Chapter 1: Arrival at Marineford
A salty sea breeze, carrying a faint metallic tang, swept across the plaza of Marineford.
It was 6 a.m., and the sky was still ink-black.
The Marine officers stationed at the docks spotted a Navy warship pulling in. From its deck leaped a tall, long-legged beauty—Vice Admiral Gion, codename "Peach Rabbit."
Vice Admiral Gion
All the surrounding Marines snapped to attention in perfect unison, saluting her.
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
Their faces brimmed with admiration as they shouted, voices trembling with excitement.
Gion gave them a slight nod in acknowledgment. Then she turned to watch the frail-looking young man slowly climbing down the rope ladder. The corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Loose white short-sleeved shirt, baggy suit shorts—an outfit that screamed "child playing dress-up in adult clothes."
If not for the sketchbook in her hand showing a burly, towering powerhouse whose face matched this youth's by nine-tenths, she would never have believed it. She never would have dragged him all the way to Marineford.
She felt utterly deceived.
How could this scrawny weakling possibly be the legendary "Fire God," the pirate's natural enemy?!
She had fought tooth and nail for this recruitment mission, heart racing with anticipation, only to...
The higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment.
"Let's go. Fleet Admiral Sengoku should be in his office by now," Gion said listlessly, glancing at him once before walking ahead in a huff, like a sulking girl.
Xiao Feng watched this valiant, heroic Marine goddess display such a childish pout and couldn't help but smile faintly.
The nearby Marines stared at him in confusion, eyes full of bewilderment.
With Vice Admiral Gion personally escorting him—and having just mentioned Fleet Admiral Sengoku—no one dared block Xiao Feng.
He turned to them with a gentle smile. "Thanks for your hard work."
His warm, sunshine-like smile warmed their hearts. They returned the salute enthusiastically, beaming back at him.
"Welcome to Marineford!"
"Welcome!"
"No trouble at all—serving the people..."
Xiao Feng nodded politely, then hurried to catch up with Gion.
"You're the Fire God?!"
Vice Admiral Tokikake (Chatón), who had been waiting in the middle of the plaza for Gion, took one look at the frail, unimpressive Xiao Feng and immediately felt a surge of jealousy. He sneered mockingly.
"If you're asking about the Fire God named Xiao Feng—yeah, that's me."
Xiao Feng faced the accusation with calm composure, still smiling.
"You think you deserve to be called the Fire God?"
Tokikake curled his lip in disdain.
Xiao Feng simply kept smiling and walked right past him without a word.
Seeing himself ignored so blatantly, Tokikake exploded with rage. "Hey—!"
"This guest was personally invited by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Show some respect. If you want to fight, I'll entertain you later."
Gion, already in a foul mood, snapped at Tokikake with a cold, beautiful glare.
Just as Tokikake raised his foot to kick Xiao Feng, the woman he admired warned him off.
That only fueled his fury. "Kid! If you've got guts, stop hiding behind a woman!"
Xiao Feng paused beside Gion when he heard the taunt.
"Are you talking to me?"
He turned slowly, staring straight at Tokikake with an expressionless face.
"Of course I'm talking to you!"
Tokikake's eyes blazed as he roared, fists clenched, veins bulging.
"Fine. As you wish. Right here, at noon. Don't run away."
"What's your name?"
Xiao Feng asked with a faint smile.
Gion, standing nearby, was stunned to see him actually accept the challenge. A spark of anticipation flickered in her beautiful eyes.
Noon... wasn't that the legendary time when the Fire God was invincible?!
Could this seemingly delicate, weak young man really be the real Fire God...?
Tokikake had the same thought—and suddenly went silent, face stiffening. But glancing at Gion's profile, he took a deep breath and shouted, "Alright! Right here at noon! I'm Vice Admiral Tokikake—prepare to tremble!"
With that, Tokikake turned and bolted away, as if remembering something urgent.
Xiao Feng watched him flee with a small smile, then followed Gion into the headquarters building.
Knock, knock, knock.
Gion rapped on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office door.
"Come in."
A calm, gentle voice answered. Gion pushed the door open and strode in; Xiao Feng followed curiously.
So this mild-looking old man was Fleet Admiral Sengoku?!
Xiao Feng's gaze drifted from Sengoku's features to the braided white beard.
"You're the Fire God?!" Sengoku blurted out the moment he saw Xiao Feng enter, his mouth twitching in disbelief.
"Of course. The genuine article."
Xiao Feng nodded calmly.
"Uh..."
Sengoku rubbed his temples, suddenly feeling a massive headache. He suspected his intelligence reports were wrong.
He had hoped for another admiral-level powerhouse to bolster Marine HQ—only to get this frail-looking youth who probably couldn't even lift a sword.
"Fine. We'll assign you the rank of Seaman Recruit. Your job will be guarding the Marineford docks."
Sengoku sighed in disappointment.
"Works for me."
Under Sengoku's and Gion's watchful eyes, Xiao Feng remained completely unfazed, as calm as a breeze.
Then, the voice he had longed to hear rang in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master. The Work-to-God System has been fully activated.]
[Ding! Master, I've completed your check-in for you in advance.]
[Ding! Lion Tattoo fully activated. Blessing of the Sun fully activated.]
[Ding! Divine Axe Rhitta will arrive by Master's side at noon. Please prepare accordingly.]
"I'm not on the clock yet. Vice Admiral Gion, could you show me to the dorms first?"
Xiao Feng smiled gently at Gion.
Gion and Sengoku: "..."