Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

Tom was visibly nervous, a flicker of fear flashing across his face as he stood before Shen Yuan.

"It's alright," Shen Yuan said calmly. "They're only here to keep an eye on me."

The words landed like a bomb.

Everyone turned toward Shen Yuan with stunned expressions.

The room fell into a dead silence. You could hear the creak of the wood beneath their feet.

After a long pause, Tom finally spoke.

"Alright… please follow me."

Casting a brief glance at the agents eliminating the intelligence operatives, Shen Yuan turned and left with Tom.

—

Moments later,

In a dim, enclosed room, Tom and Shen Yuan sat cross-legged on the floor.

Tom took the initiative. "Sir… could you explain what's going on?"

Shen Yuan hesitated for a beat.

Then slowly began to recount his accomplishments—victories that had shaken the New World, the dismantling of underground networks, the exposure of secret CP units, and surviving multiple assassination attempts from Cipher Pol operatives.

"I see…"

Tom studied Shen Yuan with deep thought.

Then he said:

"I've heard rumors that you've been sentenced to death. But… I may have a way to help you survive."

Tom's eyes briefly lit up before fading back into composure. He smiled faintly.

"A real man must take responsibility for his fate."

Shen Yuan arched a brow. "You'd really leave Franky and Iceburg behind to be caught in the World Government's web of lies?"

Tom fell silent.

Blind student, you've uncovered the crux of the matter.

Shen Yuan pressed on:

"But before we go further, I need the truth. You've kept your silence for years, but the World Government won't let this go. You know it."

Tom's face shifted.

Shen Yuan leaned forward, voice dropping:

"I know you possess something invaluable—something ancient. If it falls into the Government's hands, it'll never be reclaimed."

His voice was like a whisper from the underworld, seductive and terrifying, slicing into Tom's convictions.

"I need your answer now."

Tom exhaled heavily.

"I do… possess the blueprints of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton."

He looked straight into Shen Yuan's eyes.

"But tell me—who are you really?"

Shen Yuan smiled lightly.

"Just an ordinary adventurer."

"Hmph… 'Adventurer'? You remind me of someone. Roger said the same thing once."

Tom's eyes clouded with nostalgia.

"I have a very clear plan," Shen Yuan said, serious now.

Tom blinked, nodding unconsciously like a child being lectured.

"I don't care how you want to meet your end, but before that, you're going to build my ship."

Tom: "..."

Shen Yuan waved casually. "Don't worry. You'll build a ship worthy of pride. Roger circumnavigated the world on the one you crafted, didn't he?"

Tom couldn't help but smile at the memory. He was proud of that fact.

"I'm not interested in using Pluton now," Shen Yuan continued, "but I won't allow it to fall into the Government's hands."

He fixed his gaze on Tom. "So you have two missions. First: protect the blueprints. Second: build my ship."

Tom didn't object. He simply nodded solemnly.

"And after your death, I'll ensure Franky and Iceburg remain untouched by the World Government. That's my promise."

Tom's eyes widened.

"…Deal," he said at last.

"Then let's start construction, shall we?"

---

Elsewhere – Tom's Office

Dashigi and the others sat quietly on the couch, watching Iceburg instruct shipwrights to clean up the scattered files.

Suddenly—

Click.

The door opened. Shen Yuan entered, sat in the swivel chair, and said nothing. He just waited.

Iceburg glared.

(Couldn't even close the damn door…)

He walked over and gently shut it—

Click!

Just then, the door opened again. This time, it was Tom, entering with a blueprint rolled tightly in his arms.

Iceburg's face darkened.

(Why did I even bother…)

"Here's the design," Tom said with a faint smile as he handed it to Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan unrolled the blueprint, examining it with growing admiration.

"Incredible… this design is nothing short of genius. It's exquisite—beyond compare!"

Tom beamed with pride at Shen Yuan's praise.

"Alright. You may begin," Shen Yuan said coolly.

Tom blinked. Why do I feel like I've become the subordinate…?

Still, he nodded slowly and left the room without a word.

With the shipbuilding underway, Shen Yuan leaned back, ready to discuss another matter.

"How long has Smoker been gone?" he asked.

Dashigi pondered for a moment. "Nearly a week."

Shen Yuan sighed. "A week? That long at Marineford? Don't tell me he's lost at sea."

—

Meanwhile – Somewhere on the Sea

Smoker sat in a tiny boat, drifting aimlessly on the open sea. His face was blank.

"Ah—ACHOO!"

He sneezed violently, wiped his nose, and glanced around.

"Damn, is it cold out here?"

He wrapped a marine coat around his shoulders and trembled slightly.

"…Don't tell me I'm gonna die out here lost like some fool."

Just then—

In the distance, a silhouette appeared: a battleship sailing steadily toward him.

An old man stood on its deck, draped in a Marine Admiral's cloak.

"Hey! Old man!" Smoker cried out, standing up and waving frantically.

"Over here!"

The old man raised his head, his sharp eyes locking on Smoker.

The ship veered toward him and closed in swiftly.

"Smoker?! Is that really Smoker?!"

"Smokey?!"

"It's him! It's really him!"

The moment trainee Marines recognized him, cheers broke out.

They ran forward to pull him aboard.

"Teacher… Zefa?"

Smoker's voice trembled.

It was the first time he'd seen his teacher so… aged.

His beard was scruffy. His posture frail. He looked like he'd aged a decade.

Zephyr, now 62, crossed his arms and stared hard at Smoker. Smoker did the same.

They stood in silence.

"…Smoker. I heard you deserted your post."

Zefa's tone was firm, accusatory.

"I—Teacher Zefa, I…"

Zefa cut him off. "Your aura—it's changed."

"I left to gain real experience," Smoker said. "To understand justice—before…"

Zefa pulled out a bounty poster.

On it was Shen Yuan—smirking, eyes cold.

"'Shinigami' Shen Yuan. First bounty: 500 million. A fresh pirate. And yet… he kidnapped a Marine Vice Admiral?"

Everyone fell silent.

Zefa's gaze turned to steel. "Smoker. Tell me the truth. What's your judgment?"

Smoker exhaled, eyes serious. "He hates evil. Has no mercy for it. He's chaotic, sure… but he acts with conviction. He's unpredictable… but not evil."

Zefa's grim face softened slightly.

"Hates evil…"

Once a revered Marine Admiral, the "Unkillable Z"—now just a hollow shell. Pirates had slaughtered his family. He hated them with all his being.

"…Where is he now?"

"Probably already in Water 7."

Zefa nodded, then reached out and pulled Smoker onto the deck.

"So tell me, Smoker," he said, "are you still a Marine?"

Smoker lit a cigar, took a long drag, and nodded silently.

The wind picked up, carrying the scent of gunpowder, justice—and coming storms.