In the distance, Lin Xuan, who was observing the battle, almost burst out laughing when he heard Kizaru ask Uchiha Madara if he was from Wano Country.
However, upon reflection, it made sense—this world seemed to only have rumors of ninjas existing in Wano Country.
Yet, Wano Country was far too isolated, and outsiders knew very little about it. Kizaru, as a high-ranking Marine officer, was only privy to some information because of his position.
In fact, what many people didn't know was that the so-called ninjas of Wano Country were actually Devil Fruit users. It was just that Wano was so secluded that its people were unaware of Devil Fruits, mistaking their abilities for mysterious ninjutsu.
Of course, Uchiha Madara knew none of this.
When he heard Kizaru's question, he merely frowned and shook his head. "I know nothing of any Wano Country."
But Kizaru had already convinced himself that Uchiha Madara and Lin Xuan were from Wano Country!
After all, this was the only explanation for why two such powerful individuals had never been heard of before!
Having convinced himself of this "truth," Kizaru's mind raced with speculation—chief among them being: Were these two acting alone, or were they representing Wano Country?
If they were acting on behalf of Wano Country in attacking the Celestial Dragons, the implications would be enormous!
As he pondered this, Uchiha Madara impatiently shouted, "Hey, are you looking down on me? How dare you lose focus in the middle of battle?"
As he spoke, his figure suddenly lunged toward Kizaru, already forming hand seals mid-motion.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Kizaru snapped back to attention, swiftly dodging as he said, "Young man, perhaps we don't need to keep fighting. If Wano Country has any demands, we can discuss them, you know?"
"I told you, I don't know any Wano Country!"
Uchiha Madara growled, "And stop calling me 'young man'—I'm definitely older than you!"
Kizaru clearly didn't believe him, replying, "Regardless, fighting isn't the best solution. I think we should have a proper talk, you know?"
"Then defeat me first, and we'll talk!"
As Uchiha Madara spoke, he unleashed another jutsu.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Singing Projectile!"
Wave after wave of powerful ninjutsu attacks followed, each more devastating than the last, wreaking havoc on the island beneath them.
Yet Kizaru effortlessly avoided them all with his Logia intangibility, feigning fear as he said, "Such terrifying power! But haven't you realized yet? None of your attacks work on me!"
"Oh really?"
Uchiha Madara suddenly paused, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning rapidly.
"Then try this! Susanoo!"
Blue chakra surged around his body, instantly forming skeletal structures and armor that encased him, rapidly expanding into a colossal giant!
Kizaru, who had been calm just moments ago, widened his eyes in genuine shock this time.
"What… is this thing? It looks seriously dangerous…"
Unlike before, this time, he wasn't pretending—he truly felt threatened.
The Marines watching from afar were equally stunned by the appearance of this towering giant.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan suddenly heard another system notification in his mind:
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Reputation points +99,999!"
"Huh? Weren't the nearby Marines already tapped out for reputation points?"
Puzzled, he snapped his attention away from the battle and quickly scanned the surroundings. Only then did he notice that another group of Marines had arrived.
Moreover, Uchiha Madara's Susanoo was so massive that it was visible from many parts of Sabaody Archipelago and even the surrounding seas, instantly earning Lin Xuan a massive influx of reputation points.
"Reinforcements from Marine HQ have arrived, huh? Guess it's time for me to power up again!"
With that thought, Lin Xuan immediately began browsing the Reputation Shop for items to enhance himself.
Meanwhile, the battle between Uchiha Madara and Kizaru escalated further.
Seeing that Uchiha Madara had no intention of negotiating, Kizaru decided he would have to defeat him first and then interrogate him for details.
But how easy would it be to defeat Uchiha Madara now that he had activated Susanoo?
"Lightspeed Kick!"
"Boom!"
Kizaru's foot slammed into the Susanoo with tremendous force.
To his shock, instead of shattering the Susanoo as he'd expected, he was the one sent flying back!
This strange giant's defensive power was far beyond what he had imagined!
At the same time, Uchiha Madara, standing proudly within the Susanoo's head, declared,
"Your abilities are indeed formidable—nearly immune to all ninjutsu and taijutsu, with speed fast enough to evade any attack. But now, faced with the absolute defense of my Susanoo, you are powerless!"
"Absolute defense? How terrifying…"
Kizaru maintained his usual mocking tone, but added,
"But how long can you maintain this state? And what makes you think my earlier attack was my strongest?"
As he spoke, he raised a finger, a cross-shaped golden light swirling at its tip before shooting straight at Uchiha Madara!
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T/N:
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