Skill Tree Chronicles: One Piece

Holy Land, Mariejois.

In the majestic hall of power, the Five Elders sat in silence. Reports delivered by Cipher Pol agents lay neatly stacked in front of them, each sheet brimming with classified intelligence.

The old man in black robes flipped through the top file, his expression darkening.

"What do you make of this?" he asked coldly.

The white-robed elder, Izambaron V. Nasujuro Sei—the God of Finance—took a long breath, tapping a finger on the armrest, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

After a tense silence, he finally spoke.

"The Navy's admiral bears undeniable responsibility in this incident."

Jaygolucia Saturn, the God of Scientific Defense dressed in black, narrowed his eyes. "You're suggesting we place the blame squarely on Sengoku?"

Nasujuro Sei gave a stiff nod. His face was grim.

"This must be handled flawlessly. If not, the authority of the World Government will be questioned globally. That Judicial Island was one of our cornerstones of justice."

Saturn responded in a low, measured tone. "Then how would you resolve this?"

"Push accountability to Sengoku. And send Admiral Akainu—he's the most loyal to our authority. Let him handle Shen Yuan."

At that moment, the elder in crimson, who had remained silent thus far, finally spoke. His well-groomed blond beard framed a composed face, marred only by a thin scar running down his chest. His presence was poised, refined.

Shepherd Ju Peter Saint—the God of Agriculture—sipped his tea and said with calm gravity,

"We must confer with Naval Command before mobilizing. Acting rashly risks violating the Marines' autonomy. Human rights debates are already stirring across kingdoms."

He placed his cup down with a soft clink.

"More importantly, do not forget: Shen Yuan is Garp's grandson and holds blood ties to Monkey D. Dragon, the most wanted man in the world. An open offensive against Shen Yuan could ignite a full-blown rebellion."

The chamber sank into silence.

Everything Peter Saint said was fact.

And yet, Judicial Island was destroyed. Such a blatant challenge to the World Government could not be left unanswered.

Saturn spoke again, voice heavy with judgment.

"Shen Yuan has committed high treason. Destroying Enies Lobby alone warrants execution. The line has been crossed."

Peter Saint didn't argue. He simply watched the others with composed detachment.

Nasujuro Sei stood abruptly.

"Enough discussion. Notify Sengoku. Deploy Akainu to suppress Shen Yuan immediately. This meeting is adjourned."

With that, he turned and exited the chamber, leaving the others behind.

The second high-level meeting on Shen Yuan concluded—with a unanimous decision to eliminate him.

---

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood in his office, Den Den Mushi in hand. His brow darkened as the voice of the Five Elders rang out.

"Sengoku, issue a formal order. Shen Yuan is to be eliminated immediately. Dispatch Admiral Akainu. And make this loud."

"Let every rebel hiding in the shadows see what happens when you defy the World Government."

Sengoku remained silent, face stone-like.

"You are complicit, Sengoku," the voice of Saint Vochuli added sharply.

Sengoku clenched his jaw.

"How many CP agents did you deploy to Enies Lobby? Do you even know? Did any survive? Do you understand how many vice admirals I've already lost across the Grand Line? And you still pin this on me?"

"Understood, Saint Vochuli," he replied stiffly. "But it will take time. Akainu is still deployed in the New World on a mission and has yet to return."

There was a pause. Heavy silence followed.

"Don't take too long."

Click.

The call ended. Sengoku let out a deep sigh.

"What a cursed headache..."

He looked toward the ceiling, muttering with a hint of bitterness.

"Karp... your grandson has really caused an earthquake this time."

His eyes fell on the transponder snail that connected to Akainu. But he didn't reach for it yet.

---

Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick, Shen Yuan had returned.

And before him, piles of gold, silver, and rare jewels glittered under the sun.

His young face flushed with excitement.

"What a fat sheep we hit this time!"

He reached gleefully into the treasures, tossing rubies and coins aside with childlike enthusiasm—completely ignoring the uneasy stares of the Whitebeard Pirates around him.

"Oi, brat," one of the captains grumbled. "You really think the higher-ups are just gonna sit back and watch after that island stunt?"

Shen Yuan snorted, brushing him off.

"Let them come."

Heh. Even if the three admirals came together, I could still take one down and make the other two bleed.

His eyes glinted as he pulled out a peculiar golden key from the pile.

"Huh? This thing looks weird."

Marco leaned over, inspecting it with mild interest, but quickly shook his head.

"No idea what it is."

"Gurararara! Keep it close, boy," Whitebeard boomed with a hearty laugh. "It might open something important later."

Suddenly, a massive figure stepped forward.

Bulging muscles wrapped in black-and-red reinforced armor, a powerhouse of presence.

"Shen Yuan. Fight me," the man said calmly.

It was Joz, the Diamond Titan of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Shen Yuan glanced at him, tilting his head.

"You want to fight me?"

He stood, brushing off his coat.

"Fine. I'll give you three free shots. After that, I won't be responsible for what happens."

Joz's already dark face seemed to darken further.

"Don't underestimate me, brat."

Whitebeard leaned in with interest.

Last time he tested Shen Yuan, he'd noticed it—this boy's strength was unnatural.

"I'll referee. Joz... don't whine if you die."

Whitebeard's voice rumbled.

Joz ignored him, body glowing faintly.

A glimmering diamond armor wrapped around him like a fortress, amplifying his explosive aura.

"Understood, Pops."

"Begin!"

Joz launched forward like a cannonball.

BOOM!

The deck trembled.

But Shen Yuan didn't move.

Not even a hair out of place.

Joz blinked in disbelief.

"Here comes the second!"

From his diamond-coated body, sharp crystal spikes burst out, glowing with embedded Armament Haki.

"Diamond Spike Charge!"

BOOM—!

The clash shook the sky.

Shen Yuan remained untouched. Not even armed with Haki.

"...Is his body awakened?" Joz muttered.

Only one option left.

"Diamond Impact: Core Detonation!"

He barreled forward in a blinding flash. Shen Yuan sidestepped.

In an instant, Shen Yuan's palm was covered in hardening Armament Haki.

He grabbed Joz's neck with one hand—lifted—

—SLAMMED him into the deck.

Then leapt.

A black blur accelerated in the air—

His fist, wrapped in spiraling Haki, crashed into Joz's diamond armor.

"BANG!"

The diamond shattered.

"CRACK!"

A second strike crashed down.

Joz groaned, his body caving. He tried to reform his diamond armor—too late.

Shen Yuan blurred behind him.

Joz's right fist missed—

"BOOM!"

An uppercut exploded into Joz's chin, distorting his jaw.

"CRASH!"

He was embedded into the deck, coughing blood.

Shen Yuan landed lightly beside him, hands still in his pockets.

A chime echoed in his mind.

> [Plot character Joz defeated. Skill Tree unlocked. Level up: 83 → 86.]

He exhaled, stretching lazily.

"Don't be too arrogant, big brother."