Lin Xuan didn't believe the Demon Slayer Order could kill him, but he was worried it might destroy the Sabaody Archipelago. He had plans to make this place his stronghold in this world, so there was no way he'd let them wreak havoc. Even if the World Government moved quickly, it would take at least half an hour to fully activate the Demon Slayer Order. That was more than enough time for him to make his move. This time, he was going to make the World Government bleed again.
Meanwhile, the shockwaves from the recent killing of three Celestial Dragons were still rippling across the world, growing more intense by the moment. In the New World, aboard the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, the crew was abuzz.
"Who would've thought? Three Celestial Dragons, killed by the Navy's own hand. That's just too ironic," Diamond Joz said, shaking his head.
"That Lin Xuan guy? He definitely planned it," said Blenheim, captain of the Ninth Division, his face grim. "That woman by his side, though—her powers are something else."
"Heh, all I know is the World Government's got to be fuming!" said Rakuyo, the Seventh Division's doctor, casually tossing a meteor hammer in his hand with a sly grin.
"They're not just angry," Whitebeard finally spoke, his voice heavy. "They're going to come at him with everything they've got."
His words cast a shadow over the crew. Smaller pirate crews might think the World Government had hit rock bottom after their elite Navy forces suffered such a humiliating defeat. But Whitebeard's crew, with their deeper intel, knew better. The Navy was just the surface of the World Government's power. Most of the time, the Navy was enough to handle any problem, which meant the true extent of the government's strength remained hidden. Even a crew like Whitebeard's hadn't fully uncovered what lay beneath.
Marco, the Phoenix, spoke up. "This is a chance for us to learn more about the World Government's real power."
The others nodded in agreement. At the same time, the other three Emperors of the Sea, the Revolutionary Army, and countless other factions were all keeping a close eye on the unfolding events in Sabaody.
Back on the archipelago, the warriors from the Ninja World had begun breaking free from the ice that had trapped them. They stood atop the frozen blocks, watching the chaos unfold while awaiting Lin Xuan's orders. Among them was Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, who had arrived with the group but had been frozen along with the islands. Now free, she stood with them.
When she heard the World Government was launching a Demon Slayer Order against Sabaody, her expression darkened. Her gaze flicked to Lin Xuan, her eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts. From what she knew, the Demon Slayer Order left nothing but destruction in its wake—a force so terrifying it struck fear into even the boldest hearts. She wanted to urge Lin Xuan to flee, to warn him of the danger. But after witnessing the earlier battle, her resolve wavered. Maybe, just maybe, this man could pull off another miracle.
"Hmph, what a bunch of pests. I'll wipe them all out," Uchiha Madara scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.
Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and the others nodded in agreement, clearly fed up with the Navy's antics. But Lin Xuan had other plans.
"No, you've got other tasks," he said. "Before we came to Sabaody, I made some arrangements. The timing's just about right. You all head out and take care of it."
Lin Xuan grinned, then pulled Uchiha Madara, Hashirama, and the others aside to explain his plan. When they heard it, their faces twisted with strange expressions.
"You're one ruthless guy," Hashirama said with a laugh. "The World Government's going to hate your guts."
"Hah! I love this plan. Let's do it!" Madara roared with laughter, his voice booming with approval.
Tobirama, more reserved, mulled it over, quietly marveling at how terrifyingly cunning Lin Xuan's tactics were.
Soon, Madara and Hashirama led the group of ninja warriors away from Sabaody, leaving only Lin Xuan, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Conis, Boa Hancock, and Frex, who was in charge of the live broadcast.
"Conis, stay here and keep the Empress company," Lin Xuan said with a smile. "We'll be back soon."
He nodded to Hancock, then left with Kaguya, taking Frex and his crew along. Whatever was coming next, he wasn't going to let the world miss it.
Hancock opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself. She wanted to warn him that staying in Sabaody was dangerous, but something told her Lin Xuan was about to make another big move.
Half an hour later, the seas around Sabaody churned as hundreds of top-tier warships closed in, surrounding the archipelago. These weren't ordinary vessels—each was equipped with devastating weaponry, far more powerful than standard Navy ships. On board were the World Government's elite forces, a mix of Navy soldiers and other units Lin Xuan had never seen before. Hundreds of thousands strong, their presence was no less imposing than the Navy's elite already stationed there.
This was the World Government's strongest military force, mobilized for an unprecedented Demon Slayer Order.
The warships moved swiftly, encircling Sabaody in a tight net. On the command ship, Admiral Kong, Sengoku, and others were receiving urgent medical treatment. Admirals Akainu and Aokiji, along with several vice admirals, were too injured to fight. Kizaru, who had been sealed earlier, had managed to escape during the chaos of the freeze and was still combat-ready.
Soon, Kong received a call from the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government. They had learned of the Celestial Dragons' deaths. As for the bald monk, Kong had refused to believe he was dead—after all, he was no ordinary foe. Earlier, they'd searched the site of his battle with Lin Xuan but found no body. The Five Elders confirmed the monk had been rescued at the last moment and was now in Mary Geoise, though they didn't elaborate on how or by whom. Kong didn't press for details; knowing the monk was alive was enough.
The Five Elders' orders were clear: annihilate Lin Xuan and his crew. Not a single one could be spared.
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T/N:
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