One Piece: Who made him the Pirate King!

Aokiji genuinely loved this particular oath: "Dark Blade, Guardian of Justice."

He deliberately took out pen and paper from his desk drawer and bent over to copy it meticulously.

The soft scratching of pen on paper filled the admiral's office.

During this brief moment of respite, Storm stared intently at the [Clay Fruit] in his hand.

Lines of text, visible only to him, floated out of the void.

[Name: Clay Fruit]

[Star Level: None]

[Description: Paramecia-type Devil Fruit]

[Effect: The user can transform any part of their body into clay and also create clay from nothing.

Note: Devil Fruits symbolize unnatural evolution pathways, and the eater will be cursed by the sea.**

[Evaluation: Playing with clay in the ocean!]

The specific effects of the [Clay Fruit] didn't surprise Storm.

It was indeed a "Special Paramecia-type" Devil Fruit.

Much like Charlotte Katakuri's [Mochi Mochi Fruit], it wasn't a Logia but might as well be.

'Now, [Clay Fruit], lend me your strength!'

Through the [Devil Ring], Storm silently extracted and sealed the supernatural factors contained within the [Clay Fruit].

The process occurred soundlessly.

A Devil Fruit that once held extraordinary powers now became an ordinary-looking, powerless shell.

Using the [Grand Cup], Storm could continue to observe the current state of the [Clay Fruit].

[Name: Powerless Clay Fruit]

[Star Level: None]

[Description: A bizarre-looking, foul-tasting Devil Fruit]

[Effect: Useless aside from being disgusting to eat]

[Evaluation: Eat dirt!]

'Even the side effects are gone. It's completely an empty husk now.'

Storm held up the [Clay Fruit].

Although he hadn't eaten this special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, he could distinctly feel a newfound power within him.

It was as if, with a single thought, he could conjure soft, white clay out of thin air.

While Storm was exploring this unfamiliar yet intriguing supernatural power, Aokiji finally finished copying the oath.

Looking up, he noticed Storm still holding the [Clay Fruit].

"Storm, eat it."

Aokiji's words snapped Storm out of his thoughts.

"Huh?"

Seeing Storm's sluggish reaction, Aokiji repeated himself, this time with more emphasis.

"Storm, eat it!"

Realizing that Aokiji wanted him to eat the now-powerless [Clay Fruit], Storm hesitated.

He had planned to continue observing the fruit to see if any peculiar changes would occur over time.

But now? Well, if he had to eat it, so be it!

Raising the bizarre-looking [Powerless Clay Fruit], Storm took a hearty bite.

In an instant, an indescribable wave of nausea surged through his body, from his mouth to every nerve cell.

The taste was beyond words—no!

It was like chewing on rubber!

Are Devil Fruits all handmade by the Sun God or something?

Storm joked bitterly to himself.

In just a few quick bites, he finished the entire [Clay Fruit], not even leaving the peel behind.

Aokiji watched his iron-green face and seemed to recall his own experience eating the [Ice-Ice Fruit].

"Ah, la la."

Aokiji chuckled lightly.

"The taste of a Devil Fruit stays with you for life.

"Want to try out your new ability, Storm?"

"Of course!"

Storm was eager, even impatient.

White clay formed in his palm out of nowhere and quickly began to take on various shapes.

From a head, to a body, to a tail, and finally a pair of wide, flat wings…

Aokiji watched with interest as the creature in Storm's hand took shape—a round, white clay animal.

"Is that a penguin? I like penguins too."

"Penguin?"

Storm's mouth twitched, barely suppressing a surge of irritation.

"That's a dragon!"

Vongola Storm, alias Stormborn, dreamed of raising a dragon.

For now, he couldn't rear a real dragon.

But crafting a small white clay dragon was within his reach.

Even if this little dragon was on the small side, with a round belly and lacking visible scales or horns…

It shouldn't have been mistaken for a penguin, should it?

Feeling mocked, Storm let his mischievous side take over.

Under his control, the fist-sized white dragon slowly morphed into a plump chicken.

No, not just any chicken.

This was a "soil pheasant," a "white pheasant," an "ice pheasant."

Anything but a "blue pheasant."

"Ahem."

Aokiji glanced at the now-transformed chicken, lightly clearing his throat.

Taking the hint, Storm clapped his hands, turning the "little blue pheasant" into a "little flat sparrow" before making it disappear entirely.

"Sir! I volunteer for the undercover mission!"

Storm straightened his posture and enthusiastically proposed.

"Since I need to become a pirate, should I defect from Headquarters right away? The crime can be 'stealing a Devil Fruit'!"

Why are you so enthusiastic about this?

Aokiji's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

And why did you sound so practiced at describing defection?

"No, it's not time yet!"

Aokiji quickly dismissed the dangerous idea.

The Marine Headquarters had created the Blade Unit, carefully selecting candidates with spotless backgrounds and even offering them valuable Devil Fruits.

They weren't meant to head straight to the New World to die!

In Aokiji's view, sending Storm to the second half of the Grand Line with his current abilities would be a death sentence.

"You've only just eaten the [Clay Fruit], and your powers are barely developed."

Aokiji explained patiently.

"Your current task is to remain with the Marines and strengthen your abilities.

"Also, a Marine turning pirate requires the right timing.

"In short, follow the plan step by step."

Aokiji's "step-by-step plan" was essentially to have Storm ignore his enlistment in the Blade Unit for now.

Instead, he should consider himself an ordinary Marine fresh out of basic training.

To that end, Aokiji asked, "Storm, do you plan to stay at Headquarters, transfer to a G-series branch, or head to one of the Four Seas?"

Marines generally had three career paths: Headquarters, branch bases in the Four Seas, or G-series bases.

Storm knew this well.

Initially, he had planned to join one of the Four Seas branches.

Marine Headquarters was the elite of the elite.

The power gap between Headquarters and Four Seas bases was roughly three levels.

Storm, already qualified as a Headquarters warrant officer, would immediately be a "field officer" if he joined a Four Seas branch.

In the Four Seas, Marine captains were typically the highest-ranking officers in a branch, wielding full authority.

In other words, they were local "warlords."

If Storm joined a Four Seas branch, he'd gain maximum autonomy and have an easier time implementing his "money-making plan"—earning enough to buy a Devil Fruit.

But those plans had changed.

"Sir! I request deployment to Impel Down!"

The [Grand Cup] demanded battles to grow.

Storm needed as many opponents as possible to enhance his overall abilities.

As a Marine, his best opponents were pirates.

And no place had more or better pirates than Impel Down.

Not even the New World, home of the Emperor crews, could compare!

A stage set in the world's greatest prison—if you're alive, come and fight.

"Impel Down?"

Aokiji frowned, not expecting this answer.

"Why do you want to go there?"

"Because the number of pirates in Impel Down is like fish in the sea," Storm replied earnestly.

"I want to observe as many pirates as possible to prepare for future undercover missions.

"Also, Impel Down's isolation makes it perfect for training and honing my skills."

Aokiji nodded slightly at Storm's response.

He didn't fully agree with the first part, but the latter made some sense.

Impel Down, located in the Calm Belt, was extremely difficult to access.

Life as a prison guard there was devoid of entertainment or distractions.

Ignoring its unique nature, it was indeed an excellent place for training.

However…

A thought suddenly crossed Aokiji's mind.

A prison.

And not just any prison—the world's most notorious prison.

Was there really such a big difference between guards and prisoners?

"Although both Marines and Impel Down are under the government, they aren't part of the same system."

Aokiji deliberated before speaking.

"Transferring you to Impel Down will take time.

"At least three days, no more than a week."

"Yes, sir!"

Storm saluted crisply, his voice firm.

"Oh, one more thing," Aokiji added suddenly.

"This year's recruit training camp has another member who was recommended for the Blade Unit."

Storm already had a suspicion about who it was.

Before he could ask, Aokiji revealed the name.

"It's Grandma Tsuru's granddaughter, Peacock."

I knew it!

Storm gritted his teeth inwardly.

So that's how Z heard about his private comments on the Celestial Dragons—it was that little tattletale!

Shouldn't have stargazed with her that night… What a disaster!

Aokiji seemed about to say something, perhaps urging Storm and Peacock to get along.

But at that moment—

Bang!

The office door was violently kicked open from the outside.

Storm didn't even catch a glimpse of who it was before a thunderous roar filled the room.

"You bastard!"

Storm focused and recognized the gray-haired old man grabbing Aokiji by the collar.

It was none other than Vice Admiral Garp, shouting furiously:

"My grandson said he wants to be a pirate again! I won't allow it!"

Storm immediately identified him.

That's Monkey D. Garp, the legendary Marine hero!

In his mind, Storm playfully reenacted a certain dramatic line:

"Stop me now, Sengoku, or I'll kill Sakazuki!"

Suppressing his inner amusement, Storm kept his expression neutral and quietly left the room while Aokiji dealt with Garp's tirade.

As the argument continued behind him, Storm thought to himself:

It's the year 1518 in the Sea Calendar.

The grandson Garp mentioned must be Portgas D. Ace.

Only one year until Fire Fist Ace sets sail.

Four years until the Sun God's journey begins.

The old era's departure, the clash of new and old orders, the Sun God's awakening, the great war that splits the seas…

Time waits for no one!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm new on this side of WebNovel so please give me any advice or suggestions you have in the comments

Make Sure to give a Review!

If you enjoy, add this to your library (Collection)!

Send Power Stones! 

-----------------------------------------------------------------