On the sea covered by dark clouds.
The ship rose and fell with the waves.
Hei Yan was drenched in the heavy rain, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand, eyes fixed on the navy warships in the distance. He said in a deep voice, "My lord, I've arrived near Zou. But… the Navy is definitely here."
"Expected," Mio's voice calmly replied through the Den Den Mushi. "No matter what, the Navy is a core arm of the World Government. Their intelligence network overlaps. There's little on the sea they don't know—especially something as loud as Taros making his move."
"But it doesn't matter if they come. Just monitor them. Prevent interference in Taros' conquest of Zou."
"Even if those three Admirals come."
"Yes, I understand." Hei Yan nodded respectfully before hanging up.
Then, he tucked the Den Den Mushi away and turned to his side. "If those three guys really show up, it'll be up to you."
"Hisss…"
Beside Hei Yan stood three small figures—Xiao Qi, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Wu. Though their appearances were deceiving, their auras told the truth: beasts of monstrous potential.
Hei Yan, though strong—approaching the level of an Admiral—was not enough to face one. But these three? They just might be.
The three siblings nodded silently.
Even though Mio was no longer in the Blue Sea, he knew most of what happened there. His agents, his reach—they spanned every corner.
With Hei Ya as one of the Emperors of the New World, and Taros as his subordinate, there was no excuse for ignorance.
The Golden Ark continued toward the Blue Sea.
On its deck, Mio sat cross-legged, setting down the Den Den Mushi and sighing, eyes sharp with contemplation.
"We still have to wait…"
"But once Taros finishes things with Zou, we lie dormant. And after this dormancy… it'll be time for the decisive war."
As he muttered, a cold light glinted in his eyes.
The World Government.
The Celestial Dragons.
They must fall.
And only he, Mio, could pull them from their godlike pedestal—and take their place.
Still…
Mio's gaze turned contemplative once more. Then he shook his head and muttered, "Wano Country… that needs dealing with. Kaido might be of some use…"
"Sir," came a voice.
Mio looked up to see Asuka approaching.
"Something on your mind?" Mio asked with a slight smile.
"No," Asuka shook his head. "But you looked troubled."
"Yeah…" Mio admitted. "Hard not to be. The World Government is too deep-rooted."
"Still, I believe in your victory. I'll do everything to help you win," Asuka said seriously.
"Hahaha! Of course I believe you." Mio laughed. "But I'm human. I overthink sometimes. Especially with an opponent like them."
Caution was necessary. Even Kurozumi Orochi had once ruled Wano, yet still fell. No matter how strong someone was, the World Government remained an unfathomable force.
Thankfully, Mio wasn't alone. He had Black Crow, and others willing to walk ahead and test the depth of the enemy's roots.
"How long to return to the New World?" Mio asked.
Asuka glanced at Lilith.
"About two days," Lilith estimated. "To return safely to Crow Island, away from prying eyes."
"Good enough." Mio nodded, pulling out a specially encrypted Den Den Mushi and dialing.
Bulu Bulu.
Bulu Bulu.
The line connected.
A hoarse voice answered, "What is it?"
"About Wano. I think it's time we talked," Mio said.
"Okay. Time?" the voice asked, clearly intrigued.
"You decide—though I expect you're busy with the Revolutionary Army's troubles. But let's say two days."
"Understood," the voice of Monkey D. Dragon responded calmly. "We've grown a lot since the early days. We're not as fragile anymore."
"That's true," Mio replied. "Back then, you didn't even qualify to cooperate with me."
"I'll come to Crow Island in two days. We'll talk then."
"Good. I'll be waiting."
Mio hung up.
Before the great slumber of Black Crow Pirates, loose ends needed tying.
And Wano was one of them.
He took up a bottle of wine and drank deeply, wiping the corner of his mouth with a grin, anticipation and mystery shining in his eyes.
Back in the New World, near the gigantic Elephant Lord.
Two Admirals had already arrived.
The sea raged beneath a stormy sky.
Then—
Crack.
Crack.
The sea froze beneath a surge of frost. A bicycle glided across the ice, carrying a tall man with an afro—Aokiji.
"Ah, sounds like a hell of a battle," he muttered.
A golden light flashed in the sky. Kizaru hovered above, glancing down at the pirate ship.
"Taros alone is trouble. Why are the Black Crows here too? Interested in Zou?"
"You Navy dogs are all interested in Zou," Hei Yan answered calmly. "So why can't my lord be?"
"Well, that's fair." Kizaru's observation Haki swept over the ship and his eyes narrowed. "Hei Ya's not here. Asuka isn't either. I wonder what that schemer is plotting…"
"You think you're worth his time?" Hei Yan sneered.
"Tch."
In a flash, Kizaru appeared before Hei Yan and kicked.
"Wouldn't be a problem if it were Hei Ya. But you?"
Boom.
Six black-armored dragon scales emerged behind Hei Yan, forming a shield that blocked Kizaru's strike.
"You might be the one dying here today," Hei Yan said with a sneer.
Huh!
Suddenly, a massive crystal thorn beast burst from the deck—its fangs lunged for Kizaru.
The blow missed, striking only light, and Kizaru appeared high in the sky, watching warily.
He turned his eyes to the three snakes next to Hei Yan.
"This aura…"
Aokiji frowned. "Something's wrong with those creatures…"
Hei Yan spoke.
"Xiao Qi. Xiao Liu. Go."
The two snakes hissed and slithered forward.
At once, Xiao Qi's body swelled, transforming into a 30-meter crystal-covered, multi-headed serpent—Yamata no Orochi.
Each of the eight heads bore an elemental power in its mouth.
Xiao Liu, nearly as large, was cloaked in dark flames and swirling wind. Sea beneath the ice began to surge from his aura alone.
Kizaru and Aokiji both grew tense.
"That's Orochi's power…" Aokiji murmured.
"He died in Wano, didn't he? Black Crow must've taken his Mythical Zoan…"
Kizaru's gaze snapped to Xiao Liu.
"That one must be Saya's. And Poken's too… So what is it?"
"Did you find the Rebirth Fruit… or can you actually steal abilities?"
The idea was terrifying.
Could Black Crow really plunder powers and distribute them?
If so, they were more dangerous than Rocks ever was.
Hei Yan only smirked.
"No need to talk so much. If you interfere in the Zou battle, then you're declaring war on Black Crow."
Aokiji's tone turned cold. "You're actually backing Taros…"
"But I have orders. If Zou falls to pirates, we act."
WHOOOSH.
Cold air surged from Aokiji, clashing with Xiao Qi's freezing breath—creating massive fog clouds that blurred everything.
The next second, wind blew them clear.
Crack!
Boom!
Thorns exploded from the ice, forming python-like constructs that bit toward Aokiji.
"Ice Blade!"
Ice daggers shot forward, slicing the thorn-beasts to pieces.
"Pheasant Beak!"
A massive ice phoenix erupted from Aokiji's fist.
In response, one of Xiao Qi's heads blasted fire, another sent a gale. The firestorm overwhelmed the ice bird.
At the same time—
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Kizaru unleashed a barrage of light bullets at Xiao Liu.
But Xiao Liu merely swiped his tail, forming a wind wall that scattered them.
Then he retaliated with wind blades that whistled through the air, forcing Kizaru to dodge.
The battle on Zou raged.
And now, on the sea nearby, the Black Crows clashed with two Admirals.
The roar of beasts and blasts of elemental fury echoed across the sea.
The war had just begun.