Although Im was chosen by the progenitors of the Celestial Dragons as their spokesperson, in reality he had rarely intervened in World Government affairs over the past eight hundred years. Most matters were handled by the Five Elders.
Im remained in the shadows, overseeing the entire world. Whenever someone emerged who might threaten the World Government's rule, Im would issue an order, and the Five Elders would use every means possible to crush the threat.
Rocks was the best example.
Back then, the Rocks Pirates had become the overlords of the seas, boasting numerous powerful figures and enormous influence. Rocks himself was immensely strong, and his ambition was even greater—he actually dared to challenge the World Government's authority.
Thus came the Battle of God Valley. Roger and Garp joining forces to defeat Rocks was only possible because Im had intervened from behind the scenes.
Later, Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, met the fate he did. Even the illness he believed to be incurable had a great deal to do with Im.
Because Roger knew too much. He had uncovered secrets that were never meant to be known.
Whitebeard also caught Im's attention. The Summit War was, in truth, aimed directly at him. If not for Lin Xuan's interference, both Whitebeard and Ace—the son of the Pirate King—would have died in that war.
Over the years, anyone who posed a threat to the World Government's rule was strangled in the cradle.
Yet Lin Xuan was an exception.
The first time Im noticed Lin Xuan was during the battle at the Sabaody Archipelago. At that time, the bald monk had nearly died, and Im secretly intervened to save him.
Back then, Lin Xuan's strength was insignificant in Im's eyes. Killing him would have been effortless.
Because of that, Im initially chose to let Lin Xuan run wild. He intended to use Lin Xuan to temper the Five Elders and the World Government's forces.
The bigger the commotion Lin Xuan caused, the better. When he was finally killed by the World Government, it would only further solidify their rule.
But during the Summit War, Lin Xuan grew even stronger, directly defeating the combined forces of the Five Elders.
That was when Im realized something was wrong and decided to personally eliminate Lin Xuan.
However, Im had always been reluctant to reveal himself too early. Moreover, he wanted to use Lin Xuan's death to make a statement—to build momentum for the World Government. Killing him at the right moment would carry far greater significance. So Im held back.
Before Im could act, the Ninja Guild attacked Impel Down.
Then Lin Xuan led Impel Down itself in an assault on the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
At that moment, Im wanted to kill Lin Xuan. But when the two clashed from afar, Im realized he had made a grave mistake.
The "ant" he thought he could crush at any time now possessed the power to stand against him head-on.
What was even more terrifying was that not much time had passed since then, yet Lin Xuan had grown stronger again—now surpassing him. Even when facing the three of them together, Lin Xuan showed no signs of defeat.
Thinking it over, from the moment Im first noticed Lin Xuan until now, only a few months had passed.
It was utterly inconceivable.
Seeing the white-robed middle-aged man still staring at him in disbelief, Im nearly cursed out loud.
I want to know where this monster came from too, damn it! How could someone grow this fast?!
"There's no point talking anymore. He must be killed, or this will become an unimaginable catastrophe," the white-haired old man said coldly, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Even he had lost the calm he initially displayed.
"Gabs, stop playing around. Finish the enemy quickly. Join forces and kill this man!" the white-haired old man's voice rang out in the ears of all the creators, causing their expressions to change.
The three of them working together still couldn't suppress that guy?
They had been asleep for so long, and after finally encountering a worthy opponent, they had wanted to take their time and enjoy the fight.
But after hearing the old man's words, they all grew serious. Their auras exploded as they unleashed their true power, preparing to swiftly defeat their opponents and rush to support Im.
Yet soon, their expressions changed.
Because when they unleashed their full strength, the opponents who should have been quickly crushed also grew stronger, continuing to fight them on equal footing.
These people had been hiding their true strength all along!
The white-haired old man noticed this as well, his expression darkening. It seemed the others wouldn't be able to come to their aid anytime soon.
"You two hold him back. I'm going to use that move," the white-haired old man said.
As soon as his words fell, circles of black patterns rapidly appeared across his body, and his aura began to transform dramatically.
The white-robed middle-aged man and Im both reacted with shock. They knew exactly what the old man was about to do.
"There's no need to use that technique, is there?" the white-robed man said urgently. "Your body might not be able to withstand it!"
"Fool!" the old man shouted, then let out a soft sigh. "This man is a grave threat. We cannot allow him to live. And from what I see, he may already possess the means to kill us. There's no choice—we must use that move to kill him in one strike!"
Im and the other man fell silent.
The old man was right. After the earlier clash, they had already realized that Lin Xuan was far stronger than they had anticipated.
The old man's aura continued to rise as the black patterns spread rapidly, soon covering his entire body.
Im and the white-robed man said no more and charged toward Lin Xuan.
"Oh? Finally ready to use your ultimate move?" Uchiha Madara, watching from afar, showed a look of interest. "Come on, let me see what kind of power this world has been hiding."
Lin Xuan also noticed the changes in the white-haired old man. It was clear he was preparing a powerful technique.
But just like Madara, Lin Xuan had no intention of stopping him.
He wanted to see for himself whether he could withstand that ultimate move.
And so, he waited.
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T/N:
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