Those chains and shackles were made of seastone, not only to suppress the abilities of Devil Fruit users, but also due to seastone's extreme hardness. With their limbs restrained, even strong individuals would find it nearly impossible to break free.
At that moment, hearing Bullett's words, Mio didn't hesitate. He slightly clenched his right fist, and a cluster of scorching flames surged forth. A faint layer of Armament Haki wrapped around the flames, exuding heat and power.
Seeing this, Bullett curled his lips with a sneer. "Pretty weak."
However, the Red Earl narrowed his eyes at the flames on Mio's fist, a trace of doubt flashing through his expression. He didn't say much, but his attention lingered for a moment longer.
"This move… should be the Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon," Mio murmured inwardly, then swung his fist forward, striking the chain.
A powerful force erupted from his punch without reservation, and the chain snapped instantly.
Mio's strength wasn't weak anymore. With numerous powerful creatures cultivated under his system, their innate physical traits had significantly boosted his own attributes.
He struck again—another punch, another chain broken.
Bullett's arms were now free.
Although the seastone shackles still bound his wrists, it didn't matter to Bullett. This was more than enough.
Stretching out his hands, Bullett cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Even though wearing seastone weakens me, your physical strength isn't bad. It's enough for training. But listen, training Armament Haki isn't just theory. It's real combat."
"Heh," Mio smirked. "I've been ready for a long time."
After speaking, Mio turned to look at Millet, who was still inside her cell, and gave a command. "Set it up. Cover this cell."
"Bluu~"
Millet chirped in response. She activated her Devil Fruit ability, and a shimmering halo appeared, surrounding Bullett's cell.
It was like a sheet of fabric descending around the prison cell. A picture formed—Bullett still appeared imprisoned within the illusion, sitting restrained. In reality, the image was a perfect replica designed to fool surveillance.
Seeing this ability in action, a pirate watching nearby chuckled. "This Devil Fruit ability seems made specifically for Impel Down. Must've taken a long time to find it."
"Why go through all that trouble?" another pirate sneered. "If there's a chance to escape, take it."
"Bullett's Armament Haki is top-notch. From now on, someone will train him daily. In a year, that guy's Haki will improve tremendously. Don't slack off. I plan to leave in a year—I don't want to stay here a few extra years because of laziness."
"You took the words right out of my mouth."
For them, escaping was now the most important objective.
And it was clear to everyone: Mio was the only one who could get them out of this place. His abilities were unique, and only he could break the seastone chains and free them from their cells.
Though these were proud and arrogant pirates, none of them protested Mio's earlier conditions. In fact, they accepted it readily.
It was a mutual exchange—Mio helped them escape, and they trained him in Haki.
Inside Bullett's concealed cell.
With Millet's illusion covering them, Bullett closed his eyes briefly and took in a breath, sensing the remaining strength in his body. Then his aura exploded.
The next moment, Bullett's upper body was wrapped in dense black Armament Haki. His torso appeared to be forged from black iron, glistening faintly under the light. The Haki didn't just coat him—it seemed on the verge of separating from his body. That meant his mastery had reached a high level.
"That should do."
Bullett looked at Mio and spoke directly. "Step within a meter of me. For the foreseeable future, you're not allowed to leave that range. Attack me using Armament Haki."
"Got it."
Mio nodded seriously. He wouldn't be careless when it came to getting stronger.
He walked forward until he was within one meter of Bullett, clenched his fists, surrounded them with Armament Haki, and threw a punch…
…
That same day.
A newspaper fluttered through the world, catching the attention of many people.
The headline was striking.
"This year's pirate supernova, Captain of the Black Crow Pirates, has been captured by the Navy and is currently imprisoned in Impel Down. The whereabouts of the Black Crow crew remain unknown."
— North Blue —
In a luxurious chamber, Doflamingo held the newspaper, eyes narrowing behind his sunglasses.
"Impel Down… What exactly are you trying to do?"
He couldn't understand Mio's intentions. Did he really believe Mio was caught and sent to Impel Down? Not a chance.
Doflamingo had his own intelligence network. Not to mention, the World Government had insiders working with him, and he had even assisted in Mio's operation.
So he knew very well—Mio had entered Impel Down deliberately.
But his true purpose?
That, Doflamingo had yet to figure out.
"Whatever. As long as you deliver what you promised," he muttered, the fiery glint in his eyes returning as he thought about what Mio had pledged to give him.
— Upside Down Mountain —
On a pirate ship that had just crossed into the Grand Line, Bellamy was holding a newspaper. After reading the headline, he scoffed and tossed it into the sea.
"What a joke. There's no way that guy got caught. And even if he did, he'll definitely escape."
"Alright, boys! Let's keep moving forward!"
With that command, Bellamy's ship sailed away from the Red Line, toward the first island of their Grand Line adventure.
— New World —
On a remote, uninhabited island, a pirate crew was feasting and drinking merrily. Among them sat a red-haired man and a swordsman with cold, sharp eyes—Shanks and Dracule Mihawk.
Shanks was drinking casually, glancing at Mihawk with a smirk. "Mihawk, any world-shaking news today?"
"No. Nothing like that," Mihawk replied, placing the paper down. But there was a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Shanks raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you reading it so seriously?"
Mihawk casually tossed the newspaper to Shanks, then took another sip of wine. "Someone I know was mentioned. It's… unexpected."
"Oh?"
Shanks picked up the paper and scanned through it. Before long, he found the article and was visibly surprised.
"This year's supernova? Captured before even reaching Sabaody Archipelago?"
"With his strength, he shouldn't be that easy to capture," Mihawk said with a furrowed brow. He wasn't overly impressed with Mio's combat strength, but he was well aware of his unique ability.
Combined with the strength of his strange crew members, capturing Mio shouldn't have been possible.
Unless…
"He let himself get caught?" The idea struck Mihawk like a bolt of lightning.
His eyes narrowed in deep thought.
"What's wrong?" Shanks noticed the change in Mihawk's expression.
"It's nothing." Mihawk shook his head, suppressing the theory that had taken root.
Instead, he looked out at the endless sea. His hawk-like pupils narrowed, and he muttered silently to himself.
"Was he really arrested… or did he do it on purpose?"