one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 310: The Weight of Submission

"I promise you, please don't attack Nine Snake Island!"

The anxious voice of Guroliosa came from the Den Den Mushi, and she said hurriedly, "On behalf of Nine Snake Island, I am willing to join the Black Crow Pirates!"

"Heh." Hearing this, Mio raised a disdainful smile at the corner of his mouth and said indifferently, "Guroliosa, sometimes it's not a good thing to be too hesitant. Since you have joined the Black Crows on behalf of Nine Snake Island, then you have to do two things for me next."

"...Please speak." Guroliosa hesitated, but still asked.

"First, immediately announce on Nine Snake Island that Hancock is the next queen."

"Second, I will send people to Nine Snake Island. At that time, the Kuja Pirates and Hancock will need to follow my people to the New World to fight for me!"

"What?" Hearing Mio's request, Guroliosa exclaimed, almost subconsciously wanting to refuse. The first condition was manageable, but the second—sending both the Kuja Pirates and Hancock away from Nine Snake Island—meant stripping the island of its military core and its future leader. It was equivalent to placing its fate entirely in Mio's hands.

Before she could speak further, Mio's cold voice sliced through. "Old woman, you'd better not refuse. Frankly, if there weren't a suitable manager on Nine Snake Island, you wouldn't need to exist. Understand?"

The chilling tone made Guroliosa shiver. Her heart sank. She swallowed her objections, fear clouding her resolve.

Mio's words were not bluffs.

With the current status of the Black Crow Pirates, Nine Snake Island was far beneath them. And yet Guroliosa dared hesitate—worse, she had once rejected them.

If someone like Big Mom had been in Mio's place, Nine Snake Island would've been wiped out long ago.

But it was true: suitable managers on Nine Snake Island were scarce. That was the only reason Guroliosa still breathed.

"...Yes," she finally said, voice heavy with defeat. "I will let the Kuja Pirates and Hancock prepare. They can depart for the New World at any time."

Mio's demand had hammered home a simple truth—power decided everything.

The Black Crow Pirates were so far above them that refusing would mean annihilation. If Nine Snake Island resisted now, they'd serve as a bloody example. And once one group got away with disobedience, others would follow.

No negotiation. No equality. Just dominance.

Guroliosa finally understood—she had overestimated her position.

She was in no place to refuse. No matter what Mio asked for, her only option was to obey.

Otherwise, Nine Snake Island would vanish beneath the waves.

"Good." Mio responded, then hung up the Den Den Mushi.

He turned to face Lilith and the others. "So, who's interested in going to Nine Snake Island?"

They exchanged glances, until Lilith raised her hand. "I'll go. I'm curious what a country full of women is like."

"Alright, we'll set out after we return to Crow Island." Mio nodded with a smirk.

...

One Day Later – Crow Island

As the Black Glory docked, construction buzzed at the port. Pirates nearby erupted in cheers.

"Lord Black Crow and his men are back!"

"I heard he made a huge scene on the Grand Line."

"Hahaha! He killed a Celestial Dragon and took Fish-Man Island as his territory!"

"I can't wait for the day Lord Black Crow becomes an Emperor!"

"Then we'll be Emperor's men too, huh?"

Standing at the bow, Mio grinned down at the enthusiastic crowd. "Everything going smoothly on the island?"

"Sir," Olive greeted respectfully, walking up, "Two agents from the World Government's CP organization arrived a few days ago. But Lord Hei Yan dealt with them."

"Oh?" Mio's eyes narrowed slightly, but he only nodded and said nothing. Leaping off the ship, he made his way toward the castle, Asuka and the others following close behind.

Olive turned and shouted, "Get the wine and meat ready! We're celebrating our lord's return!"

Cheers exploded once more.

A bonfire was quickly lit outside the castle. Barrels of wine and heaps of roasted meat were brought out, and the pirates reveled under the open sky.

Mio and Asuka sat together, enjoying the food and drink.

Katsumata Takeru approached, standing at attention. "Boss, we now have eleven pirate crews under our command."

The name of the Black Crow Pirates was spreading far and wide. Though Mio hadn't actively recruited, Katsumata and his men had been working nonstop, only accepting strong pirate groups and rejecting the weak.

These eleven groups included Katsumata's own crew. Their captains weren't the most powerful in the New World, but each was a force to be reckoned with.

"Not bad." Mio smirked, nodding approvingly. His gaze sharpened. "Gather everyone. There's work ahead."

!!

Katsumata's eyes widened with excitement. Then his expression broke into a wide grin. "Yes, sir! Right away!"

He didn't know what the task was, but he could guess—it had to be big.

It might even mean Mio's final step toward the Emperor's throne.

With that, Katsumata Takeru raced off, heart pounding with anticipation.