A Dirty Deal, a Dirty Logia!

The "Storm Grand Fleet Squad Ranking Plan" was announced.

Storm could clearly notice that everyone's eyes had changed.

Ace, Kid, and Killer exchanged glances, and the latter two subtly joined forces.

Nami and Perona gazed at each other from afar, their eyes meeting in the air, a subtle spark igniting between them.

Robin and Brook are both "Great Pirate" with bounties, and given their unique experiences, neither of them is interested in things like "squad ranking."

As for Bear and Bonney...

The father and daughter were still deeply in love, completely oblivious to each other.

Furthermore...

Even if Bonney is interested in the "Squad Project".

Storm will also forcibly disqualify the other party from participating.

A little kid like you should just focus on getting better and not meddle in the adult world!

Ace, Kid, and Killer stared at each other for a while, then inexplicably joined together and looked at Nami and Perona.

Nami's [Cloud Fruit].

Perona's Ghost- Hollow-Hollow Fruit.

Neither of these two Devil Fruit abilities is easy to deal with!

The former is something that makes it impossible to hit or touch.

The latter is someone no one dares to fight!

The taste of Perona's "Negative Ghost" is something you have to experience to know; anyone who tries it will be doomed.

Ace, Kid, and Killer all suffered "torture" at the hands of Nami and Perona.

The three guys, who were just excited, suddenly calmed down the moment they saw Nami and Perona, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their feverish brains.

Let alone any talk of chivalry, like "never hitting a woman."

Even if we were to fight, we might not necessarily win!

"Boss!"

Kid suddenly turned around and asked Storm.

When will we be divided into squads?

"It will take at least some more time."

Storm nodded slightly and explained.

"The current power levels are severely unbalanced, and there are two Devil Fruit User that are practically invincible from birth."

Hearing Storm say that, Nami couldn't help but chuckle, and Perona also let out a light, cheerful laugh.

Storm glanced at the two girls and continued.

"Since it's a ranking of strength within the group, I still want to create a fair environment as much as possible."

At this point, Storm added another sentence.

"In addition, I am currently looking for a 'ship's doctor,' but it is not yet certain whether he will be found."

"If that 'ship's doctor' also joins our Storm Pirates, then the number of members participating in the squad ranking battle will increase, possibly to seven squads in the future... or even more."

The "ship's doctor" that Storm refers to is, of course, Trafalgar Law.

Trafalgar Law also has his own pirate crew— the Heart Pirates.

However, within the Heart Pirates...

Aside from Trafalgar Law, who was the Captain.

Aside from Bepo, who appears unassuming on the surface but is actually capable of single-handedly tearing apart most of the Blackbeard Pirates.

Storm had virtually no recollection of the other members.

The members of the Storm Pirates are currently unaware of Trafalgar Law's situation or that of the Heart Pirates.

However, people still have a clear understanding of the position of "ship's doctor".

When sailing on the high seas, there are some things that are absolutely unavoidable, and some positions that absolutely need to be filled.

Especially the two professions.

Navigation -- corresponding to navigator.

Medical -- corresponding to ship's doctor.

Other positions such as "combatant", "cook" and "shipwright" can be filled even if there are fewer of them.

But navigators and ship's doctors are absolutely essential!

A skilled ship's doctor can safeguard the lifeline of a pirate crew!

Speaking of which...

The Storm Pirates composition is clearly somewhat unreasonable.

There are simply too many people in the positions of "navigator" and "combatant".

Nami is a genius navigator.

Robin and Bear are also very knowledgeable about navigation; both of them are capable of sailing the seas alone.

Perona, relying on her Ghost- Hollow-Hollow Fruit, can also act as a navigator.

As for the combatants.

Ace, Kid, and Killer are all of them!

With Brook joining, the Storm Pirates gained another "musician".

However, the composition of the pirate crew is still quite unreasonable.

For example, "ship's doctor".

For example, "shipwright".

For example, "chef".

None of the Storm Pirates were there...

Now I hear Storm talking about the "ship's doctor".

Although no one knows the identity or strength of the ship's doctor whom Storm has taken a liking to.

But everyone couldn't help but feel excited.

The time for joyful gatherings always seems too short.

Storm has another "deal" to rush to.

He did not linger on the giant snail of the Germa Kingdom for long.

Storm briefly met with the members of the Storm Pirates, caught up on their individual lives, and then enjoyed a lively banquet with them.

Then came the time to say goodbye.

When Storm came, he brought with him a Sky Garden.

However, when he left, he left the Sky Garden directly in North Blue.

To be precise...

After leaving the Germa Kingdom, Storm took the Sky Garden directly to Minion Island ahead of schedule and placed it 10,000 meters above the sea near Minion Island.

Because Storm himself needed to leave the North Blue and return to the New World.

Therefore, the power of the [Float-Float Fruit] can no longer be applied to the Sky Garden —he also doesn't have the strength to float an island across half a world.

Therefore, Storm found a sea of clouds in the waters near Minion Island and placed the Sky Garden on the White Sea in this area.

After all this is done.

Only then did Storm ride the Blue-Eyes White Dragon back to the New World.

[More-More Fruit - 1000x Speed]!

Storm unhesitatingly applied [1000x Speed] to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon left a fleeting white trail across the sky above the North Blue.

Not long afterward.

Storm then entered the New World from the North Blue.

And at this time...

The Gorosei also sent a new message.

"Kizaru is waiting on Ruschired Island."

Ruschired Island.

After entering the New World from Fish-Man Island, thousands of meters below the ocean, the pirates faced one of the three initial islands of the New World.

It's easy to see from the name of this "initial island".

The Ruschired Island is not far from the Red Line Continent and Mary Geoise.

Storm did not waste any time.

After receiving the message from the Gorosei, he immediately rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon towards the initial stage of the New World.

After a whirlwind of speed...

Storm rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and arrived at the Ruschired Island.

Looking down from the air, Risky Red Ruschired Island appears completely crimson, as if it had been thoroughly stained with blood, giving off a sense of inexplicable danger.

Storm activated his Observation Haki, sensing the Ruschired Island below from high above and directly detecting Kizaru's presence.

"Hmm? Is it just Kizaru alone?"

To Storm's surprise, the only powerful aura on Ruschired Island belonged to Kizaru.

This is quite different from his previous predictions.

Storm had previously assumed that the Gorosei were in such a hurry to make a deal with him because they were eager to take action against him.

If at this time, a large number of troops were planted in an ambush on Ruschired Island.

Storm wouldn't be surprised at all.

At this moment, only Kizaru remained on Ruschired Island.

Just as Storm was about to ride the Blue-Eyes White Dragon towards the Ruschired Island.

The Kizaru on the island also saw the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in the sky.

The Admiral transformed into a flash of light, flying directly into the sky and appearing beside Storm.

"Um?"

Kizaru, carrying a suitcase in his left hand, turned to look at Storm, and after seeing the latter's face clearly, he couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

"This face, upon closer inspection, is truly terrifying."

Storm frowned, glared at Kizaru, and retorted defiantly.

"Upon closer inspection, your face also seems somewhat cruel."

Hehe~

Kizaru chuckled softly, then stretched out his right hand and gently stroked his stubble a few times.

Two red lights shone deep within his pupils, clearly indicating that he had activated his [Observation Haki].

But when Kizaru sensed Storm's presence, he couldn't help but be stunned.

I was stunned, then stunned again.

"S- Storm ..."

Headquarters Admiral Kizaru, who is known for his emotional stability, actually stuttered a little when he spoke at this moment.

"Are you the Red Dragon Emperor?"

Kizaru's Observation Haki allowed him to clearly perceive that the aura emanating from Storm was exactly the same as that of the Red Dragon Emperor!

"Hmm? Admiral Kizaru, you finally noticed?"

Storm raised an eyebrow; it seemed he had encountered another "smart person."

"That's right! I am the Red Dragon Emperor!"

Storm's candor left Kizaru somewhat uncertain.

"That's really strange."

Kizaru stroked his stubble again, looking puzzled.

"Is it really possible for two people on the high seas to look exactly alike and have the same aura?"

"Storm, you're actually a clone of the Red Dragon Emperor, aren't you?"

"Clam?"

Storm tilted his head to the side.

Did Kizaru develop Alzheimer's disease from spending too much time with Vegapunk, the greatest scientist on the Grand Line?

Storm had previously thought Kizaru was a "smart guy".

I never expected the other person to be so incredibly clever!

Storm quietly activated the power of the [Red Dragon Ring], ignited his golden eyes, and directly entered his dragon-human form.

"Look me in the eye, Kizaru!"

"Huh?"

Kizaru looked at Storm, who had transformed into a small red dragon, and suddenly grinned, saying merrily.

"They really are exactly the same!"

"Storm, is your [Clay Fruit] ability really this interesting?"

"You and a 'dragon' seem like a perfect match~"

As Kizaru spoke, he lifted the leather suitcase in his left hand.

"Here, the Gorosei asked me to give you two Devil Fruits."

"..."

Seeing Kizaru's nonchalant demeanor, Storm was utterly speechless.

Two red lights shone deep within his golden eyes, and his [Observation Haki], capable of "reading people's minds," silently activated, directly reading Kizaru's inner thoughts.

What left Storm speechless once again was...

This time, the Gorosei did not give Kizaru any additional tasks.

Kizaru's mind was now completely occupied with only one thought--

Get this done quickly! Get back to headquarters! I need a vacation!

Storm did not deactivate his Observation Haki, but silently accepted the suitcase that Kizaru handed him.

He opened the box, mentally preparing himself for the possibility that "a group of burly men would jump out as soon as he opened it."

But there was no "group of burly men".

The suitcase contained only two strangely shaped Devil Fruit.

The one on the left has a dark brown, mud-like surface covered with Arabesque Swirl Pattern.

The one on the right is square in shape, not like a normal fruit at all, but swirling patterns still cover its entire surface.

Having thoroughly studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, Storm immediately recognized the names of the two Devil Fruits.

The one on the right is the [Paramecia - Cube Fruit]!

The one on the left is a [Logia - Swamp Fruit]!

The Gorosei have really "exploded" gold coins again!

Served at dawn!

17,000 words, please subscribe! Please vote with monthly tickets!

The extra chapter I mentioned yesterday for [monthly tickets] and [recommendation tickets].

It's all been paid off now!

Goodnight everyone.