one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 217: The Black Crow’s Sea

"Hahaha, Lord Black Crow, this is a great harvest."

"Although the Jackal Fleet is gone, it left a lot of treasures on the seabed, which were all fished up by the men under your command."

"Hahaha, the preliminary estimate is at least several hundred million Berries."

On Crow Island, Araki and the others excitedly reported to Mio. After approaching the island and landing, they ordered their men to dive to the seabed and retrieve all the treasures from the pirate ships that had become wreckage.

You don't know until you fish it out. But once you do, you'll be shocked—treasures worth hundreds of millions of Berries were discovered.

This amount of treasure was no small gain, no wonder Araki and the others were so thrilled.

"Put it all away," Mio said with a smile, his tone calm yet commanding. "It might come in handy in the future." Then he looked toward the island and gave a new order. "Get ready. This island will be our base camp from now on, so we have to build it up properly. Give the order to start construction."

As a base of operations, the island naturally needed housing, storage, and defensive structures.

"Yes!" Araki nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Lord Black Crow. The men are already prepared and can begin work at any time."

"Good." Mio nodded, then turned to Katsumata Takeru and instructed coldly, "Take your brothers and sweep the nearby seas. Whether they're pirates or navy, drive them out or kill them!"

"From now on, this sea belongs to the Black Crow."

His tone was cold and absolute.

This was the law he would lay down.

In the future, anyone wanting to pass through this sea would have to pay a toll.

If not, they would be hunted by the Black Crow Pirates.

But that was for later. For now, the goal was to clean up the surrounding area, especially targeting any naval presence.

There were always plenty of navy patrols in the New World, drifting between sea zones.

"Hey, don't worry, Lord Black Crow," Katsumata Takeru replied with a sinister grin. "I'll take care of it right away. Soon, this sea will be known only as the Black Crow's domain."

With that, he turned and left without hesitation.

Araki, meanwhile, led the other pirates toward the forested area in the center of the island, where they would begin constructing the main base.

This was the benefit of having manpower. Mio didn't need to lift a finger himself—he simply gave the orders. And honestly, pirates in this world weren't just good at fighting; many of them were skilled laborers before turning to piracy. Building homes and fortresses wasn't beyond them.

With the base underway, Mio pulled Dracule Mihawk aside to share a drink and kill time while the construction took place.

Meanwhile, on the Sea Near Crow Island...

This sea could now temporarily be called the Black Crow Sea.

Katsumata Takeru had taken two pirate ships out to patrol the area. Any pirates they encountered were driven off—or destroyed if they resisted. With Takeru's strength, no low-tier pirate could stand against him.

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In that same sea...

Three navy warships were approaching. On the deck of the lead ship stood a tall figure with a solemn expression, gazing toward Crow Island.

A navy officer quickly approached from behind, saluted sharply, and reported, "Admiral Aokiji, Crow Island is up ahead. According to the latest intel, the Jackal Fleet stationed there attempted to assault the Black Crow Pirates, but they've been wiped out. The Black Crow Pirates now seem to be establishing their base there. Shall we proceed?"

The man was none other than Aokiji, one of the Navy's three Admirals.

Aokiji had been patrolling the New World, monitoring the activity of various powerful pirates. The New World was in a state of unrest, and things could spiral at any time.

The three Admirals had spread out across the region to be ready to respond to major incidents at a moment's notice.

Hearing the report, Aokiji frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he prepared to leave.

The Black Crow Pirates had just secured their territory, and though it was a fragile peace, there would likely be bloodshed soon. It was the only way they could establish their dominance and intimidate other pirates.

Even if Aokiji showed up now, it wouldn't guarantee peace. In fact, it might spark unnecessary conflict.

If Akainu were here, he'd fight regardless. But Aokiji wasn't Akainu. He didn't care much about pride and preferred to avoid trouble where possible.

But just as he turned—

Boom!

The thunderous sound of cannon fire echoed through the sea.

A shell exploded nearby, rocking the warship.

The navy officer next to him quickly raised his telescope and shouted, "Admiral Aokiji! It's the Ripper Pirates! They recently joined the Black Crow Pirates!"

As his words rang out, a shout came from the pirate ship:

"Navy scum! This is Black Crow territory now! Get out of this sea!" Katsumata Takeru's voice roared across the waves. Though he saw Aokiji aboard the warship, he couldn't afford to retreat. To do so would bring disgrace to the Black Crow Pirates.

"Admiral Aokiji..." The navy officer turned to him again, awaiting orders.

Aokiji frowned, now visibly annoyed.

He had planned to leave.

But now, after being provoked, he couldn't just back off.

As one of the Navy's highest authorities, he carried its reputation. If he turned away now, after a pirate fired on him directly, it would be a humiliating stain on the Navy's honor.

The Fleet Admiral Sengoku would have his head.

With a sigh, Aokiji rubbed his temple and gave a reluctant order.

"Chase them. Engage and eliminate."

"Yes, sir!"

The officer quickly left to relay the order.

The three navy warships shifted direction and began pursuing the pirate vessels. Cannon fire erupted again as shell after shell was launched.

"Boss, what do we do?!" a pirate on Takeru's ship yelled in panic.

To be fair, going up against a navy Admiral was terrifying. Everyone aboard knew the kind of monstrous strength an Admiral possessed.

"Idiots! What are you afraid of?!" Katsumata Takeru barked. "We'll fight while retreating. Don't forget—this is our territory now. Lord Black Crow and his elite are on the island. If the navy follows us there, he'll take care of it."

"Y-Yes!" The pirate straightened up, morale returning at the thought of reinforcements.

Although they couldn't defeat an Admiral, Lord Black Crow certainly could.

Revived by that hope, the crew jumped into action.

Takeru leapt lightly into the air, catching a cannonball mid-flight and slicing it cleanly in half before it could strike.

He landed on the bow of his ship and stared straight at Aokiji, grinning.

"Admiral Aokiji," he shouted, his voice taunting. "I know I'm not your match, but this is Black Crow territory now. If you have the guts to chase us, come on! But if not, I suggest you leave now. Otherwise, don't blame us if you get stuck here and can't leave when you want to!"