In the New World, atop Cake Island, the headquarters of the Big Mom Pirates, a grand dessert banquet was in full swing. Charlotte Linlin, known as Big Mom, sat surrounded by her children, savoring delectable sweets while keeping tabs on the war unfolding in the Sabaody Archipelago.
As they watched, Lin Xuan summoned a hundred golden giants, each radiating an intimidating aura, poised to clash with the World Government's massive Buster Call fleet. The Charlotte family members tensed, their anticipation palpable. While they doubted these hundred Susanoo could match Lin Xuan's full power, they were eager to see him challenge the World Government's might. A stronger Lin Xuan meant more insight into the government's true strength, revealing valuable intelligence.
But after waiting with bated breath, the expected clash never came. Instead, the Charlotte family watched in disbelief as the World Government's warships surrounding Sabaody abruptly turned tail and fled the seas.
"What's going on? Why are the World Government forces running away?" Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte family and user of the Lick-Lick Fruit, asked, his voice thick with confusion.
"Could they have been scared off by that Lin Xuan guy?" Opera, the fifth son and user of the Cream-Cream Fruit, speculated.
"No way," Katakuri, the second son and user of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, countered, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His voice was low and measured. "This Super Buster Call is far larger than any ordinary one. The World Government wouldn't mobilize such a force just to do nothing. And retreating this hastily? It's not like them. Something big must have happened."
His words sparked murmurs of agreement among the Charlotte siblings. Several of the sisters' eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow, Katakuri's so insightful!" they chirped.
Katakuri, ever stoic, furrowed his brow in deep thought, trying to piece together what could have forced the World Government's sudden retreat. The others fell into their own contemplations.
They turned to their mother, Charlotte Linlin, hoping for her perspective, but something was off. Big Mom sat motionless, her expression vacant, muttering under her breath.
"Mom? Mom?" one of her children called out.
She didn't respond. Instead, she lurched to her feet, flipping the table before her with a crash. "Cake!" she bellowed, her voice growing frantic.
Panic swept through the room. Her children's faces paled. Big Mom's craving sickness had struck, and she began rampaging across Cake Island, destroying everything in her path.
Meanwhile, the sudden retreat of the World Government's forces left everyone stunned and puzzled. Like Katakuri, most concluded that something major—something they weren't privy to—had forced the government's hand. The unprecedented Super Buster Call, poised to showcase its might, had withdrawn without a single shot fired, leaving the world unable to witness its power. Many felt a pang of regret at the missed spectacle.
The Four Emperors, the Revolutionary Army, and other major powers were particularly disappointed. They had hoped to gauge the World Government's true strength. Curiosity buzzed as they began digging for answers: what could have prompted such an abrupt retreat?
Some speculated it had to do with Lin Xuan himself.
They weren't wrong.
The holy land of Mary Geoise had come under sudden attack, orchestrated by none other than Uchiha Madara and his allies. Their swift assault was made possible by a clever arrangement Lin Xuan had made long before. When he descended from Skypiea back to the Blue Sea, he had already set a plan in motion.
Uchiha Obito.
Lin Xuan had resurrected Obito using the Edo Tensei technique and sent him to infiltrate Mary Geoise, ready to act at a moment's notice. Obito wasn't one to follow orders blindly, but Lin Xuan offered him a deal he couldn't refuse, ensuring his compliance. With Obito's abilities, he could hide in Mary Geoise undetected by anyone.
Just moments earlier, Lin Xuan had contacted Obito through a secure, otherworldly communication channel, giving him the green light to act. He'd even sent Obito one of Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God kunai to facilitate the plan. This allowed Madara and his team to appear in Mary Geoise out of nowhere, launching a surprise attack that forced the World Government to recall its forces.
Watching the government's fleet retreat, Lin Xuan let out a sigh of relief. Truth be told, he wasn't afraid of facing the World Government head-on. With thirteen billion reputation points at his disposal, their Super Buster Call didn't intimidate him. But a full-scale battle risked destroying the Sabaody Archipelago, which he'd worked hard to claim. And now wasn't the time for a final showdown with the government.
This war had already earned him a substantial haul of reputation points. Most of the world's audience was in a "cooldown" period, their interest temporarily saturated. Continuing the fight wouldn't yield much more, making it a wasteful endeavor.
Another reason weighed on him. During the battle, one of the Five Elders, the bald monk, had nearly died to his Meteor Burst attack, only to be saved at the last moment by a mysterious force. That incident hinted at deeper secrets in this world—secrets Lin Xuan wasn't ready to confront.
Besides, what would defeating the World Government now achieve? Replacing them and getting bogged down in endless bureaucracy? No, thanks. Lin Xuan preferred to keep the government around for now, using them to farm more reputation points and gather intelligence before striking decisively later.
There was one more factor. Unlike Madara and the others, who were Edo Tensei constructs with limitless chakra, Lin Xuan's power, while boosted by his god-tier battle card, didn't match their level. After such a prolonged battle, he was feeling the strain and needed rest.
Not long after the World Government's forces withdrew, Lin Xuan recalled Madara and his team. Madara, ever skeptical, questioned him. "You're pulling us back? Aren't you worried they'll return?"
Lin Xuan grinned. "Return? Let them try."
Madara and the others exchanged exasperated glances. He had a point. Mary Geoise was now littered with Flying Thunder God markers left by Minato and Tobirama. If the World Government dared to come back or launch another attack on Sabaody, Lin Xuan could send his forces to strike Mary Geoise again in an instant.
The World Government was in a bind. Unless they abandoned their long-held stronghold in Mary Geoise, they couldn't risk another move against Sabaody. Their retreat had left them in an awkward, humiliating position.
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T/N:
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