Shen Yuan dumped all his remaining points into his Swordsmanship Proficiency. At level 16, his blade felt like an extension of his body.
Suppressing Tuntian's berserk power, Shen Yuan steered his vessel toward the final stop in the East Blue saga—
Loguetown.
---
East Blue, Loguetown
The place where it begins… and ends.
This was where the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, smiled at the world before dying. As a result, Loguetown had become a magnet for pirates ready to chase that same dream.
---
"Tashigi, any pirate captures today?"
The gruff voice belonged to Smoker, known as the White Hunter. His trademark twin cigars puffed smoke beside his neatly-parted silver hair. The Navy cloak of justice flapped behind him, and a pair of black Seastone-tipped jitte glinted menacingly on his back.
He sat atop a three-wheeled Billower Bike, scanning the streets like a hawk.
"Colonel Smoker, none today." Tashigi straightened her glasses as she saluted.
Smoker exhaled deeply. "Figures. The pirates have gone quiet lately. Probably 'cause Garp's been lurking around the East Blue."
Hence its nickname—The Weakest Sea.
---
Click. Clack.
Footsteps echoed against the cobblestone.
Shen Yuan appeared, cloaked in black. With the five skill points rewarded from his earlier mission, he had pushed his Swordsmanship Skill Tree to the mastery cap—Level 20.
If Kaido took a clean hit from his ultimate technique, he'd be left reeling—maybe not defeated, but shaken.
Smoker's brows furrowed as he caught a glimpse of Shen Yuan approaching. His instincts screamed.
"That guy…!"
Smoker's hands trembled.
"Colonel Smoker, what is it?" Tashigi asked, puzzled.
"His eyes… they're just like—like an awakened beast's."
Smoker's combat intuition had never failed him. This time was no different.
---
Shen Yuan paid them no mind. His mind was already leaping ahead.
Silvers Rayleigh—where was he?
If he wasn't in Loguetown, then he had to be in Sabaody Archipelago.
In that case, it'd be time to breach the Grand Line… and recruit the crucial member he needed:
A Fishman crewman—essential for survival on the seas.
---
"Hold up!"
Smoker's voice halted Shen Yuan in his tracks.
He turned his head slowly, locking eyes with the marine.
"…Who are you?" Smoker demanded.
"Shen Yuan."
Smoker blinked. "Shen Yuan? The Shen Yuan? Garp's grandson?!"
Shen Yuan twitched.
That old man was still spreading that nonsense?
He didn't deny it. He just nodded casually.
---
"How 'bout a sparring match, then?"
Shen Yuan smirked.
Free EXP? Yes, please.
"With pleasure."
---
The coast of Loguetown was bustling with early morning fishermen. Many delayed their departure to watch the rare sight—a duel between a mysterious black-robed warrior and a Marine officer.
Smoker reached back and drew his Seastone jitte, his grip firm.
But Shen Yuan made no stance at all.
The disrespect was palpable.
Smoker growled. "You must not know who you're dealing with. I'm the White Hunter!"
"White Snake!"
His body partially liquefied into smoke, forming a serpent-shaped strike.
---
Shen Yuan's right hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
His left, coated in Armament Haki, snatched the smoke-serpent by the neck.
His blade, Tianshen, sang as it left its sheath—
A flash of black sword aura.
Smoker's eyes widened.
He jumped back just in time to dodge the deadly arc.
---
"How's that? Still want to fight?"
Smoker's instincts screamed again. This wasn't just swordsmanship—it was awakening-tier precision.
"White Fist!"
A smoke-covered punch launched out!
Thud!
Shen Yuan caught it mid-air and squeezed—just enough to make Smoker break out in cold sweat.
With a swift movement, Shen Yuan closed the distance—
His fist, cloaked in hardened Armament Haki, smashed into Smoker's jaw!
---
BOOM!
Smoker flew backward ten meters. His cigars tumbled mid-air, trailing smoke behind him.
Coughing blood, Smoker gritted his teeth and forced himself upright. He brandished both Seastone Ten Hands, launching into a desperate charge!
Tashigi paled.
Smoker was going all-out!
---
Shrrrk!
Shen Yuan didn't dodge.
He stepped into the strike, his fist exploding forward.
The Seastone arms shattered on impact.
And the same fist collided with Smoker's face—again.
---
THUD!
This time, Smoker didn't get up.
"You rely too much on your fruit. You've neglected the basics. And you call yourself elite? You're not even on the same level as Kizaru, let alone Kakashi…"
Tashigi trembled as Shen Yuan turned to her.
"…You too?"
She flinched.
But her heart burned with the spirit of a swordsman.
She drew her blade.
Shen Yuan's eyes lit up. "Good. I'll return your respect—with my strongest slash."
Tashigi nodded and took a stance.
"Shower Slash!"
Shen Yuan raised his katana.
"One-Sword Style… Black Light Burial!"
The blades clashed.
---
CRACK!
A gash bloomed across Tashigi's chest.
She stumbled, her sword falling from her hands.
Thud!
> [Plot characters Smoker and Tashigi defeated. Level up to LV.33!]
Shen Yuan nodded to himself.
At LV.40, Conqueror's Haki would unlock in his Awakening Tree.
He was getting close.
---
Tashigi, bleeding but conscious, managed a faint smile.
"Thank you… for the lesson. I… have so much more to learn…"
She fainted.
Smoker groaned awake.
"What the hell do you mean… by all that talk?"
His Marine coat had been blown off in the fight.
Shen Yuan turned.
"Your power isn't the problem. Your mindset is."
Smoker clenched his fists.
Shen Yuan extended an offer—
"I'm heading into the Grand Line next. Whether it's a few months or a year… travel with me."
"I'll teach you Haki. Train you to survive in the New World."
Smoker's eyes flickered.
Then darkened again.
"This bastard's trying to turn me into a pirate!"