Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

"The first month of the year is the New Year~"

Shen Yuan hummed a little tune, holding a Den Den Mushi to his ear while listening to the rapid chatter on the other end of the line.

"Understood."

He hung up and turned toward the sea, his gaze sharp and far-reaching.

"Interesting intel from Crocodile. The World Government's deployed CP6 to make contact with us. The question is—should we eliminate them… or let them play?"

Rayleigh looked up from his recliner, his sharp eyes gleaming with wisdom. He didn't hesitate.

"Infiltrate."

Shen Yuan chuckled. This old man really had a good head on his shoulders.

"What method, then?"

"Kidnap and extort. Or just torture them for all they're worth," Rayleigh said casually. "Life and death are unpredictable anyway."

Kalifa, listening nearby, trembled slightly at Rayleigh's tone. Dark memories flickered through her mind.

"Alright then. Let's cause a bit of trouble in Water 7."

Everyone nodded, Kalifa included—though her motion was stiff, her thoughts seemingly trapped in a hellish flashback.

Then, without warning, Shen Yuan leapt into the sea, shocking everyone on deck.

Splash!

He vanished without a trace.

The group fell into silence, completely speechless.

Moments later…

Shen Yuan emerged from the water, a large tuna in one hand. Step by step, he climbed back aboard, dripping wet but victorious.

"Tashigi, braised fish for dinner."

Tashigi blinked at the soaked figure and the struggling tuna. Her face twisted with a conflicted expression, as if asking something unspoken.

Teriyaki tuna?

Though dubious, she nodded and hauled the catch into the kitchen.

"Looks like we still need a proper chef."

That thought triggered a memory. A flash of inspiration lit up Shen Yuan's eyes.

Baratie!

The floating restaurant on the seas.

It was even marked as a check-in point by the system. Why not pay a visit?

"Hmm…"

He paused, deep in thought.

Was Zeff still sailing the Grand Line? Or had he already settled down as head chef of Baratie? If so, Shen Yuan might still have to face some obstacles first.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Shen Yuan slung an arm around Kalifa's slim waist, pulling her close.

"Why the long face, beautiful? Don't worry. I'll make sure you never have to relive those memories again."

He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Kalifa's face turned bright red. She stammered, "Boss, this is… sexual harassment…"

Pfft!

Rayleigh choked and quickly turned away, his face flushed.

Even at his age, witnessing such crude flirting was a surprise. Mouth technique, huh?

Meanwhile, Qiong was studying a medical textbook with intense focus. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

"What brilliant medical theory…"

"Hey kid! Go train with Enel, or I'll beat you into next week."

Startled, Qiong immediately snapped the book shut and jogged over to stand beside Enel, dropping into horse stance.

Shen Yuan's training methods were unique.

Step one: horse stance.

Step two: maintain horse stance while punching wooden stakes.

Step three: old Garp-style—throw them straight into the sea for survival combat.

But now that Qiong had eaten a Devil Fruit, and no significant pirate threats were around, training had to be adjusted.

Still, Shen Yuan felt confident in her strength.

Even without Haki, the Thunder-Thunder Fruit (Goro Goro no Mi) was absurdly powerful. If mastered properly, it could even surpass Haki in raw destructive capability.

But on his ship, being a one-trick pony wasn't enough.

As for Shen Yuan himself? Whether it was fighting, kicking, swordsmanship, or Devil Fruits...

A true hexagon warrior! No weaknesses!

He nodded, reaffirming his plan.

Training Qiong like Tashigi was a sound strategy.

Tashigi's program was more refined—first came endurance training like continuous handstands.

Then body tempering for raw strength and stamina.

Finally, Haki guidance.

Shen Yuan had even devised a specialized system to awaken Armament Haki in his crew.

Step one: be human.

Step two: have arms and legs.

Step three: cultivate belief and persistence.

After a few personalized beatings from Shen Yuan, most could awaken basic Armament Haki.

Of course, the intensity varied. With weaker women, he was sometimes more lenient.

Watching his crew grind through horse stance training…

Shen Yuan opened his system panel.

He dumped all his available points into speed again. The resulting burst felt unnatural—almost nauseating.

It was too fast. Too smooth.

So uncomfortable. So uncomfortable. So uncomfortable!

Kalifa glanced over at Shen Yuan, watching his deranged expression twist in real-time.

"?"

He quickly shut the panel, eyes dark with thought.

"The Pluton blueprints… they're in Water 7."

He spoke softly, but the impact froze everyone on the deck.

"How do you know?" Rayleigh sat up, eyes narrowing.

Shen Yuan grinned.

"Let me ask you something: If you had the power to challenge the World Government… would you wage war against them?"

Rayleigh went silent, closing his eyes. A full minute passed before he responded, voice trembling:

"If I could… that step would surpass even Roger's dream. It would shake the whole world."

Enel, standing nearby, went wide-eyed. Then his expression turned reverent.

The warlike instinct in his body stirred.

"You think you're strong enough to go to war with them now?"

"No, no. I'm not that arrogant.

The revolution's only just begun. We've got a long road ahead.

But that doesn't mean I can't acquire an ancient weapon or two. Those things are just burdens until we're ready."

A hush fell over the group.

And then…

"Well said."

Black clouds gathered overhead, and thunder crackled in the air.

A sudden gust blew across the deck.

Everyone looked up.

A man in a forest-green cloak landed silently on the deck. His face was shadowed by a hood, but his very posture screamed power.

His aura matched Shen Yuan's perfectly.

"I've heard of your deeds. Keep going, revolutionary."

He tossed a Den Den Mushi toward Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan caught it with one hand, his face unusually serious.

"Please take care of me, senior."

The man smiled faintly. "Comrade, we'll fight side by side one day."

Lightning flashed. The clouds dispersed.

The man disappeared.

Everyone stared, stunned.

That scene was seared into their memories.

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, an understanding light flashing in his eyes.

"That man… Could it be…"

Shen Yuan didn't answer. He stared at the Den Den Mushi in his palm, deep in thought.

"I think it's time the World Government got a little warning."

He clenched his fist.

A blast of raw Conqueror's Haki exploded outward!

A massive pressure blanketed the sea. Nearby sea kings were forced to surface, trembling at the aura.

Rayleigh leaned in. "What's your plan?"

"I've got a half-baked idea."

"Let's hear it."

"Dry!"

Rayleigh: "…"

He sighed, reclining again, and flipped open a risqué magazine. His shoulders twitched as he let out soft "hehe" laughs.

"You're a walking HR complaint," Shen Yuan muttered.

Rayleigh rolled his eyes and resumed reading.

Shen Yuan turned his gaze to the horizon, his heart weighed down by deep thoughts.

"So graceful…"

"Boss, that's harassment again!"

Kalifa's thighs twitched—violated once more.