Portable Hormone Preparations

Since Ivankov appeared, it confirmed he hadn't been imprisoned in the deep-sea prison yet.

"Hi, Ivankov! These are my brothers, Finn and Ace!" Sabo enthusiastically introduced the two.

"Oh! Boys! I'm Ivankov!" Ivankov approached Finn and Ace without hesitation, arms wide open.

Fk!

Both Finn and Ace recoiled in shock, immediately stepping back. But Finn, ever the opportunist, grabbed Ace by the collar and shoved him forward.

Puff!

Ace was caught in Ivankov's enthusiastic embrace.

"Hissss!" Ace gasped, his body stiffening.

Brother!

Why are you like this?!

"Haha! Ace is such a warm-hearted kid! Much better than Finn, who ran away!" Ivankov said, giving Ace a resounding pat on the back.

Thud!

Ace collapsed, unconscious.

"Finn! Come here and give me a warm hug too!" Ivankov demanded, unfazed.

Three beads of sweat formed on Finn's forehead. He glanced at Sabo, who acted as if this was completely normal. In Finn's mind, he imagined Sabo screaming internally, "You don't know how I've survived all these years!"

Finn smirked and deflected. "No need for that! Sabo and I are blood brothers—let him take care of all the hugging!"

Sabo laughed. "Haha, Finn! Ivankov is great! You'll see once you get to know him."

Ignoring the camaraderie, Finn narrowed his eyes at Ivankov. "I've heard your Horm-Horm Fruit can turn a man into a woman. Is that true?"

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Finn.

What are you planning?

Ivankov grinned slyly. "Yes, it's true. Why? Are you interested?"

"Tsk, tsk," Finn chuckled. "Do you have hormone preparations I can carry around? Something I could inject into someone and—poof—they turn into a woman?"

Sabo frowned, stepping closer. "Finn, what are you up to? This sounds shady."

"Don't worry about it." Finn's grin grew wider, his intentions clearly mischievous.

Ivankov looked at him skeptically. "Yes, I can make portable hormone preparations. But there's a catch—the effect only lasts for a day."

"One day?" Sabo burst out laughing. "Finn, your plans are doomed already. At sea, ships are gone for weeks! Your little scheme is worthless."

Finn waved off the concern. "One day is enough. Make me ten of them!"

Ivankov's jaw dropped. "Ten?! Do you think I'm a machine? Even for me, preparing portable doses takes time. Two doses a day max, and then I need three days to recover! If you want one, I can make it—for Sabo's sake. But there's a condition."

"What condition?" Finn's instincts screamed trouble.

Ivankov grinned wider. "You need to give me a big, warm hug!"

Pfft!

Finn almost spat blood. "Nope! Forget it! I don't need it that badly!"

Just then, Monkey D. Dragon intervened. "Ivankov, do me a favor. Make him a dose."

Ivankov blinked in shock. "Chief, is this the first time you've asked a favor for someone?"

Dragon ignored the question. "I'll leave you all to talk. I'll arrange for a banquet tonight." With that, he excused himself, clearly uncomfortable lingering around Finn.

Ivankov turned back, eyes twinkling with interest. "Finn-boy, you've got some pull! Are you close with our leader?"

"Keep your distance!" Finn warned. "Let's stay on friendly terms, no closer."

At that moment, Ace groaned and woke up, rubbing the lip-shaped imprint on his face. His fury erupted like a volcano.

"Monkey D. Finn! I'll kill you!"

Finn barely had time to react before Ace charged, shouting.

"What? Monkey D. Finn?" Ivankov's sharp ears caught the name, and realization dawned.

"No wonder the leader was acting strange. So that's it!"

Ace lunged, flames igniting. "Fire Fist!"

"Yo, Sabo! Your brother is a rare Logia user!" Ivankov marveled as the attack roared toward Finn.

Sabo, startled, yelled, "Ace! Stop! Don't hurt Finn!"

Ivankov echoed, "Ace-boy, calm down!"

But Ace wasn't holding back—not because he wanted to hurt Finn, but because he trusted his brother's strength.

As the fiery attack closed in, Finn raised a single hand. In an instant, a dense, dragon-like Armament Haki cloaked his palm, snuffing out the flames as he caught the attack effortlessly.

"Ah! What!!"

Ivankov and Sabo's jaws dropped, their eyes bulging comically.

Sabo's heart sank. He had hoped to impress his brothers with his progress, but now it was clear: Finn and Ace were monsters. His dreams of showing off crumbled.

"Nima..." Sabo muttered under his breath. "They're not giving me any chance to shine."