"4998, 4999, 5000!"
After finishing his training, Shen Yuan set the barbell down and collapsed onto the recliner.
"My physical stats are nearly maxed out. Just one final push and I'll reach peak human conditioning."
Thinking that, Shen Yuan silently brought up his system interface to check his attributes.
"Shen Yuan, up ahead is Twin Cape. Should we stop?"
Rayleigh pointed to the distant lighthouse and asked.
Shen Yuan nodded as he ate his breakfast.
"Master, is it okay to serve food now?"
Tashigi stood humbly behind him, holding a plate. After last night's sword training, her skill had visibly improved.
"It's fine. Not bad. Keep working hard."
Tashigi smiled, nodding, visibly pleased.
Smoker remained at the helm, expression grim as usual.
The ship cut through the waves, slowly heading toward the tranquil waters near Twin Cape.
Suddenly—
A whale burst from the water!
Its massive tail swung down toward the ship!
At that moment, Shen Yuan reacted!
He soared into the air using Geppo (Moon Walk) and delivered a powerful kick at the incoming tail!
The clash of blows generated a shockwave that rocked the surrounding waters, startling nearby Sea Kings into fleeing dozens of meters away!
The whale—Laboon—snorted and raised its tail again, agitated!
Shen Yuan met it with another kick!
The surrounding Sea Kings: "Amenos! Fight all you want, just don't involve us!"
The tremendous force of the clash pushed Laboon back several meters before he steadied himself.
"Laboon, I know a secret you want to hear—but you'll have to agree to one condition."
Laboon slapped the water curiously in response.
"I know the truth about the Rumbar Pirates. But in return, you must stop hurting yourself and wait patiently for Brook. Understood?"
Laboon froze. Upon hearing the name "Brook", he slowly quieted down, listening intently.
Rayleigh, watching from the ship, also listened closely. A faint smile played on his lips as if recalling the past—Roger's era, sailing the seas.
"After crossing the Red Line, the Rumbar Pirates' captain contracted an unknown disease on an island. Before dying, he entrusted Brook to continue leading the crew.
Later, while sailing through the Florian Triangle, they clashed with another pirate crew. Poisoned weapons were used. Without access to treatment, one by one, the Rumbar Pirates succumbed.
Brook died too, but due to the Revive-Revive Fruit, his soul returned. However, by then, his body had decayed into a skeleton."
As Shen Yuan finished recounting the tragic tale, he landed softly on Laboon's head and gently stroked his scarred surface.
"Don't despair. Brook's still alive. He's coming back. So please—take care of yourself until then."
Laboon slapped the water joyfully and let out a booming:
"W-W-W-W!"
Satisfied, Shen Yuan returned to the ship and signaled Smoker to continue steering toward the Red Line.
Crocus, the old lighthouse keeper, witnessed everything and smiled warmly as the ship approached. He welcomed the group with open arms.
"Old man, don't you recognize me?"
Rayleigh grinned, stepping forward to hug Crocus.
Tears welled up in Crocus' eyes. "Rayleigh?! What are you doing here?!"
Even a legendary figure like Rayleigh couldn't hold back tears. The reunion between old friends was deeply moving.
"How've you been these years?"
The two chatted casually, oblivious to the others.
Shen Yuan didn't mind. As a new system notification popped up, he grinned like a child on New Year's Day.
> [Achievement: Arrived at the Red Line. Reward: 5 Skill Points.]
He hesitated for a moment before allocating all five points to Observation Haki.
Inside Crocus' cabin, Shen Yuan quietly observed as the two veterans swapped tales of their golden age. He simply sipped wine, munched on cake, and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Hours passed.
"Let's move on," Rayleigh finally said to Shen Yuan, standing to board the ship again.
Crocus saw them off with a smile. Watching Laboon peacefully float nearby, he sighed with relief.
"At least those five skill points weren't for nothing," Shen Yuan thought as he signaled Smoker to keep sailing.
Smoker: "..."
Back on the ship, Shen Yuan guided Tashigi through a sword drill.
Rayleigh lounged on a recliner, silently observing.
Smoker, still at the helm, opened his mouth as if to speak, but—
"Wait!" Shen Yuan cut in. "Once we enter the Grand Line, I promise to teach you Haki myself."
Smoker exhaled deeply, nodded, and resumed steering.
Soon, they approached Whiskey Peak.
"The mountain that welcomes pirates. But we're adventurers. Will they still welcome us?" Shen Yuan asked playfully.
Rayleigh chuckled. "I am a pirate."
Smoker: "..."
As they stepped onto land, the system chimed again.
> [Achievement: Arrived at Whiskey Peak. Reward: 5 Skill Points.]
Again, all points were dumped into Observation Haki, now reaching Level 14—allowing momentary glimpses into the future!
"What a sinfully good upgrade," Shen Yuan muttered.
The group walked through the eerily silent town, taking in the damage.
"Hey, pirates—" a minion tried to call out, but his voice caught mid-sentence when he saw who was with them.
"P-Pluton Rayleigh?!"
His expression twisted from surprise into abject terror!
"R-RUN! RUN!"
Rayleigh smiled faintly—then suddenly released a burst of Conqueror's Haki that knocked out dozens of minions instantly!
Shen Yuan stepped forward. A dark-skinned minion with a twisted expression moved to strike—but Shen Yuan was faster.
CRACK!
One punch crushed the thug's skull.
Smoker, watching from behind, sucked in a sharp breath.
The thug collapsed. Shen Yuan looked around, frowning when he didn't see the real target.
"Candle lock!"
"Candle?"
Shen Yuan's eyes gleamed.
"That's No. 3—future Emperor's right-hand man, right?"
A striped-shirted man with a wax candle atop his head attacked.
Shen Yuan easily dodged, appeared before him instantly, and—
BOOM!
One punch sent Mr. 3 (Galdino) flying into a row of gravestones!
> [Defeated plot character: Galdino. Level increased to 39.]
"Color Trap!"
From behind a wall, Miss Goldenweek painted to restrict Shen Yuan's movements. But with advanced Observation Haki, he dodged everything like a ghost.
He vanished, reappeared in front of her, slashed her drawing board to pieces, grabbed her pigtails, and lifted her up.
"Let go of me!"
"You're far too disobedient."
SLAP!
She fainted instantly.
Shen Yuan tossed her aside like trash, then turned to face the remaining two—a bald man and a flamboyant figure.
His lips curled into a grin, eyes gleaming.
A real fight was about to begin.