In the next few days, Mio began to rest on Crow Island.
At the sa ti, the territory of the Black Crow Pirates was officially established.
First of all, a total of 21 islands with towns surrounding the Crow Sea were incorporated into the Black Crow's domain, with the Black Crow flag raised over each. Every island was required to pay tribute to the Black Crow Pirates.
Of course, this tribute didn't demand lives—only wealth.
Additionally, on the route toward the Black Crow Sea, three more islands with towns, along with Fishman Island and Amazon Lily in the first half of the Grand Line, were also brought under the control of the Black Crow Pirates.
These territories made up the current holdings of the Black Crow.
In truth, Mio could have claid more. However, there was no need for overreach at the mont. With limited personnel available to monitor and patrol constantly, maintaining the current territories was a more efficient strategy. Even so, these islands would already generate massive profits annually.
This was also why powerful pirates seldom bothered with looting other pirates or rchant ships. In many cases, the monthly tribute from a single town far exceeded the spoils of robbing a ship.
Moreover, every day, nurous pirate crews arrived on Crow Island, hoping to pledge allegiance to the Black Crow.
But all of them were rejected.
Then, one day—
A king arrived on Crow Island.
Yes, an actual king.
Inside the castle, the king stood on the steps, wiping the sweat from his brow as he nervously faced Mio and said sincerely, "Lord Black Crow, I am willing to pay you one billion Baileys annually in exchange for your protection."
He hesitated for a mont before adding, "My daughter has just turned 18 this year. I believe it would be her honor to serve you. What do you think?"
He was the ruler of a small nation in the New World. The island his country occupied was close to Black Crow territory.
This was precisely why he had co. His country wasn't affiliated with the World Governnt, and thus it received no protection from them or the Marines. Fearing future attacks or destruction at the hands of the Black Crow Pirates, he chose to secure his country's safety through tribute—even if it ant offering his daughter.
The princess in question stood behind him, nervously clutching the hem of her dress, not daring to lift her eyes to et Mio's.
For a small nation, an annual paynt of one billion Baileys was already the limit.
Mio looked at them indifferently and yawned. "Take your daughter and leave. As long as you pay the tribute every year, the Black Crow will protect your country. If you happen to possess a Devil Fruit, it'd be better to offer that instead."
To Mio, a small country was hardly worth his attention.
Still, having a kingdom under his protection added a small sense of satisfaction—though nothing more.
"Yes, yes, thank you for your protection!" The king bowed repeatedly in gratitude. "I will return imdiately and raise your flag over the royal palace."
Then he quickly departed with his daughter.
As soon as they were gone, Lilith approached Mio, her curvaceous figure swaying gracefully as she smiled teasingly. "Sir, wasn't that princess a real beauty? Lovely curves, noble blood... Doesn't conquering a princess feel satisfying?"
"Really?" Mio rolled his eyes. "To , the sense of accomplishnt from recruiting a future admiral is far greater than taking so sheltered princess. What use is a woman like that? Just a vase."
"Lilith is not a vase." Lilith winked.
"Of course you're not. You're my right-hand." Mio smiled.
"I'm honored to hear that from you, sir." Lilith narrowed her eyes in delight, then shifted the subject. "There's news from the World Governnt."
"Oh? Have they confird the transaction date?" Mio asked, intrigued.
"They have. It's today—and their ship will arrive soon. Our people have already spotted them." Lilith's tone turned mocking. "They're bold—coming here on a Marine warship."
"A warship?" Mio's eyes glinted. After a mont of thought, he understood. "Heh, I see. The World Governnt is trying to make a statent, huh?"
He sneered. "Trying to stir the pot by letting the New World see their ship sail into my territory. But of course, no one will know what the eting's about."
Still, such a spectacle would inevitably spark rumors.
And if the World Governnt added fuel to the fire, many pirates would begin to suspect Black Crow of colluding with the World Governnt. They'd see Mio as a dog of the governnt. Even if he explained later, no one would believe him.
It was a classic ploy—disgusting and insidious.
But Mio wasn't worried. A tactic like this was easy enough to counter.
"Notify the mont they enter Black Crow waters," Mio instructed.
"Yes, sir." Lilith nodded and left.
Mio then summoned his system interface with a thought.
He currently had many gene samples in his possession. Among them, the Float-Float Gene, Devil Gene, and Explosion Gene were particularly valuable. Most importantly, he had nurous Devil Fruits ready for fusion.
Besides those he planned to keep, five Devil Fruits—taken from Big Mom—were suitable for gene extraction.
If the upcoming trade with the World Governnt succeeded, he'd gain five more, making it ten total.
As for whether there would be any valuable abilities among them?
Mio doubted it. After all, both Big Mom and the World Governnt surely had access to a Devil Fruit encyclopedia. They wouldn't hand over anything rare or dangerous. What they gave up would be common and weak—ideal for gene draws.
Looking at the extraction panel, Mio ntally activated five draws.
Various genes flashed across the spinning roulette.
But one gene, in particular, caught Mio's attention.
Kaguya Otsutsuki Gene.
Mio blinked in surprise.
This gene was absurdly powerful. It ca from the Naruto universe, and almost every high-tier bloodline ability in that world originated from Kaguya.
Whether it was the Rinnegan, Sharingan, or the Tenseigan—
Drawing this gene ant unlocking nearly every ocular power of the Naruto world.
"Five chances," Mio muttered, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's hope I get lucky."
As the roulette began to spin, his heart beat with rising excitent.
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