"Starting extraction ~ Extraction successful. Congratulations on acquiring the ability [Den Den Mushi Link] and one-tenth of the all-round attributes of the creature you cultivated this time!"
As the system's voice faded, Mio felt a sharp pang of disappointment.
There was no noticeable change in his strength. The one-tenth attribute enhancement might as well not have existed. As expected, he shouldn't have placed too much hope on it. After all, the Den Den Mushi wasn't a strong creature to begin with, and he hadn't even chosen any powerful genes for its cultivation.
As for the extracted ability? To be frank, it was practically useless.
This round of cultivation had amounted to little more than gaining a new creature. There was no boost in power, no significant benefit.
Once the cultivation finished, Mio activated the creature mentally, and a small Den Den Mushi appeared in front of him. It looked barely different from an ordinary one—except slightly smaller.
"It's just that I don't have the opportunity or the time right now," Mio muttered as he observed the little creature. "Otherwise, I'd gather more genes from other Den Den Mushi."
There wasn't just one kind of Den Den Mushi. This naturally occurring species had a variety of types. The common Den Den Mushi was used for basic communication. The black Den Den Mushi disliked interacting with its own kind and was used specifically for eavesdropping. Then there were the golden and silver Den Den Mushi. The golden one transmitted special signals that only the silver Den Den Mushi could receive—these were essential for activating a Buster Call, and thus strictly controlled by the World Government.
Other varieties included surveillance Den Den Mushi, image projection Den Den Mushi, and even self-propelled versions capable of sending visuals in real-time.
Mio made a mental note: if he ever got the chance, he would gather the genes of every kind of Den Den Mushi and cultivate an entirely new, more advanced one.
For now, this one would do.
"Captain, is this the pet you cultivated with your ability?" Robin asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked at the creature resting on the table.
"I guess you could say that," Mio replied with a light smile, nodding. "But to be honest, this little guy isn't much different from a normal Den Den Mushi."
He picked the creature up, studying it briefly. The Den Den Mushi let out a soft "blu~" sound, then closed its eyes and went to sleep.
Despite being a beast-type creation, it didn't seem particularly intelligent—at least, not for now. It behaved no differently than an ordinary Den Den Mushi.
Mio still didn't fully understand beast-type creatures. Even though he had cultivated one, he knew this was just a small piece of the whole puzzle. In the future, he'd test more powerful genes for better results.
Tucking the Den Den Mushi—who he'd named Millet—away, Mio resumed his training.
The ship they had commissioned was still under construction, and waiting for it was incredibly dull. Days passed with nothing but training, but at least it wasn't in vain. Over time, everyone's Haki improved to varying degrees.
Then one day—
Brring~ brring~
The Den Den Mushi in Mio's pocket rang.
He picked it up and answered. The voice of Iceberg came through. "Mr. Mio, your ship has been completed. It's over by the garbage dump."
Mio's eyes gleamed as a grin spread across his face. "Alright, we'll be there soon."
The Den Den Mushi's voice had been loud enough that everyone nearby heard it. As Mio hung up, Erica smiled brightly. "Looks like we can finally set sail."
"A new ship, huh? I wonder what it looks like," Robin said with a hint of excitement.
"We'll see soon enough. Let's go." Mio stood up, energized by anticipation.
Everyone threw on their cloaks and left the hotel, heading straight for the garbage dump.
Before long, they arrived.
Iceberg was waiting at the entrance, already expecting them despite their cloaks. He greeted them politely. "The master couldn't come personally, so I've been sent to show you the ship."
"Perfect," Mio replied with barely contained enthusiasm. "Take us there—I've been dying to see it."
"Please, follow me." Iceberg nodded and led the group through the garbage dump.
Eventually, they reached the coast. A large ship sat freshly docked at the shoreline.
The vessel was nearly one and a half times larger than their previous one. Its sleek lines and sturdy construction were a testament to craftsmanship.
Iceberg began his explanation. "The ship hasn't been named yet. You'll want to think of something fitting. As for its construction, every material used is top-quality. It has three floors above deck: the first floor includes the dining hall, training room, storage areas, and cargo space. The second floor is the living quarters, and the third floor includes a bathhouse and additional personal rooms. The second and third floors both have balconies. There's also a basement with a refrigeration system—perfect for storing special items."
He spoke proudly, this being the first time he'd built such a large ship with only the best materials. He watched Mio carefully, seeking validation. When he caught a look of satisfaction on Mio's face, Iceberg smiled. His work, along with Franky's, had clearly been appreciated.
As Iceberg continued, Mio turned to Hei Yan. "Tell Hanba to bring over the old ship. We're moving to our new home."
For pirates, the ship was home.
"Yes," Hei Yan responded, immediately departing to carry out the order.
Once the full introduction wrapped up, Mio gave Iceberg a firm nod. "Thanks for your help. Please pass my gratitude along to Mr. Tom as well."
"I will," Iceberg said with a respectful nod. "By the way, Mr. Mio—have you decided on a name for the ship?"
"I have," Mio answered without hesitation. "It'll be called the Black Glory."
He had always liked the color black, and the name held a certain weight, a sense of quiet dominance. It didn't carry any deep meaning—it just fit his taste.
"Black Glory…" Iceberg repeated thoughtfully. "It fits well with your crew, the Black Crow Pirates."
Considering the crow-themed bow and the black color scheme Mio had previously requested, the name suited the ship perfectly.
After a few more words of casual conversation, Mio's expression turned serious. "Mr. Iceberg, you should probably head out now. You're being watched. If you stay here too long, they might start suspecting something."
Iceberg glanced around discreetly, catching the subtle presence of distant observers, and gave a knowing nod. "Understood. Then I'll take my leave."
With that, Iceberg walked away without hesitation.
As he disappeared from sight, Mio's lips curled into a smirk. He cast a glance toward the shadows where several CP9 members had quietly appeared, then turned back and walked up the ramp of the Black Glory, Robin and the rest following close behind.
Looking out over the vast, open sea, Mio touched his chin and murmured to himself—
"Aokiji should be arriving soon…"