one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 258: Shockwaves Across the Sea – The Death of the Golden Lion

Chapter 258 - 258: Shockwaves Across the Sea – The Death of the Golden Lion

"Did Golden Lion... die at the hands of Black Crow?"

At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku stared at the report in his hands with a complicated expression and couldn't help but sigh.

After all, they had once been old rivals. If not for being on opposing sides, he and the Golden Lion might have been friends. They had fought for so long that they'd developed a certain respect—even familiarity—for each other.

Moreover, after Roger's death, most of the major figures from that era had retired, disappeared, died, or been imprisoned in Impel Down. Familiar faces on the sea were growing fewer and fewer.

After a brief silence, Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed a number. As the snail phone began to ring, he gave a direct order.

"Report the news of Golden Lion's death truthfully."

Although the Navy hadn't killed him, the Golden Lion was still a world-famous pirate. His death was significant and could bring some stability to the people.

"Understood."

As Sengoku had said before—this was indeed a troubled time.

Meanwhile, on Fish-Man Island, inside Ryugu Castle.

King Neptune and Queen Otohime were listening to a report from their minister. Both their faces were filled with anger and helplessness.

"Haven't you found who spread the news yet?" Otohime asked, frowning deeply.

"No, Your Majesty," the minister replied with a troubled face. "We still haven't discovered the source."

Recently, rumors had begun to spread across Fish-Man Island, saying that the true enemies of Fish-Men weren't humans in general, but rather the corrupt and filthy human nobles. These rumors didn't come empty-handed—they were backed with evidence.

Among the so-called evidence were reports of nobles purchasing mermaids as slaves and cruelly abusing them.

Once these revelations spread, a massive uproar exploded across the island. Countless Fish-Men were furious and wanted revenge—especially against the Celestial Dragons.

Originally, Otohime had aimed to make Fish-Man Island a member of the World Government in order to gain equal rights and protection. But now, with all this truth coming to light, it was easy to imagine the growing resistance in the hearts of the island's citizens.

Her plan had become nearly impossible to pursue.

Otohime wasn't foolish. She could tell that someone was deliberately targeting Fish-Man Island through these disclosures. However, the ultimate purpose behind it remained unclear for now.

After a long sigh, she gave her order.

"Continue the investigation. No matter what, we must find the one responsible for spreading this... and try to calm the people's emotions."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister turned to leave, but then hesitated, as if recalling something.

"By the way, Queen Otohime, lately, many citizens on the island have begun... worshipping the Black Crow Pirates."

"What?" Otohime's face was filled with surprise and confusion. "Why would they do that?"

"After the Black Crow Pirates killed the Celestial Dragons at the Sabaody Archipelago," the minister explained, "and with the anger stirred by recent news, many citizens have grown to hate the human nobles—especially the Celestial Dragons. So the one who dared to kill them—Black Crow—has become a sort of hero to them. They believe he's different from the rest of the human race."

After hesitating briefly, he added, "That's the truth of the situation."

Otohime's expression turned serious. Her eyes flickered with thought.

"Could this have been orchestrated by Black Crow?"

If so, it wasn't impossible. The Black Crow Pirates had the strength and means to do such a thing.

Yet, even if she guessed the truth, there was nothing she could do about it.

Though it was referred to as rumor, Otohime knew better than anyone—the reports spreading across the island were facts. Cruel facts. Perhaps even worse than the ones being told.

So how could she refute them? How could she comfort her people?

Telling them the stories were lies? She couldn't. She would never utter such words.

Especially since even now, there were still countless Fish-Men suffering in Mariejois.

As someone kind-hearted and deeply protective of her people, Otohime couldn't bring herself to defend the truth, nor could she stop her people from being inspired by a man like Mio.

Time passed slowly.

By the next day, seagulls were already flying across the seas, delivering the latest headlines to every corner of the world.

Unsurprisingly, the news caused a worldwide stir.

"That guy just keeps getting stronger," muttered Douglas Bullett, standing on an island in the New World. After reading the newspaper, he crushed it in his hand and casually walked deeper into the island. He wasn't especially interested—just a brief remark and that was it.

Elsewhere, in a quiet town, the infamous Red Earl read the newspaper in silence. After a long moment of contemplation, he let it drop from his hand and disappeared into the streets.

Aboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard was also reading the same news. With a deep sigh, he lowered the paper.

"Another old comrade gone..." he murmured.

He hadn't always seen eye to eye with the Golden Lion, but like many from that era, they were both warriors who had shared drinks, rivalries, and the battlefield. They stood on equal footing. And now, another one was gone.

All across the world, people reacted with different emotions.

Shock.

Joy.

Excitement.

By this time, Mio had already boarded his ship, the Black Glory, and departed from Virmeyou Island, the land abundant in the special substance known as "IQ."

He had two destinations left to visit.

The next one—Sismo Island.

This island wasn't far from their current sea area, which was why Mio had planned to find the Golden Lion first before heading to Sismo Island.

Now that business with the Golden Lion was over, the journey continued.

A few more days passed. The global frenzy over the Golden Lion's death eventually settled down.

The world forgets its losers quickly. Even the Golden Lion was no exception.

On the contrary, it was Mio, the Black Crow, who stirred up the New World once more.

His strength was now undeniable in the eyes of the pirates and governments alike.

Sismo Island.

After several days of sailing, Mio and the Black Glory finally arrived at the island. It wasn't especially large or small—moderate in size, but covered in thick, lush forest.

As the Black Glory docked, Mio stood at the ship's edge and released his Observation Haki, extending his senses across the island.

It didn't take long.

A flicker of light passed through his eyes as he smirked.

"Found it."

As expected, what Gol D. Roger had left behind was indeed a Poneglyph—the main text of history.

"Let's go." Mio looked over to Robin, calling her by his side. With a light leap, he landed on the island.

Robin followed quickly. Alongside them were Erica and Mashi. The rest of the crew stayed on the ship.

The small group entered the dense forest, with Mio leading the way.

They pressed onward through the trees, walking for nearly an hour.

Finally, they reached their destination—a cave, hidden deep within the forest.

Its entrance was obscured by thick underbrush and foliage. Without powerful Observation Haki, it would have been almost impossible to find.

Mio's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

This was what Roger had left behind.

What secrets of the past would they uncover?

And what truths would change the course of the world?