Capítulo 3: Chapter 3: [The Special Paramecia Clay Fruit]!
So, I've been handed X Drake's undercover storyline, huh?
Storm couldn't believe it.
Without the [Nika Fruit], what's the point of being a pirate or dreaming of becoming Pirate King?!
Is it too late to back out and join the SWORD unit now?
Just as Storm hesitated to speak up, Kuzan added something.
"Of course, Storm, your current strength is still lacking."
Huh?
Storm swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.
It felt like something big was coming.
"To execute this undercover mission, the Headquarters will provide you with some assistance," Kuzan continued.
"Have you heard the rumors about last year—no, now it's the year before last.
"The rumors surrounding the recruit training camp?"
Recruit training camp rumors?
Storm thought for a moment and immediately connected the dots.
"Admiral Kuzan, are you talking about the rumor that 'top graduates from the training camp can get a Devil Fruit reward'?"
Why did that rumor even circulate during this recruit training camp?
It was all because of the terrible incident three years ago!
In the Year 1515 of the Sea Calendar, Edward Weevil, claiming to be the "Son of Whitebeard," launched a brutal attack on the recruit training camp.
The entire camp suffered heavy casualties.
From Chief Instructor Zeff on down, only three people survived the attack.
Even Zeff himself lost an arm to Edward Weevil's blade.
The aftermath of the incident shook Navy Headquarters to its core.
The training camp was even shut down for a year in response.
It wasn't reopened until last year.
To dispel the negative effects of the previous attack and encourage recruits to participate,
Headquarters not only assigned a large security team to the camp but also promised generous rewards to its graduates.
According to rumors, one of the prizes was a legendary treasure of the sea: a Devil Fruit!
Storm had dismissed that rumor as Fake News.
As someone who attended and graduated from that training camp, Storm had never seen any Devil Fruit!
By the time he finished the camp, he hadn't even seen a Devil Fruit peel.
But now, things seemed to be taking a turn.
"Yes, that's the one," Kuzan nodded calmly.
"The Devil Fruit is real.
"And it wasn't just meant for 'top graduates'; it's also a reward for members of the SWORD unit."
Storm's heart skipped a beat.
He had been a "top graduate" before and was now a member of the SWORD unit!
Could it mean…
Storm lightly rubbed the [Devil Ring] on his thumb.
"Admiral Kuzan, are you saying… I can get a Devil Fruit right now?"
Kuzan answered the expectation directly.
"That's right!"
The next moment, Kuzan extended his hand, and three hard white ice spheres emerged from beneath his desk.
Under the Ice-Man's control,
The three spheres floated toward Storm, orbiting him like satellites.
"Devil Fruits are extraordinarily rare treasures. Even at Headquarters, the stock is limited," Kuzan said casually while manipulating the spheres.
"These three Devil Fruits include two Paramecia types and one Zoan type. You can choose one to eat.
"This is your 'perk' for joining the SWORD unit!"
If this recruit benefit existed, why waste so much time explaining things earlier?!
Staring at the three ice-encased fruits, Storm's eyes glowed with the hunger of a BIG MOM in a food frenzy.
Through the transparent icy shell, he could faintly see the mysterious swirling patterns on their surfaces.
So this is a Devil Fruit.
The superpower cheat of his childhood dreams!
Kuzan brought the three spheres back to his side and melted the ice.
As the frosty shell faded away, the three Devil Fruits were finally revealed to Storm.
"Storm," Kuzan smiled.
"Do you need me to explain the names and basic effects of these three Devil Fruits?"
"No."
Storm refused casually, his eyes still locked on the fruits.
"I've read the *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia*."
The *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia*.
It sounded like a rare and precious book, but it wasn't as uncommon as it seemed.
At least in the Navy Headquarters archives, Storm had seen several copies.
Initially, Storm hadn't understood something.
According to the intel he knew,
Across the entire sea, there were only two people who sought their dream Devil Fruits by referencing the *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia*.
Both of them bore the "Black" moniker:
Blackbeard Teach.
Black Leg Sanji.
Didn't others know to consult the *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia* when looking for powers?
The harsh truth was—
Most people genuinely didn't know the encyclopedia existed.
Even among the Navy, many were clueless about Devil Fruits.
In a world where education is scarce,
Knowledge itself is another "treasure of the sea."
At least Storm had read the *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia*.
He was familiar with the shapes and abilities of all the Devil Fruits it described.
After all, he had plenty of dream fruits in mind.
Like the [Rumble Fruit], [Op-Op Fruit], [Glint-Glint Fruit], or [Azure Dragon Fruit].
Unfortunately, all those Devil Fruits were already taken.
The three fruits Kuzan presented were not among Storm's ideal choices.
But that didn't stop him from identifying them immediately.
The one on the left was the [Paramecia: Whip-Whip Fruit].
The one on the right was the [Paramecia: Clay Fruit].
And the one in the center was the [Zoan: Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Type, Allosaurus Model].
If Storm remembered correctly,
The powers of these three Devil Fruits would eventually appear among the SWORD unit's members!
Storm looked at the rough, dark-green [Allosaurus Fruit] placed in the center.
Once again, he thought of X Drake.
If Storm chose the [Allosaurus Fruit] now,
Would he be sent on a mission like X Drake's—to go undercover in the Beasts Pirates?
What a pity…
Storm didn't dislike Devil Fruits,
But he had strong biases about them.
Take the infamous saying:
"The Flame-Flame Fruit? Not even a dog would eat it!"
Fire-based abilities were so overused they were like slaves in the Sabaody Archipelago—everywhere.
And the supposed "main user" of the Flame-Flame Fruit couldn't even play with fire better than others…
No wonder they "quit the group"!
If the Flame-Flame Fruit was something not even a dog would eat,
Then standard and ancient Zoan types were something even a dog would shake its head at.
Given the choice,
Storm had no interest in the [Allosaurus Fruit].
His prolonged gaze, however, caught Kuzan's attention.
Storm, as a "semi-native" of this world,
Had views on Devil Fruits that differed significantly from the "locals."
While Storm dismissed the [Allosaurus Fruit],
Kuzan considered it the strongest of the three he presented!
Who cares about "mud" or "whips"?
Zoan Ancient Types.
Close combat is king!
Kuzan picked up the fruit in the center and asked,
"Storm, is this the [Allosaurus Fruit] you want?"
"No!"
Storm refused without hesitation.
"I'm considering the other two Paramecia fruits!"
Paramecia-type powers had wildly varying potential.
Take the [Quake-Quake Fruit] and the [Silence Fruit], for example.
The former could trigger catastrophic "seaquakes," "earthquakes," and "skyquakes."
As for the latter? Well, it was probably unbeatable when it came to improving sleep quality… maybe?
Storm recalled the descriptions in the *Devil Fruit Encyclopedia*.
The [Paramecia: Whip-Whip Fruit].
Its user could command anything they struck with a whip, including inanimate objects.
This was essentially a "super-slaver fruit"!
If it fell into the wrong hands…
Well… best not to think about that.
Storm shook off those unsavory thoughts.
The [Paramecia: Clay Fruit].
Its user could create and control clay and even transform into a clay-based form.
If anything,
This was a "special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit."
"I've decided!"
Storm pointed to the creamy white, soil-like Devil Fruit with layered textures.
"I want the [Clay Fruit]!"
Seeing Storm make his final choice,
Kuzan offered no objections.
The potential of a Devil Fruit's powers ultimately depended on its user.
Some Devil Fruits had incredible powers but were used poorly;
Others had weak powers but were developed to their full potential.
At this moment, Kuzan chose to trust Storm's talent.
Kuzan handed the [Clay Fruit] to Storm.
"This special Paramecia fruit is yours now, Vongola Storm!"
The moment the [Clay Fruit] was in his hands, Storm couldn't help but exclaim:
"Commander! I love the Navy! I love the SWORD unit!"
A fresh recruit being handed a Devil Fruit right away—
The SWORD unit really knew how to take care of its own!
"Ah, la la,"
Kuzan chuckled.
"How much do you love it?"
Storm paused for a moment and began to recite passionately:
"Evil approaches; from this day forth, I will stand watch, until death claims me.
"I will seek neither fame nor glory.
"I will remain loyal to my duty, in life and in death.
"I am the blade in the darkness, the guardian of the seas.
"I am the shield of justice, the drum that wakes the sleeper.
"I am the storm that sweeps away sin, the dawn that breaks the night.
"I pledge my life and honor to the SWORD unit.
"Today, and every day to come."
This grandiose oath
Nearly reignited the "Burning Justice" Kuzan had buried under years of ice.
He clapped loudly and praised Storm.
"Well said! Very spirited!"
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