Nine-Star Armament Haki! [Steel Body]!

[Moonlight Trophy: Kaido of the Beasts]

[Trophy Star Rating: ★★★★: ★★★★★★★★]

"No, the Big Trophy, are you serious?"

Storm glanced at the Eight-Star Big Trophy that had sprung from the void, then at Beasts Kaido, who was beaten unconscious by him, and his expression turned slightly strange.

Based on his experience, he believes that each specific goal has a "cooldown period" for obtaining the [Big Trophy].

Within a certain timeframe, the quality of the [Big Trophy] obtainable from a specific target is unique.

If you repeatedly hunt [the Big Trophy] on the same target within a short period of time.

This will only lead to a continuous decline in the quality of the [Big Trophy] obtained from hunting.

For example, there's Kizaru, who was beaten down from the [Moonlight Trophy] to the [Diamond Trophy] by Storm —he doesn't know whether he was too ruthless or Kizaru surrendered too quickly.

But one thing Storm is certain of.

The higher the Big Trophy's rank, the longer its "cooldown time".

If Storm remembers correctly, it hasn't been long since he last defeated Beasts Kaido.

Logically speaking

This time, Beasts Kaido should be able to provide the seven-star [Star Trophy].

But why is it Eight-Star [Moonlight Trophy]?

Even Beasts Kaido can provide the [Moonlight Trophy].

So, have the Eight-Star Big Trophy corresponding to the Admiral and Emperor-level powerhouses that Storm defeated before Beasts Kaido also been "refreshed"?

Just like Kizaru, Kizaru, and more Kizaru...

Storm abandoned his pointless speculations and directly communicated with the [Big Trophy].

When he has questions about the [Big Trophy]'s functions, the [Big Trophy] will also answer his questions.

For example, this time, the answer given by the [Big Trophy] is--

The [Moonlight Trophy] refreshes once per calendar year.

Simply put...

Last year, Storm defeated Beasts Kaido once.

This has nothing to do with Storm this year.

However, if he wants to continue hunting Beasts Kaido the [Moonlight Trophy], he'll have to wait until next year.

That is, the year 1520 in the Grand Line Era.

"Tsk!"

Storm voiced his dissatisfaction.

He thought it was a problem with Beasts Kaido's individual constitution...

As is widely known.

People's physical constitutions cannot be generalized.

And aren't Zoan Devil Fruit Devil Fruit User, especially Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit User, known for their incredible regenerative abilities?

However, Beasts Kaido seems to have never actually performed his "sit-up" feat...

Cough cough.

"Anyway, this is good news!"

Storm took a deep breath, put away the brand-new [Moonlight Trophy], and casually tossed Beasts Kaido into a separate "Void Prison".

For a powerful figure like Beasts Kaido, Storm's [Clay Fruit] wouldn't be very effective at restraining him, and he didn't have any high-precision [Seastone Shackles] on hand.

Therefore, Storm temporarily chose to imprison Beasts Kaido in a separate place.

Anyway, he's already defeated this guy.

What to do next is a problem for later.

Storm didn't rush to use the [Moonlight Trophy], but instead pulled out a new "prisoner" from the Void Great Prison.

Pluton Silvers Rayleigh!

Old Rayleigh was imprisoned in Storm's Void Great Prison for quite some time.

Because of Ace, Storm was not harsh in his treatment of Rayleigh.

At least this old pirate would get a chance to "go out for some fresh air"—if Ace asked for it.

This time.

Rayleigh was released from the Void Great Prison by Storm again.

He assumed that Ace had asked him to practice Swordsmanship —which was also Ace's most common excuse when they met.

But unexpectedly...

Rayleigh didn't see Ace, but he saw the White Dragon, which he didn't want to see.

"Um..."

Rayleigh looked around and realized he was now in the sky, with no one around him.

"White Dragon, did you need something from me?"

Storm didn't speak, but simply looked at old Rayleigh calmly while raising his fist.

Rayleigh's lips twitched violently.

"You don't actually want to fight me, do you...? You're not really going to fight, are you...? I give up!"

When Storm's fist was only 0.01 centimeters away from Rayleigh's head.

Rayleigh unleashed his fastest speed ever, voluntarily shouting the words "I surrender."

If I surrender quickly enough, no one can defeat me before I surrender!

If he was the First Mate of the Roger Pirates who roamed the seas back then, the true "Pluton".

Rayleigh certainly won't surrender so easily.

But now, he's nothing more than a pitiful old man trapped in a cage.

"The dignity of the strong" and such...

Rayleigh has long been gone.

Besides.

Anyway, he couldn't defeat the White Dragon, that terrifyingly strong monster.

Rather than being beaten up for no reason.

It's better to live a peaceful and simple life; true happiness lies in the ordinary.

Storm's punch ripped up Rayleigh's messy, unruly white hair.

But what truly stopped him wasn't just Rayleigh's words, but also Rayleigh's Big Trophy.

[Moonlight Trophy: Pluton Silvers Rayleigh]

[Trophy Star Rating: ★★★★: ★★★★★★★★]

'Good news, the refresh time for the Eight-Star [Big Trophy] is really over...'

Storm silently put away the new Eight-Star [Moonlight Trophy], and at the same time, he put away his right fist.

'Another piece of good news: Pluton Rayleigh's strength level hasn't dropped below Eight-Star yet...'

Following Beasts Kaido, Storm has once again taken Rayleigh's [Moonlight Trophy].

This is undoubtedly a very good sign.

Because aside from Rayleigh, there are quite a few other Eight-Star powerhouses that Storm can come into contact with in a short period of time.

For example, those guys in the New Marines!

Thinking about this, Storm suddenly felt a little regretful.

If only I had known earlier that the [Moonlight Trophy] refresh time is calculated in "calendar years".

Storm won't be able to kill Charlotte Linlin so quickly...

If you had kept Big Mom until now, you could at least have farmed an extra Eight-Star Big Trophy, right?

Storm shook his head, dismissing the irrelevant thoughts from his mind.

"Rayleigh, since you've been so cooperative, I'll give you a piece of intelligence for free."

Storm's "Void Great Prison" is no match for Impel Down's Infinite Hell.

Some prisoners in the Infinite Hell even have the right to read newspapers.

For example, one guy who left the Shichibukai immediately made a "glorious transformation" and became the newly crowned "King of Newspaper Reading".

But the Void Great Prison is truly a place where you're imprisoned.

Reading newspapers?

It does not exist.

Even someone like Rayleigh, with connections, has very few opportunities to obtain new intelligence.

Especially now, Ace has taken the initiative to go to the South Blue to establish and develop his "Spade Pirates".

Rayleigh basically had no opportunity to go out.

Upon hearing Storm's words, Rayleigh smiled calmly.

"What intelligence?"

"The New Marines has captured the Red-Haired Pirates."

Storm's casual remark instantly widened old Rayleigh's eyes.

New Marines? What's that?

What happened to Shanks, the Red-Haired?

Storm killed Rayleigh without bothering to bury him; after casually dropping this "intelligence bomb," he maliciously sent Rayleigh back to the Void Great Prison.

"At least say a few more words!"

Rayleigh's furious roar was completely cut off by an invisible portal in the void.

Enjoy your absolute freedom!

With a casual wave of his hand, Storm smoothed out the spatial fluctuations in the void, and the void portal created by the [Door-Door Fruit] completely disappeared.

The Door-Door Fruit is so useful!

After a brief moment of reflection, Storm summoned the two [Moonlight Trophy] he had just won.

Two [Moonlight Trophy] can instantly grant him two Eight-Star abilities or items.

Alternatively, one of his abilities could be upgraded to Nine-Star!

At this very moment.

Storm's attention was completely focused on the other abilities or items.

His eyes were fixed solely on his [Armament Haki], which remained at Eight-Star level!

After his [Observation Haki] was upgraded to Nine-Star last time.

Of the six main abilities of Storm's [Physique] and [Haki], only [Armament Haki] remains at the Eight-Star level.

The remaining items.

Strength, Speed, Endurance.

[Conqueror's Haki], [Observation Haki].

They're all Nine-Star!

Now only [Armament Haki] remains.

Storm can then transform into a true hexagonal, Nine-Star warrior, with no blind spots!

"Now!"

Storm took a deep breath and decisively poured the two newly acquired [Moonlight Trophy] into his [Armament Haki].

The eight faintly glowing stars that originally adorned the [Armament Haki] ability slowly and steadily gave rise to a brand new star at their ends.

[Armament Haki] instantly reached the Nine-Star!

Storm summoned his own [Big Trophy].

[Physique - Strength/Speed/Endurance: ★★★★★★★★★] (Nine-Star)

[Haki - Armor/Observations/Overlord: ★★★★★★★★★] (Nine-Star)

The last weakness has been addressed!

Storm extended his right hand, suddenly clenched his fist, and the powerful force of his fingers instantly burst the surrounding air with a loud "crack".

As the faint white aura dissipated, a deep, dark color covered Storm's right fist.

It's Nine-Star of [Armament Haki]!

Just as Storm had previously upgraded his Observation Haki to Nine-Star, he directly "Awakening" a special ability called "Hear the Voice of All Things".

At this moment, he upgraded his [Armament Haki] to Nine-Star, and he also "Awakening" a brand new ability.

Storm could clearly sense that with just a thought, his [Armament Haki] could be directly integrated into his entire body.

From skin and muscles to internal organs and bones, everything can be integrated with his [Armament Haki].

More importantly, this kind of "integration" does not require Storm to constantly devote energy to maintaining it.

Simply put...

This is a "passive ability".

A continuous, all-weather defense imbued with [Armament Haki]...

A name for a talent instantly flashed into Storm's mind.

"Steel Balloon"!

No!

The new abilities granted by the Nine-Star [Armament Haki] even surpass those of the "Steel Balloon".

Big Mom's bones can be broken by enemies.

Storm's [Armament Haki] can even protect his bones.

This is not a "Steel Balloon".

This is a "Steel Body"!

Second update.

Timeout... 11 minutes...

Okay, goodnight everyone.