The New World.
A sea ruled by the strong.
The Black Glory had not encountered any of Laboon's kind or enormous Sea Kings along the way, but the ship suddenly surged upward, lifted by a powerful current, before bursting through the surface.
Rumble—
With the sound of thunder rolling and rain pouring down, the Black Crow Pirates had officially arrived in the New World.
Above, the sky was dark, thick with storm clouds.
Snakes of lightning twisted and roared across the heavens, as though "welcoming" the arrival of the Black Crow Pirates.
"Finally, the New World."
Mio curled the corners of his mouth upward in a smile, eyes shining with anticipation.
Beside him, Erica and the others looked around at the wild, raging sea, excitement mirrored in their eyes. This was the place they had long dreamed of. Now that they had finally arrived, they couldn't wait to make their mark and prove the strength of the Black Crow Pirates.
At that moment—
"Captain, pirates ahead," Hei Yan said, eyes narrowing as he looked off in a particular direction. A ship rode the massive waves toward them. Its course was clear—it was headed straight for the Black Glory.
"That flag… it belongs to one of Saya's subordinates, the Villain Pirates," Robin commented, stepping forward. "The captain is Tyco the Villain. Bounty: 73 million. He's got an insect-type Zoan Devil Fruit—tick-based powers."
"So they're after us specifically," Mio said, grinning with a relaxed, calm air. "Tick powers, huh. Interesting."
As the Villain Pirates' ship drew closer, a wiry man in a cloak—clearly the captain—stepped forward, cupping his hands around his mouth to call out across the stormy waters.
"Black Crow Pirates, is that you?"
"What's it to you?" Mio asked coolly, resting both hands on the railing, unbothered.
"Under Lord Saya's orders, I invite you to Kuria Island," Tyco shouted with a grin. Saya's base camp. Extending this invitation was essentially asking Mio to join Saya's forces as a subordinate captain.
Mio's eyes flashed with scorn. He made no effort to hide his disdain. "Not interested."
"Then I'm afraid… you'll have to die," Tyco replied, unshaken by Mio's response. He had heard it before. Most rookie crews rejected Saya's invitation when first entering the New World. But they always ended up either bending the knee—or buried at sea. No one escaped.
As he spoke, several more ships appeared on the horizon, each filled with hostile intent.
Tyco chuckled again. "Mr. Black Crow, I suggest you reconsider."
"Heh." Mio scoffed, shaking his head. "So this is what gives you confidence?"
Swish!
"Dual Blade Style—Silver Key!"
Erica's voice rang out as she drew her blades, silver light gleaming across their edges. In one swift motion, she slashed outward. A wave of silver sword energy exploded forth, splitting the sea. Waves parted, and the slash shot forward like a beacon of destruction.
The sword aura carried immense pressure.
Everyone facing it felt like a mountain had fallen upon them—they couldn't move.
"W-what the hell?! I can't move!"
"Damn it, move or we'll die!"
"Grrggh…"
On the Villain Pirates' deck, most of the crew froze in place, pale and sweating in terror. Only Tyco remained standing, but even he was drenched in cold sweat.
This guy… He doesn't even flinch at Lord Saya's name. How is that possible?! Tyco raged internally, but he didn't hesitate. The power of the Flea Fruit surged within him. With a single leap, he shot skyward—nearly reaching the cloudline in an instant.
And then—
Rumble!
The silver slash hit.
Their ship split cleanly in two.
It was as if the vessel had been made of paper. No resistance.
Screams rang out.
High in the air, Tyco looked out at the approaching pirate ships. Most were trash—cannon fodder under Saya's banner, crewed by those with bounties under 50 million. Saya never sent his elites for these errands.
With fury in his eyes, Tyco shouted, "Fire! Sink them!"
The cannons roared. Shells screamed through the rain.
But—
Whoosh.
A shadow flashed.
Mio appeared in front of Tyco mid-air. One hand reached out, grabbing Tyco by the neck.
No matter how he struggled, Tyco couldn't break free.
Mio stared coldly at him. "I was going to kill you. But now? Consider yourself lucky—I changed my mind. Whether you live or not… depends on your luck."
He turned his gaze downward.
No panic showed on his face.
Below, the five pirate ships were suddenly engulfed in a bright glow.
Whoosh!
Within the glow, hundreds—no, thousands—of massive wind blades formed.
They tore through the ships like a hurricane.
Within seconds, the five ships were shredded.
Tyco's pupils shrank in horror.
Mio smirked. "If you survive, deliver a message to the idiot behind you—he's earned the right to be our first opponent in the New World. But he better not die too soon. I'm very interested in his ability."
Then—
Boom!
Mio hurled Tyco like a cannonball into the sea below.
A second later, Mio appeared back on the deck of the Black Glory in a flash.
"Let's go."
Thanks to his Observation Haki, he could sense a few pirates still clinging to life in the debris.
That flea bastard wouldn't die easily.
He'd make it back. He'd deliver the message.
And Mio was looking forward to it.
Because not only was Saya's ability intriguing—
But his subordinates weren't too bad either.
In this wild sea of monsters and warlords…
Whether Saya came himself or sent his captains—
Mio was ready for them.
He welcomed it.