one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 346: Bounty Surge and Brewing Storm

Grand Line

In a certain sea area.

On a warship that flew the flag of the long sword and skull, a middle-aged strong man stood on the deck, staring coldly at the bounty order in his hand.

"Black Crow... how familiar..."

"I hope you won't go down the same path."

Shaking his head, the man tossed the bounty order aside and looked toward the Red Earth Continent, a sneer curling the corner of his lips. "It's pitiful, boss. You've been locked away in that place without seeing the sun. Tsk tsk. Although I'd like to save you, I'm powerless. So you'll have to keep rotting there. As for me, I'm going to form my own pirate crew."

With those final words, the warship surged forward at full speed in a specific direction.

Meanwhile.

On the Red Earth Continent, deep within a prison cell constructed entirely of seastone, a figure—short in stature but with an immensely powerful presence—sat imprisoned.

His limbs were bound by double layers of seastone shackles.

Chains were nailed through his abdomen and around his neck, restricting any movement.

His eyes remained closed.

Yet his very presence radiated a terrifying aura that instilled fear.

Suddenly—

Clang.

The chains shuddered.

The man's eyes snapped open, as if hearing something from afar. A mocking smile tugged at his lips.

"You reckless fool, Wang Zhi... still bold as ever. But this sea... truly calls to the soul."

"Im, you can't kill me. One day, I'll leave this place. And then—hahahahaha. What of the World Government? You won't be able to stop me."

"Just like you... I'm immortal! Hahahaha!"

"I've already uncovered the greatest secret. All I need is a chance... hahaha!"

His laughter echoed wildly through the cell.

Outside, a figure stood silently—Im.

A golden glow radiated from her body, flooding into the prison. Suddenly, shrieks of agony tore from within.

The man's flesh began to fester, corrode, and peel from his bones. Yet amid the laughter, his body began to heal—rapidly and monstrously.

Watching coldly, Im turned and walked away.

...

Marijoa – World Government

Inside the Marshal's office, Tsuru, the Navy Headquarters' chief staff officer, and Akainu sat at a conference table.

"This is an extremely important development," Sengoku said solemnly. "The Navy's forces in the New World report that the Operation Fruit has appeared. Doflamingo is en route to purchase it for 5 billion Berries. The exchange will take place on an uninhabited island called Nuyan Island."

"The Operation Fruit?" Tsuru's eyes widened with astonishment.

"That legendary fruit actually resurfaced? And in the New World, of all places..." she muttered, frowning in concern. It was a difficult region for the Navy to operate in.

Akainu spoke in a grave tone. "The Operation Fruit is far too dangerous to fall into pirate hands. I suggest immediate intervention by the G5 Branch. If someone obtains it and unleashes its full power..."

Sengoku nodded. "Your concerns are justified. That's why I've already ordered Gion to move out. Kizaru is also on standby for backup in case things go wrong."

Tsuru's face showed a trace of worry. Gion was strong, yes—but if a top-tier pirate caught wind of the news, she could be in serious danger.

Still, she said nothing.

For a Marine, dying in battle for justice was an honor.

Mio, of course, was unaware of the decisions being made at Navy Headquarters.

At that moment, he was aboard the Black Glory, heading at full speed toward Nuyan Island. Doflamingo had sent word, and Mio was on the move.

If all went as expected, a battle with the Navy was inevitable.

Which suited him just fine. He had nothing pressing to do—his ark was still under construction back on Crow Island.

And if this trip drew the attention of the World Government and Navy, all the better. Their attention on him meant fewer eyes watching his true objective.

The skies were clear.

Mio sat cross-legged at the bow, drinking straight from a bottle of wine.

Suddenly, a News Coo landed before him.

After handing over a coin, Mio took the newspaper and opened it.

The front page displayed a new bounty poster.

But before looking at that, Mio read through the headlines—and was surprised.

"Interesting. Is Kaido making a move too?"

According to the report, Kaido had departed from Wano Country with his fleet. His destination was unknown, but speculation was high—perhaps he was attempting to claim the Emperor's Throne.

If Kaido sought the throne, he'd need to defeat someone worthy.

Mio chuckled. Could it be him?

Unlikely.

Kaido surely knew Mio's strength and wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge him now.

To rise to Emperor status, Kaido would need to defeat someone equally or more powerful.

Red-Haired Shanks was a likely target.

Or perhaps the Red Earl.

Even Wang Zhi.

Maybe even a Navy Admiral.

These names commanded fear across the seas. Defeating one of them would validate Kaido's ambition.

Setting the newspaper aside, Mio focused on his own journey. Sooner or later, he'd clash with Kaido—especially since Wano Country was his target.

Kaido would never give up Wano willingly.

Mio picked up the bounty order and examined it.

Another surprise—his own new bounty.

"It's our bounties... is this because of the Emperor ascension speculation?" Mio muttered.

Raising their bounties was a statement—a sign of the threat the Black Crow Pirates posed.

He looked closer.

New Bounties:

Captain Kurokawa Mio – 2.5 billion Berries

Erica – 800 million Berries

Lilith – 850 million Berries

Hei Yan – 630 million Berries

Warwick – 440 million Berries

Hanba – 500 million Berries

Hei'e – 1 billion Berries

Baifeng – 990 million Berries

Mashi – 640 million Berries

Asuka – 1.4 billion Berries

Noah – 500 million Berries

Nico Robin – 310 million Berries

Everyone had seen their bounties increased.

Even Noah, who previously had no bounty, now debuted with 500 million. But Asuka was the most staggering—1.4 billion.

Well deserved. She was terrifyingly strong.

As for himself, Mio didn't care much. His bounty of 2.5 billion was expected.

It would likely rise again in the future.

Still, it paled in comparison to Whitebeard's 5 billion.

Charlotte Linlin and Kaido hovered around 3 billion each—and those would likely increase too.

Being the lowest-bounty Emperor didn't matter to Mio.

But for his crew, it was a moment to celebrate.

"Bring out the wine! We're celebrating our bounty hike. Party time!" Mio tossed the bounty poster to Warwick with a laugh.

Cheers erupted aboard the ship.

All across the world, news of the Black Crow Pirates' bounty increase caused a stir.

The journey to Nuyan Island took about three days from Crow Island. Mio used the time to train.

Yes—train.

Though already powerful, Mio recognized a flaw: recovery.

His recovery was close to Whitebeard's, but far behind Kaido's monstrous regeneration.

This made him consider whether to obtain a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.

Only Zoan fruits granted users powerful self-healing after awakening—Kaido's strength being a prime example.

Of course, Mio had no Zoan fruit now, so he relied on body training.

Devil Fruits had limits.

The human body didn't—only bottlenecks.

Mio never stopped training. He always took time to strengthen himself.

Three days passed swiftly.

Just before reaching Nuyan Island, a massive ship loomed into view.

The Moby Dick.

On its deck stood Whitebeard, holding his famed bisento, Kusukumo Kirei, one of the Supreme Grade swords.

Grinning at Mio, he shouted, "Gurarara! Black Crow boy, care to come up for a drink?"

Mio's eyes flickered. "I've got business. Not much time to drink."

"Don't worry—it won't take long," Whitebeard said in his deep voice.

"Hmph. It better not." Mio smirked before vanishing and reappearing on the Moby Dick.

...He really wanted hot pot, though.