Emporio Ivankov suddenly froze, then burst into exaggerated laughter.
"Oh, oh, oh, so that's how it is, to think you would reveal yourself so early."
Understanding dawned on his face as he slammed his fist into his palm. His sharp gaze locked onto the figure standing calmly in the distance.
"Surprise attack, DEATH WINK!"
Smack!
Ivankov's eyes fluttered rapidly as he activated his technique. The air around his face compressed violently, forming a concentrated blast of pressure that erupted forward like a cannon.
Boom!
The shockwave struck Shirogai squarely, sending him flying backward through the air.
"Hmph! Another clone? Heehaw!"
Ivankov did not relax for even a moment. He leapt forward instantly, closing the distance in a flash, snatching Shirogai by the ankle mid-air.
"Emporio, Beautiful Sleep Attack!"
Spinning like a living cyclone, Ivankov swung his entire body and smashed Shirogai straight into the ground.
Boom!
A massive, human-shaped crater formed instantly.
"Ivankov-sama!"
The Newkama cried out in alarm.
But to their disbelief, the figure embedded in the crater was not Shirogai.
It was Ivankov.
"Well executed physical strength," Shirogai said calmly, clapping his hands as he stood beside the crater. His expression carried mild amusement. "Unfortunately for you, you tried it on me."
In pure physical combat alone, only Monkey D. Garp could even begin to match Shirogai.
Ivankov never stood a chance.
"Ahh, I'm going to die from this fall, darling."
Ivankov groaned as he staggered to his feet, rubbing his head. His vision swam, multiple images overlapping as he swayed.
"My brain feels like mashed jelly."
"Ivankov-sama!"
The Newkama rushed forward in panic.
Then Ivankov violently shook his head, snapped back into focus, and burst into laughter once more, full of life.
"Hehehe! If your brain turns to mush, just shake it out. Fully recovered! Heehaw!"
His gaze turned sharp as he studied Shirogai seriously.
"So you really are worthy of the title, the Fifth Emperor of the Sea. You didn't come all this way just to greet me, did you?"
"On one hand," Shirogai said lightly, "I came to copy the Hormone Hormone Fruit's power."
He smiled faintly.
"On the other hand, I need you to pass a message to Dragon."
Ivankov slapped his chest confidently.
"Oh? Want to speak with Dragon? That's easy."
Whoosh.
Ivankov was still standing in front of Shirogai, yet another Ivankov suddenly appeared behind him.
"Not really. I lied."
A pheromone-induced afterimage faded as Ivankov plunged his sharpened hand into Shirogai's side.
"Let's see how strong you are after becoming a delicate woman. Heehaw!"
"Emporio, Feminine Hormone!"
His fingertips transformed into a syringe, piercing Shirogai's body effortlessly and injecting the hormone directly.
Buzz!
Ivankov blinked beneath thick mascara and laughed loudly.
"The operation was a success. Congratulations, you're a woman now. No, even better. The Arrogant Empress! Heehaw!"
Cheers erupted from the Newkama.
Shirogai's body began to change.
His lashes grew long and elegant, his eyes deepened into something dangerously alluring. His flawless face became even smoother, like polished jade. His Adam's apple faded, his neck slender and radiant.
His physique softened without losing its presence. His clothes loosened as his form shifted.
In seconds, the man who stood there moments ago had become a breathtakingly beautiful figure.
Still smiling.
"Unbelievable!"
"She rivals Boa Hancock!"
"Who is more beautiful?!"
The Newkama were intoxicated.
"Raid successful!" Ivankov spun triumphantly. "My ultimate body modification technique. Even a Yonko can't escape it if stabbed directly."
Yet something felt wrong.
Shirogai's smile had not changed.
Not even slightly.
No panic. No discomfort. No loss of control.
Only calm amusement.
"As expected of a miracle worker," Shirogai said, his voice smooth and composed. "You never miss an opportunity."
He glanced down at his transformed body with interest.
"This is perfect. I've been wanting to test this Devil Fruit properly."
Ivankov's instincts screamed danger.
"Emporio, Face Growth Hormone!"
He reinforced his face instantly, swelling it into an iron-hard shield.
Shirogai snapped his fingers.
"Medusa, Sweet Sin."
A pink, heart-shaped aura burst outward.
The Newkama froze mid-cheer, admiration overflowing, before turning into stone statues one after another.
Ivankov barely had time to react.
"When did you gain the Love Love Fruit?"
He stabbed himself again, attempting to alter his own emotions, but the moment admiration flickered in his eyes, his body stiffened.
Silence filled the chamber.
Every Newkama stood frozen in stone, expressions of bliss carved into their faces.
"The Love Love Fruit truly lives up to its reputation," Shirogai said softly.
Moments later, his body reverted to normal.
---
Memories surfaced.
God Valley.
A place of pain, and rebellion.
Celestial Dragons hunting humans for sport.
Young Ivankov stood atop a rock, shouting at chained captives.
"Survivors have always been zero! Wake up!"
Some believed him.
Some did not.
That day planted the seed of revolution.
---
Ivankov awoke with a gasp.
Shirogai stood nearby, reading a newspaper.
"You're awake," Shirogai said casually. "The castration surgery is complete. You're officially a eunuch."
Ivankov screamed, then checked.
"…Still there."
"Relax," Shirogai said, folding the paper. "I was joking."
He looked directly at Ivankov.
"Commander Ivankov, are you interested in an alliance?"
"To overthrow the false World Government," Shirogai continued, "and return the world to what it should be."
With a snap of his fingers, the world shifted.
Dark skies.
Thunder.
Thirty towering Poneglyphs stood upon raging waves.
"This organization," Shirogai said, "is called Vespera."
Ivankov trembled.
"So we are not alone."
"No," Shirogai replied. "And your vision is too small. A single spark can burn the world."
---
Impel Down, Level 4.
Screams echoed.
Magellan stiffened.
"The Blackbeard Pirates are at Level 1?"
He roared upward.
"Teach!"
---
Debris rained down.
Jailers screamed.
Blackbeard laughed.
"This is power!"
His grin widened as he approached the gate.
---