Chapter 97: Aokiji’s Decision and a New Path
Aokiji spoke, looking at Mio with indifference in his eyes.
"If you kill her, you'll face the pursuit of Vice Admiral Garp."
Since Mio knew Aokiji, he must also know Garp. That was the only card Aokiji could play to try and pressure him.
"Do you think I care about that?" Mio responded calmly.
Hearing this, Aokiji fell silent once more, staring deeply at Mio. This guy was proving to be more troublesome than expected. Aokiji could tell that Mio's strength wasn't particularly high. In fact, judging from the battle, Mio seemed weaker than some of his own crew members—apart from his bizarre and unpredictable abilities.
Yet this guy was decisive, knew how to make people hesitate, and how to force compromise. He acted with the confidence of someone used to winning—even though that very confidence irritated Aokiji.
From the moment the fight started, Mio hadn't shown a hint of panic. It was as if he had already planned to use Momousagi as leverage. And when Aokiji was ready to finish things, Mio had grabbed her without giving him a moment to react.
From the beginning, this battle had been split into two fronts: one was his fight with Mio's crew, and the other was his struggle to protect Momousagi.
The two fronts had taken place in entirely different locations.
Now, in hindsight, the whole fight seemed like a staged learning opportunity for Mio's crew. A trial by fire—to witness firsthand the terror of a true powerhouse. To feel the crushing pressure of a top-tier combatant on the sea.
Because Mio had never once acted like someone whose life was in danger.