Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

On the edge of Border Island—

Sasaki and Senbonmatsu were the first to arrive.

They did not act rashly, instead staring at the island with tense expressions.

At this moment, Border Island appeared as if it had just endured a major battle.

But the atmosphere was eerily quiet—no movement, no voices!

Senbonmatsu tentatively asked, "Sasaki, how about we go up and take a look?"

Even Sasaki, who usually radiated arrogance, showed hesitation upon seeing the scene.

"Who can guarantee this isn't just the calm before the storm?"

He frowned deeply. None of his subordinates dared move a muscle.

"Fine, fine… Let's assess the situation fir—"

But just then—

A ship approached the island.

Onboard were Ulti and Page One.

One woman, one man—

And as always, the moment that fool disembarked, he shouted obnoxiously:

"Ahahaha! Xiao Pei, come with me and annihilate those invaders!"

Without hesitation, Ulti charged straight for the island, leading her followers recklessly!

Sasaki and Senbonmatsu looked on in shock, jaws nearly unhinged.

"…Are these two a comedy act?" Sasaki sighed in disbelief.

Senbonmatsu responded helplessly, "Don't ask me. That Tyrannosaurus woman even dares to talk back to Lord Kaido…"

And right on their heels, another figure descended from the sky.

"I have arrived!"

It was Who's-Who, descending slowly using Geppo (Moonwalk).

"How's the sit—" But mid-sentence, he caught sight of Ulti barreling inland with her men.

"…."

Who's-Who fell silent.

The three remaining Tobiroppo members glanced awkwardly at one another, no one speaking first.

Page One sighed and shook his head.

She's my sister, after all… I have no choice but to indulge her!

He offered a casual nod to the others, then followed Ulti without a word.

Now, no one could remain still—they began preparing to strike, hoping to catch the enemy off guard.

"I'm just saying… Lord Kaido's orders were to support Border Island," Who's-Who said cautiously.

"But now that Border Island seems lost, do we still push forward? The enemy might be incredibly strong."

Sasaki's face turned cold. He retrieved a Den Den Mushi from his coat.

"Let's get intel first."

With practiced movements, he contacted a scout unit.

"Report—what's the current intel on Border Island?"

"Reporting, Lord Sasaki—after our investigations, we've confirmed… the ones occupying the island are core members of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

At the word core members, a chill ran through the group.

Who's-Who muttered to himself, "Backbones? The elites of Whitebeard's crew?"

Sasaki's arrogance faded. "Looks like that old man invested real strength this time…"

But Who's-Who clenched his teeth. "This is a strategic island for New Onigashima's perimeter—we must retake it!"

Now—

White flags with a familiar circular skull motif fluttered all across Border Island, swaying defiantly in the sea breeze.

"Hmph! Launch the attack!"

Sasaki made the call. His followers surged forward like a flood, storming into the island!

"We're not falling behind!" Who's-Who commanded his own late-arriving crew without hesitation.

"What a thrilling conflict…" Senbonmatsu exhaled deeply.

Something about this battle felt… different.

He sensed that his own fate might be rewritten today.

"Move out!"

His men roared as one!

"... Profound!"

"Keep it down!" Senbonmatsu scowled, then tiptoed forward with exaggerated care.

His subordinates followed in sync, walking lightly.

It was a strangely comical scene.

On the island—

Jozu and Marco were hidden in thick shrubbery, grinning like mischievous kids.

Jozu blinked quickly. "You see that? They're here."

Marco blinked back in silent acknowledgment.

Jozu blinked even more furiously—when they reach the center, we ambush!

Marco blinked once again, still calm.

Jozu couldn't tell whether he understood or not.

"Hualala…"

The Tobiroppo vanguard surged onto the island like a tidal wave.

Jozu smirked in secret.

If they could wipe out this batch of enemies at once, it would be a massive victory!

"Ora! Diamond Armor!"

With a fierce cry—

Jozu's transformation activated, and his body gleamed in crystalline brilliance as he charged!

"Diamond Cliff Slam!"

His form barreled into Ulti, catching her off guard!

Boom!

Ulti was sent hurtling through the air by the blow!

"You bastard—!!"

Page One transformed on the spot, entering his Ancient Zoan: Spinosaurus hybrid form—his skin hardened, his muscles expanded!

"You'll regret that! I'll show you what the Tobiroppo are made of!"

Seeing the dinosaur-man before him, Jozu was thrilled.

"So you're one of the 'Flying Six' that Brother Shen warned us about?"

Jozu disengaged his diamond state.

He threw a straight punch—aimed right at Page One's snout!

"You dare hit me?!"

Ulti came flying back in with a headbutt—Ulti-Mortar!

Boom! Boom!

Two thunderous impacts shook the air—

Page One was punched into the trees.

Ulti's headbutt landed squarely on Jozu's jaw!

But Jozu simply smiled—diamonds sparkled along his face.

"Heh, little girl—your attack's too soft!"

That infuriated Ulti even more!

"What?! One-on-one, you and me! Xiao Pei, stay out of it!"

Jozu grinned again and launched another punch!

"Today, you'll be buried here!"

With that, he slammed his diamond-encrusted forehead into hers—another direct clash!

"Now's my chance!"

Sasaki, watching for an opening, drew his blade and lunged for Jozu!

But—

"Not so fast—your fight's with me!"

Marco erupted from the brush!

Phoenix Claw!

A flaming kick collided with Sasaki's sword arm, throwing him off balance!

Sasaki crashed headfirst into the dirt!

"Damn it—Marco!"

He recognized him immediately—this was Marco the Phoenix, Whitebeard's right-hand man!

But what none of them realized was that yet another heavy-hitter was waiting.

Someone who monitored the entire battlefield's rhythm—

From a single stone, watching everything.

"Hmph. Marco, do you intend to die here?"

Sasaki snarled—but just then:

"Senbonmatsu!"

Senbonmatsu answered the call, charging forward while drawing his katana.

He swung down!

But Marco didn't even flinch.

He caught the attacker's wrist with one hand—

And with his other, he gripped Sasaki's head.

CRACK!

He slammed the two Tobiroppo together with force!

A brutal sound of bones breaking echoed!

"How noisy."

Who's-Who dashed into the fray in his tiger hybrid form, agile and fast!

But instead of joining the fight, he rushed deep into the island interior!

"I'll let the rest fight—I'll steal your treasures and spoil instead!"

That was his plan—but upon reaching the central area of the island, his face froze.

What he saw left him speechless.

Jack and King, both tied to trees.

Standing before them—

Several unfamiliar but powerful figures.

And sitting atop a stone—

A young man radiating unnatural calm and control.

The battlefield's true mastermind.

Shen Yuan turned his head slowly and said calmly:

"Don't rush to leave, now that you've arrived."

Who's-Who gasped and turned to run!

But a blur blocked his way—

A black fist shimmering with Haki smashed into his face!

BOOM!

He was instantly knocked unconscious!

The man who struck him just grabbed his collar with a look of utter contempt.

"At this level, you dare call yourself Tobiroppo?"