one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 266: Stirring the Seas Again

"Come to think of it, you've been staying on Crow Island for two years. I'm afraid your reason for leaving this time isn't just for Fishman Island, right?" Whitebeard asked suddenly.

"Isn't it obvious?" Mio grinned coldly, raising a bottle of wine to his lips.

"Gurarara, looks like the New World's about to get lively again," Whitebeard laughed heartily.

Mio didn't respond. He simply drank in silence, but his eyes drifted toward a certain crew member of the Whitebeard Pirates—not far off, a fat but burly man.

He wore a turban, had thick black hair, and an ugly, rugged face. He was a familiar figure to Mio.

Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach.

In the original timeline, he was quite a significant figure. If nothing else, his ability to endure twenty years aboard the Whitebeard Pirates for a single Devil Fruit was staggering. That kind of patience was terrifying.

As Mio's gaze swept over Blackbeard, a subtle smile formed at the corner of his mouth—only to vanish moments later.

He was wary of Blackbeard, but that was it. Even if Blackbeard managed to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit, he wasn't a real threat. Mio wasn't like other Devil Fruit users—he wasn't afraid of seawater. The fruit's usual advantages meant little against him.

On the deck, Mio and Whitebeard continued drinking and chatting. Their talk circled around the state of the New World—alliances, rivalries, shifting powers.

Meanwhile, the Black Glory sailed alongside the Moby Dick, both ships heading toward the first half of the Grand Line. It wasn't a bad arrangement—good company, good drinks, and mutual respect.

Four days passed quickly.

Just before reaching the entrance to the first half of the Grand Line, Mio stood up, ready to part ways with Whitebeard.

But before leaving, Mio smirked and glanced at the old man. "Old man, I've got something to say. If you ever think you're close to death, come find me. Better to die by my hands than someone else's."

With that, he turned and departed.

Back on the Black Glory, Mio's figure disappeared into the distance.

Whitebeard frowned slightly, mulling over Mio's words.

There had to be a reason behind them. At their level, nothing was said without meaning. But even after pondering, he couldn't decipher Mio's intent.

There were very few on the seas who could take his life—and those few had no interest in doing so unless provoked. It would cost them too much.

"Did that brat catch wind of something?" Whitebeard muttered. After a moment, he shook his head and relaxed. Then, with a powerful surge of Haki, the clouds above were swept away—an unspoken declaration.

He was Whitebeard. He feared no one.

...

After Mio left the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates dove under the sea toward Fishman Island.

The Black Glory didn't linger either, submerging shortly afterward.

Unlike Whitebeard, Mio didn't plan to stay on Fishman Island. He had a goal in the first half of the Grand Line and didn't intend to delay.

As before, he would only pass through.

Admiring the sea floor scenery briefly, the Black Glory soon resurfaced, entering the first half of the Grand Line.

"Head to the Sabaody Archipelago," Mio ordered.

Baifeng nodded and began steering the ship toward Sabaody.

But as they advanced, Mio glanced toward a point on the sea and sneered. "Tch. What a dog's nose. They're fast."

"Want me to scare them off?" Asuka asked with a bloodthirsty grin.

"No need. Kizaru's up there. Driving him off would take time, and it's not worth it. They won't act rashly. Besides, if nothing unexpected happens, Kizaru should leave soon. Keep going," Mio replied coolly.

From his Observation Haki, Mio could clearly sense Kizaru aboard a nearby warship. As expected, the Admiral had come specifically for them.

But Mio didn't care.

Two years had passed. Anyone with a brain would know the Black Crow Pirates were far more dangerous than they had been. The Marines wouldn't risk an attack without absolute certainty of victory.

Just as Mio predicted.

On the nearby warship, Admiral Kizaru stood with his usual nonchalant expression, sighing. "Seriously... Why do they give me such troublesome tasks? I was supposed to be on vacation."

Despite the complaints, Kizaru didn't take his eyes off the Black Glory.

A marine came over, saluted, and reported, "According to our navigation, the Black Crow Pirates are headed toward the Sabaody Archipelago."

"Follow them," Kizaru ordered with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, sir!"

The marine turned and left.

The warship maintained a distance—not too close to provoke conflict, but close enough to keep them in sight.

By the time evening rolled in, the Black Glory had arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago. The Marine warship continued its slow, steady pursuit.

On the deck, Kizaru was casually munching on fruit. He turned to a marine nearby. "Any Celestial Dragons on the Archipelago right now?"

"Report, Admiral Kizaru. No, sir," the marine replied instantly.

"Good." Kizaru sighed in relief. If any Celestial Dragons had been present, the whole situation would have been far more annoying.

But just then—

Bulu bulu...

A Den Den Mushi rang.

A marine approached and handed it to Kizaru. "Admiral Kizaru! Urgent report from Marine Headquarters!"

"Hmm?" Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

Did something major happen in the New World? freeweɓnovel.cøm

While pondering, he picked up the receiver.

Moments later, as he listened, his pupils shrank in shock.

When the call ended, Kizaru lowered the Den Den Mushi, still stunned.

"Those guys are really gutsy... Escape from Marijoa? And arson?" he murmured, a rare look of seriousness on his face.

Then, he looked at the marines and gave orders. "You all keep watching this place. If anything happens, inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku immediately. I've got something to handle."

Before anyone could respond, his body turned into golden light—and in a flash, he vanished from sight.