Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

The battle was over.

Zefa commanded a group of Marines to clean up the chaotic scene, then turned his head to look at Shen Yuan.

"You're the one who taught Smoker how to use Haki, aren't you?"

Shen Yuan nodded calmly. In front of him stood the second man he genuinely admired—Zefa, the legendary former Admiral of the Navy.

The man known as the "Non-Kill Admiral," a steadfast user of Armament Haki, whose family was tragically killed by pirates.

A cruel irony.

"Hello, General Zefa. It's an honor. My name is Shen Yuan."

Zefa was momentarily stunned.

What a polite young man.

"Hello... though I'm no longer a general," Zefa replied, shaking Shen Yuan's hand firmly while examining him closely.

"But how do you know me?"

"I've heard your stories many times—from my grandfather."

Zefa slapped his forehead. "Of course! You're Garp's grandson!"

"That's right," Shen Yuan said.

Zefa's expression grew serious. "Kid, you do realize you're a wanted man now, don't you?"

Shen Yuan's smile faded, but he nodded without flinching.

"Then you've got guts, standing on the deck of a Marine battleship."

"Of course. I believe you, General Zefa. I trust you can tell right from wrong."

Zefa was visibly pleased by the faith in his character. He laughed heartily—an old warrior's laughter that somehow lightened the hearts of everyone nearby.

"Kid, your bounty is sky-high. What exactly did you do?"

Zefa's tone turned grave. His gaze narrowed.

Shen Yuan's expression didn't change.

"Nothing much. Just killed a few people."

Zefa's brows furrowed. "Who?"

Clearly, he wasn't going to let the matter drop without answers.

Shen Yuan didn't care. If there was one thing he'd learned, it was that being feared or hunted didn't bother him anymore.

"I eliminated several intelligence officers."

Zefa's eyes widened, but his shock quickly gave way to calm skepticism. "Why?"

"They were planning to kill me. I just acted first. Is that a crime?"

Though his voice was quiet, it rang with unwavering conviction.

That was confidence. The kind born from power. The kind that said, "If you try to harm me, expect no mercy."

Zefa slowly exhaled, his brow relaxing. Knowing the World Government as he did, the story was disturbingly plausible.

There were two possibilities: Shen Yuan's strength had drawn fear from the Government—or he'd interfered with one of their darker operations.

Either way, Zefa could understand it.

"Regardless, thank you," Zefa said at last. "You saved the future of these Marines today."

Shen Yuan shook his head. "I wasn't helping the Navy. I was saving my own beliefs."

Zefa's shoulders trembled with emotion. The words sparked memories—of a younger Zefa, who once believed in justice so fiercely he refused to kill, even pirates.

"Then tell me," Zefa asked, "why do you want to kill all pirates?"

His voice was hoarse—weighted with a lingering wound.

Shen Yuan didn't answer right away.

"Some pirates deserve death. The ones who commit unforgivable atrocities."

Zefa nodded, listening in silence.

"But I don't think they all start out evil. Some go out to sea looking for dreams. I still admire a few, like Roger and Whitebeard."

Zefa's eyes lit up.

"So in your view, pirates are also... adventurers?"

"Exactly."

Shen Yuan smiled faintly. "I want to explore the world. But I don't need to become a pirate to do that, do I, General Zefa?"

Zefa closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, nodding solemnly. "Maybe that's your path. I'll remember your words."

Behind him, the younger Marines were stunned. They looked at Shen Yuan with newfound awe.

Especially Tina—her jaw practically hit the floor.

Zefa's face turned curious. "Kid, you're clearly skilled with Armament Haki. But how deep does your mastery go?"

"My strength," Shen Yuan replied casually, "goes beyond your imagination."

Zefa: ???

Shen Yuan raised his right fist.

At first, it was simply covered in an advanced level of Armament Haki, gleaming pitch-black and dense. But then—something more emerged.

Dark mist spiraled upward from his skin.

Crackling arcs of black and white lightning flared around his fist.

Advanced Conqueror's Haki.

Zefa jumped to his feet, eyes wide. "Conqueror's Haki coating!?"

Shen Yuan grinned.

"No, I call it the 'Sky-Blackening, Earth-Splitting, Mountain-Smashing, All-Crushing Fist of the Tiger Descending From the Mountain Roaring Like a Tsunami.'"

Zefa: …

Smoker: …

Tina: …

Everyone: …

Silence fell like a hammer.

Then—

Shen Yuan stepped forward.

An overwhelming aura burst out from his body—his awakened talent tree glowing faintly in the system interface only he could see.

[Awakening Progress: Tier-1 Combat Node – "Haki Overdrive" unlocked.]

He leaped into the air using Geppo (Moonwalk), hovering effortlessly above the sea.

His blackened fist slammed downward.

BOOOOM!!!

The ocean exploded. A vortex of force tore a crater into the surface, scattering seawater skyward like a monsoon!

Ten kilometers of sea were blown apart—the pressure alone preventing the surrounding water from refilling the vacuum.

Zefa felt the tremor in his bones. A chill went down his spine.

This kid…

"…You," Zefa finally said, recovering. "Let's spar."

He stepped lightly onto the ship's railing.

"Gladly," Shen Yuan answered.

BOOM!

Fist met fist, sending a shockwave rippling across the water.

Zefa pivoted, dodging, then countered with a wide hook.

Shen Yuan ducked low, seized Zefa's waist, and hurled him over his shoulder.

Both landed in crouched stances on the shore, battle-ready.

"Ready, old man?" Shen Yuan teased.

Zefa answered with a smirk and darted forward, unleashing a fast straight punch like a spear.

Shen Yuan leaned aside, grabbed the incoming arm, slid behind him, and locked Zefa's waist.

His foot swept Zefa's ankle—a classic Mongolian wrestling move!

Zefa was slammed hard, stars in his vision!

He rebounded instantly, channeling Armament Haki into his fist—another strike!

Shen Yuan intercepted with a stomp to the arm, flipped forward, and kicked toward Zefa's chin.

Crack!

Zefa grunted, blocking just in time with Haki. Blood still trickled from his lip.

He burst out laughing.

"Haha! What a damn good kick!"

He cracked his neck, and a burst of aura surged from his body.

Suddenly, his speed increased—he became a blur!

Lightning jab!

But Shen Yuan's instincts were sharper. He ducked the jab, rotated, and fired a haymaker at Zefa's head.

Zefa dodged, then mimicked Shen Yuan's earlier move, trying to grapple his waist.

"Got you!" Zefa yelled.

He pulled hard.

No movement.

Shen Yuan stood unmoving, like a mountain.

CRACK!

An elbow crashed into Zefa's lower back, flooring him!

BOOM!

Groaning, Zefa collapsed, unable to force his aging body to rise again.

He shook his head with a bitter smile.

[You have defeated plot character Zefa! System EXP increased. Level up: 82!]

"Huh. The system finally says something again?"

Shen Yuan chuckled.

The path of awakening had only just begun.