one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 273: The Flash That Was Kicked

The Den Den Mushi hung up.

Beside Charlotte Linlin, Katakuri looked over with a thoughtful expression and asked, "Mom, will that man agree to our terms?"

"He will," Charlotte said, grabbing a cake and stuffing it into her mouth, a grim smile spreading across her face. "Doesn't that guy like Devil Fruits? I can give him one. And this is also his chance to ascend to that position, isn't it? How could he refuse a mutually beneficial relationship?"

"That's true." Katakuri nodded, his voice low and steady. "As long as he agrees, we can prepare everything and strike the moment the time is right."

Charlotte let out a booming laugh.

If it succeeded...

She would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard and fully solidify her position as one of the Yonko ruling the New World.

Grand Line. Aboard the Black Glory.

Mio was putting away the Devil Fruit. He couldn't say for sure what Charlotte was plotting, but he had a rough idea. After all, the only person in the New World that Charlotte could invite was him.

Kaido remained holed up in Wano Country.

Red-Haired Shanks was clearly more of a lone wolf, and the strength he'd revealed so far was nowhere near Black Crow's.

Both Poken and Saiya had past grievances with Charlotte.

Which left only one candidate.

Mio.

As for why she was inviting him—if there were no surprises—she wanted him to support someone. A puppet, perhaps.

Mio sneered, but didn't care much. It might even be his chance to claim the throne. Just like Charlotte thought, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

But maybe he could squeeze a bit more out of it.

He shook his head, brushing the thought aside. He stepped onto the deck and looked up at the stormy sky.

Thunderclouds loomed, crackling ominously.

"This kind of weather's annoying. A sunny day is always better," Mio murmured.

As his voice fell, Mio raised his right hand and waved gently.

The ability of the Influence Fruit activated.

The thick thunderclouds quickly dispersed, revealing the warm sunlight above once again.

Three Days Later. Sabaody Archipelago.

Shakky's Rip-off Bar.

Three people sat inside—Shakky, Rayleigh, and the old woman known simply as Grandma.

Just then, the wooden door creaked open.

Asuka stepped inside with a soft smile toward Shakky and Rayleigh. Behind her followed the three Hancock sisters.

"These are the three little ones Master asked me to bring. I'll leave them to you," Asuka said warmly.

"Where's that guy?" Rayleigh asked, curious.

He was referring to Mio.

Asuka shook her head slightly, but then suddenly paused and said, "There's a battle... on the island."

Rayleigh's brow furrowed. Activating his Observation Haki, he instantly detected a clash unfolding in another area of the Archipelago. One of the presences was unmistakably Mio. The other...

"Hmph... that guy Kizaru..." Rayleigh murmured, shaking his head. He wasn't overly concerned.

After all, the Black Crows' combat members were formidable. Some even gave Rayleigh trouble to read. One Admiral wouldn't be enough to threaten them.

"Please let that guy know—thank you for the trouble," Rayleigh said to Asuka.

Asuka nodded. "I will, sir. See you next time."

With that, she turned and left, closing the bar's wooden door behind her.

Sabaody Archipelago – Area 66

Kizaru stood facing Mio, his expression dark. "Black Crow, if you're fine, then move aside. Don't stop me here."

He had just received intelligence—Fisher Tiger was preparing to return to Fishman Island. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Originally, Tiger had planned to return all the humans he rescued to their homelands one by one. But with his current status and the iron arrest order issued by the World Government, he had decided to turn over the ship to the humans near Sabaody and return to Fishman Island with the mermaids by swimming.

If everything had gone according to plan, Kizaru would have caught him right here.

But unexpectedly, Mio appeared.

And facing Mio, even Kizaru dared not be careless.

"Who said I'm fine?" Mio said with a calm smile. "Fighting's fun sometimes. And you're a good target, Kizaru."

"Hmph." Kizaru snorted and, in an instant, appeared before Mio, his leg kicking out like a beam of light.

But Mio stood firm, expression calm. He spoke slowly.

"General Kizaru, have you ever been kicked... by light?"

The words had barely fallen.

Mio raised his right foot and kicked out with terrifying force.

In the blink of an eye, Mio's right leg was bathed in golden light.

Kizaru's face twisted, pupils shrinking. A flicker of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

Boom!

Kizaru's body was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing through several buildings before slamming into the ground.

He climbed up from the rubble, clutching his abdomen. His eyes stayed fixed on Mio, filled with disbelief.

Just now... his Twinkle-Twinkle Fruit ability—disappeared!

No—not disappeared, but transformed.

Into something entirely unfamiliar.

It lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to leave him exposed—and allow Mio to land that blow.

He, the Flash Man of the Marine Admirals... had been kicked by light.

"Was that... awakened ability?" Kizaru murmured, his face grave.

From what he'd seen of Mio's powers earlier, it was clear—this wasn't a fluke. Mio's Devil Fruit had awakened.

Compared to two years ago, the Black Crow's strength was terrifying on a whole new level.

"Black Crow, are you really going to stop me?" Kizaru asked coldly.

His Observation Haki was still locked on Tiger's location. But with Mio standing in his way, there was no chance of catching up.

He had to get past Black Crow first.

"You know why I'm here," Kizaru continued. "That fishman is already marked for death. You can't save him. No one can. Even if he escapes today, he won't last long. You can't stop me forever."

Mio grinned.

"Of course I know. But that doesn't matter. Whether he dies later isn't my concern. But he can't die before reaching Fishman Island."

The air around him trembled.

Mio clenched his fists, his presence erupting in a torrent of fighting spirit.

"You bastard... have you set your sights on Fishman Island?" Kizaru said coldly.

He didn't know Mio's exact intentions, but based on today's interference, it was obvious. Black Crow was targeting Fishman Island.

And if Tiger returned safely—thanks to Black Crow stopping a Marine Admiral—the gratitude of the fishmen would naturally lean toward Mio.

That alone would make seizing influence over Fishman Island a hundred times easier.

Kizaru had seen through it.

Because Tiger's position among the fishmen was unlike any other.

If he made it back, and the merfolk learned that the one who helped him escape was Black Crow...

Then Black Crow's name would soon be revered beneath the sea.