"Well done!"
Shen Yuan returned to the deck.
Garp clapped him on the shoulder, a broad grin on his face, his eyes full of pride and relief.
"Mr. Bogard, this blade feels... unusual. Could you take a look for me?"
Bogard took the sword carefully and began examining it in silence.
Garp, meanwhile, personally bandaged Shen Yuan's arm with surprising care, his expression glowing with delight.
"Brother, that was amazing!"
The surrounding marines erupted with admiration.
The battle earlier had been swift, fierce, and utterly decisive—brutal, but beautiful in its simplicity. The kind of raw, high-stakes combat that stirred even the most seasoned soldiers. Some even itched to dive into the fray themselves.
Bogard furrowed his brows.
"This blade…"
He hesitated, frowning, then sighed.
"It's definitely sharp. Well-forged. If you like it, keep it."
He paused again, looking the weapon over.
"But its make… it's strange. This design doesn't match anything known from Wano or any of the Marine arsenals. It's not standard issue, and I doubt it's from the Seven Warlords' collections."
Shen Yuan nodded slightly and turned away.
To the marines gathering the battlefield loot, he called, "Don't forget my scabbard!"
Before he finished the sentence, several quick-witted marines had already darted off. They raised an OK sign behind them and combed the wreckage with gusto.
Staring at the blade in his hand, Shen Yuan felt a strange resonance—an aura of dominance.
He muttered:
"I'll call this sword Tuntian… the 'Sky-Swallowing Blade.' It carries my ambition—to consume the world, like rivers swallowed by the sea."
At these words, Bogard's normally impassive face flickered with a trace of subtle admiration.
Moments later, a naval soldier presented the scabbard respectfully.
Shen Yuan sheathed the sword in one smooth motion, the motion crisp and decisive. A flicker of killing intent remained on his face.
Their patrol continued.
Every small pirate crew they encountered was dismantled by Shen Yuan alone. His sword sang through the air, leaving no room for resistance. The crew's progress was smooth—until something shifted.
A large silhouette appeared on the horizon.
A distant pirate ship cruised slowly into view. Garp's eyes, usually half-lidded and lazy, sharpened suddenly.
Bogard's face grew grim. "That's... the Red Force."
Sure enough, a bold voice echoed across the sea.
"Yo! Vice Admiral Garp, long time no see!"
Shanks stood on the prow, his expression relaxed, the breeze rustling his crimson hair.
Garp grunted. "Still wandering the East Blue, Shanks?"
The two ships drew closer. Shanks casually stepped aboard the Marine vessel, hands in his pockets.
He hadn't yet become the Emperor that would later shake the world, but even now, his Conqueror's Haki leaked faintly, stirring unease in the air.
Shen Yuan's gaze zeroed in on him.
That red hair—wild and vivid like fire.
The scar over his left eye.
The saber at his hip.
And those eyes—sharp like an eagle's, yet with a calmness like deep water.
Shen Yuan's stare heated, almost fanatical, like a starving wolf seeing fresh meat.
Even the sword on his hip responded. A faint black shimmer flickered along its edge, humming with unseen energy.
Shanks narrowed his eyes slightly. What's with this kid's gaze...? I'm not into guys, dammit.
He coughed and turned away, pretending not to notice.
"Vice Admiral Garp," he said again, "how've you been?"
Garp snorted and ignored him.
Shanks shifted toward Shen Yuan.
"Your expression's intense, kid. You trying to pick a fight?"
Shen Yuan didn't flinch.
"Shanks. Yonko-to-be. I want to challenge you."
Shanks grinned. "Not today. Another time, maybe."
Shen Yuan knew he couldn't match Shanks yet. Not even close.
But the system had prompted him: challenge strong opponents, and the awakening skill tree would evolve.
Different opponents—different gains.
Silence lingered.
Garp spoke, his tone even. "What are you doing here?"
Shanks became serious. "Garp... I believe Luffy is the child of destiny."
Garp's face darkened. His famous iron fist lashed out like lightning, aiming for Shanks's face.
Shanks raised his saber, clashing with the punch.
The sheer force of impact sent surrounding marines stumbling back.
"Mind your mouth, you red-haired bastard!"
Shanks's expression sharpened. He swept his sword in a wide arc, sending a wave of force toward the crowd.
Garp quickly moved to intercept it with a punch, obliterating the slash midair.
The red-haired pirate landed lightly on his own ship's deck, retreating fast.
"Old man… you and I can't control Luffy. He was born to break chains. That's the kind of person he is."
With those parting words, the Red Force turned away and slowly disappeared into the mist of the sea.
At the bow, Shanks still waved back at Garp with a relaxed smile.
But Garp stood motionless, a strange calm settling over him.
"Fate, huh…" he muttered. "Even the World Government can't control that."
His voice grew heavy.
"Shen Yuan, remember—fate isn't a cage. It's a challenge."
Shen Yuan nodded silently.
"Alright, set sail!"
Garp went back to normal in the blink of an eye, suddenly munching on a large bag of senbei from who knows where.
After a long day, the group returned to Windmill Village.
At sunset,
Shen Yuan stumbled into the house, weary.
Bell-mère was there, carefully changing his bandages, eyes full of concern. Nami stood nearby, gently wiping off dried blood and sweat from Shen Yuan's arms.
After washing up, Shen Yuan opened the system.
---
[Name: Shen Yuan]
[Age: 12]
[Identity: Adventurer]
[Skills: Navy Six Styles (Lv1), Swordsmanship Mastery (Lv1), Physical Enhancement (Lv2), Agility Enhancement (Lv1)]
[Physique: 25.6 / 100]
[Agility: 13.2 / 100]
[Speed: 10.8 / 100]
[Strength: 26.6 / 100]
[Level: 18 | Remaining Skill Points: 8]
(Note: Level 20 caps this stage. Unlock new stage via quest or system milestone.)
---
Shen Yuan frowned thoughtfully.
It was now clear—gaining stats through real battle was far more efficient than pure training.
He invested all 8 skill points into Physical Enhancement, feeling strength pulse through his limbs.
He browsed the skill tree again.
"Haki unlocks at level 21? Are you kidding me…"
He grimaced.
The rest of the open tabs were mainly life skills—cooking, fishing, wood carving, etc. Not exactly urgent for combat, so he ignored them.
But then—
A new skill panel appeared on its own.
[New Skill Unlocked: Armament Haki – Basic Manifestation]
Shen Yuan clicked it instantly, and a familiar black glow shimmered across his fist.
Bell-mère stared in shock.
"Is that... Busoshoku Haki?"
The blackened fist gleamed with power.
Shen Yuan nodded.
"It must've been triggered during the battle. I'm starting to awaken Haki—step by step."
Bell-mère finished wrapping him up, visibly astonished.
As Shen Yuan retracted the Haki, he recalled various manifestations in the world:
Katakuri's future sight via Kenbunshoku...
Usopp's sniping boost from his awakened Observation Haki...
Garp's punches, made legendary by raw Armament...
Swordsmen hardening their blades with Busoshoku...
Each use of Haki was deeply personal—and wildly powerful.
The presence of Haki would tilt the balance in his next fights.
He felt confident—fired up.
Maybe he really could fight pirates all night.
He ruffled Nami and Nojiko's hair.
Smiling, he took them into the study and spread out some sea charts. Nami's eyes lit up, clearly fascinated. Shen Yuan, too, was eager to learn—navigational knowledge was essential for surviving the Grand Line.
Suddenly—
"Brother! Brother!!"
Luffy's voice echoed from outside.
Shen Yuan got up and stepped out, seeing both Luffy and Ace at the door, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He smiled.
"Alright. Let's go train in the backyard."