But there's a saying that always warns the world:
'What awaits you around the corner isn't always love, sometimes, it's horror.'
The mutation caused by the dagger wasn't a change in hormones; it was a rule change.
Even though Emporio Ivankov's powers had temporarily reverted Crocodile back to a man…
"Emporio… MALE HORMONES!"
As Ivankov injected his ability into Crocodile's body,
She initially began changing back into a man, but soon reverted back moments later.
The conflicting forces left Crocodile in a daze.
"This isn't right! Why isn't my ability working?"
Ivankov was horrified to discover that no matter how much male hormone he injected into Crocodile, nothing changed.
It was as if his ability disappeared into the ocean, vanishing completely.
"Holy shit, Ivankov, don't scare me !"
At this point, Crocodile was already dazed from the repeated injections and looked completely out of it.
Dragon winced. This was bordering on inhumane.
"One more time! EMPORIO MALE HORMONONE!"
With another increased dose, Crocodile bent over in pain, her chest heaving.
Even Hammer had to quickly look away.
"It's no use. This 'change' of hers… It's like a fundamental rule. My hormones can't override it."
As soon as he said this, Hammer was completely dumbfounded. What did that mean?
Did it mean Crocodile can't be changed back?? What the hell!?
"No, no, NO, Ivankov, don't mess with me! You're the 'Miracle Person'! WORK A DAMN MIRACLE!"
Even Ivankov was baffled. This was the first time his abilities had ever failed.
"Maybe... maybe you used the wrong ability? Why don't you test it on Dragon first?"
"SCREW YOU, HAMMER! Why don't YOU volunteer?!"
The moment Hammer suggested using him as a test subject, Dragon snapped.
He was a real man, absolutely not about to experience what it's like to be a "Newkama"! No way!
"Sorry, Hammer-boy, but this is the truth: my powers have no effect on her."
"Her transformation is irreversible."
'What now? What do I do? If she wakes up and learns the truth, will she hunt me down for life???'
'If Sengoku finds out I turned his candidate into a woman, will he smack me into a paste???'
'Oh my God, someone save me, I'm gonna die!'
"Cough… cough… So? Am I back to normal?"
As the hormonal effects wore off, Crocodile slowly came to from her dazed state.
The first thing she asked about was her condition.
Seeing her wake up, all three, Hammer, Ivankov, and Dragon, fell silent.
Noticing their silence, Crocodile immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly looked down at herself.
And there it was, the same heaving chest as before. One second later.
"YOU BASTARD, HAMMER! YOU SAID YOU'D CHANGE ME BACK!"
"WHY AM I STILL A WOMAN?!"
Her ear-splitting shriek echoed through the Warhammer, reaching every last Marine aboard.
Shirley's eyes lit up.
"Don't panic! Don't panic, Crocodile."
"This is just a fluke! Ivankov's been kind of... fatigued lately, his powers are a bit off. Let him rest a bit, and I'm sure it'll work next time."
Ivankov's face went completely black.
But looking at the now borderline-unstable Crocodile, he said nothing.
If he ticked her off now and she died of rage, that would be a total waste.
Dragon quickly jumped in to back him up, too, after all, his 1 billion bounty was riding on this. He had to help salvage the situation.
"Yeah, I can vouch for that. Ivan here isn't just tired, his kidneys are shot, his liver is failing, and he's stomach is a mess. Obviously something's off."
"He just needs some time to recover. It'll be fine."
Ivankov: '…The two monsters really don't treat me like a person.'
"Hehehehe... I was so stupid. I actually believed your crap."
"You really think I'm an idiot, don't you? I can FEEL something in me, it must be his ability."
"If his power is in my body and I still haven't changed, that proves his ability doesn't work."
"Hammer... very good. I quit being a Warlord. I quit being a pirate, too. Either keep me cuffed forever… or I WILL kill you."
"No, even WITH these cuffs on… I'll STILL kill you."
Crocodile's face shifted from rage to grief, and finally froze in lifeless silence.
Her eyes overflowed with murderous intent, locking onto Hammer like a predator staring at its prey.
Hammer gulped several times in a row.
"Hammer, bro, it's not that I don't want to help, but this is way above my pay grade. Forget the money, I'm leaving with Ivankov."
"Ivan, let's go, our comrades are waiting!"
Crocodile's expression was so terrifying that Dragon and Ivankov immediately fled in fear.
"Wait, wait! My brothers! I'll go get your money! Right now! Let's go together!"
"Let's go go go go go!"
Hammer frantically dragged both Dragon and Ivankov out of the forge room.
Leaving Crocodile alone, sitting in silence for a long time before finally standing up slowly.
"Here, 1 billion Berries. Not a single Berrie short. About today... just pretend you saw nothing, alright?"
Handing the money to Dragon, Hammer scratched his head in frustration.
"Don't worry. My lips are sealed. But, Hammer... what are you going to do about Crocodile?"
"What can I do? I have no idea... That look in her eyes definitely said she wants to kill me. Sigh... I really screwed up."
Dragon had nothing else to say, other than promising not to spread the word.
"By the way, Hammer, are you really not joining my crew?"
"Come on, your group's just a ragtag bunch. Let me ask you, what's your organization even called?"
Faced with the question, Dragon froze, then fell into an awkward silence. Hammer was stunned.
"You're kidding... You haven't even come up with a name yet?"
Both Dragon and Ivankov looked incredibly awkward, because yes, they hadn't even named their organization yet.
"The name... I don't really know what to call it..."
Hammer was speechless.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu