one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 388: The Dawn of a New Era

Flower City.

This is one of the main areas of Wano Country—the most prosperous region, and where the rulers reside.

In Flower City, the grand attic where Kurozumi Orochi once lived has now been occupied by the Black Crow Pirates. In the spacious hall, Mio sat cross-legged. To his left was Kozuki Hiyori, adorned in a cherry blossom kimono. Behind him stood Asuka and others, while in front of him were representatives from some of Wano Country’s prominent families.

The Amatsuki family.

The Shimotsuki family.

The Fugetsu family.

The Ugetsu family.

The Kurozumi family, once a key faction, had been eradicated and removed entirely from Wano Country’s history. Now, only the four great families stood before Mio.

Facing the Black Crow, the people of these families all wore grim expressions. But when they saw Kozuki Hiyori sitting beside Mio, their faces shifted into ones of surprise and unease. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Mio smiled faintly and spoke. "You all recognize Kozuki Hiyori, don’t you? From this moment forward, she will be the ruler of Wano Country. History will remember her as the first female shogun of Wano."

"Kozuki...? Impossible!"

"Miss Hiyori? Could that really be her?"

"Why is she here... beside the Black Crow?"

Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.

Most of them had assumed that every member of the Kozuki family was either dead or had vanished—like Momonosuke. Yet, here was Hiyori, alive and sitting comfortably next to the pirate who had toppled Kaido.

For many, she seemed familiar. But after Mio’s words, their hazy memories crystallized into recognition.

"Lord Black Crow, are you serious?" asked a representative of the Shimotsuki family cautiously.

They were referring, of course, to Hiyori becoming the ruler of Wano.

Mio’s smile remained calm. "Of course I’m serious."

He waved his hand, and Hei Yan stepped forward, carrying the black blade Shusui, which had been prepared in advance.

"This," Mio said smoothly, "is Shusui, the national treasure of Wano Country. I retrieved it and now return it to its rightful place. However—" Mio’s tone hardened, and his cold gaze swept over the group. "While Hiyori will be the new shogun, the rights to seastone mining remain in the hands of the Black Crow Pirates. Do you understand?"

Under his piercing stare, the families quickly lowered their heads and responded respectfully.

Still, in their hearts, some suspected that Hiyori was no true ruler... but merely a bird in a gilded cage.

Mio didn’t care what they thought.

What mattered was that the common people of Wano accepted this arrangement. Once these family heads spread the news, the residents would be informed of Kozuki Hiyori’s rise to power.

Meanwhile, members of the Black Crow Pirates spread out across Wano’s regions, rooting out loyalists and dissenters. Any who dared whisper about driving out the Black Crow were swiftly silenced.

It took just one day.

The news of Wano’s new ruler—Kozuki Hiyori of the Kozuki clan—spread like wildfire across Kuri, Nozomi, Usagi, Suzuko, Hakumai, and the Flower Capital.

"The new shogun is a Kozuki? Can it be true?"

"Did the Black Crow leave Wano?"

"Shusui has been returned too? Incredible!"

"If it’s a Kozuki, I’ll support her!"

Shock soon gave way to relief among the people. The return of Shusui—Ryuma’s legendary blade—further strengthened the samurai’s resolve to support Hiyori.

Two days later, in the Flower Capital.

Inside the grand attic, Mio lounged in a kimono, watching Kozuki Hiyori awkwardly practice a dance at his request. Though her movements were stiff and unpolished, Mio regarded her with calm amusement.

Then—

"Sir, the people from the World Government are here," Hei Yan’s voice called out.

Mio stopped mid-sip, then rose and adjusted his kimono. "Take me to them."

"Yes, sir."

As Mio left, Hiyori paused her dancing, her gaze following him with a complex mixture of fear and resignation before she sighed and returned to her practice.

In another chamber, two masked CP0 agents sat quietly. When Mio arrived, one of them slid a note across the table.

It contained the quantity of seastone the World Government wished to purchase.

Mio glanced at it and said coldly, "Raise the price by 10%."

"Impossible," one agent responded sharply. "This is already a high offer."

"But you are the World Government... and I am a pirate," Mio replied smoothly. "You want me to sell seastone—something designed to restrain Devil Fruit users. For all I know, you might use it on me someday. Raising the price is perfectly reasonable."

He leaned back. "If you refuse, others will happily take your share. There’s no shortage of buyers."

The CP0 agents exchanged a glance before one of them spoke. "We’ll need to report to our superiors."

"Be my guest," Mio said with a dismissive wave.

After a tense phone call via Den Den Mushi, they returned.

"The higher-ups agree... but all mined seastone must be supplied to the World Government first," the agent said.

"Fine." Mio smirked.

The deal was lucrative—worth nearly 38 billion berries from the World Government alone. With sales to other factions included, the total would exceed 100 billion berries.

After leaving a Den Den Mushi for future negotiations, the CP0 agents departed.

"Hei Yan," Mio said calmly, "you’ll handle the upcoming deals with the underworld. Don’t disturb me unless absolutely necessary. Order the crew to lay low."

"No more action, sir?" Hei Yan asked.

"No need," Mio replied. "It’s time to wait and build our foundation."

Thus, Wano settled into a fragile peace. The Black Crow Pirates left a branch base in Wano and seized Kaido’s former factories to produce and sell weapons to kingdoms, the Revolutionary Army, and warring factions.

Years passed.

Twelve years later

Kaido fought and defeated Aokiji, becoming the third Emperor of the New World.

Red-Haired Shanks returned from the Grand Line, defeated Qiongqi, and ascended as the fourth Emperor.

With five Emperors ruling, the New World entered an uneasy calm.

The Black Crow Pirates amassed a fleet of 70 ships.

Crow Island.

By the poolside, Mio reclined on a luxurious sofa, sipping wine under the sun.

A towering figure approached, casting a shadow over him.

Mio cracked an eye open and asked coldly, "Moria, I sent you to the East Blue to investigate something. You’d better have good news, or you know the consequences."

"Hehehe... I’ve brought good news."

Compared to years ago, Gekko Moria’s figure was bulkier and stronger. A powerful aura radiated from him as he grinned.

"The boy you’re interested in... he’s finally set sail."

"Oh?"

Mio’s eyes glinted. A dangerous smile curled across his face as a dark aura swept the island.

"Hahahaha! Finally, he’s out to sea?!"

He stood and stared eastward—toward the East Blue.

"So... he’s three years early." Mio’s smile widened. "The butterfly effect of my existence, huh? No matter. This just makes it all the more exciting."

"The protagonist of this world... Straw Hat Luffy."

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