one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 308: The Hidden Blade Beneath the Veil

On the Glory at the port of Cake Island—

Mio had already boarded the ship, his eyes flickering with anticipation and excitement.

Cooperating with BIG MOM only brought advantages. Not to mention the five Devil Fruits on her side—if he could kill either Pokken or Sayar, he'd have enough power to ascend to the throne, just like BIG MOM.

This arrangement was mutually beneficial.

The only difference was that BIG MOM couldn't afford to wait any longer. With Pokken and Sayar both targeting her, she was under pressure and needed Mio's cooperation. That urgency was the reason she had to offer more.

"Sir, are we leaving directly?" Bai Feng asked.

"Wait a moment. We've got company," Mio replied with a shake of his head. He turned his gaze toward Cake Island, where a figure was approaching slowly from the distance.

"Stussy? The Queen of Pleasure Street?" Asuka frowned slightly in confusion. Pleasure Street catered to hedonistic pirates—but Mio had never needed such indulgences. "Could she really be here just to offer herself?"

"Mr. Black Crow seems eager to leave. Why not stay a little longer?" Stussy approached calmly. "There's much I'd like to discuss."

"Staying here is a waste of time," Mio replied with a grin. "But if Miss Stussy wants to talk, my bed's always open to you."

"Heh." Stussy showed no shame or anger at his suggestion. Instead, she smiled and replied, "Such words prove I still have some charm if I can stir even a hint of interest from you, Mr. Black Crow."

"After all, how often do you get the chance to bed the Queen of Pleasure Street—who just so happens to be a direct agent of CP0?" Mio said with a sneer, openly exposing her identity.

Stussy's pupils contracted sharply in shock.

Just then, a sound split the air—

Whoosh.

Erica appeared behind Stussy without a word, her blade swinging down in a deadly arc.

Sensing danger, Stussy twisted her body and dodged, countering with a swift finger gun strike aimed at Erica.

But Erica didn't flinch. She didn't even attempt to dodge.

The reason? The finger gun halted mere centimeters from her chest.

Cold sweat trickled down Stussy's brow. A chilling sensation crept across her neck.

The Seven-Star Sword was already resting against her throat.

One step further, and her head would've been separated from her body.

What speed... what power!

Stussy's heart pounded. This woman—Asuka—was at least on the same level as Pokken or Sayar, maybe even stronger.

After a long breath, Stussy calmed herself. She turned to Mio. "How do you know my identity?"

Her CP0 status was one of the best-kept secrets within the World Government. The idea that Mio could know it was deeply unsettling—unless he had a mole within the Government itself, and a powerful one at that.

But... how was that possible?

"Want to know?" Mio smiled faintly. "Serve me well enough, and maybe I'll tell you."

"Hah." Stussy laughed. "If you're not afraid of me stabbing you in the back while you're enjoying yourself, I don't mind."

Mio grinned. That alone made him lose interest.

With a wave of his hand, Asuka pulled back the Seven-Star Sword.

Then, Mio spoke coldly. "Leave. And while you're at it, do me a favor—tell the World Government this: If they want to target me, they'd better be ready. If their agents are exposed, I'll kill them one by one."

He didn't plan to kill Stussy. It simply wasn't worth it.

Though she was strong—judging by her finger gun, likely at least between vice admiral and admiral level—Asuka outmatched her.

Killing her would only bring unwanted heat from the World Government. Trouble he didn't need right now. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Besides, Stussy no longer posed a threat.

Staring at Mio one last time, Stussy turned and left wordlessly.

She wanted to report this incident immediately. Her identity being exposed wasn't just a breach of secrecy—it threatened several World Government operations.

...

"Sir, the World Government's reach runs deep," Lilith said solemnly. "Even the queen of Pleasure Street is one of their agents."

Though underground leaders weren't as powerful as the Four Emperors, they wielded influence across all kinds of New World trade—arms, information, channels—and often possessed considerable force.

"They'll reveal themselves in time," Mio said, eyes glinting.

The World Government's embedded pieces were likely not limited to Stussy.

He wasn't in a rush. One by one, they'd all be flushed out eventually.

"Set course for Crow Island," Mio ordered.

"Yes," Bai Feng acknowledged and returned to the helm.

Then Mio turned to Erica. "What about Talos?"

"Talos is already en route back to Crow Island," Erica reported promptly. "As for Qiongqi, he's still recovering on a nearby island. His injuries were severe—but Kaido's weren't any lighter."

"Understood," Mio said with a nod. His thoughts drifted again toward Talos.

He already knew what Talos had gone after.

Another mythical Zoan...

Yamata no Orochi.

And if he managed to claim Sayar's Devil Form, Pokken's Explosion, and perhaps the Piao Piao Fruit once wielded by the Golden Lion...

If all went as planned, Mio would soon be raising yet another powerhouse under his command.