Lin Xuan didn't reveal that he knew White Star was the Ancient Weapon. Neptune and the others assumed he simply had exceptional intelligence gathering skills and was aware that Fish-Man Island possessed an Ancient Weapon, but not its exact location.
In fact, Neptune noticed how close White Star and Lin Xuan had become, and he couldn't help wondering what Lin Xuan's reaction would be if he ever discovered that White Star was Poseidon.
Soon after, under White Star's reluctant gaze, Lin Xuan set off and left Fish-Man Island.
At the same time, the newspapers published a new article he had written.
This time, it wasn't a critique of some high-ranking World Government official. Instead, it was a demand for repayment, with the World Government as the debtor.
During the Summit War, the Five Elders had believed Lin Xuan was attacking the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Forced to compromise, they had agreed to two of his conditions.
One was to cede Marineford, which was fulfilled shortly after the war ended. The Marine Headquarters had since relocated to its new base.
Marineford had naturally become territory of the Ninja Guild, though Lin Xuan had lent it to the Revolutionary Army, where their forces were now stationed.
This move further solidified the alliance between the two groups. The Revolutionary Army and the Ninja Guild maintained close ties, with even Monkey D. Dragon and his crew frequently visiting the Sabaody Archipelago.
The second condition required the World Government to pay Lin Xuan one hundred Devil Fruits.
Yet, from the war's end until now, the World Government had shown no signs of action. It seemed they had no intention of honoring it.
In this article, Lin Xuan refrained from mocking the Five Elders or harshly condemning the World Government.
The piece was short and to the point: The World Government had one day to deliver the one hundred Devil Fruits owed to the Ninja Guild, or face the consequences!
As the newspapers circulated, however, it sparked considerable uproar.
Was the Ninja Guild challenging the World Government again?
In no time, various factions grew restless, all keeping a close eye on the developments.
Of course, many ordinary people, upon reading the news, felt even more disillusioned with the World Government.
The government's compromises during the Summit War had been publicized back then, and their current failure to keep their word further eroded their authority.
With the Ninja Guild's rise, plenty of people had begun shifting their support to it—especially those who had endured oppression from the Celestial Dragons.
Even nations that had been on the fence were now reconsidering a trip to the Sabaody Archipelago to attend the upcoming world conference hosted by the Ninja Guild.
In the past, they had no alternatives and were stuck under World Government rule. Now, with the Ninja Guild as an option, they had more paths to choose from. Suddenly, the entire world was abuzz once more over this brief announcement!
...
At World Government Headquarters.
Cyborg Kong wore a grave expression as he went to meet with the Five Elders once again.
These days, within the World Government, any matter involving Lin Xuan or the Ninja Guild demanded the utmost attention.
Even Cyborg Kong, as Commander-in-Chief, didn't dare make snap decisions on Ninja Guild affairs, fearing any misstep.
So, he had no choice but to consult the Five Elders.
When the Five Elders heard the news, their faces turned icy—perhaps recalling the frustrations of the Summit War or something else entirely.
Boom!
The one with the mustache slammed his fist on the table, shattering it to splinters.
"What nerve! This guy actually dares to pull this!" he bellowed in rage.
The bald monk beside him spoke in a chilling tone, "Hmph, we've just been ignoring him. Does he really think we'd hand over a hundred Devil Fruits?"
"Heh, face the consequences?"
The blond-bearded one sneered, his anger evident. "This brat dares threaten us like that? Does he think we're pushovers?"
The curly-haired and long-bearded ones were furious too, though a hint of concern lingered.
In truth, the two conditions they'd agreed to back then were mere stopgaps.
Ceding Marineford had already been a major concession, more than enough to save face for the Ninja Guild.
But mainly, refusing it at the time might have prolonged the conflict.
As for the hundred Devil Fruits, it had been a ploy to placate him—they'd never planned to follow through.
Now, seeing Lin Xuan openly threaten them, it filled them with seething hatred.
Damn him—utterly despicable!
They were the supreme rulers of the World Government, the Five Elders, and yet he kept provoking them time and again!
Cyborg Kong stood silently nearby, not daring to speak.
After a moment, the Five Elders calmed down somewhat, and only then did Kong ask, "Sirs, how should we respond to this?"
Soon, their answer came: "Ignore it."
Cyborg Kong hesitated. He wanted to warn them that brushing it off might provoke the Ninja Guild into real action.
But the Five Elders had their own plans. They simply instructed him to bolster defenses everywhere and sent him on his way.
Once he was gone, they snorted coldly again.
"Heh, even if we don't give them to him, what can he do about it?"
"If he dares show up, we can use the chance to make sure he never leaves!"
"Exactly. Our prestige has suffered because of him—it's time we reclaimed it!"
Clearly, the Five Elders paid no heed to Lin Xuan's demand.
The circumstances were different now. Back then, they'd feared for Mary Geoise and avoided a drawn-out battle. But now, they were right there defending it.
If Lin Xuan dared attack, they were confident they could stop him.
Moreover, Lord Im was in the Holy Land too—perfect opportunity to eliminate Lin Xuan for good!
That way, the World Government's authority would surely be restored!
Upon receiving the Five Elders' response, Cyborg Kong still felt uneasy but issued the orders anyway, directing subordinates to heighten defenses across the board.
Soon, every affiliated branch, including the Marine Headquarters, entered a state of high alert.
Time ticked by, and finally, the day was up.
Throughout, the World Government offered no response—no fulfillment of the promise, no statement at all, as if oblivious to the newspaper.
Yet, at that very moment, a massive upheaval began to unfold!
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T/N:
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