CHAPTER 24

[Arrived at Jaya Island. Skill points +5]

Shen Yuan allocated all five points to Agility, and instantly felt a subtle improvement in his muscle control and balance as he stepped onto the island's rough terrain.

"Brothers, to the island!"

A familiar voice rang out across the coast.

Shen Yuan turned around. Coincidence or fate—Marco had arrived with his squad, leading a small Whitebeard division on a scouting mission.

"Brother Shen Yuan? That you? Been a while!" Marco called out cheerfully, striding over.

Shen Yuan didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and clasped Marco's hand firmly.

"I was rash last time. My fault, brother," Marco said with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head.

Shen Yuan smiled. "I was impulsive too. Let's call it even."

They walked onto the island side-by-side, arms casually draped around each other's shoulders. Their respective crews stared on, confused.

Everyone: ???

Weren't these two trying to kill each other days ago?

"Have you tried the specialties here? Absolutely delicious," Marco said, pointing toward the bustling town square. As he spoke, his gaze swept over the various pirate groups crowding the port.

"What's your mission this time, Old Ma?" Shen Yuan asked, glancing around.

Marco leaned in, speaking in a low voice. "We're gathering intel. Some newer pirates are getting bold. Pops wants to know who's reckless enough to make moves in our waters."

Shen Yuan nodded in understanding. In this era—1510—only a few figures dared to challenge Whitebeard: Big Mom, Kaido, Golden Lion, perhaps Doflamingo. But many were still rising.

"Keep an eye on Kaido. He's different," Shen Yuan advised.

"Kaido?" Marco raised a brow, mulling over the name—before a loud, arrogant voice broke the moment.

"Hey! This island's under our protection! Pay the entry fee or scram!"

A lanky man with wild black hair and a sneer stood arrogantly, hands in his pockets, baring a tattoo of the Hyena Pirates on his chest.

Marco's crew stepped forward, one of them sneering. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"

"Spring Sniper: Kinetic Boost!"

The man—Bellamy—twisted his arm into a spring, slammed it against the ground, and launched himself like a bullet.

"Spring—Death Punch!"

Boom!

Bellamy dove in, but was stopped mid-air. He screamed.

"AAAAHHH! LET GO! LET GO!"

Shen Yuan had caught his punch barehanded. His grip tightened. His eyes darkened.

"You pathetic hyena... I've seen your future. You don't have one."

Bellamy: ?

With a twist, Shen Yuan crushed Bellamy's spring arm like crumpled metal.

"STOP! I'm sorry!" Bellamy wailed, tears forming as his fingers bent the wrong way.

Suddenly—

"You're dead!"

Bellamy's first mate Sarquiss charged with a scimitar, but a shadow stepped in.

Bang!

Qiong spun into view, slamming a side kick into Sarquiss' ribs. As the man hit the ground, Qiong followed up.

"Rankyaku!"

A slicing blue wave cut through the air.

But—

BOOM!

A smoke-covered white fist intercepted the attack!

Smoker had arrived, his arm transformed into dense smoke, slamming into Ribas, the Hyenas' cannoneer, who was preparing to retaliate.

"Ugh!!"

Ribas flew over ten meters and smashed into a barrel stack, unconscious.

Panic exploded. The locals screamed, scrambling for cover.

Shen Yuan smiled. "Not bad, my right-hand men."

Qiong blushed. "It's all thanks to the captain's guidance."

Crack!

Bellamy's hand gave out. Shen Yuan let go and kicked him like a football.

As Bellamy flew through the air, he sensed something—danger.

Rising wind...

BOOM!

A sandbag-sized fist slammed into his chin midair—Shen Yuan's Rising Dragon Fist.

CRACK!

Bellamy's jaw contorted. He passed out cold.

Then came a razor-edged spinning kick. Shen Yuan drove his heel into Bellamy's gut, launching him into a hillside.

Crash!!

Rocks exploded. Trees splintered. Bellamy embedded in the cliff, silent.

[Defeated plot character: Bellamy. Skill point +1.]

Only one point? Must be because this guy's too weak.

Shen Yuan turned to Marco. "It's peaceful now. Old Ma, let's not go home sober tonight!"

Marco laughed. "Haha! Deal!"

The subordinate who'd nearly been hit earlier followed, starry-eyed, into the local tavern.

"Welcome, sirs. What... can I get you?" the barkeep stammered, drenched in sweat.

"Your best food and drink. It's celebration time with my brother, Ma Gan—Old Ma!"

The owner rushed to the back, shouting orders, and soon returned with two bottles of vintage rum.

"A gift from our cellar. Enjoy, honored guests!"

Shen Yuan accepted with a nod, then poured for Marco.

"So, brother, what's your next plan?"

By now, the tavern had emptied. No locals dared linger after the brawl.

"I plan to reach Sky Island from here..."

Marco blinked. "Sky Island? Isn't that just a myth?"

"No," Shen Yuan replied solemnly. "Sky Island is real—just like the One Piece is real."

The atmosphere turned serious.

"There's a Devil Fruit on Sky Island I want. The Goro Goro no Mi—the Thunder Fruit."

Marco's jaw clenched. "That's one hell of a power."

"I don't intend to eat it. I'll give it to a crewmate. Strength must be distributed."

Marco nodded slowly. That resonated with him—Whitebeard Pirates treated crewmates like family.

Shen Yuan leaned closer. "Also… I have intelligence from World Government agents. Info on powerful Logia Fruits and awakened abilities."

Marco looked up sharply. "You're serious?"

"Very. I'm thinking… let's cooperate with Newgate. We plunder rising pirate groups for Devil Fruits. Fifty-fifty split."

Marco fell into deep thought.

Such a proposal required more than his consent—it needed Whitebeard's.

But Shen Yuan had planted the seed.

"For now… let's drink," Marco said, raising his cup.

"Drink!"

Shen Yuan clinked his glass against Marco's, a quiet spark of ambition flickering behind his eyes.