"Wow…"
Perhaps sensing Mio's arrival, the sleeping Shirahoshi suddenly rubbed her eyes with her two little hands, opened her eyes, and looked at Mio with her pair of green eyes. She couldn't help but raise her hands and pretend to hug him, laughing cutely.
"It seems that Princess Shirahoshi likes Lord Hei Yan very much," the minister smiled.
"Very cute little girl. I like her too," Mio said with a smile, stretching out his hand to hold Shirahoshi in his arms. Shirahoshi wasn't that big now, and he could still hold her. But in a few years, her body would grow rapidly. By then, Shirahoshi would probably be much larger than him. At that time, it would likely be impossible to hold her again.
Being held in Mio's arms, Shirahoshi laughed even more happily.
After teasing Shirahoshi for a while, the little one grew sleepy again.
Mio placed her back on the bed. Once Shirahoshi fell asleep, he turned around and left.
After staying on Fishman Island for the night, morning came.
Mio boarded the ship and left Fishman Island.
As the Black Glory departed, many residents of Fishman Island were reluctant to see them go.
"How did it go?" Sitting on the ship and gazing at the increasingly dark sea ahead, Mio looked toward Lilith and asked.
"It's done," Lilith said, making an 'OK' gesture. "The Sea Kings agreed. Maybe they had no intention of refusing in the first place. After all, the Sea King hasn't appeared in a long time, and they don't want one to die just because they weren't well protected."
The meaning of the Sea King was deeply important to the Sea Kings themselves.
Mio nodded. With these massive Sea Kings, he felt more at ease about the safety of Fishman Island.
For Mio, Shirahoshi's importance far surpassed that of the entire island.
Shaking his head, Mio stopped thinking about it. He sipped his drink and gazed at the deep-sea scenery. Although there wasn't much to see, occasionally massive Sea Kings swam past.
Unknowingly, a week passed.
During this week, the Black Glory had been sailing toward the Boeing Islands.
Even though they passed by the Sabaody Archipelago, Mio didn't go ashore.
On this day, the weather was clear.
Mio lay on the bow of the ship, basking in the sun. His skin had tanned into a bronze tone under the sunlight, making him appear even more rugged and masculine.
"Captain, we're almost there," Robin's voice rang out.
Hearing this, Mio sat up and looked ahead. Soon, an archipelago came into view. Though called an archipelago, the islands were all actually Stomak Barons—the Barons of the Stomach. From a distance, they appeared green and lush.
At the same time, Mio could faintly detect a subtle but mouth-watering fragrance drifting from the islands.
It smelled like something extraordinarily delicious.
"We're finally here." Mio smiled at the sight.
"I've read that the Boeing Islands are quite strange," Robin said, flipping through a book. "Captain, are these our new companions?"
"Yes." Mio nodded as his Observation Haki spread out, covering the Boeing Islands. He immediately detected the presence of three Stomak Barons, all massive and teeming with strong life energy.
"But they're so big… it won't be easy," Mio muttered to himself. The larger the body, the more resilient the creature. And being out on the sea made things even more complicated.
Of course, it wasn't truly difficult for Mio, but it would be a hassle.
Shaking his head, he gave a command. "Hakufeng, get us closer."
"Yes, sir," Shirafu replied, steering the ship toward the Boeing Islands—though not too close. Everyone knew Mio's goal, and getting too near could invite unnecessary trouble.
As soon as the ship halted, Mio vanished from the deck and appeared high above the Boeing Islands.
"What's he planning to do?" Hancock asked, eyes wide as she looked up at Mio.
"Just watch, and you'll see," Robin replied softly.
Hancock was even more puzzled but kept silent.
Then, a scarlet aura erupted from Mio's body mid-air, completely enveloping him.
It was the power of the devil, which rapidly condensed into a massive skeletal giant surrounding Mio. At the same time, a pair of crimson wings emerged and flapped behind him.
Buzz.
The demonic energy surged again, forming a giant sword that was gripped by the colossal figure. Then, dragon power wrapped around the weapon.
Next came the layer of Armament Haki.
Multiple forces stacked upon one another.
Even before Mio launched his attack, the sheer aura he emitted was overwhelming.
"One strike should be enough," Mio muttered. His eyes turned sharp, and his presence exploded as he controlled the skeletal giant. The enormous sword crackled with sword energy.
With one swing, a terrifying slash tore through the air, instantly splitting the clouds above.
Down below, the Stomak Baron sensed imminent danger. It began to sway slowly, trying to move and avoid the attack.
But its massive size made it far too slow. It couldn't possibly evade.
Rumble!
The slash struck.
A devastating explosion erupted over the sea, shockwaves rolling out in every direction, sending waves towering into the sky.
On the Stomak Baron, a deep crevice was torn open, running across its entire body.
With a single blow, the Stomak Baron was mortally wounded.
A faint, low groan of pain echoed across the sea.
From the sky, Mio watched through the giant's eyes. A satisfied smile crossed his face.
Then, his figure blinked and reappeared atop the weakened creature.
"Cultivate," he thought.
In the next instant, the enormous Stomak Baron disappeared from the sea and was transferred into Mio's cultivation tank.
It had been a long time since he cultivated a living creature. At this moment, Mio felt a rare sense of anticipation.
Without further delay, he began the gene fusion process.
——————
Pump up the power stone