one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 252: The Shadow Before the Storm

Faced with Mio's undisguised ambition,

Granny Zha was silent.

For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Because in the face of absolute strength, everything else seems insignificant.

Nine Snake Island was just such an insignificant existence, while Black Crow—Mio—was a man with overwhelming strength.

Just as Granny Zha remained speechless, Mio spoke again, slowly.

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. There's still time for Nine Snake Island to consider. But there's one thing I think you already understand. A pirate kingdom will never be accepted by the World Government, nor will it be tolerated by the Navy. Even though Nine Snake Island sits within the Calm Belt, that doesn't make it truly safe."

Mio gently patted her head and muttered. "I heard the World Government's scientists are close to perfecting a method for safe passage through the Calm Belt. When that happens..."

"Heh."

With a cold chuckle, Mio stood up and returned to the deck, his tone calm. "Let's go."

"Yes, sir." Bai Feng nodded respectfully and called out toward the sea. "Hanba, let's move!"

"Roar!"

A thunderous roar echoed as a massive red figure burst from beneath the waves, exuding a terrifying aura. The two sea serpents pulling the Nine Snakes Pirates' ship immediately let out fearful cries in the presence of this giant beast.

Even Granny Zha couldn't help but tense up at the sight.

Behind her, the ordinary warriors of Nine Snake Island were frozen with fear. Even the three Hancock sisters had nothing in their eyes but shock and terror.

Hanba let out another deafening roar before diving back into the sea, pulling the Black Glory along and swiftly sailing away.

Only when the Black Glory had become a mere black dot in the distance and vanished from sight did Granny Zha finally exhale, wiping the cold sweat from her brow.

"Return at once. Set course for Nine Snake Island," she ordered firmly.

Her command brought the rest of the pirates back to their senses, and they quickly resumed their duties.

"Granny... that man, is he one of the world's top strongmen?" Hancock tugged on Granny Zha's sleeve, her voice trembling in awe.

Hearing this, Granny Zha looked at Hancock with a complicated expression and nodded. "Hancock, did you feel that dreadful pressure? That is the aura of a world-class powerhouse—someone who stands at the very peak of the New World."

"I understand." Hancock nodded earnestly, her small hands clenched into fists. Her expression was one of firm resolve.

When Hanba appeared just moments ago, she had truly felt the touch of death.

Even if it had only been Hanba and not Black Crow himself, it would have been enough to bring her to despair.

Yet despite being so young, Hancock was destined to become the queen of Nine Snake Island—and she was far from ordinary. While she had certainly felt fear, what she now felt even more was the desperate urge to grow stronger.

After all, the women of Nine Snake Island were a warrior people, and their desire for strength surpassed that of most.

Experiencing such terrifying power firsthand only deepened that desire.

Granny Zha took note of the change in Hancock.

While pleased, she remained silent. Even though Black Crow had left, her heart remained heavy. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Granny Zha had lived a long life. She had seen the fall of Rocks, the end of Roger, and had witnessed the rise and fall of many powerful figures. She also understood the true power of the World Government, which had ruled for 800 years.

A pirate kingdom...

It sounded powerful on the surface.

But Granny Zha knew very well that Nine Snake Island had only been able to survive all these years because the Nine Snakes Pirates had never pushed the limits with the World Government or the Navy, and had the natural protection of the Calm Belt.

Unless absolutely necessary, the World Government had no reason to target them.

However, once travel through the Calm Belt became accessible, and if Nine Snake Island lacked sufficient power or value to offer the World Government, Granny Zha had no doubt that they would become a target for a Buster Call.

After all, the Kingdom of Women was a pirate nation.

Every one of their monarchs had been pirates.

That alone was enough to be seen as a challenge to the World Government's authority.

In the New World, Nine Snake Island might be safer. But here, in the first half of the Grand Line...

Knowing too much only made her worry more.

And so, Granny Zha hesitated.

"Perhaps... following a powerful man isn't such a bad idea after all?" she murmured inwardly.

At this moment—

Aboard the departing Black Glory—

Lilith sat beside Mio, her legs curled, pouring him a drink. She tilted her head and asked curiously, "Sir, with our power, we could've easily crushed the Nine Snakes Pirates and forced control over Nine Snake Island. Why didn't you just take it by force?"

"What I want is a kingdom that fights for me, not one that constantly plots betrayal," Mio explained plainly. "Even if they don't agree now, they will eventually."

And if they didn't?

Mio already had his plans in place.

If necessary, he would eliminate Granny Zha and cultivate a new ruler.

Changing dynasties wasn't so difficult.

And Nine Snake Island wasn't the only one on his mind—Fish-Man Island was as well.

Thinking of that place, a cold glint flashed through Mio's eyes.

"It's almost time. We just need to wait for Shirahoshi's birth. Then..."

He chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing toward the distant Holy Land of Marijoa. "Otohime, what will you do?"

Somewhere deep in the sea, Tiger was still biding his time, waiting for his moment to escape.

With a flicker of thought, Mio lifted his wine glass and took a sip before pulling out a Den Den Mushi.

He paused for a moment in thought—then made his decision and dialed.

Soon, the line connected.

"Sir, what can I do for you?" came Renee's voice, curious but respectful.

Mio issued his order calmly. "Send the Black Shadow Corps to Fish-Man Island. Begin distorting the hatred that exists between fish-men and humans. Shift their hatred from humanity in general to the human nobles specifically. Be careful not to leave any traces."

On Sky Island, Renee furrowed her brow as she listened, but quickly understood and nodded. "Understood. I'll handle it immediately."

"Good." Mio ended the call, and the Den Den Mushi fell silent.

Renee put it away and murmured to herself. "Sir wants to make a move on Fish-Man Island... He really is a simple man in his intentions."

Still, the task itself was a simple one for Renee.

With both the Linglong Newspaper and the Black Shadow Corps under her control, she had access to all the dark truths about the noble class.

And in truth, most of those who purchased mermaid slaves were nobles.

That was a fact.

All she had to do was expose those facts and create some fabricated evidence to push the narrative.

Once that spread on Fish-Man Island, their hatred would easily shift in the direction Mio desired.