one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 230: Clash of Kings – Mio vs. Whitebeard

"I lost..."

Vista looked a little dejected. He had anticipated defeat, but not so swiftly—and not at the hands of a female swordsman. However, he quickly composed himself and raised his head to look at Erica, asking in a low, heavy voice, "Why did you use that sword just now?"

That oppressive feeling...

Even now, the memory of it made his skin crawl.

If this had been a life-or-death duel, he would already be dead.

Unfortunately, Erica didn't answer. She simply sheathed her weapon and returned to Mio's side. Her eyes sparkled with pride as she looked up at him, as if to say, Did I do well, my lord?

Mio gently rubbed her head and smiled. "Not bad."

Erica couldn't help but grin and then sat down quietly beside him.

"So strong..." Marco muttered, sighing helplessly. The Black Crow Pirates truly lived up to their monstrous reputation.

He had sensed strength from her aura, but witnessing it directly was a different story. The impact wasn't just visual—it struck deep into the spirit.

He had thought Vista might lose, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly. The difference in power was simply overwhelming.

"Very strong," Whitebeard finally spoke, nodding with approval. He had witnessed Erica's slash once before, so he wasn't completely surprised. Still, the speed of Vista's defeat astonished even him.

Whitebeard turned his gaze toward Mio and spoke slowly. "Boy, do you want to have a fight with me?"

His words silenced the area.

Marco and the others looked at their father with wide eyes. None of them had expected him to say that—but as the realization sank in, excitement bloomed on their faces.

They had unwavering faith in Whitebeard's strength. It was unthinkable that anyone could defeat their father. Even though Vista had lost, they believed Whitebeard would surely turn the tables.

Mio chuckled softly and shook his head—not in refusal, but simply before saying, "Okay. But I want to ask you something first."

"Go ahead," Whitebeard replied without hesitation. Though he was eager to test Mio's strength—rumored to be the strongest of the new era—he was also curious about the question.

Among all the pirates who had set sail after Roger's death, Mio was undeniably the strongest. He could rightfully be called the first man of the new era.

Whitebeard and others like Hawkeye belonged to the previous era—they had been sailing long before Roger's end.

Mio raised one finger and asked in a serious tone, "Where is the Golden Lion?"

"Him?" Whitebeard's expression darkened slightly. "You're looking for him?"

"Yes. There's something important I need him for. And I believe you're one of the few people who know where he is," Mio replied.

Whitebeard sighed as he slowly stood up. His crescent-shaped mustache trembled slightly as he exhaled, and a tremendous aura burst from him, sweeping across the area like a storm.

"I do know where that guy is," he said, voice rumbling like thunder. "But if you want to know, you'll have to earn it. Defeat me, and I'll tell you."

The weight of his presence was suffocating.

Some of the weaker pirates under Whitebeard's command immediately collapsed under the pressure.

Mio also stood up. Though he wasn't as tall as the towering Whitebeard, the aura erupting from him was equally fierce.

Their Conqueror's Haki clashed.

Dozens of pirates from both sides fainted instantly.

The sky above them twisted. Clouds were torn apart as the air rumbled with pressure.

"Conqueror's Haki... the mark of a king," Marco murmured, arms crossed, his tone mixed with admiration and worry.

"It's just Conqueror's Haki. Lots of people in the New World have it," Joz said nonchalantly.

Marco gave him an annoyed look. "Yeah, but can any of them compare to him? Mio is already a 'king' in strength. Having Conqueror's Haki just shows how terrifying his potential really is."

Indeed, many in the New World had Conqueror's Haki.

But most never fully developed it.

Mio, however, was already at the pinnacle—and still had room to grow.

As Whitebeard and Mio stared each other down, the crowd around them instinctively stepped back, creating a vast open space.

Araki's tone was electric with excitement. "I didn't expect to see Lord Black Crow fight Whitebeard today. He's the strongest in the New World... Can Lord Black Crow actually defeat him?"

"I believe in Lord Black Crow," Katsumata Takeru said firmly, eyes full of fire.

"Boy, show me your strength," Whitebeard growled, no longer wasting words.

He stepped forward and punched. The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit erupted instantly, coating his fist in devastating force. The air cracked, splintering visibly around his blow.

Cracks spider-webbed through the atmosphere.

"I hope you won't disappoint me, old man," Mio said with a smirk.

Unshaken, he wrapped his fist in black Armament Haki and demonic energy. Then he threw his own punch.

Boom!!

Their fists collided.

The earth beneath them split and shattered.

The sky above cleared as the pressure blasted the clouds away.

It was a catastrophic shockwave that tore through the heavens.

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. Mio's punch had been powerful—so much so, it reminded him of Kaido. But then he laughed. "Gurarara! Good strength, boy. But you'll need more than that to defeat me."

Kaido?

He was once a defeated foe of Whitebeard.

Boom!!

Whitebeard struck again, his fist crashing through the air with terrifying force. The vibrations it released were so intense Mio could hear the spatial tearing approach him like thunder.

"It's powerful," Mio acknowledged, "but what's the point of an attack if it doesn't hit?"

In the blink of an eye, Mio vanished from Whitebeard's line of sight and reappeared behind him, effortlessly evading the punch.

His right fist, wrapped in both Armament Haki and swirling demonic flames, ignited with roaring heat and smashed forward.

Whitebeard reacted immediately.

He turned and punched without hesitation.

Boom!!

Their fists met again.

But this time, Whitebeard had responded a fraction too late. The collision sent a shockwave through the air—and forced Whitebeard to take two heavy steps backward.

Gasps of disbelief echoed all around.

Even the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't hide their shock.

Their legendary captain—pushed back?

The battlefield fell silent in awe.

And the true battle had only just begun.

———————

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