Age of the Sea Circle, 1494.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Caw! Caw!"
The distinctive cry of seagulls outside the window roused Tatsuki from his stupor.
"My head hurts..."
He pressed his throbbing temples and sat up from the hard bed.
What met his eyes was a spartan Marine dorm room.
Aside from the bed, table, and chair, the only thing hanging on the wall was an old Marine uniform, the characters for "Justice" on its back glaringly conspicuous in the morning light.
Unfamiliar memories flooded in like a tidal wave.
Tatsuki, orphan of a Marine Rear Admiral. His father had heroically sacrificed himself a few years ago during the God Valley War, covering for his comrades.
And he had just been accepted into this year's Marine Elite Training Camp.
"I've transmigrated... to the world of One Piece?!"
Tatsuki's pupils trembled, and the corner of his lips twitched uncontrollably.
This timeline is practically a hellish start!
Roger is still running amok across the world, Shiki hasn't yet rammed a helm into his head, Whitebeard is in his prime, punching out rookies left and right, and Kaido is probably still practicing cliff-diving in some corner only he knows.
This era has no Seven Warlords of the Sea to maintain balance and no Four Emperors carving up the seas. There's only pure chaos and slaughter.
And he was a new recruit who had just joined the camp.
Wait!
Tatsuki's gaze suddenly froze on the mechanical wall clock.
8:25
From his memories, he knew that today was the opening ceremony of the Zephyr Elite Training Camp. The assembly time was... eight o'clock sharp.
"Shit!!!"
Late on the very first day of the camp, for the opening ceremony of "Black Arm" Zephyr?
Tatsuki scrambled into his uniform, haphazardly yanked on his tie, even buttoned it wrong, and bolted out of his dorm like a madman.
"Gotta make it in time!"
...
Marineford, Training Ground One.
A stern, murderous aura hung thick in the air.
Hundreds of elite recruits selected from Marine branches across the world stood in neat, square formations, chests out, stomachs in, not daring to breathe too loudly. Each stood tall, their eyes burning with fervor as they stared at the man on the high platform.
Massive build, with flowing purple hair.
Current Marine Headquarters Admiral, Chief Instructor, "Black Arm" Zephyr!
Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, his eyes behind his sunglasses sharp as a hawk's, scrutinizing this batch of future pillars of the Marines.
"Listen up! Maggots!"
Zephyr's voice was low and resonant, reaching everyone's ears clearly even without a den den mushi amplifier.
"From today on, you have only one identity: Marine!"
"Once you put on this uniform, you must be prepared to die for justice at any moment!"
"Discipline is the lifeblood of an army! Any scum who disregards discipline, I will personally throw into the sea to feed the fish!"
Right in the middle of Zephyr's speech, a furtive figure appeared at the edge of the training ground.
Tatsuki hunched over, neck tucked in, trying to slip silently into the back of the formation.
However, he was being far too optimistic. His golden short hair, inherited from his mother, shone especially bright in the sunlight—impossible to miss.
Almost the instant he stepped onto the training ground.
"YOU! THAT GOLDEN-HAIRED BRAT OVER THERE!"
A roar sounded.
Tatsuki froze.
Zephyr's finger, from a hundred meters away, pinpointed him with deadly accuracy.
Swish—
Every single gaze in the place snapped onto this disheveled blond kid.
From the front rows, three particularly notable gazes also turned his way.
A man with a cigar and a peaked cap frowned deeply, his eyes filled with unconcealed disgust.
Beside him, a tall, lanky man with an afro and sunglasses curled the corner of his lips into an amused smile that said "this should be good."
The third, a tall young man with curly hair, looked at him with clear concern.
Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan... the future Three Admirals.
"Tell me your name."
Zephyr's voice was terrifyingly calm, like the dead silence before a volcanic eruption.
Steeling himself, Tatsuki walked out from the back of the ranks. Under the scrutiny of hundreds of eyes, he gave a passably crisp salute.
"Reporting, Chief Instructor! Cadet, Tatsuki!"
"Tatsuki?" Zephyr's frown deepened.
"Son of Rear Admiral Katt?"
"Yes, sir!" Tatsuki snapped to attention, his voice loud and clear.
Zephyr's voice suddenly boomed. "Is this how you honor the glory your father bought with his life?! By being late?! By wearing a uniform you can't even tie a tie for properly?!"
"Are you insulting the word 'Justice'?!"
The sound waves rolled over him, making Tatsuki's eardrums buzz.
Being publicly berated by a legendary Marine Admiral in front of all his future peers made Tatsuki's cheeks burn with shame. He desperately wished he could use Geppo to escape the planet right then.
However, at that very moment.
[Ding! Host's disciplinary violation detected. Scummiest Justice System officially activated!]
[Violation being assessed...]
[Late for assembly: Points +1]
[Improper uniform: Points +1]
[Total Base Points: 2]
[Triggered 'Witness Multiplier'!]
[Witness: Zephyr (Marine Admiral level). Points x5!]
[Witness: Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan (Future Admiral level potential). Points x3!]
[Final Calculation: Congratulations, Host has acquired 30 Violation Points!]
(2×5×3=30)
"...???"
Tatsuki was stunned.
A system? My cheat ability has arrived?
The next second, a blue screen only he could see unfolded before his eyes.
[Scummiest Justice System]
[Host: Tatsuki]
[Violation Points: 30]
[Enhancement]
[Lottery]
[Storage Space]
[Shop (Locked)]
"..."
The simple, clear interface made Tatsuki understand everything in an instant.
'Violating rules... makes me stronger?'
'And the more important the person who sees it, the greater the reward?'
'Being late in front of Admiral Zephyr and the future Three Admirals made the rewards stack and explode?'
Tatsuki's breathing suddenly grew rapid.
He subconsciously raised his head, looking again at the Chief Instructor on the high platform, who was practically fuming with rage, his aura fully unleashed.
At this moment, in Tatsuki's eyes, Zephyr was no longer the awe-inspiring "Black Arm."
He was a glittering super experience pack, with a giant "x5" floating above his head.
What's a mere Marine Admiral?
What if I openly defied Fleet Admiral Kong in front of him?
What if I questioned the World Government's justice in front of the Gorosei?
What if I... punched a Celestial Dragon?!
Wouldn't the rewards skyrocket?
Marine King?
No, that's thinking too small.
I'm going to be the one and only King of this vast sea.
"Tatsuki!!!"
Seeing that Tatsuki, far from showing any remorse after his scolding, instead had shining eyes and even a suspicious quirk at the corner of his lips, Zephyr's fury intensified.
"It seems you have a lot of opinions about what I said!"
"No! Reporting, Chief Instructor!"
Tatsuki immediately collected himself, snapping to ramrod-straight attention. His face instantly switched to an expression of utmost sincerity and remorse.
"I am ashamed of my actions! Your teaching has made me see the light! I am deeply pained that I have tarnished my father's glory!"
His voice was forceful and clear, his eyes pure as a saint's, as if he were about to commit seppuku the next second.
This Oscar-worthy performance made a throbbing vein on Zephyr's forehead twitch.
[Ding! Detected host's extreme hypocrisy, causing Zephyr minor physical discomfort. Additional Violation Points +50!]
"Hmph!"
Zephyr snorted coldly, not wanting to waste more words on him.
"Ceremony's over! All of you, begin physical fitness tests immediately! 500 kg weighted run, 10 laps around Marineford! The last ten will be eliminated on the spot!"
"Yes, sir!" All the recruits roared in unison.
Zephyr's gaze locked onto Tatsuki again, stern and appraising.
"You, 1000 kg! I hope your ability matches your sloppiness!"
Tatsuki immediately put on a tragic expression as if the sky had fallen, but inside, he was roaring.
'System, use enhancement.'
[Please select enhancement direction: Physique, Taijutsu, Devil Fruit...]
'Physique.'
[Consumed 50 Violation Points. Physique +1]
[Physique: 49]
As soon as the words sounded, a warm current surged from Tatsuki's heart, rushing through his entire body.
Tatsuki could feel every single muscle in his body singing with joy, becoming tougher and more elastic at an incredible speed. The last vestiges of grogginess left over from the transmigration were completely washed away.
This instant enhancement surpassed months of the original Tatsuki's arduous training.
"Hah..."
Tatsuki slowly let out a long breath, feeling the unprecedented, surging power within him. A confident smile unconsciously curled at his lips.