"Father-in-law," Luo Xing said, "I understand it's hard to believe. I'm willing to make another Mutant Cell so you can see its power for yourself."
Kaido stood, excitement flashing through his drunken eyes.
"Good! If it's really that effective, I'll reward you handsomely!"
Luo Xing hesitated for a moment.
"Well… the production cost isn't exactly cheap."
Kaido waved a massive hand.
"How much do you need? Take whatever it costs!"
For the Emperor of Beasts, money meant nothing compared to increasing his army's might.
Luo Xing's heart leapt.
"To produce one Mutant Cell costs around twenty—no, thirty thousand berries."
A mere thirty thousand. To commoners, it was a fortune; to a Yonko, not even pocket change.
Kaido turned toward Jin, the Flame Disaster, who managed the treasury.
"Jin, give him what he needs."
Among the Three Calamities, Queen handled research, Jack oversaw military operations, and Jin, the most composed and senior, controlled the Beasts Pirates' finances.
With the funds secured, Luo Xing immediately sent for materials and disappeared into his lab.
Half an hour later, he emerged holding a strange lump of violet flesh.
"So this is that thing that can boost strength?" Jack muttered skeptically. "Doesn't look like much."
The brute-headed Calamity believed strength came only from training, not tricks or tools. Still, Kaido's personal presence had drawn a crowd — almost the entire Beasts Pirates were gathered outside the lab.
Among them stood the six elite Tobi Roppo.
The youngest, Page One, walked up, sniffing curiously at the meat.
"Smells good. Probably tastes even better, right, Lord Consort?"
Luo Xing smiled.
"You want to try it?"
Page One's eyes gleamed with interest. But before he could speak, his sister Ulti shouted,
"No! Don't you dare eat that, it looks poisonous!"
Page One ignored her, turning instead to Luo Xing.
"Lord Consort, does this really increase power?"
"Of course," Luo Xing replied. "But how much depends on your body. One warning though—if you can't endure the transformation pain, it could kill you instead."
"Pain, huh?"
Page One grinned. As the user of the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Ancient Model: Spinosaurus, he possessed immense vitality and healing. Pain was nothing.
"Boss Kaido! Let me eat it!"
Kaido frowned slightly. He'd never heard of anything like "Mutant Cells." What if something went wrong? Page One was a promising young fighter, one of his most gifted underlings. Kaido, for all his cruelty, valued strong subordinates — it was why he'd spared fighters like Kid and Luffy before.
After a moment of thought, Kaido nodded.
"Fine. Luo Xing isn't reckless, and Queen can vouch for him. Go ahead, Page One."
"Everyone, step back," Luo Xing warned. "There might be… some noise."
He handed the cell to Page One, who began eating it slowly, almost savoring it like fine cuisine.
"Doesn't taste bad… oh—!"
The last word twisted into a groan as his body convulsed.
It felt as though a feral beast were trying to claw its way out from inside him.
"AAAHHH!"
Page One screamed, his limbs warping; his skin bubbled and bulged; his hair shot upward while his teeth lengthened into fangs.
Ulti's eyes went red. She would've attacked Luo Xing right there if Queen hadn't grabbed her.
Luckily, the agony didn't last long. The incredible regenerative power of his Zoan fruit helped him endure what Billy nearly couldn't.
When the pain ended and his body stabilized, even Kaido's eyes went wide.
"What in the—"
The transformation was astounding. Page One, who'd been around 1.7 meters tall, now towered over them at five meters. His body rippled with monstrous muscle; claws and fangs gleamed razor-sharp. Just looking at him stirred primal fear.
Jack stood frozen, unable to believe a mere lump of flesh could cause such a change.
"P–Page One…?"
Ulti barely recognized her brother.
"Little Pei, are you okay?!"
Page One turned, voice deeper, full of raw power.
"I feel incredible, Sister. Better than ever!"
He clenched his fists and roared toward the sky, a thunderous cry that made the ground tremble.
"There's power flowing through me! Even if you gave me a mountain, I could punch it to dust!"
The oppressive energy radiating from him left even the Tobi Roppo speechless.
Kaido's grin split wide; his laughter boomed like a storm.
"Worororororo! Excellent! Luo Xing, you've outdone yourself! This Mutant Cell is magnificent!"
He slammed his cup down, still laughing.
"Now then—who wants to test Page One's new strength?"
Truth be told, Kaido wanted to do it himself. But that would hardly be a fair test. Against him, even now, the boy would fall in one blow.
"Boss Kaido, let me."
The voice came from Jack, stepping forward with a heavy thud. He still didn't quite believe a tiny lump of meat could create such a leap in power.
He'd see for himself.
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