Given the choice, Ian had zero interest in the Ancient Zoan: Spinosauriform.
But the fact that he kept staring at it inevitably drew Aokiji's attention.
Ian, a "half-native" to this world, had a very different view of Devil Fruits compared to a true local.
For example, he had absolutely no desire for the Spinosauriform Fruit—
yet Aokiji considered it the strongest of the three fruits he'd brought out.
Who cared about "mud" or "whip"…?
Ancient Zoans were pure melee supremacy.
Close combat is king — that was the Navy admiral's philosophy.
Aokiji lifted the fruit in the center and asked,
"Ian, is this the one you want — the Spinosauriform Fruit?"
"No!" Ian refused without hesitation.
"I'm considering the other two Paramecia fruits."
Paramecia fruits had wildly different ceilings and floors.
Like the Tremor Fruit versus the Silence Fruit.
One could shatter the sea, the land, even the air itself.
The other… was probably unbeatable at improving one's sleep quality…?
Ian recalled the descriptions in the Devil Fruit Compendium.
Paramecia — Whip-Whip Fruit.
The user could command anything they struck with their whip — including non-living objects.
Essentially a super-slavemaster fruit.
If it fell into the wrong hands… heh-heh-heh—
Nope. Not going there.
Paramecia — Clay-Clay Fruit.
The user could create and control clay, and even transform into a clay-bodied human.
Strictly speaking, it was one of those special-type Paramecia.
"I've decided!"
Ian pointed at the creamy-white, layered, soil-like Devil Fruit.
"I want the Clay-Clay Fruit!"
Since Ian had made his choice, Aokiji didn't argue.
How far a Devil Fruit ability could reach depended entirely on the user.
Some people held overwhelmingly powerful fruits yet used them like clowns.
Some had weak fruits and turned themselves into menacing monsters.
At this moment, Aokiji chose to believe in Ian's talent.
He personally handed the fruit over.
"This Paramecia fruit is yours now, Ian Adrian!"
The moment Ian received the Clay-Clay Fruit, he spoke with emotion:
"Sir! I love the Navy! I LOVE the SWORD unit!"
A Devil Fruit… on day one of joining?
The SWORD unit really spared no expense!
"A-la-la…"
Aokiji chuckled.
"Just how much do you love it?"
Ian thought for a moment — then launched into a solemn chant:
"Darkness shall rise, and I shall stand watch from this day until my last.
"I shall seek neither fame nor reward.
"I shall serve with loyalty, live and die by duty.
"I am the blade in the shadows, the guardian of the seas.
"I am the shield that upholds justice, the drum that awakens the sleeping.
"I am the storm that sweeps away sin, the dawn that breaks the night.
"I pledge my life and honor to the SWORD unit.
"Today, and every day that follows."
The oath was so grand and stirring that it nearly reignited the "burning justice" Aokiji had buried beneath ice for more than ten years.
He clapped vigorously.
"Good! Very spirited!"
He loved that "dark blade, vigilant justice" vow so much that he pulled out paper and pen from his desk drawer and began copying it down.
While Aokiji scribbled away, Ian focused on the Clay-Clay Fruit in his hands.
Lines of text visible only to him surfaced in the air:
[Name: Clay-Clay Fruit]
[Star Rating: None]
[Description: Paramecia-type Devil Fruit]
[Effect: Allows the user to turn any part of their body into clay, and to create clay out of nothing.
Note: Devil Fruits represent unnatural evolution; the user is cursed by the Sea.]
[Evaluation: Playing with mud in the ocean]
No surprises.
It really was a special-type Paramecia — like Charlotte Katakuri's Mochi-Mochi Fruit.
Not a Logia, but Logia-like.
All right, Clay-Clay Fruit… lend me your power.
Silently, Ian activated the Ring of Demon Control, siphoning the supernatural factor out of the fruit — sealing it away. The process was soundless.
The seemingly intact Devil Fruit instantly became an empty husk.
Through the System Chest interface, Ian could still inspect the fruit's updated status:
[Name: Powerless Clay-Clay Fruit]
[Star Rating: None]
[Description: A bizarre-looking, disgusting-tasting fruit]
[Effect: Nothing but terrible flavor]
[Evaluation: Eat dirt!]
Side effects gone. Completely hollowed out…
Ian held up the now-useless fruit.
Though he hadn't eaten it, he could feel a new power flowing into his body — a strange, soft energy simmering under his skin.
With just a thought…
he felt certain he could produce pale, soft clay right on the spot.
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