"What is this?"
"A Rumble Ball?"
"It can alter the transformation wavelengths of Zoan users?"
"Is that even possible?"
Hearing this, Moss, Uthan, Rock, and Ryan couldn't help but crowd around, their faces filled with curiosity and surprise as they stared at the Rumble Ball in Dr. Kureha's hand.
"Heh, no need to doubt it!" Nef stood tall, hands on her hips, pride evident in her voice. "We've already tested it thoroughly!"
Although she wasn't the one who created the Rumble Ball, she had contributed significantly to its development.
Over the years, Nef had conducted extensive research on Zoan Devil Fruit users. With Tsuru, Baka, Rena, Luna, Linlin, and other Zoan users providing samples and data, Dr. Kureha was able to create a drug capable of altering transformation wavelengths at an impressive speed.
"Kuhuhuhu! Baka, show them!" Dr. Kureha didn't bother explaining further and casually tossed the Rumble Ball to Baka, the young and graceful dancer.
"Got it!" Baka smiled brightly as she stepped forward.
Clearly familiar with the drug, she didn't hesitate to swallow the Rumble Ball.
"Special Hybrid Form: Black Mamba!"
Baka's body trembled, undergoing a rapid transformation visible to the naked eye.
Her skin darkened as black scales emerged, and her long, elegant legs fused into a massive snake tail.
Her upper body retained its human features, save for a few patches of snake-like scales and the appearance of sharp fangs. The result was an exotic, seductive hybrid—a black mamba serpent-woman.
"Huh?"
"This is... a hybrid form?"
"She still looks human—how is that possible?"
"Unbelievable..."
Moss, Uthan, and Barry were all wide-eyed in shock, struggling to process what they were seeing.
"A completely new kind of hybrid form?" Even El seemed genuinely impressed, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.
While Linlin had mentioned Dr. Kureha's advancements, he hadn't expected the Rumble Ball to achieve such an extraordinary effect so soon.
"Oh, it's more than just that..."
Baka's smile turned sharp as her eyes gleamed with determination. "Speed boost!"
In an instant, her massive snake tail lashed the ground.
Her body shot forward like a bolt of lightning, leaving a black blur in her wake.
"Swoosh!"
In the blink of an eye, she had covered over ten meters.
For seasoned fighters like Moss, Uthan, and Gerd, the speed itself wasn't particularly astonishing.
However, considering that Baka had been an ordinary dancer with no combat experience just weeks ago, her current strength was mind-blowing.
"And there's more... Strength boost!"
Baka smirked as her black snake tail swelled noticeably.
With a swift flick, it cut through the air like a whip: "Storm Leg: Snake Tail!"
"Whoosh—"
A light-green slash of energy burst forth, slicing through the air.
The attack struck the ground nearby, leaving a deep gash that would have easily bisected a human.
"Storm Leg? You've already mastered that technique?"
Uthan was dumbfounded.
He was well aware of Baka's skill level. Even with Lily's help accelerating her training, mastering an advanced martial technique like Storm Leg should have taken at least a year or more.
"I'm not strong enough to do this on my own," Baka admitted with a smile. "I can only achieve this level of speed and power with the drug's effects."
"But," she added, "the Rumble Ball's effects only last for three minutes."
"The Rumble Ball is a dangerous drug," Dr. Kureha interjected, arms crossed. "If someone with insufficient strength takes a second dose too quickly, the transformation wavelengths will destabilize. They'll lose control and go berserk—possibly even die."
As Dr. Kureha explained, she pointed at El and Linlin, stating plainly:
"Of course, monsters like you and Linlin are probably exceptions—its effects will likely last much longer for you two!"
"Is that so?"
El raised an eyebrow and looked over at Linlin.
"Linlin, how long does it last for you?"
He trusted she'd already tested it.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma~! For me, the effects can last up to ten minutes," Linlin said with a confident smile, standing tall. "And I can take multiple doses in a single day without much trouble."
"But," she added, "considering the risk of losing control, I wouldn't dare try it recklessly unless you're around, El-oniichan."
With a mischievous grin, she took out a Rumble Ball and popped it into her mouth.
"Swoosh—"
In the blink of an eye, her body trembled.
While she didn't undergo dramatic changes, a pair of devilish wings sprouted from her back.
"Whoa! Linlin, you look amazing!"
Gerd's eyes lit up, giving a big thumbs-up. "This form is way better than your old hybrid one!"
"Dr. Kureha, do you have any extra Rumble Balls? Let me try one!"
As a Zoan Ancient-Type user, Moss couldn't contain his excitement. He rushed to Dr. Kureha, eager to test it himself.
"Kuhohoho! I don't have many left, but here, take one!"
Dr. Kureha laughed, tossing him a Rumble Ball.
"Thanks a lot!"
Without hesitation, Moss swallowed the Rumble Ball.
"Hybrid Form: Griffin!"
He roared as his body underwent a dramatic transformation.
Already tall and muscular, his frame expanded even further.
His jaws sharpened into a predatory beak, his limbs became steely claws, and his fur was now interwoven with feathers.
Most notably, enormous wings unfurled from his back, completing the transformation into the mythical Griffin.
"It really worked?"
Moss stared at his clawed hands in amazement. His body felt more powerful than ever, perfectly suited for battle.
His claws crackled with the Mink Tribe's signature electricity, and he realized how seamlessly he could integrate his Six Powers techniques into this form.
"Leg Strength Boost!"
With a burst of energy, he stomped down, his body vanishing in a blur.
"Arm Strength Boost! Blade Claw Slash!"
He reappeared high in the air, his massive claws slashing downward.
"Screech—"
Several sharp energy waves tore through the ground, leaving deep gouges that seemed to slice the earth like butter.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma~! Impressive, right, Moss?"
Linlin laughed as she observed the results.
For her, the Rumble Ball didn't grant drastic changes but allowed her to unlock multiple transformation forms. She could now adapt to different combat situations effortlessly.
Even more promising was her belief that, given time, she could memorize and adapt these transformations without needing the Rumble Ball at all.
"Incredible..."
Moss landed gracefully, returning to his human form with an ecstatic smile.
"The only downside is that the effect doesn't last long enough. Dr. Kureha, can you improve it?"
Dr. Kureha shrugged. "Improving it is possible, but it won't be quick. Besides," she said, looking thoughtfully at Linlin, "given Linlin's immense strength, the Rumble Ball's effects are limited for her."
"For someone like Linlin," she continued, "it might be better to try taking multiple Rumble Balls simultaneously. While this would be incredibly dangerous for most people, I believe Linlin's body could handle it."
"Really?"
Linlin's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Might be worth testing," El mused with a smile.
With his confidence in his own strength, he doubted even multiple Rumble Balls could cause him to lose control unless they were significantly enhanced.
"However," Dr. Kureha interjected, "to be safe, I think it's better if you test it first, El."
"If Linlin loses control, the consequences could be far worse than her hunger pangs..."
"When Baka tested the Rumble Balls earlier, she lost control after taking multiple doses. Her rampaging form nearly scared us out of our wits!"
"Thankfully, nothing serious happened."
~~~
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