So I got X Drake's undercover script, huh?
Storm was utterly speechless.
But without eating the [Nika Fruit], why even become a pirate or aim to be the Pirate King?!
Is it too late to regret and join the SWORD Unit now?
Just as Storm hesitated whether to speak up.
Aokiji suddenly added another remark.
"Of course, Storm, your current strength still leaves something to be desired."
Hmm? Storm swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue.
Did something big just come up?
"To carry out this undercover mission, Headquarters will provide some assistance."
Aokiji continued.
"Have you heard the rumors about last year's—no, it's now the year before last—recruit training camp?"
Rumors?
Storm thought for a moment and immediately recalled something.
"Admiral Kuzan, are you referring to the rumor that 'outstanding graduates of the training camp can receive a Devil Fruit as a reward'?"
Why did this rumor spread during that recruit training camp? Because of the horrific incident three years ago! Year 1515 of the Sea Calendar.
Edward Weevil, who claimed to be "Whitebeard Jr.," brazenly attacked the recruit training camp.
The entire Marine training camp suffered heavy casualties.
From Chief Instructor Zephyr down, only three people survived the assault.
Even Zephyr himself lost an arm to Edward Weevil.
After the attack, Marine Headquarters was in an uproar.
The recruit training camp was suspended for an entire session.
It wasn't until last year that the training camp resumed.
To counteract the negative impact of that vicious attack.
And to encourage recruits to actively participate in the program.
Marine Headquarters not only deployed extensive security personnel for that session.
But also prepared lavish rewards for the graduates.
According to hearsay, this included the legendary Great Sea Treasure—the Devil Fruit! Storm ultimately dismissed this as "Fake News."
Because as both a participant and outstanding graduate of that training camp.
Storm never laid eyes on any Devil Fruit! By the time he graduated.
Forget a Devil Fruit.
He didn't even see a Devil Fruit peel!
But now, it seemed things were taking a turn?
"Yes, that rumor."
Aokiji nodded calmly.
"The Devil Fruit does exist.
"It wasn't just for 'outstanding graduates,' but also for 'members of the SWORD Unit.'"
Storm's heart skipped a beat.
He had been an "outstanding graduate," and now he was a "SWORD Unit member"!
Could it be…?
Storm lightly rubbed the [Devil Ring] on his thumb.
"Admiral Kuzan, are you saying… I can receive a Devil Fruit now?"
Aokiji met his expectations directly.
"Exactly!"
The next moment.
With a casual wave, three hard white ice spheres emerged from beneath the desk.
Guided by the Ice Man's will.
The three orbs floated around Storm's body, orbiting him like satellites.
"Devil Fruits are extremely rare and precious treasures. Even the Marine Headquarters doesn't have many in stock."
Aokiji casually manipulated three ice spheres as he spoke.
"Among these three Devil Fruits, two are Paramecia types and one is a Zoan. You may choose one to consume."
"This fruit is also your 'benefit' for joining the SWORD Unit!"
If you'd mentioned this recruit benefit earlier, why waste so much time with all that talk before?!
Storm's eyes gleamed with hunger as he stared at the three ice spheres floating around him, looking like Big Mom in the throes of her Gluttony Rage.
Through the hard icy shells, he could vaguely make out the intricate spiral patterns beneath—those mysterious swirls unique to Devil Fruits.
So these were Devil Fruits!
The childhood dream of obtaining a "superpower cheat"! Aokiji guided the three ice spheres back toward himself, then melted the frost away.
As the pale icy shells dissipated, the three Devil Fruits finally revealed their true forms before Storm's eyes.
"Storm."
Aokiji smiled.
"Would you like me to explain the names and general abilities of these three Devil Fruits?"
"No."
Storm refused without hesitation, his gaze still firmly locked onto the three Devil Fruits.
"I've read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
A book that sounded incredibly valuable but was actually not that rare in reality.
At the very least, Storm had seen several copies in the Marine Headquarters' archives.
Initially, Storm couldn't understand why.
Based on the information he knew.
Across the entire Great Sea, there were only two people who would carry the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia to search for their dream Devil Fruits.
And both had "Black" in their names—
Blackbeard Teach.
Black Leg Sanji.
Didn't others know to use the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia to find Devil Fruit powers? The cruel truth was—
Most people genuinely didn't know the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia existed.
Even among the globally widespread Marines.
There were plenty who knew nothing about Devil Fruit information.
In this sea where most people's education ended at birth.
Knowledge, too, was a kind of "Great Sea Treasure."
But at least Storm had read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
He was intimately familiar with the appearance and abilities of every Devil Fruit recorded within.
After all, he also had quite a few "dream fruits" in mind.
Like the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit], [Op-Op Fruit], [Glint-Glint Fruit], [Azure Dragon Fruit]... and so on.
But it was deeply regrettable that all these Devil Fruits already had owners.
The three Devil Fruits Aokiji had brought out now were none of Storm's ideal choices.
Yet that didn't stop him from instantly recognizing their "true names"—the one on the left was the [Paramecia: Whip-Whip Fruit].
The one on the right was the [Paramecia: Clay-Clay Fruit].
And the one in the middle was the [Zoan: Ryu Ryu Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Allosaurus Form].
If Storm remembered correctly.
The powers of these three Devil Fruits would later manifest in members of the SWORD Unit! Storm stared at the rough-skinned, dark green [Allosaurus Fruit] placed in the center by Aokiji.
Once again, he couldn't help but think of X Drake.
If Storm had chosen the [Allosaurus Fruit] at this moment...
Would he also have ended up taking X Drake's mission—going undercover in the Beast Pirates? What a shame...
Storm wasn't opposed to Devil Fruits.
But he also had some very strong biases.
For example, that infamous saying—
"The Flame-Flame Fruit? Even dogs wouldn't eat it!" There were just too many people playing with fire on the seas.
Fire-based abilities were as common as slaves on Sabaody Archipelago.
And yet, the "original" [Flame-Flame Fruit] couldn't even compete with others when it came to fire...
No wonder it "left the group"!
But if the [Flame-Flame Fruit] was something even dogs wouldn't eat,
then ordinary and Ancient Zoan types were things that would make dogs shake their heads in refusal.
Given the choice,
Storm had zero interest in the [Allosaurus Fruit].
However, his prolonged stare still caught Aokiji's attention.
Storm's perspective as a "semi-native" toward Devil Fruits
was vastly different from that of the "locals" on the Blue Planet.
For instance, Storm wanted nothing to do with the [Allosaurus Fruit],
but Aokiji believed it was the strongest among the three Devil Fruits he had brought out!
Who cared about "mud" or "whips"...
Ancient Zoan types.
Close combat reigned supreme!
Aokiji picked up the Devil Fruit in the center and asked,
"Storm, is this [Allosaurus Fruit] the one you want?"
"No!"
Storm refused outright.
"I'm considering the other two Paramecia types!"
Paramecia-type fruits had wildly varying upper and lower limits.
Take the [Tremor-Tremor Fruit] and the [Silence-Silence Fruit], for example.
The former could trigger world-ending "seaquakes," "earthquakes," and "airquakes."
As for the latter... well, it was unbeatable at improving sleep quality... right?
Storm recalled the contents recorded in the [Devil Fruit Encyclopedia].
[Paramecia·Whip-Whip Fruit].
The user could command anything they whipped, including inanimate objects.
This was a "super slave master fruit"! If the [Whip-Whip Fruit] fell into the wrong hands...
Then... heh heh...
Storm shook off some unsavory thoughts.
[Paramecia·Clay-Clay Fruit].
The ability to create and control clay, with the user also able to transform into a Clay Golem.
If one had to categorize it,
this was actually a "special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit."
"I've made my decision!"
Storm pointed to the fruit with a milky-white rind and layered, clay-like flesh.
"I want the [Clay-Clay Fruit]!"
Seeing Storm's final choice,
Aokiji didn't raise any objections.
How far a Devil Fruit's abilities could be developed
ultimately depended on the user's own skill.
Some Devil Fruits, despite their immense potential, were wielded like a joke;
others, seemingly weak, were developed into something unique by the right hands.
At this moment, Aokiji chose to believe in Storm's talent!
He personally handed the [Clay-Clay Fruit] to Storm.
"This Paramecia-type Devil Fruit is yours, Vongola Storm!"
The moment the [Clay-Clay Fruit] was in his hands, Storm couldn't help but express his feelings.
"Commander! I love the Marines so much! I love the SWORD Unit!"
Right after enlisting, they directly issued him a Devil Fruit.
The SWORD Unit truly dares to deliver!
"Ahaha."
Aokiji chuckled in amusement.
"How much do you love it?"
After a moment's contemplation, Storm began his solemn vow.
"When evil comes, I shall begin my watch, and not end until my death.
"I shall seek neither wealth nor glory.
"I shall remain at my post, living and dying here.
"I am the blade in the darkness, the guardian of the seas.
"I am the shield that guards justice, the war drum that awakens the slumbering.
"I am the storm that purges sin, the dawn's first light.
"I pledge my life and honor to the SW
ORD Unit.
"From this day until my last."
Such an extravagant oath.
It nearly reignited the "Blazing Justice" that had been frozen in Aokiji's heart for over a decade.
He clapped vigorously and praised loudly.
"Excellent! Such spirit!"
The [Clay-Clay Fruit] currently has limited leaked intel—it could be either Logia or Paramecia.
Based on its combat performance in Chapter 1080 of the manga, this book's [setting] classifies this fruit as a [Special Paramecia].