Santo Island—this was the island featured in the original "Operation Frenzy." It not only concealed a treasure left behind by Gol D. Roger, but also held a permanent Log Pose pointing directly to Raftel. Mio wasn't going to miss it.
(P.S.: I really can't find the original na of this island. If you know it, please let know.)
Three days passed.
During this short period, Mio took the ti to rest. No training, no planning—just drinking and relaxing every day. Life had been quite comfortable.
But today, Mio decided it was ti to stop slacking off. So serious matters needed his attention.
Inside the castle on Crow Island...
"Lord Black Crow, sothing big happened today."
Katsumata Takeru hurriedly entered the castle, clutching a newspaper in his hand. He quickly passed it to Mio.
Mio glanced at the headline and raised his eyebrows. After a mont, he smiled.
"Interesting. Red-Hair actually went to confront Kaido."
The newspaper detailed a fierce battle that had taken place between Red-Haired Shanks and Kaido near Wano Country. According to the report, the clash had been intense, even resulting in the destruction of an island. However, the end result was surprising—it concluded peacefully.
A draw.
Neither side claid victory, and neither was defeated.
The report shook the world. For many pirates, this ant that Red-Hair's strength had likely reached the sa level as Kaido's. It served as a warning to the New World and brought further recognition to Shanks' formidable power.
"Very interesting indeed. Do we know what Kaido's next move is?" Mio asked, lowering the paper and turning to Katsumata Takeru.
"Nothing confird, but... it's said Kaido is headed in our direction. Could he be—" Katsumata Takeru's brows furrowed with concern.
Hearing this, Mio leaned his chin on one hand and chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Kaido alone doesn't pose a threat to . If he cos, he'll only leave in disgrace."
And perhaps, Kaido might not even reach Crow Island.
After all...
Talos was likely already tracking him down. Another clash was inevitable, and Mio was quite looking forward to seeing the results.
"Send word. I want soone to track Kaido's position," Mio ordered after a pause. "Even if Talos isn't enough, I can always offer backup."
"Yes!" Katsumata Takeru responded imdiately, trusting his captain's judgnt without hesitation. Whatever Mio had in mind, it was enough for him to simply follow orders.
He turned and left swiftly.
More than ten minutes passed.
Katsumata Takeru returned to the hall.
"Lord Black Crow, we have a visitor," he said, bowing his head respectfully.
Mio raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Mr. Doflamingo."
"Oh?" Mio's interest was piqued. "Let him in."
This was unexpected. Doflamingo had just left not long ago. What had brought him back so soon? Sothing important, perhaps?
As Mio pondered this, Doflamingo strode into the hall, flanked by several of his n and led by Katsumata Takeru. Behind them, a cart was being pushed—its contents hidden beneath a black cloth.
Mio imdiately stood and grinned.
"Looks like you've brought a gift."
"Hehehe... you could say that. I stumbled across sothing interesting," Doflamingo replied, nodding with a sly smile.
He had discovered this "gift" purely by chance. After his last eting with Mio, he'd taken a short break on an island in the New World. That's when he heard an ear-splitting roar echo across the land—an unmistakable sign of sothing unusual.
Curious, he investigated.
What he found shocked even him.
Catching the beast wasn't easy. It took considerable effort—even for soone like Doflamingo.
Now, standing inside the Black Crow Pirates' main hall, Doflamingo couldn't help but be surprised by what he saw.
The throne stood tall on a raised platform, where Mio sat with the dignity and presence of a king. An aura of authority surrounded him.
Lining the steps on both sides were the core combat mbers of the Black Crow Pirates.
Baifeng.
Hei Yan.
Warwick.
Each of them stood—or lounged—with a quiet intensity. So sat on the steps, others leaned against the walls, arms folded. But all of them radiated strength.
Doflamingo could tell. These weren't ordinary pirates.
And it wasn't just them. On his way in, he had seen other pirate captains. The numbers and strength of Mio's forces had clearly increased.
"This guy has really taken root in the New World..." Doflamingo mused silently, his smile widening. "Once the imitation of Pluton is complete, he might beco the most powerful force in the New World."
He felt fortunate to have made friends with Mio early on.
When the Donquixote Family expanded deeper into the New World, especially in Dressrosa, the backing of the Black Crow Pirates would be invaluable. With Mio's support, his own influence in the underground world would grow imnsely.
Just as Doflamingo's thoughts ran wild, Mio's voice interrupted him.
"Co on, show already. What kind of surprise are you hiding under that cloth?"
He could sense a powerful aura from whatever was inside. While it wasn't overwhelming, it definitely had potential. With so training—and gene extraction—Mio was confident he could turn the creature into a powerhouse.
"Hehehehe, I think you'll like it."
Doflamingo grinned and snapped his fingers.
His n pulled away the black cloth.
Beneath it was a massive iron cage—and from within ca a burst of ferocious growls and the sound of claws scraping tal.
With a wide smirk, Doflamingo introduced the captive.
"This beast cos from an island in the New World. It's eaten a Devil Fruit—specifically, the Zoan-type, Ancient Animal Model: Short-Faced Bear."
He turned toward Mio and continued.
"I figured it'd be right up your alley."
Mio's eyes glead with excitent.
Indeed, it was a perfect gift.
A rare ancient Zoan user. Strong. Fierce. And with the right genes, it could beco even more terrifying.
Another monster to add to his collection.
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