one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 240: The Island in the Deep Sea

"Should we wait here, sir?" Lilith asked, gazing at the calm sea before her. Mio had just explained the nature of the Radluff Permanent Pointer, and she understood now that the island tied to the pointer lay deep underwater, encased in a membrane.

This island would only surface when a rising current occurred.

But if they were to wait for that current, no one knew how long it would take.

Mio shook his head. "No need. I'll dive down."

"You all stay up here," he added, glancing at the group. Some of them were Devil Fruit users who couldn't enter the water, and in truth, only one person was needed for the task.

Without another word, Mio leapt straight into the sea.

Underwater, his body darted forward like a shadow, swapping places with various lifeless objects on the seabed using his ability.

It didn't take long.

Soon, Mio spotted an island wrapped in a protective bubble membrane.

He held his breath and swam to the island's exterior, passing through the bubble and entering its enclosed space. Gravity took over, and he began falling—until he halted mid-air, adjusted his stance, and landed lightly.

Ahead, perched on a cliff, he spotted the wreckage of a ship. Around it lay piles of gold and silver treasure, glinting dimly in the filtered light.

Atop the heap of treasure sat a small box.

This, once, had been a treasure left behind by the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

"In the deep and high darkness, our answers are buried."

This was one of the cryptic messages Roger had left behind.

Originally, this island had been discovered by Festa, who uncovered what Roger had left and even understood the deeper meaning behind it. Later, it became the site of the grand World Expo in the events that followed.

Mio's eyes fixed on the box. He stepped forward lightly, making his way to the treasure.

Soon, he reached the box, picked it up, and opened it.

What he saw inside caused his brow to furrow.

"How could it be..."

Mio's voice was laced with surprise.

There was nothing inside.

No Permanent Pointer.

Just an empty box.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Mio noticed a detail—a barely visible line of faded writing in the upper left corner of the box. The ink was nearly decayed, but still legible.

Sismo Island.

The name of a place.

Mio's eyes deepened, a contemplative look crossing his face.

After a long silence, realization dawned on him.

"So... that's what this is..."

He murmured, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Interesting, Roger. Is this the answer you left? I'll go see it for myself."

With a gentle squeeze of his palm, the box crumbled into fragments.

It all made sense now. The Permanent Pointer that Festa once claimed to find here may have been placed afterward, but Roger had left something behind—a name.

Sismo Island.

So hidden and obscure that no one had discovered it again after Festa.

But what exactly did Roger leave there?

Mio's mind raced. Given Roger's awareness of the Void Century and the goal behind launching the Great Pirate Era—to ultimately challenge the World Government—there could only be one thing worth hiding there:

A Poneglyph.

A stone that recorded truth.

The inscription might relate to the Void Century, the Ancient Weapon Uranus, or even the mysterious figure Im.

Mio shook his head. No point in guessing too much now. He turned and walked away from the treasure pile.

The gold and silver didn't interest him. Despite how flashy it looked, its value in Berries wasn't great, and transporting it would be troublesome.

Mio had plenty of wealth and more efficient ways to obtain it. Money wasn't something he chased.

Still, this journey hadn't been in vain.

"We'll have to keep an eye on Festa," Mio thought as he swam back toward the surface.

He hadn't found the Radluff Permanent Pointer here, but he was sure that Festa would. And when he did, Mio would take it for himself.

Mio burst from the sea and returned to the Black Glory.

Robin approached immediately, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Captain, did you find it?"

Mio smiled and shook his head. "No. Maybe it hasn't appeared yet. But this trip gave us a new destination."

"Destination?" Robin echoed, puzzled.

Without further explanation, Mio turned to Bai Feng. "Go check if there's an island named Sismo Island in the New World."

"Yes," Bai Feng nodded and went to work immediately.

While there were countless islands in the New World, those with known names were relatively few. A targeted search wouldn't take long.

"Let's go, Hanba." Mio looked out at the sea again, gave a light smile, and the Black Glory set sail away from the underwater island.

About fifteen minutes later, Bai Feng returned.

"My lord, there's no Sismo Island in the New World," he reported. "But there is one in the first half of the Grand Line. It's extremely remote."

"Got it." Mio nodded, rubbing his chin in thought.

He then picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.

It connected quickly. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"Sir," came the voice of Renee, respectful and prompt.

"Renee, have the Black Shadow Corps track down a man named Festa," Mio ordered. "He was the greatest celebration organizer before Roger's death."

"Festa? Understood. I'll act immediately," Renee replied.

"Good."

Mio hung up the Den Den Mushi and said no more.

The Black Glory had already changed course, heading toward the first half of the Grand Line.

Meanwhile—

At the very edge of the New World, a ship sliced through the sea in a clear, unwavering direction.

Aboard the vessel were many people, but all of them stood respectfully behind a lone figure at the bow.

The figure was slender, draped in a white robe, a sheer veil covering her face.

In her hands, she held a bounty poster—one featuring the infamous Black Crow.

Her fingers hovered over the face in the photo, brushing Mio's image. Curiosity gleamed in her eyes.

But then, a flash of cold light passed through them.

The chill vanished as quickly as it came, buried beneath a mask of emotionless calm.

Her gaze became indifferent, as though she were above all things—and yet, something had caught her attention.