The woman with the purple afro looked wronged as she spoke,
"Emporio Ivan, hasn't Lloyd mentioned me to you?"
At the sound of that name, Lucia slowly lowered her hand from her sword hilt, frowning as she sized up the woman standing before her.
Lloyd had mentioned Ivan to Lucia before, and she remembered Ivan being a man.
Lucia's gaze dropped, and Ivan blinked. Then realization dawned on her.
"Wait a moment!"
With that, Ivan's ten fingertips elongated into sharp needle points, jabbing playfully into the sides of her waist.
"Oh oh oh!"
Ivan let out a charming voice that made Lucia frown, but within moments her expression shifted to disbelief.
The alluring figure with a curvaceous frame was gone. In its place stood a man with a large head and rough features, clad in a garish red leather outfit that was truly an eyesore.
Even Lucia, known for her strong mental fortitude, couldn't help but twitch her lips at the sight of Ivan's absurd appearance.
She finally understood what Lloyd meant when he described Ivan as "a bit perverted."
Once Ivan returned to his original form, he rose onto his toes and began spinning in place. The people on the ship erupted, as if energized by a sudden thrill.
"He's appeared! Our King!"
"What a beautiful figure! I love you!"
"Ah ah ah!"
…
Lucia's face gradually flushed with irritation. Her thumb flicked, and Doom at her waist gleamed with cold intent. She spoke in a low, sharp voice,
"Enough."
Ivan halted his spinning and shot Lucia a flirtatious wink.
"How is it, Lucia-senpai? This is the power of the Horm-Horm Fruit, isn't it amazing?"
Lucia turned her head away, stiffly replying,
"I've already experienced it."
Before she could continue, a streak of crimson light flashed, and Lloyd appeared beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Alright, Lucia, I heard everything. Thank you for your trouble."
Lucia tilted her head and rubbed against the back of Lloyd's hand, then stepped behind him.
Lloyd looked toward Ivan with a polite smile.
"Ivan, long time no see."
Ivan, dazed, trembled upon hearing the familiar voice. His lips mouthed the name,
"Lloyd…"
Without waiting for a response, Ivan suddenly burst into tears. He shouted as he opened his arms and lunged toward Lloyd, embracing him tightly.
"Lloyd! I finally see you again! How are Da Xiong and Ginny?"
Ivan stood nearly four and a half meters tall. Once he hugged Lloyd, Lloyd's face was pressed against Ivan's chest.
"They are all well, Ivan. Let go first, it's not convenient to talk like this…"
At those words, Ivan quickly released his grip. Lloyd adjusted his collar and scanned the nearby crew with a composed smile.
"Ivan, it seems you've also found many like-minded companions. I'm glad for you."
Ivan placed his hands on his hips with a playful smile.
"Yes! Aren't they adorable?"
Lloyd's expression stiffened. Not wanting to dampen Ivan's spirits, he forced a polite reply,
"Yes, just as adorable as you."
Ivan beamed with delight and began spinning again. His companions clustered around, holding their faces and gazing at Lloyd with sparkling eyes.
A bead of cold sweat ran down Lloyd's temple, yet he maintained his courteous greeting.
"Hello everyone."
"Wow!!!"
They cheered in unison. Then a man in a blue pleated skirt and a stubbly chin stepped forward. He gave Lloyd an exaggeratedly graceful bow and announced,
"Lord Lloyd, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Kalleen."
Information about Kalleen instantly filled Lloyd's mind. In the original story, when Sanji was sent flying to Kamabakka Kingdom, this man led the charge in pampering him to the brink of death, almost turning him gay.
Kalleen's presence confirmed that Ivan had indeed been to Okama Island, the Kamabakka Kingdom, earlier than expected.
Lloyd then glanced toward Inazuma, elegantly standing to the side with a glass of red wine. In the original story, she was Ivan's most capable subordinate, nicknamed "Lightning."
Noticing Lloyd's gaze, Inazuma bowed slightly, her respect clear and sincere.
Just then, the man tied up on the ground slowly stirred awake. Dazed, he saw the Navy coat flapping on Lloyd. His eyes widened in shock as he called out,
"You, you are Admiral Black Dragon! Great! Save me! I am King Gipps of Kamabakka Kingdom! I was kidnapped by these perverts!"
Lloyd glanced at him with mild indifference and then asked Ivan,
"What's the story with this person?"
Ivan looked uneasy as if embarrassed, and explained the whole situation in a muffled voice.
Half a year ago, Ivan arrived at Kamabakka Kingdom with Inazuma. At that time, a plague was ravaging the land and many were dying.
Instead of taking measures to protect his people, King Gipps continued to levy taxes and extort wealth. He feasted and drank within the Royal Palace, indifferent to their suffering.
Upon learning this, Ivan used his Horm-Horm Fruit ability to help treat those infected by the plague.
In truth, the plague itself was not extremely lethal. The underlying reason so many people died was because they lacked the funds for treatment. Ivan's success rate was far higher than the supposed one percent later recorded in Impel Down.
Through his efforts, the people gradually regained their health. Along the way, they fell under the influence of his unique charm and began to hail him as their savior.
Thus, a collective calling themselves the "New Humans" was born.
King Gipps was furious and dispatched troops to suppress them. Yet, having lost the trust of his people, more than half of the soldiers defected to Ivan's side. The remainder were swiftly dealt with and soon joined the New Humans.
Before long, Ivan led the people to the Royal Palace and captured Gipps. He was then officially chosen as the new King of Kamabakka Kingdom.
However, Ivan had no interest in ruling. He longed for the freedom of the open sea, yet couldn't abandon his beloved companions.
At Inazuma's suggestion, Ivan accepted the title of King temporarily, selected some of his most "talented" subordinates, and set sail once more.
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