One Piece: From Marine to Legend

Aokiji really liked the oath Storm recited.

He deliberately pulled out paper and a pen from his desk drawer and began copying it down.

The rustling sound of the pen scratching against the paper echoed in the admiral's office.

Meanwhile, Storm was staring at the Clay-Clay Fruit in his hand.

Several lines of text, visible only to him, materialized:

[Name: Clay-Clay Fruit]

[Star Rating: None]

[Description: Special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit]

[Effect: The user can turn any part of their body into clay and generate clay from himself.]

[Note: Devil Fruits symbolize an unnatural evolutionary path, and those who eat them will be cursed by the sea.]

[Remark: Playing with clay in the sea?]

The effects of the Clay-Clay Fruit didn't surprise Storm.

This was indeed a "Special Paramecia" Devil Fruit, much like Charlotte Katakuri's Mochi-Mochi Fruit.

Not quite a Logia, but in some ways, even better.

'Now, Clay-Clay Fruit, please lend me your power!'

Storm activated the [Devil Ring], silently absorbing and sealing the supernatural properties of the Clay-Clay Fruit.

The process happened seamlessly.

Now, the Devil Fruit still looked the same, but its power had been completely drained.

Through the Trophy System, Storm continued observing the fruit's new status.

[Name: Clay-Clay Fruit (Powerless)]

[Star Rating: None]

[Description: A Devil Fruit that looks strange and tastes awful.]

[Effect: Nothing but a disgusting snack.]

[Remark: Useless garbage!]

"The side effects are gone. It's nothing more than an empty shell now..."

Storm held up the powerless Clay-Clay Fruit.

Even though he hadn't consumed the fruit himself, he could still feel its power had already become his.

With just a thought, he produced soft, white clay hidden in the palm of his hand.

As he experimented with his new abilities, Aokiji finally finished copying the oath.

When he looked up, he noticed Storm still holding the devil fruit.

"Storm, eat it."

Aokiji's words snapped Storm back to reality.

"Ah?"

Aokiji raised his tone slightly.

"Storm, eat the fruit."

Storm immediately understood.

Aokiji wanted him to eat the now-useless Clay-Clay Fruit.

Initially, Storm had planned to keep the fruit to see if it would undergo any strange changes over time.

But now? Might as well eat it.

Without hesitation, he raised the bizarre-looking fruit and took a large bite.

Instantly, an indescribable nausea spread from his tongue to every nerve in his body.

It was completely garbage—no, actually, the texture is like chewing on rubber!

"Could it be that all Devil Fruits are made by the Sun God himself?"

Storm tried to find humor in the situation.

He forced himself to finish the Clay-Clay Fruit in just a few bites, not even leaving the peel behind.

Aokiji watched his pale expression and seemed to recall his own experience eating the Ice-Ice Fruit.

Aokiji chuckled.

"I'll never forget the taste of a Devil Fruit."

Then, he leaned forward slightly.

"Want to test your devil fruit, Storm?"

"Of course!"

Storm was eager—no, he couldn't wait any longer!

A ball of white clay appeared in his palm, shifting forms as he molded it.

Head. Torso. Tail. Wings...

Aokiji watched the fat, white clay figure with interest.

"...Is this a penguin?"

"I actually like penguins too."

"Penguin?"

Storm's expression twitched.

He was about to explode.

"This is a dragon!"

Since he was a child, he had always dreamed of raising a mighty dragon.

For now, he couldn't have a real one.

But at least he could craft one out of clay!

Sure, this little white dragon looked a bit… off.

It was small. Its belly was round. It lacked scales or horns...

But still!

How could anyone mistake it for a penguin?!

Feeling provoked, Storm smirked.

With a flick of his fingers, the little white dragon transformed.

Its wings shrank, its tail shortened, and its body became rounder...

Now, it was a fat little chicken.

No!

Not just any chicken.

A white pheasant. An "Ice Pheasant."

Storm didn't say a word, but his meaning was clear.

"...Ahem."

Aokiji coughed lightly.

Storm clapped his hands, causing the fat little chicken to disappear.

Then, he straightened his back and spoke firmly.

"Sir! I am willing to accept the undercover mission!"

"Now, I need to become a pirate."

"So, do I just defect from headquarters? The charge is 'stealing a Devil Fruit'?"

Aokiji's eyes narrowed slightly.

Why did he sound so enthusiastic about defection?!

And why did he say "defection" so smoothly?

"No! There's no rush!"

Aokiji quickly stopped him.

The SWORD was carefully established by Marine Headquarters, selecting only elite candidates and offering them precious Devil Fruits.

They weren't going to throw them into the New World to die!

"Your ability isn't fully developed yet."

Aokiji crossed his arms.

"Your mission is to stay in the Marines and get stronger."

"Besides, the timing for the Marines turning into Pirates has to be just right."

"In conclusion, just follow the plan."

Storm nodded.

For now, he would just act like an ordinary Marine.

Aokiji then posed an important question.

"Storm, where do you want to be stationed?

"The Headquarters?"

"The G-series branches?"

"Or perhaps even the Four Seas?"

The standard career paths for Marines were clear:

1. Stay at Headquarters = Elite training but under strict supervision.

2. Join a G-Series Branch = A balanced choice, decent strength but more freedom.

3. Go to a Four Seas Base = Immediate promotion and local authority.

Storm originally planned to go to a Four Seas Branch to operate more freely.

As a Headquarters Lieutenant, he could instantly become a Captain in the Four Seas, gaining near-total control over a base.

But now?

Storm had changed his mind.

"Sir! I request to be transferred to Impel Down!"

Aokiji frowned.

"Why?"

"Because there are many pirates in Impel Down."

Storm replied seriously.

"I need to observe them up close to prepare for my undercover mission."

"Also, the prison environment is isolated and perfect for training."

Aokiji nodded slightly.

Storm had a point.

But something about this felt... off.

After all—was there really that much difference between a prison guard and a prisoner?

Aokiji sighed.

"It will take time to transfer you.

"At least three days, at most a week."

"Yes, sir!"

Then, Aokiji suddenly remembered something.

"One more thing, Storm."

"In this training camp, you're not the only one recommended to SWORD."

Storm already had a suspicious name in mind.

Before he could ask, Aokiji confirmed it.

"She is Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter—Kujaku."

That woman! Storm gritted his teeth in frustration.

He was about to investigate how Instructor Zephyrs knew about his private comment regarding the Celestial Dragons.

It turned out that there was a "little bird" secretly conveying secrets behind the scenes. If I had known, I would not have counted the stars and watched the moon with that woman, Kujaku, that night!