Chapter 401: Lord Madara: Hashirama has been corrupted by Lin Xuan!

With the Five Elders making a hasty departure, the Summit War at Marineford has finally reached its curtain call!

Truth be told, neither side truly emerged victorious in this war.

However, everyone knows that in this second clash with the Ninja Guild, the World Government has once again suffered a massive setback.

They had originally planned to use the execution of "Fire Fist" Ace to forcefully suppress Bai Huzi, one of the Four Emperors, and establish their authority; yet, every single part of their plan failed without exception!

On top of that, they were ultimately forced to abandon their territory, leaving the Navy—the face of the World Government—in retreat!

At this moment, the Navy is rapidly gathering whatever they can salvage, preparing to evacuate Marineford.

Many in the Bai Huzi Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates have only just recovered from the shock of the preceding moments; while they feel a sense of relief, they are also deeply astonished!

There is no helping it; seizing territory from the World Government and snatching food from the tiger's mouth is simply too unbelievable for them!

Yet, this group from the Ninja Guild actually pulled it off, and... they did it twice!

First, they occupied the Sabaody Archipelago, and now, they have actually occupied Marineford, the former Navy Headquarters!

It is truly more thrilling each time; it is simply too incredible!

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed such a thing could happen.

By comparison, the so-called great deeds their own Four Emperors-level pirate crews had accomplished in the past now seem somewhat insignificant!

As the Navy rapidly retreats, Lin Xuan has naturally arranged for his own people to begin cleaning and repairing Marineford.

As for the members of the Bai Huzi and Red-Haired Pirates, along with those who escaped from Impel Down alongside Sabo and Luffy, they are sitting obediently in the open space, resting while discussing the battle that just took place.

An hour later, the Navy departed in a hurry, taking only some very important items; they were simply unable to take all their belongings.

It wasn't that they didn't want to take them, but that Lin Xuan simply didn't give them the time.

At this moment, on the top floor of the Navy Headquarters building.

Lin Xuan is fiddling with the fifty Devil Fruits the Navy handed over while watching them depart.

Just then—

"Whoosh!"

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama suddenly appeared by his side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

Uchiha Madara looked at the retreating fleet ahead and suddenly asked: "I want to know, why do you seem to have always been so lenient toward the people of the World Government?"

Senju Hashirama also looked at Lin Xuan, equally puzzled.

During the last war at the Sabaody Archipelago, Lin Xuan did not wipe out the World Government, and it was the same this time; he deliberately let the World Government's people go again.

Based on their current understanding of Lin Xuan, they do not consider him a soft-hearted or indecisive person.

This is the reason why they feel confused about Lin Xuan letting the World Government's people leave twice.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan couldn't help but smile and countered: "What do you think the reason is?"

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had clearly both pondered this question before.

Therefore, Senju Hashirama said directly: "Is it because, although the World Government is corrupt, there are actually some in the Navy who uphold justice, so you didn't kill them?"

Uchiha Madara, however, offered a different perspective: "I, on the other hand, think you are wary that destroying the World Government would lead to chaos in the world and cause widespread suffering. You had contact with that Revolutionary Army before; do you intend to support them to become the new World Government?"

The reason he has this guess is that he can see Lin Xuan doesn't look like someone who wants to be the ruler of the world himself.

Otherwise, Lin Xuan wouldn't have just casually dumped the management of the Ninja Guild onto him and Senju Hashirama!

Lin Xuan just smiled and said: "You both only guessed part of the reason! Actually, there is another reason: I feel that compared to killing them outright, completely draining their value is more meaningful, isn't it?"

As he spoke, he added a thought in his heart: Killing people—what's so satisfying about that compared to earning Reputation Points? If I kill them all, who will I farm Reputation Points from in the future?

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were both momentarily speechless.

As expected, this guy is no good!

Although they don't know what value Lin Xuan is referring to, they understood his meaning: the people of the World Government are still useful to him, so they cannot be killed for the time being!

At this moment, they heard Lin Xuan continue: "What's more, that guy hiding in the shadows hasn't appeared yet, and the Revolutionary Army isn't strong enough, so we can't push them too hard right now!"

"That person?"

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were startled, and immediately recalled that not long ago, during the fight with the Five Elders, they had heard Lin Xuan and the Five Elders mention a name: "Im-sama"!

Could it be that the one Lin Xuan was referring to is that so-called "Im-sama"?

Seeing that Lin Xuan did not intend to explain further, the two did not continue to ask, though their expressions became somewhat grave!

However, they did remember the name "Im-sama".

Just then, a figure stepped out from a crack in the air nearby; it was none other than Otsutsuki Kaguya!

Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama's gazes were immediately drawn to her, and they discovered that she didn't look like she had been in a battle at all!

Suddenly, both were puzzled: What is going on?

Seeing their confused expressions, Lin Xuan just chuckled and said: "Find it strange? Actually, there's nothing strange about it. I just had her go back to rest earlier and prepare some new sacrifices. Who would have thought those five old geezers would assume I sent Kaguya to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and scared themselves half to death! Hahaha..."

Hearing this, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were both dumbfounded.

After finally coming to their senses, while feeling speechless toward Lin Xuan, they suddenly felt a great deal of sympathy for the Five Elders.

Senju Hashirama sighed softly and said: "What a pity, I can't see the expressions on their faces when they return and learn the truth. It would surely be spectacular!"

Uchiha Madara: "..."

This guy Hashirama seems to have been corrupted by Lin Xuan!!