Chapter 22: KXLV1
Kaya skillfully stripped Nojiko and threw her inside the machine, shutting the glass-like door.
Nojiko frantically covered her sensitive parts and stole shame-filled glances at Luffy.
Luffy just chuckled. He was no longer the kid who would marvel at a woman's body. After more than half a month of benefits from the girls, maybe only something truly experimental could stir his interest.
Not to mention, Nojiko's current body—though undeniably beautiful—could only be described as average when compared to the goddesses around him.
Kaya fiddled with the side of the machine, pressing buttons and connecting tubes.
"Let's start… Nojiko."
The machine was soon submerged in an emerald liquid. Nojiko, still fidgeting, began to lose consciousness as her body was fully immersed.
She felt her body grow lighter, warmth enveloping her like a return to the womb—secure, peaceful, and oddly comforting.
Luffy and the girls watched closely as Nojiko's body began to change. First, her tattoos faded. Her dark skin lightened into a healthy bronze hue. Her facial features became more symmetrical, and her blue hair grew with daunting speed, eventually reaching her ankles.
Then her bones began to stretch. Her height increased bit by bit. Her entire body began transforming—becoming more solid, metallic, and powerful.
Soon, the emerald liquid was fully absorbed, leaving behind only a transparent fluid filled with small bubbles from Nojiko's steady breathing.
Kaya moved quickly, opening the glass-like cover and letting the liquid spill out.
Slowly, Nojiko opened her eyes and let out a slight moan.
"I feel good…"
Kaya smiled as she meticulously inspected Nojiko's transformation.
Nami approached, hesitating as she looked at her sister.
"Kaya… was it a success?"
Zala crossed her arms, her eyes immediately drawn to Nojiko's F-cup bust. She couldn't help but scoff.
"Definitely a failure…"
Kuina blushed and smacked Zala on the head.
Sanju also kicked her. "What do you know?! Size isn't everything. It's about softness, roundness, color… You're too superficial. Small ones are tastier…"
Yasha chimed in. "Didn't you just say her bust is small?"
Sanju's mouth twitched. She shut up.
Luffy chuckled. Indeed, compared to those cow-like goddesses, even an exaggerated F-cup could only be called… modest. People forget that Rias Gremory barely counts as an F-cup.
Kaya continued her inspection with a smile.
Summary:
Height: 183cm
Basic Stats: 15x stronger than a healthy adult
Enhancements: Genetic modification successful. Gained a tough exoskeleton, enhanced recovery, compressed muscle fibers, and increased intelligence.
"Success," Kaya declared, clearly satisfied.
But the others—except Luffy and Nojiko, who were both thrilled—looked… unconvinced.
Yasha tilted her head, expression skeptical.
"It's clearly a failure. The only thing she gained is Sanju's abilities. The rest's underwhelming."
Even Nami looked at Luffy pleadingly. She hadn't expected Kaya to be this unreliable.
Kaya sighed, shaking her head like she was talking to a group of toddlers.
"Seriously? We have the same super IQ, and you're still this dumb?"
Luffy finally spoke, eyes gleaming with appreciation.
In truth, Kaya had already surpassed Vinsmoke Judge's technology. Her understanding of genetic science was cutting-edge.
"She did succeed. She squeezed out all of Nojiko's potential—and even pushed it further. Nojiko was just a normal girl with low talent, but Kaya turned her into a powerhouse that even a Vice Admiral would struggle to beat. The only drawback… this is her final form. No more physical power-ups from here. The only path left is mastering Haki, and with her limited talent, that'll be tough."
Kaya had altered her gene sequences to force all her latent power to the surface. As for "talent"—that abstract quality—Kaya had no way of understanding it yet.
She had done her best. The verdant liquid she used was a miracle resource—one that could spark a world war. The only reason Nojiko looked just okay was because her original potential was so low.
But give this same liquid to Kaido?
He'd turn into Joy Boy on the spot.
Being "limited by the world" doesn't mean a Yonko's potential is capped—it just takes more time (or stronger versions of the liquid) to unlock it.
Still, Kaya had taken the first step. Everything else could be improved.
At Luffy's explanation, everyone perked up. Turning potential into power?
Suddenly, everyone was fighting to be next.
Nami walked up to Luffy, shyly clasping her hands.
"Captain… can you help Nojiko?"
Luffy smirked at her coy act, then signaled Nojiko to come forward.
Nojiko already seemed to know what was coming. She approached swiftly and knelt reverently at his feet.
Luffy gently touched her head—and instantly erased every limiter and drawback she had.
Her body changed again. Height: 195cm. Her bronze skin looked even more dazzling—healthy, glowing, tanned, and enticing. Her facial features grew even more exquisite.
Her strength soared, and her bust… well, she finally understood why F-cup was considered a failure before. She'd just ascended a few cup sizes beyond.
She was deeply moved, grateful beyond words. She stole bashful glances at Luffy—only to be engulfed by Nami's tight hug.
"Oh my god, Nojiko!! You look so beautiful!"
Nami showered her with kisses. "Mwah! Mwah!"
Nojiko rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the happiness. She still remembered seeing Nami's transformation, and while she'd been happy for her sister… deep down, she had been insanely jealous. Especially seeing all those goddess-tier beauties around her and the charming, powerful captain…
She would've begged to join, even if Nami hadn't said anything. Fortunately, Nami had been loyal and brought her in.
So happy...
Meanwhile, Zala—who had won the bid to go next—finished injecting the liquid Kaya had invented. She had gained all of Sanju's abilities too, but her physical improvement was… modest.
She glanced sideways at Kaya.
"Are you sure this stuff is supposed to squeeze out all my potential? I feel barely stronger."
Kaya rolled her eyes. "The captain gave you the highest potential in the world. Even a dumbass like you could become a scientist if you felt like it. Your talent is universal. Your potential is limitless. Do you really expect my little 'KXLV.1' formula to draw it all out? This stuff only works on low, average, and high-level humans. You're beyond that. Anything more needs further research."
Kuina, letting her kimono slide off as she prepped to enter the machine, raised an eyebrow.
"'KXLV.1'? What's that?"
Kaya blushed, but boldly answered.
"The name of my invention. Kaya × Luffy Version 1."
All the girls stole a glance at Luffy, who didn't seem impressed. They sighed in relief.
Yasha pouted from the side. "This liquid doesn't seem all that special. I could make something like it…"
Zala, wrapping her chest in white cloth, scoffed. "What's so hard about it? I could do it too…"
Even newly transformed Nojiko nodded with fire in her eyes.
Kaya just chuckled. "Sure. I know you all say that… but you definitely won't."
Because in the end, she liked experiments. She loved the human body's mysteries. That was her edge.
IQ might be the same—but passion mattered too.
Eventually, everyone completed their injections. Everyone grew stronger.
Baphomet increased its speed—and finally reached its destination.
The Town of the Beginning and the End.
Loguetown.