Challenging the Strongest Man at the Start

"What is this place?"

Lin Feng looked around blankly. The worn wooden deck and the heavy smell of blood and seawater made his stomach churn.

"I've only ever seen scenes like this in movies. How could this... Where am I? Could this be a film set? But this is way too realistic!"

Not far away, several vicious-looking pirates were surrounding someone lying in a pool of blood and kicking him mercilessly.

"Have I... crossed over?"

Countless thoughts flashed through Lin Feng's mind before finally settling on the words "crossing over."

As a seasoned One Piece fan, he wasn't unfamiliar with the idea of crossing into another world. In fact, he had even fantasized about traveling to the world of One Piece.

But now that it had actually happened, he panicked.

The world of pirates was governed by the strong. The weak were prey to the strong. How could an ordinary person like him survive?

Lin Feng wore modern clothes that clashed completely with this world. Standing among a group of rough-looking pirates, he appeared especially conspicuous.

The unfamiliarity and confusion in his eyes, along with his constant glances around, caught the attention of a pirate with a face covered in thick flesh.

"Hey, kid! Who are you? Why are you here?"

The pirate held a bloodstained cleaver and stared warily at Lin Feng as he demanded loudly.

Lin Feng looked at the gleaming cleaver, and his legs involuntarily began to tremble.

"I... I..."

Lin Feng wanted to explain, but he was so nervous that he couldn't even get the words out.

"Kid, who are you? What are you sneaking around here for?!"

"I came to..." Lin Feng had just started explaining when the pirate rudely cut him off.

"Cut the crap! You're skulking around like a rat. You're definitely up to no good!"

The pirate clearly had no patience to listen to Lin Feng's explanation.

His eyes turned cold. He raised the cleaver and brought it crashing down toward Lin Feng's head.

Lin Feng instinctively raised the wooden stick in his hand to block.

Strangely enough, the stick had only been something Lin Feng picked up casually, but now that he held it, it felt exceptionally natural in his grasp.

"Bang!"

The wooden stick collided with the cleaver, producing a crisp clang.

Lin Feng felt an immense force surge through him. His palm went numb, and his body staggered backward several steps.

"Hm?"

The pirate looked at Lin Feng in surprise, apparently not expecting this seemingly frail kid to block his attack.

Just then, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in Lin Feng's mind.

[Host detected engaging in battle. Infinite God-Slaying System activated!]

[Infinite God-Slaying System: Every slash, regardless of whether it hits a target or whether it is used in battle, will grant "Slash Points."]

[Slash Points can be used to improve the protagonist's various attributes and skill proficiency, as well as unlock new sword techniques and system functions.]

[Current Slash Points: 1]

[Novice Weapon: Ordinary Wooden Stick]

[Novice Skill: None]

[Novice Gift Pack: One Sword Style: Iai Slash (automatically learned)]

[Current Mission: Challenge the Whitebeard before you!]

[Mission Reward: Unknown]

Lin Feng froze.

A system?

He had actually gotten a system too?

And the name of this system... the Infinite God-Slaying System?

It sounded incredibly awesome!

But wait!

Challenge Whitebeard?

Lin Feng suddenly looked up, only to discover that at the other end of the deck, a burly man holding a bisento was watching him with great interest.

That iconic crescent-shaped white mustache and the terrifying aura radiating from him made his identity unmistakable—the world's strongest man, Whitebeard!

The corner of Lin Feng's mouth twitched.

System, are you trying to get me killed?

You want an ordinary person who had just crossed over, armed with a wooden stick, to challenge the world's strongest man?

How was that any different from asking him to die?

"Gurararara! What an interesting brat!"

Whitebeard burst into laughter, his voice like muffled thunder that made the entire deck tremble.

"Pops, who's this kid?"

A tall pirate walked over to Whitebeard and asked in confusion.

"I don't know. But his clothes remind me of an old friend from long ago. There also seems to be something special about this kid's aura. It's faint, but interesting."

Whitebeard stroked his mustache, his eyes gleaming sharply.

"An old friend? Sword intent?"

"Kid, what's your name?" Whitebeard looked at Lin Feng and asked, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity and the casual familiarity of an elder speaking to a younger person.

"I... My name is Lin Feng."

Lin Feng forced himself to answer.

"Just now, you picked up that wooden stick. What were you planning to do? Don't tell me you wanted to challenge me?"

Whitebeard asked with a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"I..."

Lin Feng drew a deep breath and tightened his grip on the wooden stick. Although he knew the difference in their strength was enormous, he still raised his head and met Whitebeard's gaze without the slightest hint of retreat.

To be honest, he didn't want to challenge Whitebeard.

But the system's mission...

"Gurararara! You're quite a gutsy brat!"

Whitebeard laughed heartily, admiration showing in his eyes. It had been a long time since he had encountered someone who dared to look him straight in the eye, let alone someone holding a wooden stick.

"It's been a long time since anyone dared to challenge me! Since that's the case, let me see what you can do!"

As he spoke, Whitebeard planted his bisento on the ground. A terrifying aura erupted from him.

The surrounding pirates hurriedly retreated, fear appearing on their faces.

Lin Feng felt as though he had been crushed beneath a mountain. Even breathing became difficult.

So this is the aura of the world's strongest man?

Terrifying indeed!

But there was no turning back now.

Lin Feng drew a deep breath and gripped the wooden stick tightly.

"Come on, Whitebeard!"

Lin Feng shouted and charged toward Whitebeard.

"Kuhahaha! Bold!"

Whitebeard laughed, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Lin Feng leaped high into the air. The wooden stick in his hand tore through the air as he brought it down viciously toward Whitebeard.

"Not bad, but it's still not enough!"

Whitebeard shook his head and casually waved a hand. An invisible force sent Lin Feng flying.

"Bang!"

Lin Feng slammed heavily onto the deck, feeling as though every bone in his body was about to fall apart.

[Slash Points +1]

The system notification rang out in Lin Feng's mind.

"Damn it!"

Lin Feng struggled to his feet and charged at Whitebeard again.

"One Sword Style: Iai Slash!"

With a shout, he swung the wooden stick at astonishing speed.

"Hm?"

A trace of surprise flashed through Whitebeard's eyes.

"So it's Iaijutsu. But the power still isn't enough!"

Whitebeard waved his hand again and sent Lin Feng flying.

"Bang!"

Lin Feng crashed to the ground once more.

[Slash Points +1]

"Again!"

Lin Feng stood up once more.

"One Sword Style: Iai Slash!"

"Bang!"

[Slash Points +1]

[Slash Points +1]

[Slash Points +1]

Lin Feng was knocked down again and again, yet he rose to his feet every single time.

His body was covered in wounds, but Lin Feng never gave up.

At first, the surrounding pirates laughed mockingly.

"This kid's crazy, isn't he? He actually dares to challenge Pops."

But as Lin Feng continued getting back up, their laughter gradually faded, replaced by surprise and whispers.

"This kid's got something, huh."

By the end, their eyes were filled with respect whenever they looked at Lin Feng.

They had never seen anyone so tenacious.

"This kid... he really dares to challenge Pops..." Marco muttered to himself.

"The gap in strength is obviously enormous, yet he's still managed to hold out this long. That courage and perseverance are truly impressive."

Pops must have seen this kid's potential. That's why he hasn't used his full strength, Marco thought secretly.

"Gurararara! That's enough!" Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter, his eyes filled with admiration. "Kid, you're not bad at all. You're qualified to become my son!"

"Huh?"

Lin Feng froze, his face wearing an expression of utter disbelief.

"From today onward, you're my son!"

Whitebeard said with a hearty laugh.

"Son?!"

Lin Feng's eyes widened.

"Wait, when did I ever say I wanted to be your son?"

"Gurararara! Not just anyone can become my son!"

Whitebeard declared domineeringly.

"From today onward, you're a member of my Whitebeard Pirates!"

"I..."

Lin Feng still wanted to say something, but Whitebeard had already turned and walked away.

"Hey, kid! Hurry up and catch up!"

Marco patted Lin Feng on the shoulder.

"Oh..."

Lin Feng followed helplessly.

I've been forcibly adopted...

[Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission: Challenge the Whitebeard before you!]

[Mission Reward: Slash Points +1000, Attribute Points +1]

[Current Slash Points: 1104]

[Current Attributes: Strength: 6, Speed: 6, Constitution: 6, Reaction: 6, Perception: 6]

[Current Skill: One Sword Style: Iai Slash (Proficiency: 10/100)]

Lin Feng looked at the system notifications, his heart surging with excitement.

Although the process had been somewhat convoluted, the result was still good. At the very least, he now had the means to survive in the world of pirates.

Not only had he obtained Slash Points and Attribute Points, but he had also boarded the pirate ship of one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard.

Things were going to become more and more interesting from here on out!

"Gurararara! Boys! It's time for a banquet!"

Whitebeard's voice came from the distance.

"To celebrate the joining of our new member, Lin Feng!"

"Yeah!!!"

The pirates cheered.

Lin Feng looked at everything before him, his heart filled with emotion.

His journey to become the Pirate King had finally begun!

Lin Feng glanced at his attribute panel and silently made up his mind.

"I'm going to become stronger!"

He had to make use of his system to constantly increase his strength and ultimately become the strongest in the world.

"Gurararara! Lin Feng, come over and have a drink!"

Whitebeard's voice rang out again.

"I'm coming!"

Lin Feng answered loudly, a radiant smile spreading across his face.