one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 280: Mark of the Golden Light

Grand Line.

Mio was heading to the next island with a large number of giant beasts. At this time, he sat on the bow, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand and talking to Judge.

"Do you have a large-scale imitation of Pluton's ship?" Mio asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, but not many."

"Prepare one. I'll need it soon."

"Okay."

The call was brief, and after getting the answer, Mio hung up the Den Den Mushi.

When an island appeared in sight, Mio put away the Den Den Mushi, stood up, stretched his body, and murmured, "After this island, the genes should be almost collected. Then we can head to our destination."

But at that moment—

"Huh?"

Mio suddenly frowned and looked up at the sky.

There was a bird flying above. It wasn't a seagull—more like an ordinary eagle. There was nothing unusual about its scent. The eagle soared across the sky before rushing into the clouds and vanishing.

However, a cold light flashed in Mio's eyes, and his expression turned fierce. In a blink, he vanished from where he stood.

The next moment, Mio appeared above the clouds.

The eagle hadn't flown away. It was circling high above, watching.

"A Zoan user?" Mio narrowed his eyes, then threw a punch without hesitation.

The eagle immediately shifted into human form, wings still flapping behind him as he soared in the air. He punched back.

Boom!

Their fists collided midair.

Mio raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. The man had decent strength—comparable to some Vice Admirals of the Navy Headquarters.

"But that's all."

Mio sneered and released another surge of power. The overwhelming force shocked the man, sending him flying backward.

His face turned pale as he struggled to regain control, wings flapping rapidly. Without a word, he turned and tried to flee.

"Trying to run? It won't be that easy," Mio said coldly, his gaze locking on the man's clothing. He immediately recognized the uniform—World Government. More specifically, a CP agent.

Whoosh!

Mio teleported again.

He reappeared in front of the fleeing man. The CP agent didn't have time to react before Mio grabbed him by the neck with a crushing grip.

Power surged from Mio's hand, immobilizing the man.

"Black Crow, you should know who I am. Let me go," the man growled, still defiant despite being caught.

"World Government? You're here to investigate me?" Mio sneered. He had a strong hunch what this was about—most likely the Black Glory. Though technically just a ship, its modified design—capable of mimicking Pluton—had likely drawn attention.

Not surprising. But he hadn't expected a CP operative to appear so soon.

"If you kill me, you'll provoke the full wrath of the World Government. You should understand what that means," the man warned.

"Of course I understand." Mio grinned darkly. "But I don't take kindly to threats."

Crack.

With a sudden twist of his hand, Mio snapped the man's neck.

"Congratulations on successfully collecting the Human (Black Chestnut Eagle) gene!"

Glancing at the notification from his panel, Mio tossed the body aside. His eyes narrowed.

"World Government..."

He wasn't particularly afraid of them anymore. Wariness, sure—but not fear. If things really escalated, the World Government might be able to kill him, but it would cost them dearly.

Though killing a CP agent would draw attention, Mio was unmoved.

After all, the New World wasn't under their control.

"But I need to accelerate my plans," Mio muttered.

His figure flickered again, and he reappeared on the deck of the Black Glory.

Asuka turned toward him. "Did you kill someone, sir?"

"Yes. Just a little bug sent by the World Government. From now on, stay alert. If you encounter any more, eliminate them immediately. Don't leave loose ends," Mio instructed.

"Yes, sir."

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.

Soon after, Mio and Asuka disembarked onto the island.

Several hours later, Mio returned covered in blood. Stepping aboard the ship again, he looked to Bai Feng. "Let's go."

Then, without another word, Mio entered the cabin to shower and change clothes.

Asuka remained on deck, silently watching the sea.

Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.

Far off on the sea, she spotted a tiny black dot. Too small to be seen clearly by ordinary people, but Asuka recognized it—it was a person.

A woman.

Even from a distance, Asuka could sense her immense power.

A terrifying aura.

Licking her lips, Asuka felt no fear. Instead, a wild urge to fight surged within her.

The woman, as if sensing Asuka's bloodlust, turned her calm gaze toward the ship. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Then, dazzling golden light glimmered in her eyes, merging seamlessly with the sunlight.

She turned and walked away—on the sea.

Her figure quickly vanished into the horizon.

Just after she left, golden light erupted before Asuka's eyes, entering her mind like a flash.

No one else on the deck noticed.

Only Asuka saw it.

And when the light entered her mind, she heard voices—echoing, whispering, praying, calling her name.

Those voices finally gathered into a single word:

Imu.

At that moment—

Mio, now clean and changed, walked out and sat beside Asuka. "How's it going?"

He looked in the same direction the woman had left.

Noticing him, Asuka responded in a low voice. "It's a very strange ability. It can control hearts—affect people's thoughts, even their souls. It can make someone fanatically believe in the caster."

"She left a mark in my mind. Through it, she can sense my presence. But I can destroy it anytime."

As she said this, Asuka looked at Mio, silently asking if he wanted her to erase the mark.

————-

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