New Division Commander

The banquet did not end until late at night. Lin Feng drank himself senseless and was eventually helped back to his room by several crew members.

"Phew... it's finally over."

Lin Feng collapsed onto the bed, feeling as though the entire world were spinning.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for challenging every member of the Whitebeard Pirates!]

[Ding! Reward: Base attributes +50...]

[Ding! Detected that the Host has awakened Conqueror's Haki...]

[Ding! Reward: Haki level +1...]

The system notifications rang continuously in Lin Feng's mind, but he no longer had the strength to check them. He fell into a deep sleep as his consciousness gradually faded.

The next morning, Lin Feng was awakened by a burst of noise.

"Hey, Lin Feng, wake up!"

"Get up already! Pops has something important to announce!"

Rubbing his bleary eyes, Lin Feng groggily opened them and found his room packed with people, most of them familiar faces.

Marco, Vista, Izo... all the captain-level core members were there.

Everyone stared at Lin Feng with blazing eyes, their expressions excited and eager.

"What... is going on?"

Lin Feng looked utterly bewildered. His hangover-addled brain still could not quite process things.

"You brat, you really can sleep!"

Marco laughed and patted Lin Feng on the shoulder.

"Get up already. Pops has gathered everyone to announce something important!"

"Something important?"

Lin Feng scratched his head.

"Could it be... we're going to war with the Marines?"

"You'll find out when you get there. Hurry up and wash up. Don't keep Pops waiting!"

Vista urged.

"Oh, okay."

Lin Feng hurriedly got out of bed, washed up quickly, then followed everyone onto the deck.

The moment he arrived on deck, Lin Feng was stunned by the sight before him.

Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates had assembled, standing in orderly rows across the deck. The atmosphere was solemn and imposing, with people packed everywhere.

Whitebeard sat in the seat of honor, Murakumogiri in hand, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd.

The previously noisy deck fell completely silent the instant Whitebeard appeared. A pin could have been heard dropping.

"This is... way too grand, isn't it?"

Lin Feng muttered to himself, a vague sense of dread rising in his heart.

"My sons!"

Whitebeard spoke, his booming voice exploding across the deck like thunder.

"Today, I have something important to announce!"

Everyone held their breath and perked up their ears, waiting for Whitebeard to continue.

Lin Feng also felt a trace of nervousness, his heartbeat quickening uncontrollably.

"I have decided to appoint Lin Feng as the commander of the 17th Division of our Whitebeard Pirates!"

The instant Whitebeard finished speaking, Lin Feng felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He froze completely, as if someone had cast a binding spell on him.

"What the hell? Commander? Me?"

Lin Feng wondered whether he was still asleep and hearing things.

He had never imagined that Whitebeard would make such a decision.

Happiness had come too suddenly, like a tornado, leaving Lin Feng completely dazed.

After a brief silence, thunderous cheers erupted across the deck, surging into the sky like a roaring tsunami.

"Commander Lin Feng!"

"Commander Lin Feng!"

"Commander Lin Feng!"

The pirates raised their weapons high and shouted themselves hoarse, their cries growing louder and louder as Lin Feng's name spread throughout the entire Moby Dick.

"Is this... really happening?"

Still finding it hard to believe, Lin Feng turned to Marco, his eyes full of questions.

"Of course it is, brat. From now on, you're one of our fellow commanders!"

Marco said with a smile, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Heh heh, Lin Feng, congratulations!"

Vista also walked over and patted Lin Feng on the shoulder.

"From now on, we're brothers. If you ever need help, just say the word!"

"Commander Lin Feng, please take care of us from now on!"

"Commander Lin Feng is mighty!"

The surrounding pirates also stepped forward to congratulate Lin Feng, every one of them wearing an excited smile.

"Quiet!"

Whitebeard raised a hand, signaling everyone to settle down.

The deck fell silent at once, and all eyes turned toward Whitebeard.

"Although Lin Feng has not been with us for long, everyone has seen the strength and potential he has displayed!"

Whitebeard continued, his voice firm and unquestionable.

"I believe he has what it takes to serve as a commander, lead the 17th Division, and bring even greater glory to the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"Pops is right!"

"We've all seen Commander Lin Feng's strength!"

"We support Commander Lin Feng!"

The pirates cheered once more. No one had any objections to Lin Feng taking the position of commander.

After all, his strength spoke for itself. Within a single month, he had challenged Jozu, Vista, and Marco in succession, and had even exchanged blows with Whitebeard. Strength like that was more than enough to earn everyone's respect.

"My sons, to celebrate Lin Feng becoming the commander of the 17th Division, we'll continue the banquet tonight!"

"Oohhh!"

"Long live Commander Lin Feng!"

"A banquet! A banquet!"

The pirates erupted into cheers again, and the entire Moby Dick was immersed in a sea of celebration.

News of Lin Feng becoming the commander of the 17th Division spread through the Whitebeard Pirates as though it had grown wings, causing an enormous stir.

Many pirates wanted to join Lin Feng's 17th Division, especially some of the powerful second-generation members, who were all eager to try.

After all, Lin Feng was a rising new star of the Whitebeard Pirates with limitless prospects. Following him would definitely mean a good life!

For a time, Lin Feng was in the spotlight like never before, even showing faint signs of surpassing veteran commanders like Marco.

"This brat really knows how to stir things up!"

Marco watched Lin Feng, who was surrounded by everyone, and smiled as he shook his head.

"Yeah. How long has it even been? He went from a newcomer to a commander in one leap. That speed is faster than a rocket!"

Vista sighed.

"Gurararara! This brat will definitely become one of the strongest men on these seas someday!"

Whitebeard sat in the seat of honor, looking at Lin Feng surrounded by the crowd, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Pops, do you think Lin Feng... can really surpass you?"

Marco hesitated before finally voicing the doubt in his heart.

"Gurararara! Who knows?"

Whitebeard laughed loudly.

"But I'm looking forward to the day it happens!"

"That brat really makes people jealous!"

"Isn't that the truth? He became a commander at such a young age. His future is limitless!"

"I wish I could join the 17th Division. I'd be happy even as a lowly grunt!"

"Stop dreaming. Haven't you seen those second-generation members fighting tooth and nail for it? When would it ever be your turn?"

"Sigh, comparing yourself to others really is infuriating!"

The pirates discussed it among themselves, their gazes toward Lin Feng filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng was surrounded by a crowd, receiving everyone's congratulations and flattery. For a moment, he felt as though he were floating on air.

"Commander Lin Feng, please take care of us from now on!"

"Commander Lin Feng, you're incredible! Let me offer you a drink!"

"Commander Lin Feng, take me in! I can do anything!"

"Commander Lin Feng, do you need someone to warm your bed?"

"Get lost!"

"This feeling really isn't bad!"

Lin Feng secretly reveled in it.

"Looks like being a commander is pretty awesome!"

"But this is only the beginning. My goal is to become the World's Greatest Swordsman, surpass that old man, and become the strongest man on these seas!"

A determined light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.

"The system seemed to have given me rewards last night. Open the status panel!"

Remembering something, Lin Feng silently gave the command in his heart.

[Host: Lin Feng]

[Slash Points: 79134]

[Attributes: Strength: 279, Speed: 201, Constitution: 305, Reaction: 74, Perception: 103]

[Skills: One Sword Style: Iai Slash LV2 (Proficiency: 182/200), Sun Breathing (Complete Version) (New: Total Concentration: Constant), Six Powers LV2 (Proficiency: 50/300), Observation Haki LV3 (Proficiency: 23/300), Armament Haki LV4 (Proficiency: 101/1000), Conqueror's Haki LV2 (Proficiency: 0/500)]

"These... are way too many attribute points, aren't they?"

Looking at the sharply increased numbers on the status panel, Lin Feng's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

His Strength was nearing 280, while his Constitution had directly broken past 300. Lin Feng felt as though he could punch a cow to death now—no, ten cows!

"And this Conqueror's Haki is already level two?"

Lin Feng noticed that the Conqueror's Haki entry had clearly changed from LV1 to LV2, with a proficiency value of 0/500 behind it.

"This thing can level up too?" Lin Feng scratched his head.

Lin Feng remembered that in the anime, Conqueror's Haki seemed to be innate. He had never heard of it being something that could be trained and upgraded later.

"Could it be because of the system?" Lin Feng pondered. That was the only explanation that made sense.

"Whatever. Getting stronger is always a good thing!" Lin Feng grinned, revealing his signature white teeth.

"It's just that these Slash Points are a little hard to save up..." Lin Feng looked at the seventy thousand-plus Slash Points and felt a headache coming on.

He had originally thought that challenging the entire crew would earn him several hundred thousand Slash Points, but he had not expected the system to be so stingy.

"Looks like I'll have to swing my sword a lot more from now on..." Lin Feng muttered to himself. He now understood that Slash Point consumption was a bottomless pit; no matter how many he had, it would never be enough.