"It's over."
Mio spoke coldly, muscles tensing. In one swift motion, he stretched out his hand and caught the massive axe mid-swing—right before Silver Axe's disbelieving eyes.
The blow, meant to cleave him in half, was stopped barehanded.
Silver Axe's expression contorted in disbelief.
"How… how could someone stop this… even Whitebeard couldn't—"
BOOM.
The force of the blocked strike cratered the ground beneath Mio's feet.
But Mio's eyes were cold.
His free hand surged with scarlet demonic power, condensing into a sharp long blade.
Pfft!
It pierced through Silver Axe's chest with ease.
Blood gushed violently.
Bang!
With a powerful kick, Mio launched Silver Axe into the air. He then caught the silver axe from his opponent's hand and casually hurled it into the ground nearby. The massive blade embedded deep into the earth.
Flicker.
Mio vanished and reappeared in front of Silver Axe as the pirate tried to rise.
Without pause, Mio swung his blade.
Slash!
A gaping wound tore open across Silver Axe's chest. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and the exposed bone and flesh were clearly visible.
"Argh!!"
Silver Axe roared in agony, eyes bloodshot, and swung one last desperate claw toward Mio's head, blood still trickling from his mouth.
But Mio blinked out of range, reappearing on the opposite side.
Cold eyes locked onto Silver Axe.
With no hesitation, he lunged.
Pfft.
Another clean stab.
Blood splattered.
Silver Axe's hand stiffened midair—then slowly dropped to his side.
A splash of blood stained Mio's cheek. He calmly wiped it with his fingers.
At his feet lay Silver Axe.
Eyes wide open.
Lifeless.
A massive, bloody puncture wound had pierced through his neck—fatal and final.
"Since you left me with a useful piece of information, I'll give you a proper burial… at sea."
Mio muttered.
He crouched beside Silver Axe's body, placing a hand on the corpse.
Whoosh.
Silver Axe's body vanished and reappeared over the sea, sinking gently into the deep blue waters.
At the same time, a glowing panel appeared before Mio.
> [Congratulations! You have successfully collected the 'Pirate (Bison)' gene.]
Mio closed the panel.
Then, with a sweep of his Observation Haki across the Sabaody Archipelago, he noticed hidden Marine agents nearby.
He sneered, then vanished again.
He reappeared instantly on the deck of the Black Glory.
"Bai Feng, keep looking for the coating craftsman," Mio ordered.
Bai Feng bowed respectfully. "Yes, sir. I'll go at once."
She leapt from the ship to continue the task.
"Sir," said Erica as she exited the cabin, holding out a bottle of wine. "Here."
Mio took it, guzzled a large sip, wiped his mouth, and asked, "Interested in heading down for a stroll? The battle probably attracted the Navy, but they won't make a move. We've got time. Once the ship is coated, we'll return to the New World."
Hancock and her sisters shook their heads—they weren't interested.
Robin adjusted her glasses and smiled. "Captain, are you planning to visit Xia Qi and the others? If so, I'll come along."
"Yeah. No reason to stay cooped up. The coating takes time anyway," Mio replied with a soft smile.
Looking up at the sky, Mio noticed seagulls circling—no doubt carrying news to press outlets.
The fight on Sabaody would be all over the papers soon.
He didn't care.
As long as the Black Crow Sea remained undisturbed, it didn't matter.
They'd soon return to the New World, heading for Infinite Land. Whether it took two weeks or a month, Mio wouldn't be back for some time. So, it was best that his territory remained peaceful.
Shaking his head, he didn't waste more time.
After confirming that Hancock, her sisters, and Xiaowu would stay aboard, Mio headed for Xia Qi's bar with Robin and the others.
Meanwhile – Navy Headquarters
Sengoku listened quietly to a Den Den Mushi report.
"I see. Keep tracking Black Crow. If he heads for Fishman Island, report immediately."
He hung up and furrowed his brow.
"Silver Axe… is really dead?"
Murmuring to himself, Sengoku felt the weight of growing pressure.
Black Crow had reached another level.
And he was no ally.
A pirate of Mio's caliber could destroy nations.
The Navy couldn't afford to ignore this.
"Aokiji and the others must grow faster," Sengoku muttered.
"And Wang Zhi…"
He sighed and went back to his paperwork.
At least the New World was starting to calm down.
That gave the Navy some room to breathe—for now.
Sabaody Archipelago – Xia Qi's Tavern
With Mio's speed and teleportation, it didn't take long to reach the tavern.
Pushing open the wooden door, he stepped inside.
Only Rayleigh and Xia Qi were present.
Rayleigh turned around, drink in hand, and smirked. "If I'm not mistaken, you've come to ask me something, haven't you?"
"Yeah." Mio nodded, sitting at the bar and asking Xia Qi for a glass of whiskey. He turned to Rayleigh and asked, "Do you know anything about Rocks?"
"A little," Rayleigh replied, sipping his drink.
"Roger and I—along with Garp—took down the Rocks Pirates, but Roger knew far more than I did."
He paused.
"Rocks wasn't killed back then. After his defeat, he was taken away by the World Government."
Mio's eyes narrowed. "So… if he's alive, he's likely imprisoned in Marijoa?"
"Maybe," Rayleigh said. "Only the Government knows for sure."
"But one thing Roger told me—Rocks was the first to uncover the true secrets of the world… even before him."
"He also knew the secrets of the Devil Fruits."