Yesterday, Sturm was just a rookie Marine. Tomorrow, he might become an officer! The year is 1518 of the Ocean Calendar. On the morning of New Year’s Day, Vongola Sturm woke up from a turbulent, rose-colored dream. He found that suddenly before him appeared a shimmering, radiant [Grand Trophy]. What is this? The fantastical [Grand Trophy] quietly floated in the air, firmly capturing Sturm's attention. Is this a dream? Sturm stared intensely at the [Grand Trophy] and soon received feedback information.

[Unique Trophy: Coming of Age]

[Trophy Star Rating: None]

[Achievement Condition: Survive healthily to adulthood in the tumultuous era of great pirates.]

[Trophy Comment: Set sail, embark!]

Not a dream, but reality? The golden finger he had waited for eighteen years—was it finally arriving today?! Sturm looked incredulously at the [Grand Trophy] in the void. Eighteen years. [Grand Trophy], do you know how I’ve spent these eighteen years? In the year 1500 of the Ocean Calendar, the era of great pirates began, and Sturm was reborn into the sea. Although he couldn’t obtain local residency in Mariejois—local residency, not immigrant residency—he was still very fortunate to be born in a town behind the Navy headquarters next to the holy land. Three generations of his ancestors had all served in the Navy.

In this perilous sea, ordinary people must exert their utmost effort just to survive. The town behind the Navy headquarters provided ample safety guarantees. However, Sturm happened to be born during the world-class event of the Golden Lion Shiki attacking Marineford. An unprecedented super storm ravaged the Navy headquarters. Sturm almost experienced the marvel of "being born into death." However, it was precisely because of that shocking attack that Sturm got his current name—STORM.

Logically speaking, bearing the legendary title of "born from a storm," Sturm thought he could also become a "king." But he was still waiting for the "sword in the stone" that would make him king. It wasn’t until he reached the age for formal education that Sturm finally gave up on unrealistic fantasies of "dragons," "systems," and "superpowers." He ultimately decided to study hard and train his body. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he joined the military. The sea is "hot" knowledge.

Even the weakest of the weak, the super weak Marine, had his tailor-made cheat—“two hundred times effort” cheat, activate! Sturm officially entered Navy school at the age of 16, during which he trained relentlessly. By 17, he joined the elite Marine rookie training camp and graduated with excellent results. If nothing unexpected happened, 18-year-old Sturm would skip both the "rookie" and "corporal" stages, directly becoming a "Lieutenant Officer" in the Navy headquarters! This was the standard treatment for an excellent graduate of the rookie training camp. Sturm's next life goal was to work hard and earn money. Then, he aimed to obtain a powerful enough Devil Fruit!

Although the famous lecturer Kaido of the Beasts once said, "Only Haki transcends everything." But let’s not mention that this guy himself had eaten the [Fish Fish Fruit · Mythical Zoan · Azure Dragon Form]. Nor should we mention that right after he made this statement, he immediately unleashed his ultimate move, the "Fire Dragon Torch." Even less should we talk about how the person who defeated Teacher Kaido was also someone who had eaten the [Mythical Zoan · Nika Form]. Another notorious villain of the sea, Blackbeard Teach, also taught a principle: "Compared to the flaws, the advantages of the Devil Fruit are more!" Of course, Blackbeard Teach was referring to the powerful Devil Fruits.

Something like "the sea has no worst Devil Fruit, only the worst users." The nature of this statement is similar to "there are no useless martial spirits, only useless spirit masters." Pure toxic chicken soup! The Devil Fruit explicitly has a hierarchy. The Magma Fruit is the superior fruit to the Flame Fruit. Even if everyone is a Logia-type user, the Magma person can punch through the Flame person! Sturm has no aversion to powerful Devil Fruits. Logia types are not weak. Rule types and concept types are not strong. If it’s a Mythical Zoan, that’s even better! Sturm knows better than anyone on the sea what the "version answer" is. You say so, Mother Hen Wala, God Nika?

But now, Sturm has been using the "two hundred times effort" custom cheat for quite some time, working hard. The [Grand Trophy] has arrived? Tch! It’s here! Sturm made an effort to restrain the corners of his mouth that were almost stretching to his ears and began to explore the specific abilities of the [Grand Trophy]. The brilliant [Grand Trophy] emitted a vortex wave that seemed to reach the source. In less than a moment, Sturm understood everything.

The [Grand Trophy] has two abilities. Firstly, the [Grand Trophy] can help Sturm obtain the thing he desires most in his heart. Secondly, the "stars" corresponding to the [Grand Trophy] can be used to enhance his own abilities. Normally, both cannot be obtained simultaneously. However, some special trophies possess both effects. The only way to obtain the [Grand Trophy] is—fighting to the death! The stronger the opponent, the more intense the battle, the higher the level of the [Grand Trophy] that can be obtained!

According to Sturm’s understanding, the ability of the [Grand Trophy] is "wishing" and "leveling up." He looked at the [Coming of Age]. This is a special trophy with no "stars." This means the [Coming of Age] cannot be used to "level up," but can be used to "wish." Written as a low-tier trophy, read as newbie benefits. Sturm did not rush to check his "newbie gift pack." Instead, he awkwardly used his mind to summon another brand new [Grand Trophy].

[Vongola Sturm’s Grand Trophy]

[Physique: ★★☆]

[Haki: Not Activated]

[Comment: A Marine who trains frantically, qualified to be one of the hundred thousand Marines besieging Whitebeard in the Marineford War.]

Although Sturm is temporarily unclear about how high the strength corresponding to "★★☆" is, from that [comment] it seems...

High Emotional Intelligence: Not very strong yet.

Low Emotional Intelligence: Weak.

Sturm continued to look further. [Physique] and [Haki] both have three branch attributes. [Haki] naturally includes [Armament Haki], [Observation Haki], and [Conqueror's Haki]. As for the three branch attributes of [Physique], they are—

[Strength: ★★☆]

[Speed: ★★☆]

[Stamina: ★★★]

“...Healthy body, complete limbs, normal eating and drinking, promising future.” Sturm closed the [Grand Trophy] and silently comforted himself. Then, he bathed, changed clothes, burned incense, put on his cap, and sat upright. After waiting for his mind to completely calm down, Sturm finally summoned the initial [Coming of Age] trophy.

“What will be the 'sword in the stone' that I have waited eighteen years for?” Under Sturm's gaze, the [Coming of Age] trophy burst forth with a strange and brilliant light. The dazzling [Grand Trophy] eventually transformed into an ancient, natural silver-gray ring.

[Name: Devil Ring]

[Star Rating: ★★★★★★★★★]

[Description: A creation of ultra-ancient technology, a crystallization of wisdom from the ultra-ancient kingdom.]

[Effects: 1. Natural Energy: The [Devil Ring] can draw energy from the void, with nearly limitless energy; 2. Indestructible: The [Devil Ring] is made of extremely hard material, crafted in a unique way, and cannot be destroyed; 3. Devil's Power: The [Devil Ring] can suppress, absorb, seal, and transfer any supernatural factors contained in a Devil Fruit, and unleash the original abilities of the Devil Fruit using its own energy.]

[Comment: The devil cannot kill me!]

“One, two, three... nine? Nine stars?!” A nine-star item, the [Devil Ring]! Sturm was nearly blinded by the dense array of nine stars. But even more dazzling were the three effects of the [Devil Ring]! What is the biggest weakness of the bizarre and varied Devil Fruits? It is that after eating a Devil Fruit, the user will instantly become a being despised by the sea, unable to swim for life. On this “blue planet,” where the ocean occupies an absolute dominant position, being unable to swim is a very fatal and absolute weakness!

But just as Blackbeard Teach said, Devil Fruits, while having obvious drawbacks, have even more advantages! For example, [Ghost Fruit]. For example, [Card Fruit]. The powerful advantages of Devil Fruits completely offset their accompanying flaws. Sturm previously regarded “eating a Devil Fruit” as a small life goal because he had already accepted the realization of “losing swimming ability for life.” But now, with the [Devil Ring], Sturm can use the abilities of a Devil Fruit without consuming it!

One word: refreshing! Sturm felt an unprecedented exhilaration. This feeling was as refreshing as wearing new underwear on the morning of New Year’s Day. The Marine put on the ring. Stepping out, he headed to the headquarters. Justice has no holidays. On New Year’s Day, the Navy headquarters building was still bustling with activity. Sturm, dressed in a blue and white Marine uniform, appeared inconspicuous among the crowd of Navy personnel.

He twisted and turned, eventually arriving at the door of a top-floor office in the headquarters building. Knock knock— Sturm knocked on the door. A deep, powerful voice responded from inside. “Come in.” With permission granted, Sturm pushed the door open, raised his hand in salute, palm facing backward. “Sir! Rookie Vongola Sturm, here to report!”

“Sturm? You’re here quite early.” Responding to Sturm was a burly, muscular man with purple hair. Former Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Black Arm Zephyr! This man was also the chief instructor of the Navy elite rookie training camp. Sturm came today to confirm his rank and position changes with Zephyr. Zephyr looked at Sturm and pulled out a letter with his healthy left hand. He flicked his finger lightly, and the letter flew directly to Sturm’s face.

“This is a recommendation letter I personally wrote. Now, go next door and find Kuzan! He will tell you everything!” Kuzan, the Green Pheasant? Sturm, holding the recommendation letter, dully walked to the next office of the current admiral. Kuzan seemed to already know the situation. As Sturm pushed the door open, Kuzan went straight to the point. “Vongola Sturm? Did you bring your resignation letter?”

Sturm stood frozen in place. Not a promotion. But a dismissal?