one piece: gene extraction and fusion system

"Beckman, you should have felt it, right?" On the deck, the red-haired man asked solemnly.

"Ah." Beckman nodded heavily, blowing out a smoke ring from his mouth. "It's terrifying. Whether it's Black Crow or that guy named Yashan, their strength… seems to have reached a higher level. It gives me a sense of danger… even death."

"Me too."

The red-haired man nodded solemnly with a complicated expression. "You know? I've only ever felt this kind of pressure from two people."

"One is Cross."

"The other is the ruler of this world."

"Even Captain Roger never reached that level. It seemed like he was just one step away, but he never crossed it."

That terrifying aura…

It made him certain that Black Crow had broken into a new realm. He was sure now—Black Crow had the confidence to stand against the World Government.

But what he didn't understand was the man named Yashan.

That terrifying strength.

The sheer oppressive force from simply standing near him was like a mountain pressing down. He'd never heard of such a powerful being before, and now this monstrous existence had joined Black Crow.

He couldn't comprehend it.

In addition to Yashan, there were also the strange new crew members of Black Crow he'd seen today, each exuding dangerous strength.

When he estimated the number of top-tier powerhouses among Black Crow's crew, the red-haired man couldn't help but take a deep breath.

This number… far exceeded any of the New World Emperors!!

After a moment of silence, the red-haired man raised his head and said solemnly, "When we return, we'll begin developing our forces rapidly. I have a hunch this sea is about to undergo massive change. This era will come to an end… and perhaps a new age will dawn. A new ruler might emerge over this entire world."

"Without enough strength, we won't survive the coming wave."

"Do we go back directly?" Beckman asked.

"No. Let's visit Whitebeard first. I have something to discuss with him."

Crow Island

Mio appeared quietly in Robin's room. As expected of her, the room wasn't overly feminine. It was simple and organized—a desk, chair, bed, wardrobe, bookshelves stacked high with volumes, and some small potted plants. The walls displayed bounty posters of Mio, newspapers, and sea charts, alongside a few photos of the Black Crow Pirates from over a decade ago.

Robin sat at her desk, engrossed in writing in her notebook, with a copy of the historical text open beside her. She didn't notice Mio's arrival as she worked.

Mio leaned against the doorframe, watching silently.

Half an hour passed before Robin finally leaned back, stretched her elegant figure, and let out a small sigh. "Finally finished translating."

"Finished?" Mio's voice broke the silence.

Startled, Robin turned abruptly.

Seeing Mio, she relaxed but frowned slightly. "Captain, why didn't you make a sound?"

"Don't worry," Mio replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't walk in if you were showering."

"Tsk." Robin blushed faintly, feigning annoyance. "It's fine if you do, but you'll have to take responsibility if that happens."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Mio chuckled, stroking his chin as he studied her. Dressed in a green knitted long-sleeved shirt and denim shorts, glasses perched on her nose, Robin had a subtle elegance to her. Mio let out a playful sigh. "Responsibility, huh? I wouldn't mind… but I doubt you'd have the courage to demand it."

"Hehe."

Robin snorted softly, handing him the translated text. "Captain, you'll want to see this. The contents are very interesting."

"Alright." Mio accepted the paper and began reading carefully.

After a while, his eyes flashed with surprise.

The text was about a Devil Fruit.

Not the origin of all Devil Fruits…

But the Devil Fruit of the king of the Great Kingdom, 800 years ago. It stated that this fruit was rumored to be the very first Devil Fruit to appear in the world. Its power was described as truly monstrous.

The second known user, after the Great Kingdom's king, was said to have been a woman. But the records ended there.

"The first Devil Fruit in the world…?" Mio muttered, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

The origins of Devil Fruits had always been a mystery. Legends claimed they were incarnations of sea devils.

From this account, the power of this particular fruit seemed unfathomable—and Mio wondered if it might now be in the hands of Im, the mysterious ruler of the World Government.

"Intriguing, but not much useful information," Mio said, shaking his head. He handed the translation back to Robin.

"So, what's next, Captain?" Robin asked.

"What else? Keep hunting down more historical texts." Mio patted her head lightly. "I made a deal with Red-Hair earlier. He gave us the location of another historical text. Someone's already been sent to make a copy. We should get it soon."

"Then we'll have to wait to translate it." Robin nodded. "Captain, aren't we heading to the first half of the Grand Line next?"

"Mm. No rush." Mio nodded.

There was still time before the "opportunity" he was waiting for.

Shaking his head, Mio left Robin's room.

The Next Morning

At the port, the Black Glory was docked and ready for departure.

This time, Mio wasn't leaving Crow Island alone.

Aside from Mio himself, Lilith, Erica, Asuka, Robin, Warwick, Hei Yan, Shirafuge, and other cultivated creatures were all preparing to set sail. Only Yashan and Hei Er remained behind to oversee Crow Island—but that was more than enough.

Onlookers at the port whispered among themselves.

"Lord Black Crow's ship… it's setting sail!"

"I wonder what he's planning this time?"

"No big moves have been reported. Maybe he's just going to stretch his legs. After all, Lord Black Crow hasn't left the New World in over a decade."

"Ah, how I wish I could just set foot on the Black Glory… even once."

Mio boarded the ship, wine in hand.

"My lord, preparations are complete. We can depart," Shirafuge reported.

"Let's go." Mio took a sip and nodded.

With Mio's command, the Black Glory began its voyage, heading for Fishman Island as its first destination.

As the ship sailed away, countless eyes watched nervously.

The Navy Headquarters.

Other Emperors.

All felt the tension rise as Black Crow and his elite crew sailed forth together.

Beehive Island

"Black Crow? He's left Crow Island after all these years?"

Kaido sat drinking, listening to his subordinates report.

"Hmph. If he planned anything big, he'd have informed me. He's probably just heading to the first half of the Grand Line."

Standing up, Kaido waved dismissively. "Enough. Don't worry about him. I'm going out for a bit."

"Boss… you're not trying to kill yourself again, are you?" Queen asked.

"This time I'll try a higher spot." Kaido grunted.

Queen sighed helplessly.

Marine Headquarters

Sengoku's office.

"Black Crow has gone to sea?" Sengoku frowned deeply.

"Yes, Marshal. All the members of the Black Crow Pirates have departed with him. Their course indicates they're heading to the first half of the Grand Line," reported a marine soldier.

Sengoku rubbed his temples. "What is he planning?"

Click.

Crunch.

At the conference table, Garp munched loudly on senbei. "Relax, Sengoku. That guy's probably bored. Young people don't like sitting in one place for too long."

"Garp!" Sengoku snapped. "Your son's a Revolutionary. Your grandsons are pirates. One is even on Whitebeard's crew! You've failed utterly to instill justice in your family!"

Garp scratched his head sheepishly. "Ahem… well…"

Sengoku sighed and turned serious again. "Even so, we must proceed cautiously. Black Crow is too dangerous. His forces in Fishman Island and Amazon Lily prove he has deep ties in the first half of the Grand Line. If he has a hidden agenda, it could spell disaster."

"Marshal Sengoku," the marine reported again, "there are also six unknown new faces aboard the Black Glory, including a strange two-horned horse."

Sengoku's frown deepened.

"New crew? That guy just keeps adding more powerhouses…"

Garp grunted. "Six new faces? That's at least six vice-admiral level fighters—maybe even an admiral among them."

"It's becoming more and more dangerous," Sengoku muttered.

"Kizaru should be deployed to monitor them," Garp suggested.

"Agreed," Sengoku nodded, "but we may also use the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Currently, the Seven Warlords included Doflamingo, Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Crocodile, Trafalgar Law, Walter Clive, and Gunther Rodney.

Law, thanks to Mio's interference, had gone to sea two years earlier than in the original timeline and become a Warlord.

"The Warlords won't act against Black Crow. They'd sooner bow to him than challenge him," Garp scoffed.

"There is one exception," Sengoku said coldly. "Gunther. He's arrogant and reckless. He might take the bait."

"He'll just get himself killed," Garp muttered.

"That's fine. If he provokes Black Crow, perhaps we'll get a glimpse of the abilities of these new crew members."

Sengoku picked up a Den Den Mushi.

"This is Sengoku. Order Kizaru to return immediately. Summon Vice Admiral Onigumo."

Moments later, Vice Admiral Onigumo entered the room.

"Marshal, your orders?"

"Contact Gunther. Offer him reduced taxes if he helps monitor the Black Crow Pirates and prevents them from running wild in the first half of the Grand Line."

Onigumo blinked in surprise.

"Gunther? That lunatic?"

"Exactly. He's reckless enough to agree. And if he dies… well, no loss."

Onigumo nodded solemnly.

"As you command."