one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 312: Gold, the Moon, and a Fallen Shogun

The sky gradually darkened.

But the cheers on Crow Island continued.

There were loud laughs from pirates, and the sounds of fighting and sparring rang through the night air.

Sitting next to Mio were members of the Black Crow Pirates, and the other captains sat nearby in tight-knit groups.

With a drink in hand, Mio twisted his body and leaned back, resting his head comfortably on Erica's legs. It was a rare moment of peace, and he enjoyed the sensation.

Looking up at the sky, Mio suddenly spoke. "Wu Liu."

"Boss." Katsumata Wu Liu, who had been drinking, immediately stood and approached, bowing his head in respect.

"Tell them to go down. There's a very important task coming up," Mio said, eyes flickering with intent. "We're starting the collection of gold—lots of it."

"Gold?" Wu Liu blinked, clearly puzzled. Was the boss short on funds? But that didn't make sense—the Black Crow Pirates had more than enough Bailey.

Even though he didn't fully understand the reason, Wu Liu nodded without hesitation. "Understood, boss. I'll give the order."

"Good. Go." Mio waved his hand casually, sending Wu Liu on his way.

Mio's eyes remained on the gleaming orb in the night sky.

The moon.

The land beyond the sky. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

That boundless domain—where Enel had gone in the original timeline.

Mio had long suspected that Uranus might lie hidden somewhere on the moon. Though far-fetched, the idea wasn't without merit. The moon wasn't lifeless. There had even been pirates stationed there. Mio clearly remembered that when Enel arrived, he discovered underground ruins filled with robotic lifeforms. His lightning powers had activated them, and after defeating the pirates, Enel declared himself ruler of the moon.

It was possible—just possible—that Uranus rested in those ruins.

As for what form Uranus took, Mio still had no clue.

The gold once stockpiled on Skypiea could have been useful—perhaps enough to build an ark. But most of that gold had been taken by Renee to fund development projects, leaving little behind.

So now, they would need to gather more.

Flying to the moon on his own? Mio had no intention of trying something so reckless.

He didn't know how far the moon really was from the world below, and a failed attempt could waste time or attract the attention of the World Government. No—the safest path would be best.

The feast went on until late into the night.

Eventually, the pirates stumbled off to their beds.

But under the shadowed moonlight—

A small boat approached Crow Island slowly. A figure stepped off, carrying another man in his arms, and walked toward the castle without a word.

Once inside, the man looked toward the deepest part of the castle and spoke respectfully. "Sir."

"Taros." Mio drank from his bottle, eyes settling on the man—Taros—before falling upon the unconscious figure in his grasp.

Kurozumi Orochi.

The former shogun of Wano Country.

Now, however, he looked like a withered corpse in Taros's arms—barely clinging to life, battered and pitiful.

"I figured his Devil Fruit might be of use to you, since I know why you're collecting them," Taros said in a steady voice.

"If that's really the Yamata no Orochi Fruit, then yes... it is useful," Mio murmured, his voice low.

The fruit of the mythical serpent deity—its power couldn't possibly be worthless.

At that moment, Kurozumi Orochi stirred, his eyes opening slowly to lock on Mio. Confusion gave way to fear, then grim realization.

"Why... why did you capture me?" His voice was hoarse, weak.

"So, you know who I am." Mio smiled.

With a dull thud, Taros dropped Orochi onto the floor.

Groaning, Orochi looked up at Mio with fear etched deep in his features. "With your current position on the seas, it's hard not to know you... Black Crow!"

"But why me? I've got nothing to do with the Black Crow Pirates!"

"That's not true," Mio said lazily, resting his chin in one hand while reclining on his throne. "Your ability—the Yamata no Orochi—it's wasted on someone like you. I intend to give it to someone more deserving."

"What?" Orochi's face went pale.

His pupils contracted.

The implication was staggering.

Black Crow had the means to transfer a Devil Fruit ability to someone else?

The mere idea made Orochi's blood run cold. If this secret ever got out, the world would descend into chaos.

"...Heh..."

After a long silence, Orochi began to laugh. It was low at first, then grew louder and louder. He turned toward Taros with a cold expression, then back at Mio with madness in his eyes.

"Hahahahahahaha... I'm not making it out alive, am I, Black Crow?"

"You're not," Mio confirmed, his voice calm.

Orochi continued to laugh, his eyes wild. "Such a secret... and I can't even spread it. I won't even get to witness the chaos it will unleash. What a shame..."

He wasn't groveling.

He wasn't pleading.

He simply looked disappointed that he wouldn't get to see the world burn.

With someone like Black Crow, wielding such terrifying power—was it really so impossible to think he might one day topple the World Government?

"It's almost an honor to die by your hand..." Orochi muttered with a final laugh.

"In that case," Mio said, his tone unchanged, "you may go in peace."

He raised a single finger.

A sharp wind swept through the hall.

In an instant, Kurozumi Orochi's head was severed from his neck.

It fell to the ground and rolled silently.