On the vast open sea.
Screams echoed violently across the waters.
When the screams finally ceased, Asuka calmly returned to Mio's side.
Even now, a trace of madness still lingered in her eyes, refusing to dissipate entirely.
"How was it?" Mio asked curiously.
Asuka paused to think for a mont before responding, "I absorbed so combat experience. My overall stats improved a bit—not by much, but it's sothing."
"Not bad. Take your ti with it," Mio replied with a faint smile. After all, there was still plenty of ti. Many of Mio's plans, including those aid at overthrowing the World Governnt, were not ant to be rushed. The most appropriate ti to fully execute them wouldn't be now—or even in a few years—but precisely when the plot of the world truly begins to unfold.
As for why that was...
The corners of Mio's mouth curled upward, and a sharp glint flickered through his eyes.
The ship continued to glide smoothly across the waves.
Mio shook his head to clear his mind of heavy thoughts.
Sitting cross-legged at the bow of the ship, a bottle of whiskey in hand, he trained silently while drinking.
He focused on a specific ability—Replacent.
Though Mio possessed many powers, he was far from mastering all of them. Replacent was one such ability he was still honing. Still, he wasn't in a rush. The accumulation of these abilities already made him formidable. He had ti to master each one at his own pace.
As Mio practiced his ability, the others on the ship didn't waste ti either.
Even Robin had put down her book and was now discussing techniques with Lilith.
Asuka, too, was diligently following the training thods for Armant and Observation Haki.
At that mont—
Mio focused his attention on his left hand.
He opened his palm and flipped it slowly.
A faint circle of light appeared in his hand, then spread outwards, eventually enveloping the entire ship.
Then, Mio closed his eyes.
He wasn't using the Replacent ability to swap places this ti—instead, he was locking onto replaceable objects within the range of his Observation Haki. He even zood in on minuscule targets to train the precision of his ability.
Like dust.
Sothing as small as a speck of dust—normally invisible even with Observation Haki.
But the Replacent Fruit could sense it.
He could ntally construct its shape and enlarge it within his mind.
Of course, this wasn't sothing that could be mastered overnight. It required long-term and constant practice until he reached the point where he could replace any particle within range as easily as breathing.
This had been part of Mio's quiet daily routine for so ti now.
He didn't talk about it because progress was often subtle and slow.
"Huff..."
After half a day of ditation and intense focus, Mio exhaled and opened his eyes.
This type of training was energy-consuming, but it was rewarding. At the very least, he was getting better at sensing and replacing dust-sized objects.
Encouraged by this, he had expanded his practice.
Now, within the range of his Observation Haki, Mio could replace anything non-living—except for living creatures.
Replacing living beings was far more complex.
Living things possessed uniqueness—spiritual, biological, and physical traits that couldn't be mimicked or swapped easily.
Objects were different.
It was theoretically possible to replace living beings, just not with his current level of mastery.
Still, Mio believed he was getting closer—perhaps even close to awakening the true potential of the Replacent Fruit.
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
Then he shook his head and stopped overthinking.
But just then—
Mio's eyes narrowed sharply, and he turned his gaze toward the horizon.
A flash of surprise passed through his pupils.
Without hesitation, his Observation Haki erupted in all directions, blanketing the entire area.
A pirate ship appeared in the distance, and in Mio's mind, its details zood in and clarified.
Finally, his eyes locked onto the pirate flag.
It bore the image of a skull surrounded by nine snakes forming a circle.
—The Kuja Pirates.
The Kuja Pirates were not created by Boa Hancock; rather, they were part of the legacy of Amazon Lily. The ship, resources, and combat strength of Amazon Lily had long been supported by the Kuja Pirates.
Each reigning queen of Amazon Lily also served as the captain of the Kuja Pirates.
Mio hadn't expected to encounter them.
After all, the Kuja Pirates rarely left the Calm Belt. Only during tis of severe shortage did they venture out.
At the sa ti, aboard the Kuja ship—
Three little girls were running excitedly across the deck, giggling and exploring every corner with bright, curious eyes.
"Sister, stop running or Granny Zha is going to get mad," Marigold called out.
As the second eldest, Sandersonia responded calmly, "I don't care what Granny Zha thinks."
"We're just looking around the deck. Why's that old woman so uptight anyway?" said Boa Hancock, the eldest of the three.
This was their first ti at sea. Perhaps due to Mio's actions altering the world's course, the three sisters now had an open opportunity to explore the world outside without having to sneak away from Amazon Lily.
The trio lay across a wooden plank at the edge of the deck, eyes wide with wonder at the endless blue horizon.
Everything about the outside world intrigued them.
But suddenly—
"Sister, look! There's a ship over there!" Sandersonia pointed excitedly.
"Whoa, is that a pirate ship?" Hancock asked in surprise. Then, without hesitation, she called out, "Hey, old woman! There's a ship over there!"
Granny Zha, unbothered by Hancock's rude tone, raised a telescope and looked in the direction Hancock had pointed.
Despite her age, Granny Zha was once the queen of Amazon Lily. Like all warriors from that island, she remained strong and vigilant. Though the previous queen had passed away, the Kuja Pirates could not stop their tradition of raiding, and so Granny Zha had taken the helm once more.
But when her eyes focused on the ship in the telescope, her expression imdiately shifted.
Without delay, she shouted, "Stop the ship imdiately! No forward movent, no retreat. Everyone—freeze!"
Her serious tone stunned everyone aboard. They had never seen Granny Zha react this way.
"Granny Zha, what's wrong?" one of the crew mbers asked nervously.
With a heavy expression, Granny Zha continued to stare at the distant ship. "An extrely important person has appeared before us. Do nothing. Do not provoke him. One wrong move, and it could spell disaster for Amazon Lily itself."
——————
Pump up the power stone
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