Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

Shen Yuan negotiated with Whitebeard for a while.

Finally, with the support of Marco, Jozu, and Izo's divisions, the deal was sealed.

"Hello? Crocodile?"

A lazy voice answered from the other end of the Den Den Mushi:

"Yeah? What do you want?"

Crocodile sipped his black tea, his gaze casually fixed on a man bound and slumped on the floor—his face obscured.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to attack Enies Lobby. You in?"

Pfft!

Crocodile spat out his tea, his expression twisting in disbelief.

"Are you serious? Attacking Enies Lobby is an outright challenge to the World Government's authority!"

"Authority? What authority? The World Government's dignity is like a worn-out shoe sole."

Silence fell on the line—just as silence hung over the Bridge of Hesitation.

"…How exactly do you want to pull this off?"

"Pick the strongest members you've got. Help me clear the Marine grunts.

Don't worry about the heavy lifting. I'll handle the big fish.

When this is over, I'll reward you with something nice."

"Reward?"

Crocodile took a long breath.

It had been years since someone offered him that word without a catch.

"…Alright. What time tomorrow?"

"About three quarters past noon."

Crocodile: "…What the hell is 'three quarters past noon'?"

"Around 11:30."

Click.

Crocodile ended the call and turned his attention to the intelligence agent kneeling before him, frowning.

"You little house-dogs aren't done sniffing around yet? You've barged in here ten times this week.

Do you think this is your playground?"

The agent looked stunned. "Playground? What...?"

Without warning, Crocodile lunged, his hook arm locking around the man's neck.

His Suna Suna no Mi ability activated, draining the moisture from the agent's body in seconds—leaving behind a mummified corpse.

He tossed the dried body aside and grabbed the Den Den Mushi again.

"Tell Mr. 1, Mr. 2, Mr. 3, and Mr. 5 to get here immediately. I've got a job for them."

After hanging up, Crocodile flexed his fingers, a dangerous grin spreading across his face.

"Attacking Enies Lobby… even I wouldn't have dared say that out loud. What a madman."

Soon after,

The summoned agents stood before Crocodile, awaiting instructions.

"Bon Clay… if you had a shot at challenging the World Government, would you take it?"

Daz Bonis (Mr. 1) shivered slightly at the question. His expression was mixed with shock and intrigue.

They were criminals—sure. But going up against Enies Lobby? That was suicidal.

"President… if such a chance existed… I'd take it gladly. That kind of madness suits me."

Crocodile smirked, tapping his golden hook in the air as he pointed to the rest.

"And the rest of you?"

The others exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow, we're marching with Shen Yuan to assault Enies Lobby. Your role? Sweep the trash. Got it?"

"Understood!"

It finally clicked for them.

That insane plan to strike the Judicial Island... was his?

They all felt a surge of relief that they'd survived their encounter with the "plague-bringer" Shen Yuan.

"We depart at dawn. Rendezvous at Water 7!

During the operation, forget Baroque Works. You'll act as Shen Yuan's crew. Clear?"

The group nodded with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Some were even blushing.

Bonis shut his eyes, planning the logistics.

"Mr. 5, your ability is explosions, correct? You'll handle demolishing the main gate of Enies Lobby."

Mr. 5 nodded nervously.

He'd only eaten the Bomu Bomu no Mi a few days ago. Who knew he'd be put to use so soon?

"Alright, dismissed. Don't be late."

With that,

Crocodile transformed into a stream of yellow sand and whisked out of the meeting room.

---

At that moment,

Shen Yuan was flipping through his system interface.

"Haven't checked in a while. Let's see how stacked I am."

Only nine skill points remained. He exhaled.

"Dump 'em all. Maxed-out arrogance mode: engaged."

The points were allocated.

His Strength stat maxed, triggering a change in the interface.

[Name: Shen Yuan]

[Age: 14]

[Identity: Adventurer]

[Skills:]

Rokushiki (lv1)

Sword Mastery (MAX)

Haki Mastery – All Three Types (MAX)

Physical Reinforcement (MAX)

Agility Enhancement (Lv15)

Strength Enhancement (MAX)

Speed Enhancement (Lv12)

[Body Attributes:]

Undying Vajra: 100/100

Battle-Hardened Body: 100/100

Godlike Frame: 100/100

Giant's Strength: 100/100 (Amplifies combat strength with Death God's power; duration scales with intensity of battle)

[Level: 82] (Special Reward unlocks at Lv100)

Shen Yuan grinned.

An attack that could damage the soul?

Even if Ultraman Tiga showed up, he'd walk away without his tights.

---

Back in Water 7,

Shen Yuan returned to the shore.

A full squad was already assembled.

"Captain, where did you go?" Kalifa and Tashigi clung to his arms like two newlywed brides.

"Went to pay respects to an old man. Whitebeard."

Then Shen Yuan's face turned serious.

"Everyone stand by!"

His words made the team tense.

The boatwrights in the background blinked in confusion.

"What are they doing? Some kinda pirate boot camp?"

Another shrugged. "Who knows… Military training? From pirates?"

"…Ridiculous."

"Tashigi!"

"Present!"

"Tomorrow we strike Enies Lobby. I appoint you as field commander. Coordinate the entire battlefield."

"Yes, Captain!"

Tashigi's hands trembled with excitement—her first major campaign since joining Shen Yuan's crew!

"Joan!"

"Present!"

"You're vice-captain of the medical corps. Expect reinforcements tomorrow."

"Yes!"

Joan's eyes sparkled. Vice-captain? Wait—who's the captain?

"Enel!"

"Present!"

"You're left-wing general. Sweep the enemy forces on the left flank."

"Roger!"

Enel gripped the golden halberd Shen Yuan had personally forged for him. His favorite weapon.

"Khalifa, you're right-wing general.

That's all. Be ready and assemble here tomorrow."

The group dispersed.

Preparations for war were underway.

Shen Yuan looked skyward and saw a figure gently descending—it was Rayleigh.

"Kid, something this big and you don't come to me first?"

Rayleigh's smile looked cheerful… but sent chills down Shen Yuan's spine.

"…Why are you acting like a creepy uncle, old man?"

Rayleigh pulled out the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and handed it to Shen Yuan.

"I borrowed this earlier to check my stash. Sorry."

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as you drop dead later."

Rayleigh didn't reply.

A moment passed before Shen Yuan broke the silence.

"You're not needed for this battle."

Rayleigh gave a simple nod. No arguments.