, what should we do…?”

Yes, this female lieutenant colonel was Kuina. She was originally part of the Navy’s staff department, and after the fighting ceased, the considerate Vice Admiral Tsuru had sent her over to tend to Akainu’s injuries. However, she hadn’t expected Akainu to reject her so bluntly.

Frowning, Kuina saluted again and said, “Admiral Sakazuki, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is also very concerned about your injuries…”

Vice Admiral Tsuru was of a lower rank, so Akainu, in his anger, could ignore her. Kuina thought that mentioning Fleet Admiral Sengoku would surely work, right?

However, this only further infuriated Akainu!

“Shut up!” Akainu turned his head, his face dark with anger, and said to Kuina, “Since when can a mere lieutenant colonel give me orders!?”

“…” Kuina was left speechless, and even Aokiji, standing nearby, frowned upon hearing this.

Aokiji understood very well that Akainu was expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the war. This entire conflict had been orchestrated by Akainu from the beginning. Whether it was coordinating with Blackbeard Teach or gradually encircling the Whitebeard Pirates, Akainu had invested considerable effort in this war. He had hoped to achieve complete success by killing Whitebeard and destroying his pirate crew. However, Ian’s unexpected intervention had not only thwarted their plans but also left Akainu injured.

Given these circumstances, how could Akainu possibly feel good about the situation?

Still, no matter how much resentment he harbored, it was inappropriate to take it out on a young woman…

Aokiji recognized Kuina, knowing she was the same lieutenant colonel who had once fought Ian at Marineford. As a rising star in the Navy, being groomed for future leadership, Aokiji felt that Vice Admiral Tsuru’s decision to send Kuina was already showing considerable respect to Akainu.

Aokiji wanted to speak up for Kuina, but he also understood that he and Akainu had differing ideologies within the Navy. Given Akainu’s current anger, any intervention on his part would likely only make things worse.

However, what Aokiji didn’t expect was that Kuina was far more resolute than he had imagined. She wasn’t intimidated by Akainu’s reprimand. Instead, she stood at attention and spoke righteously, “Admiral Sakazuki, this is not about giving you orders! As a lieutenant colonel, I indeed do not have the authority to command you. I am simply carrying out the orders I have received. Please do not make things difficult for me!”

While saying this, Kuina looked at Akainu with a determined gaze, showing no signs of backing down!

Despite the many years that had passed, Kuina’s inherent unwillingness to admit defeat hadn’t changed. Not even when facing an admiral.

Aokiji couldn’t help but silently praise Kuina for her fearlessness in the face of authority.

But to Akainu, this tone sounded like a direct confrontation. Known for his ruthless nature and strict adherence to hierarchy, he couldn’t tolerate this and yelled at Kuina, “Get out of my sight! How dare you…”

Before he could finish his sentence, a voice suddenly came from behind!

“Oh, I see. So, the little dog Akainu is injured, huh…”

Upon hearing this voice, the expressions of the three admirals changed drastically. They immediately recognized it as Kaido’s voice!

How could this guy have woken up so quickly!?

They turned around abruptly and saw Kaido pushing himself up from the ground. Ian had inflicted serious injuries on him, and Kaido’s wounds hadn’t fully healed, but he was indeed awake!

It’s often said that a wounded beast is the most dangerous, and Kaido at this moment perfectly embodied this saying. Just the act of pushing himself up exuded a formidable aura of oppression.

“Move back! Move back now!” Aokiji shouted loudly to the stunned guards around them.

Kizaru was the fastest to react. He extended his finger, firing several lasers in quick succession, targeting Kaido’s wrist. Each laser hit the same spot, creating a hole in Kaido’s wrist.

However, such an attack did not stop Kaido. With a furious roar, he exerted all his strength and shattered the Seastone cuffs binding him!

The numerous Seastone cuffs were meant as an emergency restraint. Once Kaido broke free, they shattered into countless fragments. Without the Seastone’s restraint, Kaido’s right hand suddenly transformed—from his fist to his arm, it became a “monster” covered in scales!

The front looked like a dragon’s head with horns, yet it also had a serpentine appearance. This was part of Kaido’s Yamata no Orochi form!

This beast, whether dragon-headed or serpent-headed, opened its menacing maw filled with sharp teeth and lunged toward Akainu.

Akainu reacted instinctively, preparing to counterattack. However, just as he was about to move, he suddenly remembered his arms had been crystallized!

“Damn it!” Unable to transform his fists into magma, Akainu cursed and quickly leaped aside to dodge!

His evasion of Kaido’s attack might have been an instinctive reaction, but he overlooked one crucial detail!

Behind him stood Kuina and the Navy doctor!

Kuina could have dodged too, but if she moved, the doctor behind her would be doomed…

Without hesitation, Kuina drew her Wado Ichimonji and stood in front of the terrified doctor!

With a crunch, the dragon head of Kaido’s Yamata no Orochi transformation missed Akainu but swallowed Kuina whole…

Ian witnessed this scene, and his eyes immediately turned red with rage!

“Akainu!!! Damn you!!!”

With a powerful leap, he charged towards them…