A seven-star [Clay] body, seven-star dual [Haki].
A six-star [Float-Float Fruit], six-star formidable [Swordsmanship].
The "Golden Lion II" that Storm had molded at this moment could unleash combat prowess not much inferior to the real Golden Lion Shiki.
Of course.
Storm was referring to the current "remnant of the old era," Golden Lion Shiki.
"Golden Lion II" still couldn't compare to the peak-era Flying Pirate, Golden Lion Shiki—the gap was still quite significant...
Not to mention the distant past.
Based on Storm's recent battle experience with Golden Lion Shiki, the latter in his prime had undoubtedly mastered [Conqueror's Haki] infusion!
That alone was enough to place Golden Lion Shiki at the pinnacle of the world's power hierarchy!
But it didn't matter.
Storm's enhancements for "Golden Lion II" weren't finished yet.
To be precise.
Storm still had another seven-star [Death All-Star Trophy] left unused!
His [Physique] and dual [Haki] were all seven-star.
A seven-star Death Trophy could be allocated twice.
This meant that no matter which attribute Storm invested this [Death All-Star Trophy] from [Golden Lion Shiki] into, he could immediately elevate one attribute to eight stars!
Eight stars!
The level of a Navy Admiral or a [Pirate Emperor]!
And aside from [Physique] and dual [Haki],
Storm possessed another seven-star ability.
The [Clay-Clay Fruit]!
If he invested [Golden Lion Shiki]'s Death Trophy into the [Clay-Clay Fruit], this Paramecia-type Devil Fruit's development level would also rise to eight stars!
Physique?
Haki?
Devil Fruit?
Storm lightly rubbed the nine-star [Devil Ring] on his finger and made his final decision.
[Clay-Clay Fruit], you're the one!
Storm took a deep breath and directly poured the freshly obtained [Death All-Star Trophy] into the [Clay-Clay Fruit].
Among his ability stats, the seven stars embellishing the [Clay-Clay Fruit] suddenly rippled with a peculiar fluctuation—a brand-new star emerged.
[Clay-Clay Fruit: ★★★★★★★★] (Eight stars)
A four-star [Clay-Clay Fruit] had allowed Storm to mold the [Blue-Eyed White Dragon], freeing himself from the shackles of gravity.
A six-star [Clay-Clay Fruit] had granted him [Awakening], enabling him to transform his surroundings directly into clay.
So what about an eight-star [Clay-Clay Fruit]?
Storm closed his eyes, immersing his consciousness into the eight-star [Clay-Clay Fruit]. The power of the [Clay-Clay Fruit] silently radiated outward from the [Devil Ring].
The first to be "infected" by the Devil Fruit's power was Storm himself, the wearer of the [Devil Ring].
His black hair and clothing were instantly "tainted" by this demonic energy, turning into a moist, clay-like white hue. The original black strands and fabric lines twisted and deformed under this force, spiraling like coils.
An incredibly agile white flame-cloud ribbon coiled around Storm's body, adorned with spiral patterns identical in color and shape to those of the Clay-Clay Fruit.
Storm slowly opened his eyes, first noticing the white flame-cloud ribbon surrounding him, followed by his clothes and hair—now transformed into a smooth, lustrous white by the Clay-Clay Fruit.
Why did he feel like his current appearance was just a tiny bit... problematic?
"..."
Storm gently touched his white hair and fell into deep silence.
Could it be that what he had obtained at Marine Headquarters wasn't the Paramecia-type Clay-Clay Fruit after all?
But rather the Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Figurine King Form from some mythical tale?
Question Nika, despise Nika, and then...
Become Nika?
...
With a deeply complicated mood, Storm returned to Ant Nest Hell atop the Blue-Eyed White Dragon, accompanied by Golden Lion II.
By now, he had dispelled the Clay-Clay Fruit's power affecting his body, reverting to his original appearance.
Standing motionless on the shore of Ant Nest Hell was a small, statue-like figure—Nami, staring blankly at the sky.
Storm steadied his emotions and approached her, waving a hand in front of her eyes.
"I'm back. What's wrong with you?"
"Bl-blah blah—"
Nami babbled incoherently, as if in a daze.
Were the scenes she had just witnessed even real?
Dozens of islands falling from the sky, only to be obliterated by the Black Thunder God, the vast heavens themselves torn apart by the aftermath of battle...
Was this human?
Or...
Had Nami been dreaming all along, never truly waking up?
"Your brain seems to be malfunctioning again, Nami."
Storm frowned at the speech-impaired cat burglar.
"Maybe it's just me, but I think you need to see a doctor."
"I'm not the one who needs a doctor!"
Snapping out of it, Nami nearly roared to vent her shock and terror—until she met Storm's gaze.
Instantly, the cat burglar swallowed her anger, her voice turning sickly sweet.
"White Dragon-sama, you're so amazing~!"
No matter what, flattery was the way to go!
"Nami, I'll take you to see a doctor later. A full checkup wouldn't hurt."
Storm studied the suddenly erratic thief with genuine concern.
"A full-body scan—especially your brain."
Storm had already planned to take Nami to the Germa Kingdom to reunite with Kuma, Robin, Kid, and the others.
But now, he had an additional agenda—Nami absolutely needed a thorough medical examination!
Was she not an "orange cat" but actually a "cow cat"?
What happened to the sharp-witted thief? She seemed to have turned into a complete lunatic.
"White Dragon-sama—"
Nami was about to speak when she suddenly noticed Golden Lion II standing beside Storm—he had been there the whole time, just overlooked.
"Who... is this gentleman?"
"Golden Lion II."
Storm glanced at the Clay Doll beside him and casually gave it a name.
"Lion."
Whitebeard Jr.'s name was—Edward Teach.
Golden Lion II's surname was unknown, so only his given name remained—Lion.
"Lord Lion!"
Nami looked at the solemn-faced Golden Lion II, his head covered in golden hair, and found him far more intimidating than Lord White Dragon. She immediately greeted him respectfully.
Golden Lion II gave Nami a cold glance and nodded imperceptibly.
Unfazed by his indifference, Nami quietly edged closer to Storm.
The next moment.
Golden Lion Shiki unleashed the power of the fully Awakened Float-Float Fruit through the Devil Ring!
Under the influence of the Float-Float Fruit's power.
The entire Ant Nest Hell suddenly trembled violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
"An earthquake! There's an earthquake!"
Nami panicked, frantically looking around for somewhere to take shelter.
"White Dragon! Lord White Dragon! We can escape to the sky—"
She was about to call for Storm to ride the dragon into the sky when she noticed his expression remained utterly calm.
Even Golden Lion II beside him showed no reaction.
Recalling the battle she had just witnessed, an unbelievable thought flashed through Nami's mind, and her lips twitched violently.
"No way…"
BOOM—
With a deafening roar.
The entire Ant Nest Hell, under Golden Lion II's control via the Float-Float Fruit, ascended into the sky, transforming into a brand-new Sky Island!
The fleet of islands Golden Lion Shiki had painstakingly built over more than a decade had been completely destroyed by Storm in the earlier battle, their shattered remains sinking into the sea.
Embracing the idea of recycling waste.
Storm decided to relocate this "Ant Nest Hell" to the sky.
After all, the island had been uninhabited.
Aside from the Cockatrices, no other lifeforms had existed there.
Storm claimed it as his own!
A massive crater appeared on the ocean's surface where Ant Nest Hell had once stood.
Seawater rushed in to fill the void, roaring as it surged.
High above.
Under Golden Lion II's Float-Float Fruit manipulation, Ant Nest Hell's terrain rapidly transformed.
The ancient, decaying giant tree at the island's center was shattered, decomposed, and buried deep within the earth by the Float-Float Fruit's power.
The charred corpses of the Cockatrices were also buried deep within the island, enriching the soil.
The entire island's surface was practically overturned.
Yet, because of this.
Ant Nest Hell was instantly reborn.
Nami stared at the dramatically altered landscape, once again overwhelmed by shock.
It took her a long moment to snap out of it when Storm spoke.
"Though the island's surface is still barren, we can continue improving it later."
Storm gazed around with satisfaction, having already decided to make this island his headquarters!
"Nami, I don't think 'Ant Nest Hell' sounds very appealing. Do you have any suggestions?"
Nami snapped out of her thoughts, slapping her cheeks lightly before replying cautiously.
"Sky Island?"
"Too common, and there's already a Sky Island out on the seas."
Storm immediately rejected Nami's suggestion before voicing his own idea.
"For now, let's call this place 'Celestial Garden'!"
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