"You are no different from that bastard, Shiryu!"
Magellan's expression darkened at Storm's words. He immediately snapped back, his voice carrying a rare fury.
Among the staff of Impel Down, he, Hannyabal, and Domino were all dedicated, upright individuals who worked tirelessly to maintain order.
In contrast, Little Sadi, Shiryu, and Storm were utterly reckless, each more deranged than the last.
Regardless of Storm's actions, Magellan would not allow him to escape from Infinite Hell.
"Storm, when you die, I'll personally oversee your funeral."
As he spoke, the dark purple venom covering his body began to shift. It was no longer the usual deep hue—this time, it transformed into a brilliant, blood-red liquid, its color resembling fresh gore.
"This… is my forbidden technique."
Behind Magellan, the scarlet venom began to take shape, swirling and expanding until it formed a monstrous humanoid figure.
"Using this might destroy the entire floor..."
"But I have no choice."
"Poison Giant Soldier: Hell's Judgment!"
With his final declaration, the venomous entity solidified. It towered behind him—a monstrous, scarlet colossus with bat-like membrane wings, enormous horns, and a skull-shaped head.
The Poison Giant Soldier was far deadlier than any of Magellan's previous toxins. Even the fortified floors of Infinite Hell were unable to withstand its corrosive power.
Everywhere the entity stepped, the ground sizzled and melted, eaten away by the sheer potency of the poison.
But the most terrifying aspect of the Poison Giant Soldier was its infectious nature.
This scarlet venom spread like wildfire, creeping over every surface it touched, corrupting and consuming even the unyielding stones of Impel Down.
In the prison cells closest to Magellan, corpses from Storm's earlier Clay Dragon Bullet attack lay motionless.
The moment the scarlet poison made contact, their bodies were immediately dyed blood-red.
A putrid pink mist rose from them as their flesh vaporized into nothingness.
Under Magellan's command, the Poison Giant Soldier swung one of its massive arms, attempting to crush Storm in a single strike.
For the first time, Storm's expression turned serious.
There was no room for hesitation.
He activated the awakened power of his Clay-Clay Fruit.
With him at the center, the entire battlefield began to shift—the earth transformed into a sea of white clay, fully assimilated into his control.
"Liquid Clay!"
A tidal wave of flowing clay rose around Storm, forming a protective barrier against the Poison Giant Soldier's deadly strike.
BOOM!
The giant hand crashed down, leaving an enormous, bloody imprint on the white clay.
Yet, an even more alarming phenomenon followed—
The venom that had seeped into the clay began to spread at an unnatural speed.
In mere seconds, the once pure-white surface turned a deep, sinister red.
Storm's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he immediately severed control over the contaminated clay.
The red section detached from the rest of his creation, falling away like discarded flesh.
With no medium left to spread, the venom's infection finally stopped.
Storm exhaled sharply.
"This poison is even more terrifying than I expected..."
On the opposite side, Magellan observed Storm's actions with an unreadable expression.
"Using your Devil Fruit's power to convert the surrounding environment…"
A complex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes—shock, recognition, and most of all… regret.
Among all Devil Fruit users, those who could achieve awakening were incredibly rare.
Even within the World Government, few could claim to have reached that level.
If Storm had been on their side, Impel Down's security would have reached unprecedented heights.
Unfortunately, it was far too late for such thoughts.
Storm's gaze remained steady.
"It's just awakening."
He smirked slightly.
"Your Poison-Poison Fruit… hasn't it awakened too?"
After all, Magellan's Poison Giant Soldier was capable of corrupting its surroundings just like an awakened ability.
Ignoring further discussion, Storm reclaimed control of his clay terrain.
The ground surged once more, producing multiple massive clay arms, each as powerful as the Poison Giant Soldier itself.
Storm's strategy was simple—
Rather than fight the giant, he aimed directly at Magellan.
If you want to kill the beast, take out the master.
Eliminate Magellan, and the Poison Giant Soldier would crumble.
Magellan noticed the incoming assault and reacted immediately.
Without a moment's hesitation, he took a single step back.
And in that instant—
His body merged into the Poison Giant Soldier.
The venomous titan now served as his ultimate armor.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The clay arms landed multiple blows on the Poison Giant Soldier, sending ripples through its liquid-like form.
Scarlet venom splattered in all directions, creating pools of corrosive sludge wherever it touched.
However—
As the clay arms continued their relentless barrage, they began to turn red.
The venom was spreading again.
Storm's expression hardened.
As time passed, the venom penetrated deeper, rotting and melting his creations from the inside out.
Even worse—
The corrupted clay was now acting as a bridge, allowing the scarlet poison to creep toward Storm's location.
'Tch.'
With a sharp flick of his wrist, Storm severed control once more, discarding the infected clay.
Plop. Plop. Plop.
Chunks of red, decaying clay fell to the ground, pooling into a revolting, toxic sludge.
A sharp stench filled the air, more unbearable than rotten flesh.
Storm clenched his jaw.
An idea flashed through Storm's mind.
He expanded the power of the Clay-Clay Fruit even further, and in an instant, the open space in Infinite Hell was completely assimilated into clay.
Under Storm's control, the clay ground surged upward, forming a towering wave of white that seemed to connect the sky and the earth.
"Giant Wave of Clay!"
Endless white clay surged forward, rushing toward Magellan and his Poison Giant Soldier.
The Poison Giant Soldier was massive, comparable in size to a giant. Yet, in front of this boundless Giant Wave of Clay, it appeared as small as a red doll.
The moment they clashed, the Giant Wave of Clay struck the Poison Giant Soldier head-on.
The overwhelming impact sent the Poison Giant Soldier staggering backward, forcing it to retreat past the gates of Infinite Hell.
Storm had intended to pursue immediately, but at that moment, his body suddenly stiffened. His entire form turned pure white, his skin and clothes morphing into clay from head to toe.
It was as if his existence had faded.
To be exact—
This Storm was never real.
It was a Clay Clone!
From a darkened cage at the back of the prison, the real Storm emerged, stepping forward calmly.
Beside him, nestled within the belly of a small white dragon, was a freshly created Devil Fruit—
[Name: More-More Fruit]
[Star Rating: None]
[Type: Paramecia]
[Effect: Grants the user the ability to multiply the speed, size, and other attributes of themselves or any object they touch.]
[Remark: Double Trouble!]
The original owner of this More-More Fruit was—
[Platinum Trophy: Byrnndi World]
[Star Rating: ★★★★★]
"Byrnndi World's strength level is slightly below Catarina Devon," Storm murmured as he withdrew his gaze from the system.
"However, the power of the More-More Fruit is definitely not inferior to the Mythical Zoan: Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit!"
At the entrance of Infinite Hell, the Poison Giant Soldier was frantically tearing apart the Giant Wave of Clay blocking its path.
It wouldn't take long.
Soon, Magellan would re-enter Infinite Hell.
To be honest—Magellan had arrived faster than Storm had expected.
But it didn't matter.
He had already acquired the two Devil Fruits he had come for.
That meant only one thing—
"Time to leave!"
The moment the Poison Giant Soldier stepped through the gates once more, Storm waved at Magellan with a leisurely smile.
Then, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, he sank into the clay beneath him and vanished.
Magellan rushed forward in two powerful strides—
But he couldn't even catch the Clay Man's shadow.
"Storm!!!"
The director's furious roar echoed behind him, but Storm had already ascended through the layers of Impel Down.
Through Newkama Land, where Ivankov, having nearly completed his self-healing, had returned.
Through Freezing Hell, where the starving Army Wolves were feasting on a lone prisoner's remains.
Through Burning Hell, where the Jailer Beasts, with their strong limbs and simple minds, were mercilessly punishing the inmates.
Through Starvation Hell...
Through Wild Beast Hell...
Through Crimson Hell...
As Storm soared upward, memories of his journey through Impel Down flashed through his mind.
At the end of hell...
Light awaited.
A White Dragon flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
Beyond the endless sea...
Freedom awaits.
*******************************
Bonus Chapter for today!
I will release 1 bonus chapters for every two review till we meet ten reviews. [5/10].
If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion