New World.
Today's biggest news had shaken the New World.
Inside a tavern on an unnamed island, several pirates were drinking, the air thick with tension and unease.
"The New World is already chaotic enough. And now something like this happens again… Things are about to get even more turbulent."
"Yeah. Every single one of those guys who escaped from Impel Down has ambition. The New World is at a critical tipping point. Those of us who just arrived here… If we don't find someone powerful to follow, we'll be dead before long."
"Hey, I wonder if Lord Red Earl is taking in subordinates. I've always admired that man."
In a different sea area…
Hawkeye was drinking with Red-Haired Shanks. He planned to leave after today.
As Hawkeye scanned the newspaper, his pupils narrowed. He quietly placed it down.
Shanks had already read it, his expression grim. "Your friend's no ordinary person. He led others in escaping from Impel Down—and not just anyone. Each one of those escapees is a monster."
Bullett.
Red Earl.
As someone who once sailed on the same ship as the Pirate King, Shanks knew very well how powerful those two were.
He himself had grown strong—but he wouldn't dare say he could match them yet.
And for Mio to stand among them, even Shanks couldn't help but respect him.
Though he'd never met Mio, Shanks already understood—this man was no ordinary pirate.
"Heh." Hawkeye chuckled, shaking his head. He picked up his drink and took a sip before speaking. "I always thought he got captured and sent to Impel Down on purpose. Now I'm even more convinced. But why he did it… I have no idea."
"Oh?" Shanks raised his eyebrows in surprise, his tone deepening. "If that's true, then no matter what the reason is, that kind of courage is admirable. I'd like to meet this guy if I ever get the chance."
"You'll probably have it soon. I think they're heading into the New World next."
"Ahh, then things are going to get interesting. A good chance to see just how much your friend can handle."
Whitebeard…
Kaido…
Even Banko…
All of the major powers in the New World were now paying attention to the Black Crow Pirates.
First Half of the Grand Line.
At the same time, Mio sat aboard the Black Glory, a newspaper in hand. His lips curled into a devilish grin.
"Whether it's the Navy, the World Government, or the monsters in the New World—they've all got their eyes on us now. Things are about to get real exciting."
Alongside the news article was a stack of bounty posters.
Every member of the Black Crow Pirates now had a bounty on their head.
[Kurokawa Mio – Captain of the Black Crow Pirates]
Suspected to possess the Zoan-type Mythical Beast Fruit. A criminal of extreme danger who escaped from Impel Down. A major threat. Bounty: 500 million. Dead or Alive.
[Erica – Crew Member]
Suspected user of an Insect Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 130 million. Dead or Alive.
[Lilith – Crew Member]
Suspected user of a Mythical Beast Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 200 million. Dead or Alive.
[Hei Yan – Crew Member]
Devil Fruit unknown. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 100 million. Dead or Alive.
[Warwick – Crew Member]
Zoan-type user. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 90 million. Dead or Alive.
[Hanba – Crew Member]
Suspected descendant of the demon Oz. Incredibly powerful. Capable of surviving underwater. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 74 million. Dead or Alive.
[Mashi – Crew Member]
Suspected user of a Mythical Beast Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 110 million. Dead or Alive.
[Nicole Robin – Crew Member]
Survivor of Ohara. User of the Paramecia-type Flower-Flower Fruit. Considered a major threat. Bounty: 100 million. Dead or Alive.
Everyone had a bounty.
Those who already had bounties saw their amounts increased—especially Mio, whose bounty skyrocketed to 500 million.
The Navy had clearly shown its stance.
From the bounties alone, it was clear that the Black Crow Pirates were now under serious surveillance.
But Mio didn't care.
The Navy had bigger problems—like Bullett and the Red Earl. They wouldn't waste time dealing with him for now.
Still, the lineup of the Black Crow Pirates was striking. Every member was a Devil Fruit user, and three were suspected to possess Mythical Beast types. To outsiders, the crew looked terrifying.
"Mashi."
Mio called out.
In the next instant, Mashi flew out of the cabin wearing a vest and hot pants, leaping joyfully into Mio's arms.
"Brother, what is it?" she asked, beaming.
"Take this and post it in the restaurant," Mio said, rubbing her head and handing her the bounty posters.
"Okay!" Mashi nodded and took them.
Just before flying off, Mashi flapped her wings, did a somersault in the air, and shouted playfully, "Brother! Watch Mashi's flame of love!"
A burst of flame erupted from her mouth, glowing with intense heat.
Mio smiled and casually opened his mouth, swallowing the fire whole.
"Nice taste," he said with a grin.
"Hehe!" Mashi giggled with delight and flew back into the cabin.
Their ship continued toward their destination.
Evening arrived.
An island appeared on the horizon—uninhabited, unnamed, merely marked on a map.
On the shore, a shirtless man was waiting, carrying a massive box covered with a black cloth.
When the Black Glory docked, Mio leapt ashore lightly and landed in front of the man.
The man bowed slightly. "Sir Mio."
"Who are you?" Mio asked, tilting his head slightly, his tone indifferent.
"I am Hall," the man replied firmly. "The most loyal servant of Dr. Vegapunk. He asked me to deliver this box to you, along with this letter."
Mio's eyes flashed coldly as he accepted the letter and opened it. After reading it, his expression softened.
He then took out a tiny vial containing a single drop of blood—blue blood. Lilith's.
"Take this back to Vegapunk. I expect him to develop something interesting."
Hall accepted the bottle carefully and placed it into his coat, bowing deeply. "Understood. Hall will now take his leave."
He turned and headed back toward the shore, where a small boat awaited him.
The letter had mentioned Hall—a slave once owned by the Celestial Dragons, later freed by Vegapunk and given a new life.
He was also a Devil Fruit user—wielder of the Clone-Clone Fruit.
His clones were indistinguishable from the original.
This Hall was just one of those clones.
The letter also mentioned what lay under the black cloth.
Vegapunk had extracted the best genetic material from Erica and cultivated a new creature.
The result was a masterpiece of genetic engineering…