The Summit War at Marineford finally drew to a close with the Five Elders' hasty departure.
Truth be told, this war didn't end with a clear victor between the two sides. However, everyone knew that the World Government had taken another massive L in this latest confrontation with the Ninja Guild.
Their original plan was to make an example of executing "Fire Fist" Ace and decisively crushing one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard, to reassert their authority. Instead, every single one of their plans failed!
On top of that, the Marines, the public face of the World Government, were ultimately forced to abandon their headquarters!
At this moment, the Marines were rapidly gathering whatever they could salvage, preparing to evacuate Marineford.
Many members of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates were only now snapping out of their daze. While they breathed a sigh of relief, they were also utterly shocked.
There was no helping it. The act of snatching territory right from under the World Government's nose, taking food straight from the tiger's mouth, was simply too unbelievable for them!
Yet, this Ninja Guild had actually done it. And… this was the second time!
First, they took over Sabaody Archipelago. Now, they had seized Marineford, the former HQ of the Marines!
Each time was more audacious than the last. It was simply incredible!
If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, they would never have believed such a thing could happen.
Compared to this, the so-called major deeds accomplished by their esteemed Yonko-level crews in the past seemed almost trivial!
As the Marines hurriedly retreated, Lin Xuan naturally set his own people to work on cleaning up and repairing Marineford.
Meanwhile, the members of the Whitebeard and Red Hair Pirates, along with the escapees from Impel Down who had followed Sabo and Luffy, obediently sat resting on the open ground, discussing the recent battle.
An hour later, the Marines had departed in a rush, taking only the most crucial items, unable to carry everything away.
It wasn't that they didn't want to take it all, but Lin Xuan simply hadn't given them the time.
On the top floor of the former Marine HQ building, Lin Xuan idly played with the fifty Devil Fruits the Marines had just handed over while watching their fleet retreat.
Just then—
Whoosh!
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama suddenly appeared beside him, standing shoulder-to-shoulder.
Uchiha Madara gazed at the retreating fleet and asked, "I want to know, why do you always seem so… lenient towards the World Government?"
Senju Hashirama also looked at Lin Xuan, equally puzzled.
During the previous war on Sabaody Archipelago, Lin Xuan hadn't pursued the World Government to the bitter end. This time was the same; he had intentionally let them go again. From what they understood of Lin Xuan, he didn't seem like the indecisive type.
That was precisely why they found his repeated sparing of the World Government forces so confusing.
Lin Xuan smiled faintly upon hearing the question and countered, "What do you think the reason is?"
It was clear both Madara and Hashirama had pondered this before.
Hashirama spoke first. "Is it because, even though the World Government is corrupt, there are still some Marines who truly uphold justice? That's why you didn't kill them?"
Madara offered a different perspective. "I think it's more likely you're worried that completely destroying the World Government would throw the world into chaos, leading to widespread suffering. You've had contact with that Revolutionary Army, right? Are you planning to groom them to become the new world government?"
He speculated this because he could tell Lin Xuan didn't seem like someone who wanted to rule the world himself. Otherwise, Lin Xuan wouldn't have so casually tossed the management of the Ninja Guild to him and Hashirama.
Lin Xuan merely chuckled. "You've both guessed part of it. But there's another reason. I think thoroughly squeezing them dry of their value is far more meaningful than simply killing them off, don't you agree?"
As he spoke, he added a thought to himself: Killing people? How boring. Nothing beats earning prestige points. If I wipe them all out, who will I farm points from later?
Madara and Hashirama fell silent upon hearing this.
So, this guy really wasn't a good person after all!
Although they didn't understand what specific "value" Lin Xuan referred to, they grasped his meaning: the World Government was still useful to him for now, so they couldn't be eliminated just yet.
Then, Lin Xuan continued, "Besides, that character hiding in the shadows hasn't shown himself yet. And the Revolutionary Army isn't strong enough. So, we can't push the World Government too hard for the time being."
"That person?" Madara and Hashirama were taken aback for a moment before recalling the name both Lin Xuan and the Five Elders had mentioned during their fight: "Im-sama."
Could it be that Lin Xuan was referring to this so-called "Im-sama"?
Seeing that Lin Xuan didn't elaborate further, the two didn't press the issue, but their expressions grew slightly more solemn. They made a mental note of the name "Im-sama."
Just then, a spatial rift tore open in the air nearby, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stepped out.
Madara and Hashirama's attention was immediately drawn to her. They were surprised to see that her clothes were completely pristine, without a single trace of having been in a battle.
Naturally, they were puzzled. What was going on?
Seeing their confusion, Lin Xuan just grinned. "Find it strange? It's really not. I just had her go back earlier to rest up and… prepare some new offerings. Who would've thought those five old fools would assume I sent Kaguya to attack Mary Geoise? They scared themselves half to death! Hahaha…"
Hearing this, Madara and Hashirama were dumbfounded.
Once they recovered, they felt a wave of speechlessness towards Lin Xuan, mixed with a sudden pang of sympathy for the Five Elders.
Senju Hashirama let out a soft sigh. "What a pity. We won't get to see their expressions when they get back and learn the truth. That would have been quite a sight."
Uchiha Madara: "…"
This Hashirama… it seems he's learned to be shady from Lin Xuan
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T/N:
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