"What a weak god!"
Storm retracted his fist as the Death Trophy materialized directly before him.
The reason he had gone all out earlier, unleashing his "Ultimate Punch," wasn't just because he worried that a "Normal Punch" wouldn't be enough to take down Enel.
He was even more concerned that his "Normal Punch" might simply scare Enel into fleeing.
For a "Lightning Man" who possessed the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit], if he were determined to escape at full speed, there would be little Storm could do to stop him.
His [More-More Fruit: Hundredfold Speed] was fast, but it still couldn't outpace lightning itself.
If Enel had abandoned his Sky Island stronghold and fled, Storm's entire plan for coming here would have been ruined.
Yet, against all expectations—
The power of his "Ultimate Punch" seemed to have been excessive.
Enel hadn't withstood it. He had gone straight to meet the King of Hell.
"Red Ogre Brogy and Blue Ogre Dorry both survived the 'Ultimate Punch' just fine…"
Storm strode forward, stopping beside Enel's corpse. He pulled out a piece of fruit and swiftly raised his right hand.
"This just proves Enel didn't train hard enough!"
Storm steadied his breathing, clearing his mind.
[Devil Ring]—activate!
Guided by the [Devil Ring], the lingering demonic power within Enel's corpse slowly coalesced into the fruit in Storm's hand.
As time passed, the fruit began to undergo a dramatic transformation.
Its original skin was replaced by a dazzling golden-yellow hue. Smooth flesh gave way to jagged, lightning-like protrusions, twisting and menacing. Intricate spiral patterns emerged across its surface, exuding an aura of profound mystery.
This was a Devil Fruit explicitly recorded in the [Devil Fruit Encyclopedia]—one hailed as [Invincible].
The [Logia-Type: Rumble-Rumble Fruit]!
Before joining the SWORD Unit and obtaining the [Clay-Clay Fruit], one of Storm's dreams had been to claim a powerful Devil Fruit for himself.
Among his many "dream Devil Fruits," the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] had been one of them.
Even by Storm's exacting standards, the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] stood as one of the most versatile and formidable Devil Fruits in existence.
Its cataclysmic destructive power and unparalleled mobility made it virtually unbeatable.
Even Kizaru's [Glint-Glint Fruit] paled slightly in comparison.
And there was one more crucial advantage—
The [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] could expand the user's [Observation Haki] perception range.
It amplified the potency of Haki itself!
This was a feat almost no other Devil Fruit could replicate.
And now, this once-dreamed-of fruit—the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit]—rested quietly in the palm of Storm's hand.
Honestly… he was tempted to take a bite.
"No, better not be so reckless."
Storm took a deep breath, suppressing his rising excitement.
He summoned the Death Trophy he had obtained after defeating the [Lizard King Hanafuda].
After allocating points to his [Speed] attribute, the Blood Diamond Trophy had reverted to a Diamond Trophy.
It could still be used to make one more wish!
Without hesitation, Storm made his wish.
A fourth [Devil Ring Replica] appeared before him.
Then—
Storm once again utilized this [Devil Ring Replica] to draw upon the power of the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit].
[Rumble-Rumble Fruit: ☆]
Deprived of its power, the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] became nothing more than an empty husk, retaining only its outward appearance.
Storm kept it aside and then summoned the remaining three five-star Platinum Trophies.
These were the five-star Grand Prize Trophies he had obtained by defeating Red Ogre Brogy, Blue Ogre Dorry, and the Lizard King a second time.
Gazing at the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] in his ability panel, Storm decisively invested all three five-star Grand Prize Trophies into it.
"Grand Prize Trophies, allocate!"
With the first Platinum Trophy, half a star became five.
With the second Platinum Trophy, five stars became six.
[Rumble-Rumble Fruit: ★★★★★★]
[Rumble-Rumble Fruit], Awakening!
In just a matter of seconds.
Storm had acquired yet another brand-new, Awakening-level Logia-type Devil Fruit power!
"Whoo~ Cheers! Applause!"
Equipping the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit Ring], Storm transformed into a streak of lightning, darting wildly through the ruins of the temple.
"I've never felt anything so incredible before!"
Although the [Clay-Clay Fruit], as a special Paramecia-type, also possessed the unique "Clayification" effect,
it was still just a Paramecia-type, fundamentally different from the Logia-type [Rumble-Rumble Fruit].
Storm enthusiastically experimented with the might of the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] for quite some time before reluctantly coming to a stop.
"A six-star [Rumble-Rumble Fruit]... its level is still a bit too low..."
Storm summoned his [Grand Prize Trophy] and checked his ability panel.
[Clay-Clay Fruit: Seven Stars]
[More-More Fruit / Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit / Rumble-Rumble Fruit: Six Stars]
The seven-star [Clay-Clay Fruit] stood out prominently, reigning supreme.
The six-star [More-More Fruit], [Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit], and [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] followed closely behind.
"The Zoan-type [Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit] is one thing..."
Storm looked at his Devil Fruit ability panel, his initial excitement fading somewhat.
"But I really want to raise the levels of the [More-More Fruit] and the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit]!"
However, what limited Storm's ability to enhance his Devil Fruit powers wasn't just the lack of high-tier Grand Prize Trophies.
It was also because the [Devil Ring Replica] could only unleash a maximum of six-star strength.
Storm fell into deep thought.
To solve this problem, he had two different approaches.
Either he could transfer the [Clay-Clay Fruit] into the six-star [Devil Ring Replica] and move the other Devil Fruits into the nine-star [Devil Ring], allowing him to unleash their powers without restriction;
or, he could improve the quality of the [Devil Ring Replica] itself!
Storm reached out to the [Grand Prize Trophy].
"Can the star ratings of these three [Devil Ring Replicas] be upgraded?"
The [Grand Prize Trophy] emitted a swirling ripple.
The latest updates are first published on 69shu!
Storm received an explanation from the [Grand Prize Trophy]—
As long as there are enough Grand Prize Trophies, whether it's abilities or weapons, everything can be enhanced using them!
Storm understood everything.
As long as the number and quality of [Grand Prize Trophies] were sufficient,
even a six-star [Devil Ring Replica] could be upgraded into a nine-star [Devil Ring]!
"Excellent! Now, the advanced Grand Prize Trophies I possess..."
Storm summoned the accumulated trophies he had stored.
Setting aside the countless [Silver Trophies] and [Golden Trophies], the only advanced trophy he had was the [Blood Diamond Trophy] obtained just moments ago from slaying Enel.
"Perhaps I should wait until I've gathered more Diamond Trophies before considering upgrading the [Devil Ring Replica]..."
Storm thought somewhat dejectedly.
As for transferring other Devil Fruit abilities into the nine-star [Devil Ring]...
That would also have to wait until he had stockpiled more Diamond Trophies to enhance those Devil Fruit abilities first...
For now,
A six-star Devil Fruit and the [Devil Ring Replica] were perfectly matched in rank.
No need for any flashy maneuvers.
Storm then turned his attention to the newly acquired [Blood Diamond Trophy] from Enel.
Death Trophies possessed both "wish-granting" and "attribute-boosting" effects.
If used solely for "boosting" or "wishing,"
A Death Trophy could perform two "boosts" or two "wishes" at once.
Storm summoned his [Haki] and pondered for a moment.
[Observation Haki] could have its range amplified by the newly acquired [Rumble-Rumble Fruit]...
Without hesitation, Storm invested the six-star Death Trophy into his [Armament Haki].
[Armament Haki: ★★★★★★★] (Seven Stars)
"All my advanced Grand Prize Trophies are spent. I need more—bigger and better trophies!"
Storm dismissed his ability interface and exhaled deeply.
"First, I'll digest the enhancements from the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] and [Armament Haki]!"
Raising his right hand, Storm released a surge of Clay, and in an instant, a figure materialized before him.
A towering frame, bulging muscles, and that iconic crescent-shaped white beard—
Whitebeard III, Edward Teach!
Back in Impel Down,
Storm had relied on [Clay Clones] to train alongside himself.
Now that the [Clay-Clay Fruit] had reached seven stars, the combat prowess of the [Clay Clone] had ascended to new heights.
Undoubtedly, this was the perfect sparring partner.
Storm stepped forward, his fist erupting with boundless lightning.
Shatter the darkness with thunder!
Once again, the skies above the ruins of Shandora roared with thunder.
Not far from this earthen island lay a hidden village—the Cloud-Hidden Village.
This was the settlement of descendants from the original inhabitants of Jaya, who had been carried skyward by the Knock Up Stream four centuries ago.
"Wyper! Wyper!"
A five-year-old girl in a yellow sundress sprinted through the village streets.
As she ran, she called out the name of the Cloud-Hidden Village's guerrilla captain.
The villagers watched the little girl with puzzled expressions.
"What's gotten into Aisa?"
"Did she sneak off to God's Island again?"
"Always running wild—no sense of decorum for a girl!"
The last remark reached Aisa's ears mid-sprint. She skidded to a halt, stuck out her tongue at the villager who'd spoken, then resumed her dash.
Moments later,
Aisa burst into one of the village tents—the gathering place for the Shandian guerrillas.
Just before she entered, a woman's voice called out from nearby.
"Aisa, what's wrong?"
The Shandian warrior Raki called out to Aisa, who was covered in sweat.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
As she spoke, Raki noticed the small bundle on Aisa's back and instantly furrowed her brow.
"You went to God's Island again? Stop taking such risks, Aisa."
"Raki..."
Aisa caught her breath, ignoring Raki's admonishment as she spoke directly.
"I can't hear Enel's voice anymore!
"Enel's voice has disappeared!"