Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

The battle was over.

It ended with the destruction of Enies Lobby—Judicial Island was annihilated!

Most of the Marines stationed here were wiped out by Shen Yuan and his crew. The battlefield was littered with corpses, blood staining the debris-strewn grounds.

Most of the island's grand structures had been reduced to rubble, and even the Gate of Justice—that towering symbol of the World Government's control—had been shattered by Shen Yuan's bare hands.

The World Government's dignity had crumbled. Enies Lobby, once a symbol of fear and absolute authority, now lay in ruins.

The once-firm security perimeter was no more.

And the mastermind behind it all?

Had already escaped on a small boat!

---

"It's... an animal-type Devil Fruit. Possibly a giraffe model," Shen Yuan muttered, rolling the mottled, swirled fruit in his palm while flipping through the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia in his other hand.

"This one... Animal-type, Turtle-Turtle Fruit?"

His face went black with disgust. He tossed it aside like spoiled fruit.

"Last one. Please give me a decent one already."

He turned another page. His eyes lit up with joy.

"Animal-type, Cat-Cat Fruit: Model Lion!"

His whole expression brightened.

A lion! A damn lion!

He couldn't hide the grin that stretched across his face.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel looked like he had aged ten years in five minutes.

"Bulu, bu, bu, bu, bu, bu, bu!"

The Den Den Mushi buzzed anxiously, mirroring his trembling fingers as he reached for it.

He was starting to fear phones more than pirates now.

"Hello? Vice Admiral Garp?"

Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, Flying Squirrel exhaled, almost weeping from relief.

"I'm here. Where are the intruders now?"

"They're heading for the New World! All government property on Judicial Island has been looted!"

His voice became higher, more emotional—like someone reporting that his home had just been burgled.

"I see."

Click.

The line went dead.

Flying Squirrel stood in silence once more, utterly defeated.

---

Meanwhile, on the small ship skimming across the waves, Shen Yuan and his companions were gathered before a glittering mountain of treasure.

"There are three Devil Fruits here that I won't use."

Shen Yuan glanced at Crocodile, then at Marco, and continued:

"All three are Zoan-type. The male Lion model is the most battle-effective... but as always, it depends on the user's development and potential Awakening."

Marco's eyes gleamed.

These were Devil Fruits hidden in Enies Lobby's vault, part of the secret weapon reserves.

"However Brother Shen wants to distribute them, we'll follow," Marco said with a wide smile, rubbing his palms like a child offered sweets.

"Good attitude. It's rare to see a pirate crew this generous."

Without hesitation, Shen Yuan tossed all three fruits to Marco.

"They're yours. I only want this sword imbued with the Elephant Fruit. The rest of the treasure? We split it fifty-fifty."

Marco's eyes flashed gold as he nodded repeatedly like a woodpecker.

He placed the Devil Fruits into a reinforced treasure chest with great care.

"Brother Shen, did you attack Enies Lobby just for loot?"

"Partly. But more than that... this was a declaration of war."

Shen Yuan turned his gaze to Crocodile, whose eyes narrowed.

"Do you want to become stronger?"

The words struck Crocodile like lightning.

His expression twisted—greed, ambition, and disbelief flashed across his face.

"I can see your potential," Shen Yuan continued with exaggerated drama. "You have a fine bone structure and your forehead is... remarkably smooth. That's why I'll give you this."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a weathered booklet.

It radiated an ancient aura, like something passed down by the ancients.

"This can't be taught lightly. It contains the essence of my... uh... life's journey."

Shen Yuan threw it into Crocodile's arms without looking back.

Crocodile blinked at the old manual, his brain full of question marks.

???

"What's with the forehead talk? Is that a new power system?"

He opened to the first page—and his eyes sharpened instantly.

It contained detailed notes on mastering Haki—Observation, Armament, and even... Conqueror's Haki.

There were annotations in the margins, techniques, real battle examples—written with clarity and experience.

---

Page 1:

Conqueror's Haki is possessed only by the chosen few, but there are ways to awaken it.

Crocodile turned to the next.

Page 2:

The bearer of Conqueror's Haki must have overwhelming ambition—enough to dominate the seas.

To awaken it: When the user experiences intense emotional extremes, the Haki may burst forth subconsciously.

Repeat this enough, and one may gain conscious control.

Triggers: sorrow, rage, pride, euphoria. The greater the emotion, the greater the resonance.

Crocodile closed the book slowly, processing every word, committing it to memory.

---

Suddenly, a scout shouted in panic.

"Boss! Boss! The Marines are tailing us!"

Marco's flame burst forth. Blue fire enveloped him as he took off like a missile.

He flew high into the sky, eyes scanning the horizon—

And his expression drained of color.

"Brother Shen… we might be screwed. That's Vice Admiral Garp!"

Marco clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I'll hold him off! You guys escape! I won't die here!"

Shen Yuan clapped a hand on Marco's shoulder.

"I won't stop you. I believe in you."

"Wait, you're not even going to talk me out of it?!"

Marco's heart trembled.

"Am I going to die…?"

He shook his head and turned with conviction.

"If I die… tell Pops I died a hero!"

He dove toward the warship like a comet streaking through the sky!

Shen Yuan folded his arms and watched, smiling slightly.

---

One minute later.

"Old Ma! Old Ma!"

Marco's body flopped onto the deck like a rag doll, arms sprawled out.

"Boss! Boss! No! Your poor father's waiting at home!"

Tears streamed down his crew's faces. But Marco's brows twitched.

"I'm not dead yet!"

The crew instantly stopped crying.

Then—

A voice echoed like thunder:

"Hahahaha! You brat! I'm gonna beat you into the ground!"

Garp arrived like a freight train, launching a punch straight at Shen Yuan.

"Boom!!"

Shen Yuan responded with his own fist. Their blows collided mid-air with a concussive roar!

Each strike mirrored the other—ferocity and familiarity.

"You really are my grandson! You inherited my fists!"

Garp grinned wildly, covering his fist in Armament Haki—shiny and black.

"Boom!!!"

Another detonation of power!

The clash of Conqueror's Haki burst forth between them—sparks like lightning, a thunderous shockwave spreading outwards and blasting all the minions into unconsciousness.

Crack! Crack!

Bodies hit the deck one by one.

"Your strength has grown, brat! I'm proud of you!"

Garp dropped his strength, and Shen Yuan followed. Garp's large hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

"How've you been, old man?"

Garp's face flushed red in irritation.

"Why didn't you listen, brat?! Why'd you become an adventurer?! Now look what you've done!"

Even so, there was pride in his eyes.

Shen Yuan stood tall, black hair flowing behind him. His chiseled face was calm and resolute, wearing a dark swordsman's robe with a long blade at his hip.

For a moment—he looked like a young Garp.

Garp stared, stunned.

"You really inherited my will."

He nodded with deep emotion.

"I hope you surpass me one day—just as I once defeated Roger."

With that, Garp turned and walked away.

He didn't look back.

"If you're ever in trouble… come to me."