Chapter 1: You're Called the Fire God?
A faint salty sea breeze swept across the plaza of Marineford.
It was 6 a.m., and the sky was still as dark as ink.
The Marine officers stationed at the dock spotted a Navy warship pulling in. A long-legged goddess leaped down from it—Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi).
Gion (Momousagi)
The surrounding Marine soldiers snapped to attention in perfect unison, saluting her.
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
Their faces were filled with admiration as they looked at her, voices trembling with excitement.
Gion gave them a slight nod. Then she turned to watch the frail young man slowly climbing down the rope ladder, her mouth twitching in frustration.
Loose white short-sleeved shirt, baggy suit shorts—a kid 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 ninety percent, she never would have brought him to Marineford.
She felt utterly deceived.
How could this scrawny weakling possibly be the so-called "Fire God," the pirate's bane!?
She'd fought tooth and nail for this recruitment mission out of sheer excitement, only to...
The higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment.
"Let's go. Fleet Admiral Sengoku should be in his office by now." Gion gave him a listless glance and spoke helplessly.
Then, sulking like a petty girl, she strode ahead.
Xiao Feng watched this valiant Navy goddess show such a childish pout and smiled faintly.
The nearby Marine officers stared at Xiao Feng in bewilderment.
With Gion leading the way—and having just mentioned taking him to Fleet Admiral Sengoku—no one dared block him.
Xiao Feng smiled gently at them. "Thanks for your hard work."
His warm, sunshine-like smile warmed their hearts. They saluted back, beaming brightly.
"Welcome to Marineford!"
"Welcome!"
"No trouble at all—serving the people…"
Xiao Feng nodded lightly, then hurried to catch up with Gion.
"You're the Fire God?!"
Tokikake (Chaton), who had been waiting in the middle of the plaza for Gion, saw the frail, powerless Xiao Feng and immediately boiled with jealousy. He sneered mockingly.
"If the Fire God you're asking about is named Xiao Feng, then yes, that's me."
Xiao Feng faced Tokikake's doubting taunt with calm composure and a smile.
"You're worthy of being called the Fire God?"
Tokikake curled his lip.
Xiao Feng simply kept smiling and walked right past the provoking Tokikake.
Seeing the kid outright ignore him, Tokikake exploded in rage.
"This is someone Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally invited. Show some respect. If you want to fight, I'll entertain you later."
Gion, already in a bad mood, snapped at Tokikake with a dark expression.
Just as Tokikake was about to kick Xiao Feng, the woman he admired warned him off.
That only fueled his fury. He roared, "Kid, you've got the guts—don't hide behind a woman!"
When Xiao Feng reached Gion's side and heard Tokikake's provocation, he paused.
"Are you talking to me?"
He stopped, turned, and stared expressionlessly at Tokikake.
"Of course I'm talking to you!"
Tokikake's eyes blazed as he bellowed, fists clenched, veins bulging.
"Fine. As you wish. Right here, at noon. Don't run away then."
"What's your name?"
Xiao Feng smiled at Tokikake.
Gion, watching from the side, was stunned to see Xiao Feng actually accept the challenge. A spark of anticipation flickered in her beautiful eyes.
Noon duel… wasn't that the legendary time when the Fire God was invincible!?
Could this seemingly delicate, weak young man really be the 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, "Fine! Right here at noon! I'm Tokikake! Prepare to tremble in fear!"
With that, Tokikake turned and bolted away, as if remembering something urgent.
Xiao Feng watched him flee and smiled faintly before following Gion into the building.
Knock knock knock.
Gion rapped on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office door.
"Come in."
Hearing the mild voice, Gion pushed the door open and walked straight in. Xiao Feng followed curiously.
This seemingly gentle old man was Fleet Admiral Sengoku?!
Xiao Feng's gaze instinctively drifted from Sengoku's features to the braided white beard.
"You're the Fire God?!" Sengoku stared at Xiao Feng as he entered, momentarily stunned, mouth twitching.
"Of course. The real deal." Xiao Feng nodded.
"Uh…"
Sengoku rubbed his temples, suddenly feeling a headache coming on. He suspected his intel was wrong.
He'd hoped Marine Headquarters would gain another admiral-level fighter—only to get this frail youth who probably couldn't even lift a sword.
"Fine. We'll give you the rank of Seaman Recruit. Your job: guard the Marineford docks."
Sengoku sighed in disappointment.
"Works for me."
Gion watched Xiao Feng accept without a hint of humility or arrogance, curiosity growing in her eyes.
Under Sengoku and Gion's gazes, Xiao Feng remained utterly calm, completely unbothered.
Then, the voice he'd been waiting for echoed 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 ahead of time.]
[Ding! Lion Tattoo fully activated. Grace of Sunshine fully activated.]
[Ding! Divine Axe Rhitta will arrive by Master's side at noon. Please prepare accordingly.]
"I haven't started my shift yet. Vice Admiral Gion, could you take me to the dorms first?"
Xiao Feng smiled warmly at Gion.
Gion and Sengoku: "…"