One Piece: Starting by Refusing Shanks

Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu?

That's one of the powerful Fire Style techniques from the Naruto universe, where the user channels chakra to create high-temperature flames, molding them into a dragon that can take down enemies with incredible force.

Takumi couldn't believe it—he had actually gained a Naruto-style skill while living in the world of One Piece.

Despite the excitement, he couldn't help but wonder: if refusing Shanks' invitation was enough to complete his progress, why didn't it work the first time he declined? It seemed Shanks wasn't serious with his initial offer.

Takumi quickly brought up his status screen, visible only to him.

[Name: Takumi]

[Age: 10 years old]

[Current Check-In Location: Shimotsuki Village (0%)]

[Body Type: All-Attribute Chakra]

[Haki: Armament Haki Lv2, Observation Haki Lv2, Conqueror's Haki Lv2]

[Skills: Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu (Beginner)]

[System Space: 10x10x10 cubic meters]

The three types of Haki and the system space were gifts from the Traveler System when Takumi first activated it.

The levels next to each Haki type represented their strength. Unlike native residents of the One Piece world, Takumi could strengthen and upgrade his Haki just by completing his check-in tasks.

For example, meeting Shanks and treating him to a drink had increased his progress by 30% and also leveled up all three Haki types.

His eyes shifted to the new check-in location: Shimotsuki Village.

It looked like once he finished checking in at one place, the next destination would appear.

Since the next location was set, it was time to move on.

But before leaving, Takumi figured it would be a good idea to treat Shanks and his crew to a proper farewell drink.

A smile tugged at Takumi's lips. "Today's drinks are on me. Everyone, drink up!"

Over the past few days, hunting wolves, bears, and tigers hadn't just strengthened his Haki—it had also earned him a good amount of Berries. It was a win-win situation.

"What's with the sudden generosity?" Shanks asked, grinning.

Takumi shrugged casually. "I'm leaving soon."

Shanks paused, but before he could respond, Lucky Roux approached with a chunk of meat in one hand and a Den Den Mushi in the other. "Boss, it's for you."

"For me? Who is it?" Shanks took the receiver.

A loud voice boomed from the Den Den Mushi, "Oi! Shanks, you bastard! Are you in Foosha Village?!"

Recognizing the voice of Luffy's grandfather, Garp, Shanks stood up and walked toward the tavern's entrance. "Hahaha, why so angry? If you were here, I'd offer you a drink!"

"If I were in Foosha Village, I'd arrest you on the spot! You scoundrel, you've corrupted my grandson, Luffy! Stay away from him, you hear me?!"

Shanks was laughing heartily at first, but then his expression turned serious. He glanced back at Takumi, who was sitting with his back to him at the bar, and spoke with an unusual tone, "Garp, do you know what I've seen here? I've come across a future supernova."

"Supernova? You mean those cocky brats who think they're hot stuff just because they've got some talent..."

"No, he's different. Given time, this kid could shake the world."

Shanks' words were met with silence on the other end.

Although Garp and Shanks stood on opposite sides, Garp knew Shanks well enough to understand that if someone had caught his attention like this, they were no ordinary person.

"Who is this kid you're talking about?"

"Not telling you. Hahaha." Shanks hung up the receiver with a smirk.

Back on the other end, Garp was so furious that he slammed the Den Den Mushi to the ground, smashing it to pieces. "Shanks! One day, I'm going to throw you into Impel Down myself!"

The nearby Marines couldn't stop him in time and could only look on, half-laughing, half-crying. "Vice Admiral Garp, that was the only Den Den Mushi we had to contact Shanks..."

Garp: "..."

After ending the call with Garp, Shanks returned to the tavern and sat down next to Takumi.

Takumi was quietly sipping his drink.

Shanks broke the silence. "Kid, want to know who just called me?"

Takumi shot him an annoyed glance.

He already knew...

Although he hadn't heard the whole conversation, just from the first few words, he had recognized Garp's voice.

"It was Marine Vice Admiral, Garp the Fist." Shanks took another swig of his drink. "That old geezer somehow got his hands on a Den Den Mushi that can reach me. But that's not important. What matters is your talent. It's going to attract a lot of attention in the future. Not joining any crew could mean you'll be facing a lot of enemies on your own."

"Doesn't matter," Takumi replied nonchalantly, shrugging as he lifted his glass. "Shanks, one last drink before I head out."

Without further words, Shanks clinked his bottle against Takumi's glass and downed what was left. Wiping his mouth, he asked, "Leaving now?"

Takumi nodded.

Shanks stood up, his voice full of camaraderie. "Alright, let's go. I'll see you off."

Though Shanks was a bit disappointed that he couldn't recruit Takumi, his easy-going nature made it impossible to dwell on it. He faced everything with a laugh.

At the dock, Shanks suddenly asked, "Where's your ship?"

Takumi pointed to a small sailboat that had been anchored for days. "Over there."

He had purchased it a few days earlier, ready to set sail as soon as his check-in task was completed.

"Are you sure that little boat can handle the open sea?"

"Yep." Takumi hopped onto the boat, untying the rope securing it to the dock. "I'm off. Next time we meet, it'll probably be on the Grand Line."

"Alright, the next time we meet, we'll have a proper drink together. And kid, if you ever get tired of sailing alone, my door's always open."

"Yeah, until we meet again."

Takumi's small boat slowly drifted away from the dock.

His next destination was Shimotsuki Village, where Zoro was from. With the system's built-in navigation, Takumi had no worries about getting lost at sea.

But just as his boat had barely moved fifty meters from the dock, the water beneath him began to churn violently.

Suddenly, a giant Sea King, resembling a monstrous crocodile, burst from the waves, jaws wide open, ready to devour Takumi's small boat.

Gasps of horror echoed from the villagers on the dock.

"The Lord of the Coast? It's the Lord of the Coast! Kid, get out of there!"

"Oh no, he's going to get eaten! Someone, please save him..."

...

In stark contrast to the villagers' panic, Shanks and his crew remained calm.

Shanks knew Takumi was strong, but he had never actually seen the kid in action. This would be a good chance to gauge his abilities. But just in case, he decided to have a backup plan. "Hey, Benn Beckman, Yasopp."

"Relax, the kid's fate doesn't end here."

"Man, boss, you really can't help but get involved."

The two men casually grabbed their guns, aiming at the Sea King's head, ready to fire if Takumi found himself in danger.

Takumi looked up at the so-called Lord of the Coast with disdain. "You're out of your league."

Perfect timing to test out the Dragon Flame Jutsu.

With a smirk, Takumi gathered and compressed the chakra within him, channeling it to his throat before unleashing it in a fiery breath. A dragon-shaped flame erupted, roaring toward the Sea King.

In an instant, the fire dragon pierced through the Sea King's thick hide, dispersing into the air.

A wave of intense heat spread out in all directions.

The Sea King's eyes rolled back, its massive body crashing into the sea with a colossal splash, without even managing a death roar.

From the moment the Sea King appeared to the moment Takumi defeated it, only a few seconds had passed.

Everyone on the dock was left slack-jawed, their eyes bulging in disbelief.

Even Shanks, despite his calm demeanor, couldn't hide his shock. "This kid was holding back the whole time! A fire dragon? Could he be a Logia-type Devil Fruit user?"