Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

The battle lasted for three full days and three nights!

Edward Newgate, the man known as the Strongest in the World—

Fought against the new king rising to power, the 'God of Death' Shen Yuan, in a clash that shook the seas!

On the fragmented island where they clashed—

Both warriors still stood upright, facing each other silently.

It felt as though the war had only just begun three days ago.

The once lush island had been shattered into debris, reduced to a desolate battlefield. Only a few weary seagulls circled overhead...

Their eyes locked, neither spoke.

Not because they refused to speak—

But because they physically couldn't.

Their bodies screamed from exhaustion, but still they stood with folded arms, refusing to collapse.

Whitebeard's body was a map of destruction—riddled with gashes, his nose crooked, his face bruised and bloodied.

Yet what shocked everyone present was Shen Yuan.

His body—smooth. His skin—unblemished.

If not for his tattered clothing, which bore witness to a battle of unimaginable intensity, it would appear as though he hadn't fought at all!

Observers on this unknown island bore witness to their duel for three days and three nights!

> [System Notification: You have defeated the Plot Character: Edward Newgate (Whitebeard)! Level Up +5 → Current Level: 89!]

[New Skill Tree Unlocked: Awakening Path – Tier 1: Combat Domain]

[Trait Acquired: God of Endurance – Your stamina recovery now scales with battle intensity.]

Shen Yuan's entire body cried out. It felt like mountains pressed down on his eyelids—but he resisted the call of sleep and glanced at the system's new interface.

[Skill Tree: Awakening Initiated – Tap to Expand]

Meanwhile, Marco and the division commanders were stunned into silence.

They could only compare themselves to Shen Yuan—and feel the brutal difference.

Battle fanatics like Enel and Tashigi hadn't blinked or slept once during the entire fight.

But none were more shaken than the members of Baroque Works.

They came from the East Blue—narrow in worldview and experience—and had never imagined a clash of such scale!

Even Daz Bones, the stoic killer, inhaled sharply as awe flickered in his eyes.

"Boss Shen Yuan really is a monster…"

After a while, the two titans finally collapsed into deep sleep.

Whitebeard and Shen Yuan slept a full day and night, motionless.

Now—

Whitebeard, wrapped in thick bandages, looked across at Shen Yuan and said hoarsely:

"What kind of monster is your body made of? You recover like that after being torn to pieces? Damn brat, who can even fight you anymore?"

Shen Yuan grinned lazily, sipping rum, and glanced sideways at Whitebeard with a tinge of contempt.

Whitebeard: Angry.

"You little bastard! Want another round?! I'll kill you this time!"

Marco and the others quickly restrained him as his anger flared… and then faded.

Whitebeard exhaled deeply.

"All jokes aside... tell me. What are your thoughts on our next move?"

His tone had shifted—serious, almost reverent. He sat like a student awaiting instruction.

"As the old saying goes… before resisting outside forces, you must first stabilize your own house."

The moment these words dropped—

Blackbeard (Tichi), sitting in the shadows, visibly trembled.

His eyes locked onto Shen Yuan, sharp and sinister, exuding a murderous aura hidden behind a false grin.

Shen Yuan gave him a sideways glance—calculated, deliberate—but didn't rip off his mask just yet.

This wasn't the moment to expose him.

A baseless accusation? That would turn the entire Whitebeard Pirates against him.

"I suggest we first strengthen the crew, then strike Kaido's island with a decisive raid."

A beat of silence.

Then—uproar.

"Kaido?! You're saying we should go to war with Kaido?!"

"Kaido's territory is impenetrable! Are you insane?!"

"Kaido… the 'Strongest Creature in the World'? That's suicide!"

The deck erupted into anxious chatter.

But Shen Yuan didn't react. His eyes stayed fixed on Whitebeard.

Marco stood up slowly.

"I don't disagree... If we had Brother Shen's guidance..."

He didn't need to finish the sentence.

All the squad captains turned to Shen Yuan with burning intensity.

Bista, the First Division Commander, stepped forward, heart pounding.

With a thud, he knelt!

"Brother Shen! I beg you! Teach me your swordsmanship!"

"Plop! Plop! Plop!"

More captains followed suit—kneeling, bowing low, desperate to learn!

Shen Yuan broke into a cold sweat.

So many students?! Am I a martial arts academy now??

"Gurarara!"

Whitebeard's booming laughter cut through the scene. Then his tone shifted into something almost grim.

"Brat, I'll agree to your plan... but you must uphold your promise."

Shen Yuan raised a brow.

Whitebeard stared at him, eyes full of emotion.

"You'll be my right hand—my deputy captain. You'll train my sons. So that when I'm gone, they won't wander the world lost. They'll carry their strength with pride!"

Shen Yuan looked up at him.

He wasn't his father.

But he might as well have been.

Whitebeard's towering figure seemed even grander in this moment.

Shen Yuan was deeply moved.

But still...

"I refuse."

Whitebeard's laughter stopped instantly.

Yet he didn't rage. He just asked softly, "Why, brat?"

"Because I'm tired."

Shen Yuan's inner monologue raged.

Back in my old life I was a corporate drone. Now you want me to work a full-time job here too? Nine-to-five pirate captain? Are you serious?

"Gurarara! Alright then! What if I sweeten the deal?

Pick any Devil Fruit—current or future haul—yours.

Money? Spend as you like!

Enemies? I'll take the fall for you!"

Now that made Shen Yuan waver.

Devil Fruits!

Everyone knew the Dark-Dark Fruit once belonged to the Whitebeard crew...

Who knew what else they had stashed away?

He glanced again at Whitebeard and saw not a pirate captain, but a father figure.

"Alright, Whitebeard-senpai! Since you're so sincere—I'll humbly accept the post!

I'm truly unworthy! I am unworthy!"

Whitebeard's face turned black, but he was grinning inside.

He'd scored a jackpot—

Top-tier fighter, master tactician, and relentless brawler?

He could die happy now.

He admired Shen Yuan—not just for his strength, but for his unshakable ideals. A man willing to stand against the World Government itself.

"Alright! Let's celebrate tonight! The little devil can plan later!"

Now Shen Yuan was the one frowning.

So you spent all this treasure just to make me your battle tool?!

But despite the chaos, morale soared.

Deputy to Whitebeard was no ordinary role.

And Shen Yuan—already the strongest among them—would command true respect.

That night's banquet...

Would be unforgettable.

---

After the feast,

Drunken bodies lay across the deck.

Only Shen Yuan remained awake—leaning against the mast, sipping rum, deep in thought.

Then—a swirl of sand formed at his feet.

A cigar lit.

"Captain. You seem… burdened."

It was Crocodile.

Shen Yuan didn't look up.

"Old Sand. You wanted to assassinate Whitebeard once, didn't you? There's no better time."

Crocodile froze.

"You knew?"

Then smiled bitterly.

"But now I see the truth. I'm no match for him—not yet. And I've already pledged my loyalty to you."

Shen Yuan nodded slowly.

He admired Crocodile's ambition.

People always demonized him—said he chased Pluton's blueprints through criminal means.

But was that worse than Luffy chasing the Pirate King dream while smiling?

They were all pirates.

If anything, Crocodile was the truer pirate.

"Old Sand, I'll support your dream. But no shortcuts. No blood for blood's sake."

Crocodile's eyes widened.

Then he laughed. "Guhahaha! To have the backing of a god—what pirate wouldn't want that?"

Shen Yuan smiled too.

"Actually, I've got another task for you."

"Oh?"

"Find the Golden Lion's whereabouts. Then tell me."

Crocodile's grin widened.

"Guhahaha, consider it done. But you haven't fulfilled your promise to me yet."

"Which one?"

"Make me stronger."

"That's easy. Report to me tomorrow."

Shen Yuan took another sip.

Then frowned.

"Where's that old man Rayleigh gone again?"