one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 302: Departure from Fish-Man Island and the King’s Inquiry
Chapter 302 - 302: Departure from Fish-Man Island and the King’s Inquiry
"Don't worry, someone will exchange with you." Mio said with a smile.
"That's fine." Araki grinned immediately. Since Fish-Man Island was important to the boss, it was natural for the subordinates to protect it properly. And soon, Black Crow would rise to become one of the emperors.
"Boss, is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave. Staying on Fish-Man Island all the time is dull, but coming back once in a while to enjoy the drinks and view isn't too bad, haha." Araki laughed.
"Go." Mio waved his hand.
Araki got up and left the room.
Over the next two days, Mio remained on Fish-Man Island. Sometimes he wandered through the island, enjoying the "local customs" and occasionally discussing administrative matters.
Two days later.
Mio was ready to leave.
At Ryugu Castle, Mio stood before Shark Star and the minister with a calm smile. "I'll have members of my crew stationed here regularly. I trust they'll be capable of handling anything. If anything happens, contact me through them."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Black Crow." The minister nodded quickly. He never expected Mio to stay permanently—Fish-Man Island wasn't qualified for that.
"Well, goodbye then." Mio nodded and left without further words.
At the port of Fish-Man Island, two ships were docked.
One was the Black Glory.
The other was the Kongo, the massive ship modeled after Pluton, now named and commanded under Mio's fleet.
The Kongo and its crew had remained docked over the past two days.
As Mio stepped onto the Black Glory, he turned and glanced back. Many fish-men were gathered at the port to see him off.
He waved with a gentle smile, then turned to Bai Feng and said, "Let's head for the New World."
"Yes," Bai Feng responded respectfully.
The Black Glory set sail, gliding smoothly away from the island. The Kongo followed closely behind.
As they ventured into the deep sea, light grew dimmer, but such darkness was typical during underwater navigation.
At the bow, Mio sat with a bottle of wine in hand. Suddenly, he frowned and muttered coldly, "You beasts again. Do you all want to die?"
His voice carried coldness and killing intent.
Just as the words fell—
Asuka leapt gracefully out from the protective film around the ship. The Seven Star Sword appeared in her hand, and she slashed powerfully toward a specific point. A blood-red slash erupted through the water with terrifying force, even under the pressure of the deep sea.
A painful roar echoed from the shadows.
"Human, please stop!"
A voice came from the depths of the dark ocean. Though only Mio and Hanba understood its meaning, others aboard the ship heard only the roar of a sea king.
Soon, dozens of sea kings emerged from the darkness.
Each one was massive.
Even the smallest stretched one or two kilometers long. For any ordinary person, the sight alone would've been enough to induce terror.
But Mio and his crew remained calm.
Hei Yan glanced upward, his kaleidoscope eyes spinning as he spoke indifferently. "There's no hostility. It seems they're not looking for death after all. Shame to waste good ingredients—Hanba said their meat tastes great."
"They're just big. Good for scaring off small pirates. But if they want to deal with us, they'd need hundreds. And on the surface? Even hundreds wouldn't be enough," Lilith said with a smile.
Her tone was light, as if she were chatting over tea.
Even Mashi's gaze was filled with eagerness.
"Speak," Mio said, looking calmly at the sea king that had spoken.
Some of the sea kings had appeared before. They now showed visible fear when their eyes landed on Hanba. One of their kin had previously been devoured—nearly a third of its body eaten—and its corpse still lay near Fish-Man Island.
That incident alone had terrified the others.
The lead sea king stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "Human, we come without hostility. We merely have one question: do you truly know the whereabouts of our king?"
Mio raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting such a question. Then he nodded. "I do. Why? Do you want to find your king?"
"No. We only wished to confirm the truth. If the king summons us, we will respond. If not, we will not disturb their peace," the sea king said calmly.
"Thank you for your answer. We'll leave now. Apologies for disturbing your voyage."
This sea king was clearly intelligent. After its polite statement, it turned and quickly disappeared into the abyss.
Mio took a swig of wine, curled his lips, and said, "Let's go."
Bai Feng nodded, and the ship pressed onward.
Mio had never underestimated the intelligence of sea kings.
The ancient sea kings had lived for centuries—some dating back to the Void Century. Their wisdom could rival that of humans.
And that, Mio mused, might be something he could use.
Thoughts flickered through his mind before he deliberately pushed them away.
As the two ships continued into the deep, shadowy waters—
Mio pulled out a Den Den Mushi and made a call.
The snail phone connected quickly.
"I'M BIG MOM!!" The familiar shrill voice rang out.
"It's me—Black Crow," Mio said calmly.
"Oh?" BIG MOM, resting in her castle on Cake Island, immediately sat up, grinning. "Black Crow, are you finally returning to the New World?"
"Yes. I'll reach Cake Island in no more than ten days. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"HEEHEEHEE! I won't. You'll love what I have for you. Hahahaha!" BIG MOM laughed wildly. "Then I shall prepare a tea party. I'll be waiting for you!"
The call ended.
BIG MOM leaned forward, glaring at her gathered children. "Prepare the tea party. Everyone must be present. Soon—I will be on equal standing with that old fool Whitebeard!!"
