one piece: gene extraction and fusion system

"Boss, you're not lying to us, are you?" A chef asked in shock, his mouth hanging wide open.

This was Baratie. Although it was a restaurant, Zeff and his chefs weren't weak. Each one of them was a skilled fighter—strong enough that even some Navy officers wouldn't dare challenge them.

"Ignorant fool! Do you even understand who that man is?" Zeff snapped, slapping the chef on the head. His voice turned grim. "That is one of the Five Emperors of the Sea—a pirate emperor. He's someone even the Navy wouldn't dare attack casually."

"What? That's impossible! A pirate emperor? No matter how strong he is, he can't be stronger than the Navy, right?" The chef protested, his face pale with disbelief.

"Hmph. What do you know?" Zeff snorted coldly. "When you one day step foot in the New World, you'll understand the terror of an Emperor."

"The emperor of pirates? The New World? What's that?"

The voice came from Luffy, who had wandered out of the kitchen at some point. He scratched his head with a confused look.

Zeff took a deep drag of his cigarette, looking at the curious faces around him. He decided to explain, hoping to prevent any of them from doing something foolish and angering the man outside.

"The New World is the second half of the Grand Line. I've never been there, but to get there, you need to pass through the legendary Fish-Man Island, deep beneath the sea. It's said to be a place full of mermaids like the ones in fairy tales.

But listen well… The New World isn't like the Grand Line. It's far more dangerous. What we consider the terrifying Grand Line? For pirates there, it's nothing more than a warm-up—a paradise for beginners.

And those who stand at the very top of the New World are the pirate emperors. They control vast territories, command legions of powerful followers, and are so strong that even the Navy fears them."

Zeff's eyes shifted toward Mio as his voice deepened.

"That man standing there… He's one of the Five Emperors of the New World. The Black Crow, with a bounty of 5.3 billion berries!"

"Gulp…"

"F-Five point three billion?!"

Shock rippled through the Baratie's deck.

Even more terrifying than his title was that bounty.

To them, Don Krieg was the pinnacle of East Blue's pirate strength with a bounty of 17 million. How could they even fathom someone worth over 5 billion?

Usopp trembled and clutched Luffy's arm. "Let's get out of here now! If that guy notices us, we're as good as dead!"

Zeff's words had shaken everyone. The guests and staff alike turned their eyes toward Mio, their expressions filled with raw fear.

Yet Luffy seemed unfazed. He scratched his head, then nodded as if agreeing with Usopp.

But just as he was about to leave, Zeff's voice rang out again.

"The pirate emperors… they're the ones closest to becoming the Pirate King."

"Pirate King?"

The words made Luffy freeze mid-step.

"That's right," Zeff said. "It's said the treasure of Pirate King Gol D. Roger lies hidden on the island of Raftel. Only those with the strength and courage of the pirate emperors stand a chance of reaching it.

If anyone will find Raftel and become the next Pirate King, it'll likely be one of them."

Luffy reached up and pressed his straw hat down tightly as the wind blew across the deck. Then, without hesitation, he began walking toward Mio.

Finally, he stopped right in front of the Emperor.

A faint smile played across Mio's lips as he regarded the young man. "Little guy, is there something you want?"

"I am Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy said solemnly. "I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King. If you're aiming for that title too, then I'll definitely defeat you!"

"Luffy, what are you doing?!"

"H-He…"

Behind him, Nami and Usopp were sweating profusely, their faces pale with terror.

"Interesting…"

A cold gleam flickered in Mio's golden eyes as he replied calmly, "Defeat me? Are you sure about that?"

"Yes!" Luffy declared, his voice unwavering. "I'll be Pirate King. No matter who stands in my way, I'll defeat them all!"

At that, Mio laughed softly. "Interesting… Hahaha! Truly fascinating."

He hadn't expected the boy to stand up to him even after learning his identity. In the world of pirates, such behavior was tantamount to suicide.

Not everyone would overlook such provocation like Whitebeard had in the past.

But Mio wasn't Whitebeard.

"I can't pretend I didn't hear that," Mio said coldly. "Though I'm curious… where do you get such courage?"

As the words fell, a shadow flashed forward.

Boom!

A figure appeared before Luffy and lashed out with a kick wrapped in Armament Haki.

Luffy's eyes widened as the blow struck his chest, sending him flying across the deck. He crashed hard, grimacing in pain.

"Provoking the Lord is asking for death!" Warwick growled, his aura exploding outward and suffocating the onlookers.

"Luffy!"

Zoro's cry rang out. He was still clashing with Hawkeye, but his focus wavered at the sight.

"Your willpower is admirable, but you're too distracted."

Hawkeye's voice was calm as he swung his blade. A blinding slash erupted toward Zoro.

Eyes wide, Zoro crossed his swords to block.

But in an instant, both his swords—save for Wado Ichimonji—snapped under the pressure.

Blood spurted as a deep wound carved across his chest, and Zoro fell to the ground.

Hawkeye sheathed his blade and looked toward Mio. "Are you going to kill him?"

"I'm not interested." Mio shook his head, glancing at Luffy as he struggled to rise after Warwick's strike. "If he manages to reach the New World one day, I wouldn't mind testing him. But for now…"

Mio shrugged. "It seems he's just another fool biting off more than he can chew."

In truth, Mio didn't see Luffy as a threat—at least not yet.

But his recklessness? That was dangerous.

In the pirate world, provoking an emperor often led to death—not just for the individual, but for their crew, family, and even entire islands.

To Mio, Luffy's naïve bravery was closer to foolishness than heroism.

Had Luffy's life not held some usefulness, Mio would have ended it then and there.

Hawkeye remained silent, staring at Luffy for a long while.

"The dream of becoming Pirate King is bold… but in these seas, blind confidence can be fatal," Hawkeye murmured.

"Isn't that the truth?" Mio said lightly, his golden eyes narrowing. "Want a drink?"

"Sure." Hawkeye gave a small nod and followed Mio toward Baratie.

Lilith stepped forward, her ethereal blue hair swaying as she approached Zeff.

"Can you prepare drinks and food for us? Don't worry, even though we're pirates, we'll pay."

"Y-Yes! Right away!" Zeff snapped out of his daze and nodded hurriedly. "We'll prepare our finest dishes."

"Thank you." Lilith smiled faintly, her presence causing even the bravest chefs to tremble.

Meanwhile, the colossal Black Glory docked nearby.

One by one, the Black Crow Pirates descended.

"Pathetic," Asuka muttered, glancing at Luffy as he struggled on the ground. "Where does a weakling like that find the nerve to provoke us?"

He shook his head in disdain and strode toward the restaurant without another glance.

Each member of the Black Crow Pirates radiated an oppressive aura. Ordinary people recoiled in fear, backing away instinctively.

At the edge of the deck, Sanji stood in a corner, cigarette in hand. His brow furrowed as he stared at Mio.

Normally, he would've approached a woman like Lilith with gentlemanly flair, but not this time.

He knew all too well how terrifying this pirate crew was.

This was the group even his father had worked for.

Sanji clenched his jaw.

"I don't want anything to do with that place ever again… but unless I settle the score with that bastard, I'll never find peace."

Finally, after a long pause, Sanji sighed.

"Forget it. I'll just pretend Germa and I were never connected…"

But then he took a step forward, determination flashing in his eyes as he walked slowly toward Mio.