"So I'm holding X·Drake's undercover script, huh?"

Strom felt anxious.

But without eating the [Nika fruit], how can one be a pirate and become the Pirate King?!

Is it too late to back out of joining the Blade Unit now?

Just as Strom hesitated on whether to speak up,

Aokiji suddenly added,

"Of course, Strom, your current strength still leaves something to be desired."

Huh?

Strom swallowed the words that were about to slip out.

It seemed like something big was coming.

"In order to execute this undercover plan, the headquarters will also provide certain assistance,"

Aokiji continued.

"Have you heard about this year's—no, now it's last year's—

rumors regarding the new recruit training camp?"

Rumors?

Strom thought for a moment and immediately recalled something.

"Is it the rumor that Admiral Kuzan mentioned about 'excellent graduates from the training camp being able to receive a Devil Fruit reward'?"

Why did this rumor circulate in this year's recruit training camp?

Of course, it was because of the violent incident that happened three years ago!

In the year 1515 of the Sea Circle calendar,

Edward Weevil, who claimed to be "Whitebeard II," brazenly attacked the new recruit training camp.

The entire Navy training camp suffered heavy casualties.

From Chief Instructor Zefa down, only three people survived this attack.

Even Zefa himself had his arm severed by Edward Weevil.

After the outbreak of this attack, the Navy Headquarters was in an uproar.

As a result, the recruit training camp was temporarily closed for a session.

It wasn't until last year that the recruit training camp reopened.

At that time, it was to eliminate the negative impact of the previous violent attack

and also to encourage recruits to actively participate in this training camp's plan.

The Navy Headquarters not only assigned a large number of security personnel to this training camp,

but also prepared very generous prizes for the graduates.

According to rumors, one of them included the legendary treasure of the sea—the Devil Fruit!

Strom ultimately deemed this news as "Fake News."

As a participant and an excellent graduate of this training camp,

Strom had never seen any Devil Fruits!

Until he graduated from the new recruit training camp,

he hadn’t seen a single Devil Fruit!

Not even the peel of a Devil Fruit!

But now, it seemed that things were about to change.

"Yes, that's the news."

Aokiji nodded, speaking calmly.

"The Devil Fruits do indeed exist.

"They are not only prepared for 'excellent graduates' but also for 'Blade Unit members.'"

Strom's heart skipped a beat.

He had been an "excellent graduate," and now he was also a "Blade Unit member"!

Could it be...

Strom gently rubbed the [Devil Ring] on his thumb.

"Admiral Kuzan, are you saying... I can obtain a Devil Fruit now?"

Aokiji directly responded to his anticipation.

"That's right!"

In the next moment,

Aokiji casually reached out, and three hard white ice balls emerged from under the desk.

Under the control of the Ice User's thought,

the three ice balls floated around Strom like satellites orbiting his body.

"The Devil Fruits are incredibly rare treasures; even the headquarters doesn’t have many in stock."

Aokiji said casually while manipulating the three ice balls.

"Among these three Devil Fruits, two are Paramecia types, and one is a Zoan type. You can choose one to eat.

"This fruit is also a 'benefit' for joining the Blade Unit!"

If he had known there was this new recruit benefit, why waste so many words before!?

Looking at the three ice balls orbiting him,

Strom's eyes were as hungry as Big Mom experiencing a food craving.

Through the hard icy shell, he could vaguely see the intricate spiral patterns filled with a mysterious aura beneath.

This is the Devil Fruit!

The "superpower cheat" he had dreamed of as a child!

Aokiji manipulated the three ice balls back to his side and caused the ice to thaw.

As the icy white shells melted away, the three Devil Fruits finally revealed their true forms before Strom.

"Strom."

Aokiji smiled.

"Do you need me to introduce the names and general effects of these three Devil Fruits?"

"No."

Strom casually refused, his gaze still firmly locked on the three Devil Fruits.

"I've read the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.'"

The 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia'

is a book that sounds very precious but is actually not that rare.

At least in the Navy Headquarters' library, Strom had seen several copies.

At first, Strom didn’t understand.

According to the information he knew,

only two people in the entire sea would hold the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia' to seek their dream Devil Fruits.

And they were both from the "Black" faction—

Blackbeard Teach.

Black Leg Sanji.

Didn’t anyone else know to look for Devil Fruit abilities using the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia'?

A cruel reality is that—

the vast majority of people indeed do not know about the existence of the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.'

Even among the Navy group spread across the globe,

there are still plenty of people who do not know relevant information about Devil Fruits.

In this ocean, knowledge is also a form of "sea treasure."

At least Strom had seen the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.'

He was very familiar with the shape and abilities of each Devil Fruit recorded within.

After all, he also had many "dream fruits."

Such as the [Thunder Fruit], [Surgery Fruit], [Spark Fruit], [Azure Dragon Fruit], and so on.

But it was very regrettable that all these Devil Fruits were currently owned by others.

At this moment, the three Devil Fruits Aokiji took out were not the ideal fruits in Strom's mind.

However, that did not prevent him from instantly recognizing their "true names"—

The one on the left is the [Paramecia: Whip Whip Fruit].

The one on the right is the [Paramecia: Clay Fruit].

The one in the middle is the [Zoan: Dragon Dragon Fruit, Ancient Type, Allosaurus Form].

If Strom remembered correctly,

the powers of these three Devil Fruits would eventually appear in the members of the Blade Unit!

Strom looked at the rough-skinned, dark green [Allosaurus Fruit] placed in the center by Aokiji.

He couldn’t help but think of X·Drake again.

If Strom chose the [Allosaurus Fruit] at this moment,

would he also take on X·Drake's mission—to go undercover in the Beasts Pirates?

What a pity...

Strom was not opposed to Devil Fruits.

But he also had very serious stereotypes.

For example, the notorious saying—

The Flame Flame Fruit, not even a dog would eat it!

There are simply too many people playing with fire on the sea.

Fire-type abilities are as rampant as slaves in the Shampoo Islands.

And as the "owner" of the [Flame Flame Fruit], he couldn’t even outplay others in playing with fire...

No wonder he "withdrew from the group"!

But if the [Flame Flame Fruit] is something that even dogs wouldn't eat,

then ordinary and ancient types of Zoan fruits are simply something that even dogs would shake their heads at.

Given the option,

Strom had no interest in the [Allosaurus Fruit] whatsoever.

However, his prolonged gaze still caught Aokiji's attention.

Strom's perspective as a "half-native" on Devil Fruits

was significantly different from that of the "locals" on the blue planet.

For instance, while Strom had no interest in the [Allosaurus Fruit],

Aokiji thought the [Allosaurus Fruit] was the strongest among the three Devil Fruits he presented!

No matter what "mud" or "whip" it was...

Animal-type ancient species.

Close combat is the way to go!

Aokiji picked up the Devil Fruit in the middle and asked,

"Strom, are you interested in this [Allosaurus Fruit]?"

"No!"

Strom decisively refused.

"I'm currently considering the other two Paramecia fruits!"

Paramecia fruits have a wide range of potential abilities.

Just like the [Quake Fruit] and the [Silence Fruit].

The former can cause world-shattering "sea quakes," "earthquakes," and "air quakes."

As for the latter, well, it is also unbeatable in improving sleep quality... right?

Strom recalled the contents recorded in the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.'

[Paramecia: Whip Whip Fruit].

The user can command everything they whip, including even non-living things.

This is a "super slave owner fruit"!

If the [Whip Whip Fruit] fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives,

then... hehehe...

Strom cast aside some unhealthy thoughts.

[Paramecia: Clay Fruit].

The ability is to create and control clay, and the user can also transform into a clay person.

If one must say,

this is actually a "special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit."

"I've made up my mind!"

Strom pointed to the Devil Fruit with milky white skin, with layers of fruit flesh resembling soil.

"I want the [Clay Fruit]!"

Seeing Strom make his final choice,

Aokiji did not raise any objections.

How much the ability of the Devil Fruit can be developed ultimately depends on the user's level.

Some Devil Fruits, despite having powerful abilities, are used like a clown;

while some Devil Fruits, despite their weak abilities, are developed into something unique by clowns.

At this moment, Aokiji chose to believe in Strom's talent!

Aokiji personally handed the [Clay Fruit] to Strom.

"This Paramecia fruit belongs to you now, Pengele Strom!"

At the moment the [Clay Fruit] was in his hands, Strom felt emotional.

"Sir! I love the Navy so much! I love the Blade Unit so much!"

Right after enlisting, he was directly given a Devil Fruit.

The Blade Unit is really generous!

"Ah la la."

Aokiji chuckled in surprise.

"How much do you like it?"

Strom pondered for a moment and immediately began to chant.

"With evil approaching, I will stand watch from now on, until death do us part.

"I will not covet fame and fortune, nor strive for glory.

"I will be loyal to my duties, living and dying here.

"I am the blade in the darkness, the guardian of the sea.

"I am the shield of justice, the drum that awakens the sleepers.

"I am the storm that sweeps away sin, the dawn's light at daybreak.

"I dedicate my life and honor to the Blade Unit.

"Today so, every day hence."

Such a magnificent oath nearly ignited Aokiji's long-frozen "burning justice" from over a decade.

He clapped hard and praised loudly.

"Good! Very spirited!"