As Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru charged toward him, Lin Xuan couldn't help but stretch lazily.
Yet, he seemed utterly unfazed by the impending assault from one of the world's top-tier fighters. Instead, he turned his attention to Boa Hancock and said, "My apologies, Miss Hancock. It seems I'll have to deal with some trivial matters before we can continue our conversation."
Boa Hancock, seeing how calmly and gracefully he carried himself even in the face of a powerhouse like Sengoku, felt her admiration for him grow even stronger.
She quickly replied, "Please, don't mind me, Lord Lin Xuan. This humble woman will await your triumphant return!"
Sengoku, who was mid-charge, overheard her words, and his face darkened instantly.
So, the Pirate Empress has indeed switched sides… and is even cheering for Lin Xuan's victory?!
Lin Xuan still didn't spare Sengoku a glance. Instead, he turned to Conis and said, "Conis, could you do me a favor and entertain Miss Hancock here while I handle this?"
"Of course!" Conis nodded eagerly, though her expression quickly turned worried as she added, "Please be careful!"
Hearing this, Lin Xuan chuckled. He cast a glance at Sengoku and smirked. "Don't worry. If the five old geezers from Mary Geoise showed up, I might be slightly cautious. But him? At best, he'll just help me warm up a little. Nothing to worry about."
The moment these words left his mouth, Sengoku's expression stiffened.
It wasn't because Lin Xuan was belittling him—but because he had just casually mentioned the five elders of Mary Geoise!
Sengoku knew exactly who Lin Xuan was referring to. What shocked him was that Lin Xuan even dared to bring them up so casually.
For a moment, Sengoku's curiosity about Lin Xuan's origins and motives grew even stronger. He halted his attack and instead demanded in a low voice, "Who exactly are you people? Why are you opposing the World Government?!"
Lin Xuan knew Sengoku was fishing for information, but he didn't call him out on it. Instead, he replied with a playful smirk, "What if I told you I'm doing all this just for fun? That I want to shake the world up a bit—would you believe me?"
Sengoku's eye twitched. "Do you think anyone would believe such nonsense?"
Lin Xuan sighed inwardly.
What's wrong with this world? Why won't anyone believe me when I tell the truth?
Honestly, a big part of his actions was just to shock the world and earn more reputation points to strengthen himself and his forces.
But since Sengoku refused to believe him, there was no helping it. He decided to spin a tale instead.
"To be honest, I initially had no grudge against the World Government. But then the slave traders on Sabaody happened to capture me, and I got to witness firsthand how despicable the Celestial Dragons truly are. So, I made a decision—to wipe out these trashy Celestial Dragons and bring peace back to this world."
He paused for effect before locking eyes with Sengoku.
"And since you Marines insist on protecting these scum, I have no choice but to crush you first to achieve my goal."
Sengoku: "..."
So, it all came back to the Celestial Dragons causing trouble yet again.
Meanwhile, people all over the world watching the live broadcast finally understood the absurd reason behind the conflict between Lin Xuan and the Marines.
Many were left speechless.
But at the same time, countless others felt their blood boil with excitement—especially those who had suffered under the Celestial Dragons or had long despised them but were powerless to do anything.
If earlier, people had been watching the war as mere spectators, now, after hearing Lin Xuan's words, many felt a deep sense of resonance with his cause. Some even began fervently hoping that Lin Xuan and his crew would emerge victorious.
Because now, in their eyes, Lin Xuan represented hope—the hope of destroying the Celestial Dragons once and for all!
Even the Revolutionary Army operatives who had secretly helped set up the broadcast screens felt a wave of relief.
So, he really is one of us!
We didn't make a mistake in supporting him!
As for Boa Hancock, who stood aboard Lin Xuan's ship, her heart trembled with overwhelming emotion.
She had been speculating about Lin Xuan's motives all along, and now, she finally confirmed it—he truly despised the Celestial Dragons and sought their complete annihilation.
For a moment, she was so moved she could barely contain herself.
After hearing Lin Xuan's words, Sengoku fell silent briefly—until the sounds of battle raging around him snapped him back to reality.
His eyes swept across the battlefield before finally settling back on Lin Xuan.
"Is there truly no room for negotiation? Not all Celestial Dragons are like this. Perhaps we can sit down and talk—there's no need for such a brutal war."
"Sit down and talk?"
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, amused. "Fine, if you want to talk, I'll hear you out. But first, listen to my conditions. If you can't accept them, then there's nothing to discuss."
"What are your conditions?" Sengoku asked.
Lin Xuan grinned.
"Simple. First, I want control over Sabaody Archipelago. Second, I will kill these three Celestial Dragons today. If you agree to these two terms, I'll cease hostilities immediately."
The moment these words were spoken, the world was stunned once more.
Hand over Sabaody Archipelago?
Allow him to execute three Celestial Dragons?!
Such outrageous demands—even the Four Emperors wouldn't dare make them to the World Government!
Yet Lin Xuan had declared them openly, in front of the entire world!
Of course, there was no way Sengoku could accept such terms. He immediately refused.
"These conditions are absolutely impossible!"
Lin Xuan nodded as if he had expected this.
"Then we'll just have to settle this the old-fashioned way."
Before the words even finished, his body shot into the air, hovering mid-flight.
"Come, Sengoku. Let me see for myself what the so-called 'Buddha' Fleet Admiral is truly capable of!"
As he spoke, his body became encased in a massive golden Susanoo.
Sengoku took a deep breath and also leaped into the air, his body transforming into the golden Buddha once more.
"And I'd like to see just what gives you the audacity to make such arrogant demands!"
The next instant—
BOOM!!!
The two collided in mid-air, and the battle erupted in full force!
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T/N:
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