Kaito slapped his palm onto Ivankov's oversized forehead and used the Human Path's ability to pull out part of his soul.
Ivankov's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the purple spiritual form being yanked from his body. For the first time, he truly felt like his Devil Fruit ability might be leaving him for good.
Panicked by the thought, he shouted:
"Wait! Please wait a moment—I need to prepare something first!"
"Hm?"
Kaito paused mid-action and looked at him with a frown, suspecting he was trying to back out.
Ivankov quickly explained:
"I need to leave behind some hormones necessary for special operations. Just a sec, I'll be quick!"
Without waiting for a response, Ivankov miraculously pulled out two gigantic syringes, each as tall as himself. Kaito stared in utter confusion—he hadn't even seen how Ivankov had done it.
Ivankov's ten fingers transformed into sharp needle-like tips. He plunged his hands into the two syringes and shouted:
"Female hormone!"
"Male hormone!"
Transparent fluids sprayed from his fingertips, and in a matter of seconds, both syringes were completely filled.
Once done, Ivankov looked a bit pale. Even he had trouble enduring the massive hormone output all at once.
Kaito stared at the fluid in the two syringes, the corner of his mouth twitching. If this stuff got into the hands of certain countries on Earth, it'd be a weapon of mass destruction.
Ivankov gingerly placed the syringes to the side. They might very well be the last of his gender-swapping hormones, and he had to treasure them.
People often only learn to cherish something once it's gone.
However, Kaito had seen enough. He decided to cut the nonsense and get straight to the point.
Pull the soul. Extract the ability. Return the soul.
It was all done in one smooth, clean motion. Before Ivankov even realized what was happening, he could already feel his Horm-Horm Fruit ability was gone.
Meanwhile, inside Kaito's Door space, there now floated a peculiar pink fruit that looked like a syringe—undeniably a Devil Fruit.
Ivankov, powerless now, let out a long, despondent sigh toward the ceiling. Seeing him like this, Kaito actually felt a little guilty. He quickly handed him the Yamata-no-Orochi Fruit.
To his surprise, the moment Ivankov saw the fruit, he snatched it and stuffed it into his mouth without even chewing, as if terrified Kaito would take it back.
Right after swallowing, Ivankov couldn't wait to test out his new powers and see if the fruit was the real deal.
A weird squelching sound later, eight enormous heads—each with Ivankov's face but different expressions—appeared in front of Kaito. The central head had a purple afro, while the others had afros of various colors.
Kaito's eyes lingered briefly on the green-haired one before he vanished in a flash, heading straight to the top level of Impel Down.
If he stayed any longer, Ivankov's "performance" might genuinely make him physically ill.
...
At the prison entrance, Kaito immediately saw Kalifa chatting with Chief Guard Domino. The two were laughing cheerfully, their silver bell-like giggles drifting through the air.
Kaito quietly approached, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
But Kalifa, all too familiar with his presence, sensed him long before he arrived. She stopped mid-sentence, turned her head, and looked at him calmly.
Kaito's plan to sneak a listen died instantly. He cleared his throat like Sengoku and said seriously:
"It's about done. Time to head back."
"Yes, Boss."
Kalifa replied sweetly, then smiled at Domino.
"Domino, I'll do my best with what you mentioned. I have to go now, but if anything comes up, just call me."
A look of joy crossed Domino's face. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes briefly flicked to Kaito. She held Kalifa's hand in gratitude.
Kaito stood there completely puzzled by their behavior, but he was too embarrassed to ask what the two women had been discussing. He just scratched the horn on his head absentmindedly.
Kalifa didn't keep him waiting long. After bidding Domino farewell, she returned to Kaito's side and wrapped her arms around his.
Kaito could tell she was ready, but instead of immediately using his ability to teleport back to the warship, he turned to Domino and grinned.
"Domino, Magellan's working hours will be getting much longer from now on. Looks like you'll be able to relax."
Before Domino could even register what he meant, Kaito disappeared with Kalifa in tow.
Not long after they left, a very refreshed-looking Magellan showed up. Seeing Domino standing there dazed, he asked:
"Domino, why are you just standing here? Where's Admiral Shikiryū?"
"He's already gone."
"Oh, really? Hm. That's... refreshing—uh, I mean, a bit sudden! I wanted to send him off properly!"
Domino gave Magellan a strange look, then sighed in resignation and turned to head back to her office.
On the way, images of both Magellan and Kaito flashed through her mind.
Halfway back, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and murmured:
"Same position... Why is the gap between bosses so huge?"
...
The next day, inside Kaito's office—
Kalifa held the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit in her hands, inspecting it with curiosity.
Kaito, a bit exasperated, said:
"Kalifa, you've been staring at that thing for half an hour. Are you going to eat it or not?"
"Boss, I've heard Devil Fruits taste absolutely awful. Do you know just how bad they are?"
Kaito was stumped by the question. Even though he had the powers of nine Devil Fruits, he'd never actually tasted one.
Still, if Kalifa wasn't keen on experiencing the flavor, he certainly wasn't going to make his secretary suffer.
He cut a small piece from the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit and gestured for Kalifa to open her mouth.
Then, just as she did, he used the Op-Op Fruit's ability to teleport the piece directly into her throat.
With a soft gulp, Kalifa unknowingly swallowed the bit of fruit.
Kaito's thoughtfulness warmed her heart. She silently scolded herself—when had she become so sentimental?
But to Kaito, it was no big deal. In fact, he found this side of Kalifa even more genuine and adorable.
He chuckled and shook his head. Then his gaze drifted to the fruit, now missing a bite.
Once that bit of fruit was eaten, the Devil Fruit officially lost its power. Now, it was just an ordinary piece of fruit—nothing more than food.
But Kaito was feeling curious. He wanted to know what a Devil Fruit actually tasted like. After all, they were a signature feature of the pirate world. Since he was here, it would be a shame not to try it at least once.
Thinking that, he picked up another small slice and popped it in his mouth.
Immediately, his face went pale, then flushed red, then turned pitch black—before returning to ghostly white again.
Kalifa, alarmed, quickly handed him a big glass of orange juice.
Kaito snatched it and downed it in one go. It took quite a while before he finally recovered from that demonic taste.
He let out a heavy breath and cast a horrified look at the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit.
Then his eyes narrowed.
With a burst of willpower, the fruit exploded into a pile of pulverized mush.
This time, his curiosity had come back to bite him.
That taste... was absolutely inhuman!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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