one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 322: Battle of Flame and Shadow

"Black Crow, die!"

With a low shout, Saya swung the massive spear, thrusting it toward Mio in an instant with a sharp whistling through the air.

Mio remained calm. He stepped forward and disappeared along with the skeleton giant.

"Not good."

Seeing this, Saya reacted immediately. His Observation Haki spread around him as vigilance filled his eyes, muscles tensed.

Suddenly—

Puff.

The sound of air splitting came from behind.

Saya spun around, spear sweeping to counterattack.

However, just as he turned, Mio's figure vanished into thin air again.

Then, Saya sensed Mio reappearing on his right side with Observation Haki, the next blow imminent. But when he tried to turn again, his body lagged behind his thoughts.

Boom!

Controlled by Mio, the enormous skeleton giant swung its sword downward. The colossal force struck the demon Saya had transformed into, sending him flying backward like a meteor.

The massive body slammed into the ground at a distance, shaking the island as dust and debris rose.

In the distance, thunder and flames roared, a sign of the fierce battle between BIG MOM and Boken. Explosions echoed across the battlefield.

Elsewhere, chaos reigned.

Nearly ten thousand combatants clashed. Screams echoed, blood soaked the earth, and corpses littered the field. Death reigned in every corner.

High above, seagulls flew with video-transmitting Denden Mushi, broadcasting this apocalyptic battle.

Beyond the horizon, ships approached.

Some belonged to Whitebeard's fleet, others to the Navy, and several from unaffiliated factions.

But none dared approach the island.

Everyone knew that to step foot here was to join a death match with no escape.

"What a ferocious battle," remarked a shadowy figure among the new arrivals. A major figure in the underworld, he had aided BIG MOM in exchange for immense benefits.

"Heh, after today, the New World will be reshuffled. A new emperor will rise," laughed a wild pirate, eyes gleaming with anticipation. A new order meant new opportunities—for glory, power, and wealth.

Farther out at sea, several Navy warships loomed.

Onboard, Akainu and Aokiji stood in grim silence, watching the island burn.

"Terrifying combat power," Aokiji finally muttered, eyes fixed on Mio and the skeletal giant. His voice carried a hint of awe.

He wasn't just referring to Mio himself, but to the overall might of the Black Crow Pirates.

While Saya could contend with Mio in single combat, his crew was being utterly outclassed. The Black Crow Pirates' top fighters, like Asuka, rampaged through enemy ranks, slaughtering opponents with overwhelming ease. Even Saya's elite subordinates were being cut down in moments.

The disparity in high-level combat power was staggering.

Even Akainu's face grew more serious by the minute.

...

Mio glanced briefly at the ships gathering on the sea before dismissing them from his mind.

His focus returned to Saya.

A chilling smirk tugged at Mio's lips. He stepped forward, summoning the skeleton giant before Saya and swinging his sword in a devastating arc.

Clang!

Saya raised his spear just in time to block the blow.

The next moment, the force from the clash pushed the spear aside—and Saya countered by thrusting it straight into the skeleton giant.

But Mio and the giant vanished again, reappearing behind Saya. The sword fell with brutal force.

The power of the dragon and the devil combined in one strike.

Puff!

Saya's demonic form screamed as one massive arm was severed.

Mio didn't let up. The skeleton giant seized the remaining arm and, using sheer force, slammed Saya's giant demon form into the ground.

Rumble.

The island shuddered. Deep cracks spiderwebbed across the ground.

Saya's massive form began to dissipate. Still, he raised his remaining hand. A new spear, wreathed in roaring black flames, formed instantly.

With a snarl, Saya hurled the spear with deadly precision.

Puff.

The weapon pierced through the skeleton giant's surface, aiming directly at Mio.

But—

"Saya, you can't kill me. But I can kill you!"

Mio's cold voice rang out.

As the words fell, he vanished again, reappearing behind Saya in an instant.

Whoosh!

"You're dreaming!" Saya sneered. He had anticipated this move. Black flames erupted from his back, sweeping toward Mio.

Mio's eyes narrowed. His body, now cloaked in Armament Haki, allowed the flames to burn without resistance.

But in the next moment, he unsheathed Raikiri.

Slash!

Puff.

Blood splattered.

Saya screamed as his right arm was cleaved from his body.

"Still haven't figured it out?" Mio sneered. "Your ability is meaningless to me. Even if you drain a bit of energy—what can you do with it? You can't escape death."

Seizing the moment, Mio grabbed Saya's head and smashed it to the ground.

At the same time, his mind shifted.

He replaced his current ability—returning to his demon power.

Instantly, the demonic flames engulfing his Haki vanished.

"Heh... heh..." Saya chuckled bitterly. Twisting his body, he launched a kick at Mio's head. Mio dodged, and Saya used the opening to leap back and create distance.

"If you think you can kill me, then come try!" he roared.

Black flames rose from Saya's body again as he launched into the air. The ground beneath him cracked from the force.

"What incredible endurance," Mio murmured, clenching his right fist. He stared at the charging Saya and threw a punch imbued with Armament Haki.

Clang!

The fist met Saya's flaming spear.

Then, with a burst of power, Mio blasted Saya away once more.

But he knew—this fight wasn't ending anytime soon.

At this level of strength, and with Saya's unique ability, killing him would take time. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Days, perhaps.

And in a battle for the title of Emperor, Mio could allow no outside interference.

He would end this himself.

Only then would the world recognize his reign.