Hearing the question from the Elder with the curly hair, a smile suddenly appeared on Lin Xuan's face.
However, when the Five Elders saw this smile, their hearts skipped a beat, and a sudden sense of unease washed over them.
Then, they saw Lin Xuan raise two fingers.
"What do you mean?" the Curly-Haired Elder asked, frowning.
Lin Xuan gave a light laugh and spoke slowly. "To end this war, you must meet two conditions!"
"What conditions?"
The five of them stared intently at Lin Xuan, curious about what he would demand, already mentally preparing themselves for an exorbitant request.
"My conditions are simple. First, you must give me one hundred Devil Fruits," Lin Xuan said flatly.
One hundred Devil Fruits?
Even Whitebeard, Roger, and Red-Haired Shanks were startled upon hearing this demand. Everyone else gasped in shock.
Anyone with a bit of knowledge knew the value of a Devil Fruit—at least a hundred million Berries, with rare varieties being priceless!
Moreover, they were extremely precious. Many people couldn't buy one even if they had the money!
And now, Lin Xuan was demanding a hundred in one go!
Even someone of a Yonko's stature might not have seen a hundred Devil Fruits in their lifetime!
As for the Curly-Haired Elder and the other four, their pupils constricted slightly, but they secretly felt a bit relieved.
To be honest, the number was indeed large, but given that the World Government had ruled the world for so long, scraping together a hundred Devil Fruits was still feasible.
However, they were reluctant to give Lin Xuan so many.
After all, a single Devil Fruit could create a formidable fighter, let alone a hundred. That was enough to drastically boost any faction's strength in a short time.
Nourishing an enemy like this was something the Five Elders fundamentally opposed.
The Curly-Haired Elder pondered for a moment before speaking. "One hundred Devil Fruits is too many. We can give you fifty at most." This concession was, in fact, a tacit admission of weakness from the Five Elders.
Although the powerful Im-sama was currently stationed at Holy Land Mary Geoise, and they believed Lin Xuan might not necessarily win in a real fight, they didn't want to take the risk, even if there was the slightest chance of Im-sama losing.
Furthermore, they knew Im-sama did not wish to be exposed prematurely.
What worried them more was Lin Xuan's penchant for high-profile actions. Given his track record, he would undoubtedly broadcast this globally!
Even if Mary Geoise could withstand Lin Xuan's assault, as long as Lin Xuan survived, the incident would humiliate the World Government and become a laughingstock!
The Five Elders would never allow such a thing.
However, upon hearing the Elder's counteroffer, Lin Xuan just sneered. "Hmph, I'm informing you, not bargaining. One hundred Devil Fruits. Not one less!"
"You!"
Hearing Lin Xuan's icy tone, the five faces opposite him flushed with anger.
As the highest authority of the World Government, they had always been revered. For centuries, who hadn't treated them with respect? When had they ever been threatened like this?
But the Curly-Haired Elder stopped the other four, who were seething and ready to attack. He took a deep breath and said, "Fine, I agree to the first condition. What is your second condition?"
The Curly-Haired Elder was furious too, but he understood the situation was unfavorable. Continuing the fight would only cost the World Government more!
"Heh, I knew your intellect would lead you to agree. You haven't disappointed me!" Lin Xuan said with a laugh.
Hearing this, the veins on the Five Elders' temples throbbed.
What did he mean, 'your intellect would lead you to agree'? Was that even human speech?!
Despite their rage, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and suppress their fury.
"What is your second condition?" the Long-Bearded Elder asked, his face grim.
Watching the Five Elders look like they wanted to devour him but couldn't do a thing about it, Lin Xuan felt immensely pleased, and an even more unrestrained smile spread across his face.
The five of them were nearly driven mad with fury!
If possible, they wished they could pulverize this guy on the spot!
Of course, Lin Xuan was deliberately provoking them.
Seeing the five on the verge of exploding, Lin Xuan continued. "My second condition is also simple. The Marine Headquarters must relocate from Marineford. From now on, this place will belong to the Ninja Guild!"
As his words fell, the Five Elders' eyes widened in shock.
In the distance, Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who had been watching the drama, reacted as if his tail had been stepped on. "Impossible!" he yelled instantly.
The Five Elders' faces also turned completely dark.
They stared coldly at Lin Xuan, clenching their fists, killing intent beginning to radiate from them.
Cede Marineford? How could they agree to such a humiliating term?
Putting everything else aside, just the news of this would utterly disgrace the World Government. Their prestige would plummet to an all-time low, bringing countless troubles.
Furthermore, Marine Headquarters, Impel Down, and Enies Lobby were connected by a massive whirlpool, each protected by a Gate of Justice. It was a crucial strategic location.
Therefore, Lin Xuan's condition had touched their bottom line.
At this moment, the Five Elders began to reconsider their options, wondering if they should join forces and continue the war against the Ninja Guild!
But before they could decide, they suddenly heard Lin Xuan muse casually, "I wonder what kind of scene it would be if everyone in Impel Down were... set free?"
Hearing this, the pupils of all five constricted sharply!
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T/N:
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