Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

Shen Yuan nodded in agreement, activating his Kenbunshoku Haki to probe the surrounding area.

"Vista, go and ensure the safety of our crew. We're not taking prisoners—unless someone has a unique ability."

Vista nodded, his expression dark and ruthless.

Enel stepped forward and solemnly presented a Devil Fruit as though offering a sacred treasure.

"Master, this Devil Fruit may interest you."

Shen Yuan glanced at Enel in surprise, then focused on the deep purple fruit—it seemed to devour the light and energy around it.

"This is…!"

Shen Yuan suddenly stood up, eyes blazing with excitement!

He quickly pulled out the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and began flipping through the pages.

The others watched, puzzled—even the senior commanders were confused.

King asked quietly, "Even someone like you is interested in Devil Fruits?"

"Of course," Shen Yuan said, suppressing his growing excitement.

He was now absolutely certain. The fruit in his hand was none other than the Yami Yami no Mi—the most sinister of all Logias!

Without hesitation, Shen Yuan grasped the fruit.

With a single thought—

The signature spiral lines vanished.

The fruit dissolved into a stream of energy that flowed into his body!

[Congratulations! You have absorbed the Logia-type: Yami Yami no Mi. Skill acquired: 'Power of Darkness.']

Even Jack couldn't help exclaiming,

"You can eat Devil Fruits like that?!"

King was also visibly shaken, speechless from shock.

Unable to hold back his joy, Shen Yuan clapped Enel on the shoulder with force.

"You're truly my lucky star!"

Enel looked flustered, unsure how to respond.

"This fruit… it's the legendary Yami Yami no Mi!"

Enel grew even more nervous, but in Shen Yuan's eyes, this proved something: Enel was a trustworthy disciple—no selfishness, no hesitation.

"You've earned a proper reward."

Shen Yuan reached into his coat and pulled out a worn leather booklet.

It detailed his methods for training advanced Kenbunshoku Haki—Observation Haki to its highest level.

Enel accepted it with trembling hands.

Opening the first page, his eyes widened!

It contained Shen Yuan's personal insights into Haki—training mantras, sensing techniques, danger prediction, and weakness targeting.

"Thank you, Master!"

Enel bowed deeply and stepped aside, immediately engrossed in studying the notes.

"So this is it… enhancing reactions, sensing threats, locating blind spots…"

His eyes gleamed. With his innate gift for Observation Haki, Enel had mastered the basics in just a week!

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan extended his hand.

A sphere of dark gravitational energy coalesced in his palm—like a small black hole devouring everything near it.

"What an overwhelmingly destructive fruit."

He looked toward the unconscious figure nearby—Who's Who, the former Tobiroppo.

"I've heard the Yami Yami no Mi can extract another user's Devil Fruit essence. Is that true?"

Tashigi adjusted her glasses. "Yes. But the rarer the ability, the more stamina and mastery it requires."

Shen Yuan chuckled.

Stamina?

He only ever got tired when clashing with Whitebeard. No one else could survive a full-strength blow from him.

With a gesture, he signaled for Tashigi to drag Who's Who forward. Time to test a theory.

"This is Who's Who—formerly of the Tobiroppo under Kaido.

Kill him, and Kaido won't spare you!"

"Kaido won't spare me?" Shen Yuan laughed. "That bug can try."

"Bug—!?"

King clenched his jaw, rage swelling—but he forced himself to remain silent.

"Let's see the power of this fruit."

The Yami Yami no Mi was said to have the gravitational pull of a black hole—capable of forcibly dragging in anything.

As he concentrated, Shen Yuan envisioned one phrase:

"All things are drawn toward darkness."

He activated gravity—the unconscious Who's Who was sucked toward his palm.

Dark energy swirled, eroding his body.

His skull warped and compressed—

CRACK!

It exploded into a mist of blood and bone!

[You have slain Who's Who. Level up to 95! Skill point +1.]

The audience stared in awe, frozen in disbelief.

"Get me a piece of fruit."

Enel stepped forward, smiling, and handed him an ordinary fruit.

"Here, Master!"

Shen Yuan smiled as he channeled yellow essence—energy extracted from Who's Who's remains—into his left hand.

The essence circled his palm.

He brought the fruit near it.

A glow surged—the energy merged with the fruit.

Swirling lines emerged across its surface, and its color shifted to golden-yellow.

"Incredible. Truly incredible."

In mere seconds, a mundane fruit had become a Zoan-type Devil Fruit—a mythical transformation.

"This one's an animal-type lion fruit. Want it?"

Enel studied it, then shook his head quickly.

"I'll pass."

Just imagining a lion form made Enel twitch. Too much mane, too much roar.

"I heard the previous Yami Yami no Mi user was hunted by the World Government for targeting other users."

Shen Yuan replied casually, ignoring King and Jack's expressions.

"That's because he wasn't strong enough."

He stood and gazed toward the distant battlefield—where the other Flying Six were still locked in combat.

No.

Now they were the Flying Five.

"Tell them not to kill the rest."

King: Did… that sound merciful or mocking?

Jack: Why does it still hurt?!

But neither dared protest. The fear they felt toward Shen Yuan wasn't temporary—it was growing.

Other commanders hesitated to execute defeated officers, but Shen Yuan?

If provoked, he'd kill and leave nothing behind!

Jack scrambled to save himself:

"Brother Shen Yuan! Listen! My fruit is total trash! You wouldn't want it!"

Shen Yuan stayed silent.

"…Right? It's not worth it, really!"

Jack was sweating bullets, voice cracking. Beside him, King looked just as terrified.

"My fruit's garbage too, honestly!"

Shen Yuan finally waved his hand.

"Relax. I'm not all that interested in Zoan fruits."

The two stared, stunned.

"You're still valuable as bargaining chips. Why would I waste that?"

They exhaled in relief—finally.

"Dashigi, untie them. Get them food before they drop dead."

She nodded, carrying out the order with precision.

Jack and King exchanged glances—confused, wary… even a little moved.

King, fighting tears, took his food and began eating, gritting through the pain.

It reminded him of a long-forgotten memory.

The first time he met Kaido.

"You're a Lunarian, a persecuted race. You deserve protection.

Why's the World Government still chasing you?"

The question froze King's hand mid-bite.

His mind flashed back to that fateful day.

"…Nn…"

Clearly, it struck a nerve.

When he didn't respond, Shen Yuan grinned and continued—half-teasing, half-serious.

"The Marines? The Celestial Dragons? Or is it the World Government itself?"

He shook his head, chuckling darkly.