One Piece: From Marine to Legend

"Whitebeard has breached Marine Headquarters!"

"Whitebeard is attacking us!"

The panicked cries echoed throughout the training ground, spreading rapidly beyond.

Hearing the commotion and seeing the so-called "Whitebeard" in person, Kujaku was momentarily frightened. But as soon as she got a clearer look, she was left speechless.

A round head, a belly shaped like a ball, and an overall pale complexion—this "Whitebeard" looked more like a cheaply made clay figurine from an unskilled workshop rather than the world's strongest man.

Except for the iconic white crescent beard, there was nothing remotely intimidating about him.

"Is this Whitebeard some kind of joke? Is Storm behind this?"

With a sharp mind inherited from Vice Admiral Tsuru, Kujaku quickly assessed the situation.

"This ability… is it the Clay-Clay Fruit that Admiral Kuzan mentioned before?!"

But while the surrounding Marines were still in chaos, Storm had no time to acknowledge their reactions.

Right now, all of his attention was focused on controlling "Whitebeard III."

Ever since creating the Clay White Dragon, Storm had realized a major issue—while the Devil Ring granted him access to Devil Fruit powers without consuming stamina, it did nothing to improve his proficiency in using them.

A nine-star Devil Ring didn't mean instant mastery over a Devil Fruit.

His development level for the Clay-Clay Fruit was already recorded in the Trophy System:

[Devil Fruit: Clay Fruit – ☆]

That single star spoke volumes.

When applied in battle, this ability was merely a cheap knockoff of Whitebeard, nowhere close to the real thing.

Even Storm himself had to admit—his "Whitebeard III" was low-quality. It wasn't just an imitation of Whitebeard; it was an imitation that failed to even surpass "Whitebeard Jr.".

But there was no time to perfect it now.

The fight had already begun!

Kujaku's whip had struck "Whitebeard III" earlier, embedding itself deep into its clay-like left arm.

Storm seized the opportunity, commanding "Whitebeard III" to tighten its grip and yank the whip forward.

Feeling the immense force pulling at her weapon, Kujaku nearly lost her grip. Gritting her teeth, she activated her ability, shortening the whip until it returned to its original form.

A cold gleam flashed in her hands—her weapon had transformed into a blade.

Storm had suspected as much.

Kujaku had been offered a devil fruit, just like him.

However, having recently obtained the fruit, she had yet to master its full potential. Her control over its elasticity was still limited, which allowed her weapon to revert to a sword instead of remaining a whip.

But Storm wasn't discouraged.

He controlled "Whitebeard III" and charged forward, its elephantine legs pounding against the ground.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Every step left behind deep footprints, and the gathered Marines erupted into another round of terrified shouting.

This time, Kujaku remained composed.

As "Whitebeard III" swung its huge palm towards her, a gust of wind followed the attack.

But she was already in the air.

Moonwalk!

Like a bird, she used the invisible air as leverage, evading the attack effortlessly.

"You bastard!" she shouted from above. "Who the hell is that supposed to be?"

Storm grinned.

"Whitebeard III!"

Kujaku's expression darkened. "Whitebeard III! Who is that guy supposed to be?!"

With a powerful kick, she contracted her legs before unleashing them instantly, striking with a move that shattered the air itself.

"Tempest Kick: Flying Crane!"

A sharp crane-like slash formed from compressed air shot downward at breakneck speed.

Storm, controlling "Whitebeard III," had no time to react.

The vacuum slash tore through the clay with ease, severing "Whitebeard III's" right arm at the elbow.

BOOM!

The impact left a deep trench across the training ground as the severed arm crashed into the dirt.

"Huff… Huff…"

Breathing heavily from the exertion, Kujaku struggled to maintain her Moonwalk. She finally landed, her gaze locked onto "Whitebeard III."

Although Storm had lost an arm, he felt nothing.

After all, it wasn't his arm that had been cut—it was just clay.

Seeing Kujaku's brief exhaustion, Storm acted immediately.

With a swing of "Whitebeard III's" remaining left arm, he spun on the spot like a windmill, launching a powerful attack.

"Flying Dragon Punch!"

At the moment the words fell, "Whitebeard III's" left arm detached, soaring toward Kujaku like a cannonball.

But before it could reach her, the arm began to morph—

A head formed. Then wings. A tail. Four short legs.

By the time it closed in, it had transformed into a four-legged flying dragon!

The massive clay dragon slammed toward Kujaku.

But she was quick.

With an agile sidestep, she dodged just in time.

BOOM!

The white dragon crashed into the ground, breaking apart into a shapeless mass of clay.

Kujaku smirked.

But before she could celebrate—

A shadow loomed over her.

A fist was flying straight toward her abdomen!

Storm had closed the distance without her noticing.

He struck with his fist.

BAM!

Kujaku's body curled up like a shrimp from the impact.

The force sent her flying backward—right into "Whitebeard III."

THUD!

Trapped inside its clay-like mass, she struggled, but the more she moved, the tighter the clay gripped her.

She had no choice.

"You win!"

The moment she admitted defeat, a silver trophy appeared before Storm.

[Silver Trophy: Kujaku]

[Star Rating: ★★★]

'A three-star silver trophy?! So defeating opponents earns trophies!'

Suppressing his excitement, Storm commanded "Whitebeard III" to release Kujaku.

The clay rippled, and moments later, it spat her out.

Kujaku collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

"Storm..." she muttered, ready to speak.

But before she could—

"WHITEBEARD JR.!!!"

A burly figure appeared beside them in an instant.

A massive mechanical arm, known as the "Battle Smasher", swung down.

BOOM!

"Whitebeard Jr.'s" head exploded like fireworks.

For a moment, Zephyr froze.

His entire life, he had never killed anyone.

Yet… why had "Whitebeard II" died so easily?!

Storm, too, was stunned.

Turning around, his eyes widened—

Standing nearby were the top brass of the Marines.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Admiral Kuzan.

Admiral Kizaru.

Marine Hero Garp.

And countless vice admirals, including Tsuru and Gion.

Storm held his breath.

"This is the Marine All-Star lineup…"

"Could even the Four Emperors survive this?!"

Zephyr's furious voice interrupted his thoughts.

"STORM! KUJAKU!"

His expression was as dark as if he had coated himself in Haki.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?! WHY IS EVERYONE SHOUTING THAT WHITEBEARD IS HERE?!"

Storm opened his mouth to explain, but—

Kujaku clapped a hand on his shoulder, smirking as she introduced him grandly.

"The world's strongest pirate is right here!"

"Teacher Zephyr, meet 'Whitebeard III', Edward Teach!"