Storm wished to acquire Ivankov's ability, the "Death Wink."
However, he did not intend to personally step into the fray to experience the effects of this skill.
Despite having witnessed a myriad of unique abilities, ranging from "Facial Break Punch," "Millennium Kill," "Cuddle Kill," to "Crow Flying a Plane," Storm still found the idea of attacking through "winking" to be somewhat beyond his psychological threshold.
"Let's test the attack effect of 'Death Wink' using the Clay-Clay Fruit instead!"
Storm raised his right hand, gathering clay in his palm to shape a vividly lifelike large face.
This large face resembled Ivankov's, albeit without the latter's flamboyant and bizarre makeup.
"Death Wink!"
Under Storm's control, the large face suddenly squeezed its right eye.
The clay eyelids, crafted from the same material, collided heavily together.
In the next moment, the large face's right eye released a visible pale white shockwave.
Boom! A firecracker-like explosion echoed within the caves of New Kama Land.
The shockwave struck Storm, blasting a palm-sized hole in his clothing.
"Just a beginner's attempt; the future looks promising."
The clay on Storm's surface surged, quickly repairing the damaged area of his clothing.
"However, this method of attack still needs improvement..."
With a casual squeeze, Storm transformed the Ivankov-like face into a lump of clay.
He continued to manipulate the clay, mimicking the execution of "Death Wink."
But this time, the "Death Wink" was directed inward!
The clay suddenly contracted and compressed.
A violent shockwave erupted within the lump of clay.
The surface of the round clay began to exhibit irregular undulations.
In the next instant.
Crack—
The clay lump exploded like a bomb.
Fragments of clay scattered in all directions, resembling flowers falling from the heavens.
Storm, being the closest, was the first to bear the brunt, with powerful shockwaves embedding pieces of clay into his body.
"Hmm? This clay?"
Storm picked a piece of clay from his wound and examined it in his palm for a moment.
"Its hardness seems to be slightly higher than that of ordinary clay..."
A spark of inspiration flashed through Storm's mind.
It seemed he could enhance the clay produced by the Clay-Clay Fruit through this artificial method!
For instance, hard clay, super-light clay, heat-resistant clay, ceramic clay...
Storm prioritized the development of new properties for the Clay-Clay Fruit.
He had no intention of continuing to test his new skill within New Kama Land.
Storm glanced at the fallen transvestites around him and then began searching within New Kama Land.
In no time at all, Storm discovered several secret passage entrances leading to Impel Down.
"Just the entrances; now I just need a map!"
Storm pondered for a moment and summoned a recently acquired Silver Trophy from defeating a transvestite.
Wishing!
In the next instant, the Silver Trophy transformed into a piece of yellow-brown cowhide paper.
[Name: Impel Down Construction Chart]
[Star Rating: ★★★]
[Effect: Records the map of all seven levels of hell within Impel Down, including secret passages]
[Comment: I solemnly swear I am not doing good deeds!]
"This is it!"
Storm held the Impel Down Construction Chart and waved to Whitebeard III, who immediately moved to his side.
The two figures then vanished into the nearest secret passage.
Starting from the 5.5th level of New Kama Land, Storm quickly traversed the secret passage.
Fourth level, Scorching Hell, inside the raging flames...
Third level, Starvation Hell, piles of corpses of prisoners...
Second level, Beast Hell, the pungent lairs of ferocious beasts...
First level, Crimson Hell, deep within the blood-soaked needle mountains...
Storm's footsteps covered all the secret passages within Impel Down.
During this time, no wardens detected his movements.
These secret passages were also the foundation upon which New Kama Land relied for survival!
Storm wandered from the 5.5th level to the first level, then descended from the first level to the fourth level.
Finally, his steps halted in front of the food warehouse in Scorching Hell.
The food warehouse!
All the food supplies within Impel Down were primarily concentrated here.
Storm avoided the eyes and ears of the Surveillance Den Den Mushi and stealthily infiltrated the food warehouse.
The Clay-Clay Fruit silently assimilated with the ground.
A large amount of food piled deep within the food warehouse began to sink as the ground softened.
In no time at all, these food items penetrated the floor of Scorching Hell, falling from the fourth level to the fifth level.
This entire process occurred with utmost secrecy.
By the time Storm transported a large quantity of food from the depths of the food warehouse, no one had noticed any unusual changes here.
"The food is ready!"
Storm returned to the Extreme Cold Hell with a massive amount of food.
Then, without missing a beat, he hurried back to New Kama Land.
While Storm was exploring the secret passages within Impel Down, in New Kama Land...
The strongest among them, Ivankov, was the first to awaken, helping to rouse the other transvestites who had been knocked out.
When Storm arrived with the food, Ivankov and the other transvestites were taken aback.
"Vongola Storm!"
Under the expectant gazes of the other transvestites, Ivankov steeled himself and stepped forward.
"What do you want—"
"Chef!"
Storm pushed a mountain of food in front of the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom.
"Prepare this food as quickly as possible! I'm hungry!"
Hungry? Ivankov's mouth twitched violently.
The ones who had been beaten hadn't even had a chance to eat.
And the one who did the beating was saying he was hungry...
"Didn't you hear that?"
Ivankov placed his hands on his hips and turned to urge the other transvestites.
"Get moving and prepare the food!"
Under the command of the Queen, the transvestites immediately sprang into action.
Within minutes, an incredibly rich aroma of food wafted through New Kama Land.
Soon after, one delicious dish after another was served before Storm, the enticing scent making mouths water.
Storm summoned the two high-star trophies he had just acquired.
First, he invested the Platinum Trophy into the "Speed" attribute.
Then he invested the Diamond Trophy into the "Strength" attribute! Compared to the still elusive "second Devil Ring," Storm prioritized the enhancement of his own tangible strength! The reason he had hesitated to use the Diamond Trophy earlier was not solely because of the Devil Ring.
It was mainly because after using the trophies to enhance his Physique attribute, he would face the embarrassment of being hungry...
Now that Storm had "borrowed" enough food from the food warehouse, his first choice was, of course—Physique enhancement! [Strength: ★★★★★★]
[Speed: ★★★★★★]
The investment of the two high-star trophies immediately elevated Storm's strength and speed attributes to six stars!
Adding to the previously enhanced six-star Stamina attribute, Storm's Physique attribute directly became—
[Physique: ★★★★★★]
At this moment, Storm's strength, speed, and stamina attributes all reached six stars! Although he couldn't yet be called a "hexagonal warrior," he could definitely be referred to as a "triangular warrior!" A fierce hunger surged within him, and Storm stowed away the trophies, directing all his energy toward the battle with food.
The food he had brought from the food warehouse was quickly consumed.
After eating his fill, Storm felt invigorated.
He cast a mischievous glance at Ivankov beside him.
Having satisfied his hunger, it was just the right time to find someone to stretch his muscles...
As if sensing the malice in Storm's gaze, Ivankov quickly coughed a few times, feigning a weak demeanor.
"Cough, cough, my injuries are quite severe..."
"You think I would believe your nonsense?"
Storm saw right through the transvestite king's act.
"Besides, aren't you the user of the Horm-Horm Fruit?
"A legendary figure who supposedly healed an entire nation, can't you even heal your own injuries?"
"Vongola BOY, haven't you heard a saying?"
Ivankov adjusted the crown atop his head and said earnestly.
"Healers do not heal themselves."
"Then you might as well keep your injuries."
Storm shook his head, standing up and waving at Ivankov.
"I'll be back to find you later, Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom.
"I won't go easy on you just because you're a 'seriously injured patient!'"
Seeing Storm's intention to leave, Ivankov finally couldn't help but ask.
"Vongola BOY, what you said earlier about going to Infinite Hell... is that true?"
"Of course it's true!"
Storm nodded.
"But it's not time for action yet.
"When the time for action approaches, I'll let you know.
"At that point, you just need to cooperate with me."
Cooperate with you? Ivankov was filled with dread.
Are you saying that if you challenge Magellan, I have to follow along too?
Storm certainly noticed Ivankov's grim expression; he shook his head and said lightly.
"You have no choice, Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom."
Ivankov understood this principle all too well.
The outcome of the previous battle had already made everything clear.
Ivankov was no match for Vongola Storm, the Warden Chief.
His life, along with the lives of all the transvestites in New Kama Land, rested entirely on Storm's whim.
In this situation, what else could Ivankov do besides agreeing to Storm's demands?
(End of Chapter)