Chapter 48: Gathering in Rog Town

The next day, in Logue Town, at the Navy’s highest headquarters, Xuan Ye sat wrapped in bandages, his expression calm as he read the newspaper.

“Tomorrow, Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, and Admiral Sengoku will arrive in Logue Town. Prepare the welcoming ceremony.”

With his head lowered and a clouded face, Onigumo busily signed off on documents. “Why are they coming?” Xuan Ye was somewhat surprised, putting down the newspaper and frowning.

“What do you think?” Onigumo’s face darkened. Nowadays, just seeing Xuan Ye made him inexplicably furious—especially an intense, simmering anger. Yesterday, this bastard not only turned all of Logue Town upside down, but even managed to provoke the Whitebeard Pirates. When he’d received the news, Onigumo had nearly wet himself. Reckless beyond belief—madman was the only word for him.

As expected, when he’d seen Xuan Ye yesterday, the man had been covered in wounds, which left Onigumo feeling both relieved and troubled.

“Didn’t Whitebeard leave?” Xuan Ye’s face remained impassive, and he pursed his lips. No one noticed the flash of golden light in his eyes.

“How would I know? I’m just letting you know. Don’t worry—when Admiral Sengoku gets here, I’ll report everything that’s happened these last few days.”

“Do as you please, it doesn’t matter to me.” Xuan Ye crossed his legs, giving Onigumo a contemptuous glance.

“Get out!” Onigumo’s chest heaved violently, his eyes wide with rage as he glared at Xuan Ye, teeth grinding.

“Do your best.” With a calm air, Xuan Ye set down the newspaper, completely unconcerned by Onigumo’s fury, and strolled out of the office at a leisurely pace.

A day later, at Logue Town’s harbor, Xuan Ye appeared with the entire navy in tow.

Thanks to three straight days of cleaning up, Logue Town still hadn’t recovered; everywhere, broken houses, uneven ground, and the lingering smoke of war could be seen.

During these three days, with the entire navy—including powerhouses like Xuan Ye and Aokiji—deployed, the waters around Logue Town had grown tranquil. Even if a pirate dared show up, they were few and far between, so the whole town was now brimming with a festive, joyous spirit.

Moreover, all the damage had been compensated by the navy, which won the townsfolk’s deep appreciation for their stationed protectors.

Of course, the most famous were five figures—or rather, four men and one monkey. Xuan Ye, Aokiji, Onigumo, Pakas, and the monkey. Unbeknownst to most, the monkey could now eat anywhere for free, choosing whatever it fancied.

In the past three days, the people of Logue Town had witnessed these individuals’ power, especially Xuan Ye and Aokiji, who seemed almost godlike—pirates who entered town never returned.

So, despite the town’s battered appearance, its citizens wore happy smiles.

Before long, three enormous warships appeared on the sea’s horizon.

“They’re here,” Xuan Ye murmured, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Zephyr.

An hour later, in Onigumo’s office where he processed paperwork, the atmosphere was stifling.

“Ye, you acted rashly this time,” Zephyr said, his tone worried as he looked at the still-bandaged Xuan Ye.

“No, Master. At least now I know how far I am from those guys,” Xuan Ye shook his head, undaunted by defeat. If anything, his fighting spirit burned even hotter.

“Haha... That’s my fearless Skybird. Not a bad nickname,” Garp chuckled from the side, sipping tea with a care-free air.

“Sengoku, here are the documents that need handling for Logue Town,” Onigumo said sternly, handing over a stack of papers nearly as tall as a man.

Naturally, with Sengoku’s arrival, command of Logue Town would temporarily change hands.

“So many?” Sengoku massaged his brow, adjusting his toad-shaped glasses, and began to work.

Suddenly, except for Sengoku’s industry, the rest of the room’s disreputable crowd lounged about, eating pastries and drinking tea, as if enjoying an idle, carefree life.

“Ye, what do you think of Whitebeard?” Zephyr’s face was calm, though his brows drew together.

“Unmatched,” Xuan Ye replied, sipping his tea, still shaken by the memory. The next moment, fierce determination appeared on his face: “But one day, I’ll surpass him.”

Everyone was taken aback, then Garp burst out laughing, “Ambitious! But that man’s fists are hard as granite.”

“So what? This world ultimately belongs to the young who are prepared,” Xuan Ye said, full of vigor, standing up with burning eyes.

“Well said! What a prepared young man,” Zephyr smiled, realizing his worries had been unfounded. Xuan Ye, far from discouraged, had matured even more.

“Hmph... If it were me, Whitebeard would be in prison by now,” came a disdainful, expressionless voice.

“Stupid dog, aside from being a mad hound, what else are you good for?” Xuan Ye sneered, not even bothering to look at Akainu, feeling that even a glance would sully his eyes.

“Oh dear... Are they going to fight again?” Beside Garp, Kizaru’s face was sly and helpless.

Sure enough, as soon as Kizaru finished muttering, Akainu shot up, face twisted in disgust. “You damned bird, you only got lucky. A pirate like that? I could finish with a single blow, unlike some people, who got flattened in one punch.”

“Trash. If no one had protected you, you’d be dead already, instead of yapping here,” Xuan Ye retorted, taking his seat, feeling like he was arguing with an idiot—a particularly arrogant and ignorant one at that.

“What did you say?” Akainu’s eyes went red with fury.

“Looking for a fight? Good, because I’m really not in the mood right now,” Xuan Ye slammed his hand down, murderous intent radiating from him.

Bang!

“Both of you, quiet down!” At last, Sengoku, who’d been working through the files, couldn’t hold back. He slammed his palm on the desk, making the whole room tremble.

“Hmph...” Akainu sat down, face stormy, his gaze fixed hatefully on Xuan Ye.

“Trash,” Xuan Ye scoffed.

Creak... creak... Veins bulged on Akainu’s forehead as he gripped his chair so tightly his chest heaved, smoke billowing from his body.

“That’s enough...” The room shook again. Sengoku glared at Xuan Ye, his face dark. “Why did we lose 1.5 billion Berries during this period?”

“Pirates destroyed Logue Town,” Xuan Ye replied, raising an eyebrow.

“So you let the navy take full responsibility?”

“Isn’t that right? Isn’t the navy supposed to protect civilians?” Xuan Ye feigned innocence.

“Fine... fine...” Sengoku’s face twitched. Some things couldn’t be spoken openly, even if everyone knew the truth.

“Admiral Sengoku, I request to return to Marineford,” Onigumo interjected, breaking the awkward silence.

“Why?” Everyone turned to look at him.

“With Rear Admiral Xuan Ye and Colonel Aokiji here, that’s enough. I request a transfer to another division.” Onigumo’s face was calm, but his voice was firm, his heart surging with excitement—finally, he could leave this place.

“Request denied. Rear Admiral Xuan Ye has praised you as an outstanding officer with unique administrative insights. The townspeople trust you deeply, and the navy cannot overlook your contributions.”

Onigumo’s face fell, as if he’d lost his parents. He stared wide-eyed.

“Admiral Sengoku, I recommend appointing Lieutenant Colonel Onigumo as Logue Town’s supreme commander,” Xuan Ye said, adding insult to injury.

Sengoku pondered. When he’d arrived in Logue Town, despite its battered state, everyone wore cheerful smiles. Xuan Ye had said he’d only chased pirates, leaving all other matters to Onigumo, which showed high political acumen. Sengoku couldn’t help but look at Onigumo with new respect.

“Then it’s decided.”

“Admiral Sengoku, I—”

“Onigumo, thank Admiral Sengoku. Do you want to defy orders?” Xuan Ye interrupted.

“You...” Eyes red, Onigumo felt for the first time that this guy might as well be dead.

“Now, let’s discuss the Whitebeard Pirates,” Sengoku said, brooking no argument and returning to one of their main concerns.

“Xuan Ye, what do you think of the Whitebeard Pirates’ strength?”

“They’re strong.”

“I’ve heard you defeated Marco the Phoenix? And Aokiji beat Diamond Jozu?”

“That was a fluke. If it came down to an all-out fight, who knows how it would end?” Xuan Ye shook his head, raising his bandaged right hand.

Everyone looked to Aokiji.

“Other than that monster, none of them should be underestimated,” Aokiji admitted, unconsciously rubbing his chest, which was still black and blue.

“That’s what worries me. Not only are they young, but under Whitebeard’s protection, their potential is huge. In a few years, they’ll...” Sengoku trailed off, but everyone understood.

“Oh... oh... I’d love to see if the Phoenix is really immortal,” Kizaru said lightly. He could afford to make such comments.

“There’s nothing magma can’t devour in this world. Diamond? Hmph... Only some people would end up so pathetic,” Akainu taunted, always ready to get under Xuan Ye’s skin.

“Frog in a well,” Xuan Ye said, eyes narrowed dangerously.

Even Aokiji looked displeased.

“Oh dear... I didn’t mean anything by it, just speaking casually,” Kizaru waved his hand, wincing.

Alas, these two couldn’t go a single sentence without sparking a quarrel, leaving everyone else speechless.

....................

An explanation here: if the last chapter mentioned the Descendant of the Dragon, or if “Huaxia” or similar terms appear later, please don’t be surprised. It’s simply to give the protagonist a background and an origin for his Devil Fruit. There won’t be any new characters from outside; all future figures will be canon.

Most importantly, the author must emphasize: don’t take this novel too seriously—it’s just a story. If you look for logic, you’ll find plenty of holes; those who read the author’s last book already know this. Frankly, the author doesn’t want to write another cookie-cutter fanfic. If it doesn’t suit everyone’s taste, apologies.

As for the protagonist’s romantic entanglements—like the heroine—there may be some rough patches ahead.