diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/TODO.md b/nimbus/db/aristo/TODO.md
index a35630bf9..fab7e70b0 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/TODO.md
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/TODO.md
@@ -16,3 +16,7 @@
 	function mentioned above.
 
 * `aristo_nearby` also qualifies for a re-write, now
+
+* A storage tree vid should be allowed to become stale (or locally deactivated)
+  if the vertex vanishes to be re-used when the tree is re-filled. Currently
+  the vid is removed and then re-allocated.
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
index 135051b0d..b487604fa 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ import
   results,
   ./aristo_desc/desc_backend,
   ./aristo_init/memory_db,
-  "."/[aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch,
-       aristo_init, aristo_merge, aristo_path, aristo_profile, aristo_tx]
+  "."/[aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_init, aristo_merge,
+       aristo_part, aristo_path, aristo_profile, aristo_tx]
 
 export
   AristoDbProfListRef
@@ -327,6 +327,74 @@ type
       ## `(accPath,stoPath)` where `accPath` is the account key (into the MPT)
       ## and `stoPath`  is the slot path of the corresponding storage area.
 
+  AristoApiPartAccountTwig* =
+    proc(db: AristoDbRef;
+         accPath: Hash256;
+        ): Result[seq[Blob], AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## This function returns a chain of rlp-encoded nodes along the argument
+      ## path `(root,path)`.
+
+  AristoApiPartGenericTwig* =
+    proc(db: AristoDbRef;
+         root: VertexID;
+         path: openArray[byte];
+        ): Result[seq[Blob], AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Variant of `partAccountTwig()`.
+      ##
+      ## Note: This function provides a functionality comparable to the
+      ## `getBranch()` function from `hexary.nim`
+
+  AristoApiPartStorageTwig* =
+    proc(db: AristoDbRef;
+         accPath: Hash256;
+         stoPath: Hash256;
+        ): Result[seq[Blob], AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Variant of `partAccountTwig()`.
+
+  AristoApiPartUntwigGeneric* =
+    proc(chain: openArray[Blob];
+         root: Hash256;
+         path: openArray[byte];
+        ): Result[Blob,AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Follow and verify the argument `chain` up unlil the last entry
+      ## which must be a leaf node. Extract the payload and pass it on
+      ## as return code.
+
+  AristoApiPartUntwigGenericOk* =
+    proc(chain: openArray[Blob];
+         root: Hash256;
+         path: openArray[byte];
+         payload: openArray[byte];
+        ): Result[void,AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Variant of `partUntwigGeneric()`. The function verifis the argument
+      ## `chain` of rlp-encoded nodes against the `path` and `payload`
+      ## arguments.
+      ##
+      ## Note: This function provides a functionality comparable to the
+      ## `isValidBranch()` function from `hexary.nim`.
+
+  AristoApiPartUntwigPath* =
+    proc(chain: openArray[Blob];
+         root: Hash256;
+         path: Hash256;
+        ): Result[Blob,AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Variant of `partUntwigGeneric()`.
+
+  AristoApiPartUntwigPathOk* =
+    proc(chain: openArray[Blob];
+         root: Hash256;
+         path: Hash256;
+         payload: openArray[byte];
+        ): Result[void,AristoError]
+        {.noRaise.}
+      ## Variant of `partUntwigGenericOk()`.
+
   AristoApiPathAsBlobFn* =
     proc(tag: PathID;
         ): Blob
@@ -444,6 +512,14 @@ type
     mergeGenericData*: AristoApiMergeGenericDataFn
     mergeStorageData*: AristoApiMergeStorageDataFn
 
+    partAccountTwig*: AristoApiPartAccountTwig
+    partGenericTwig*: AristoApiPartGenericTwig
+    partStorageTwig*: AristoApiPartStorageTwig
+    partUntwigGeneric*: AristoApiPartUntwigGeneric
+    partUntwigGenericOk*: AristoApiPartUntwigGenericOk
+    partUntwigPath*: AristoApiPartUntwigPath
+    partUntwigPathOk*: AristoApiPartUntwigPathOk
+
     pathAsBlob*: AristoApiPathAsBlobFn
     persist*: AristoApiPersistFn
     reCentre*: AristoApiReCentreFn
@@ -491,6 +567,14 @@ type
     AristoApiProfMergeGenericDataFn     = "mergeGenericData"
     AristoApiProfMergeStorageDataFn     = "mergeStorageData"
 
+    AristoApiProfPartAccountTwigFn      = "partAccountTwig"
+    AristoApiProfPartGenericTwigFn      = "partGenericTwig"
+    AristoApiProfPartStorageTwigFn      = "partStorageTwig"
+    AristoApiProfPartUntwigGenericFn    = "partUntwigGeneric"
+    AristoApiProfPartUntwigGenericOkFn  = "partUntwigGenericOk"
+    AristoApiProfPartUntwigPathFn       = "partUntwigPath"
+    AristoApiProfPartUntwigPathOkFn     = "partUntwigPathOk"
+
     AristoApiProfPathAsBlobFn           = "pathAsBlob"
     AristoApiProfPersistFn              = "persist"
     AristoApiProfReCentreFn             = "reCentre"
@@ -555,6 +639,14 @@ when AutoValidateApiHooks:
     doAssert not api.mergeGenericData.isNil
     doAssert not api.mergeStorageData.isNil
 
+    doAssert not api.partAccountTwig.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partGenericTwig.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partStorageTwig.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partUntwigGeneric.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partUntwigGenericOk.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partUntwigPath.isNil
+    doAssert not api.partUntwigPathOk.isNil
+
     doAssert not api.pathAsBlob.isNil
     doAssert not api.persist.isNil
     doAssert not api.reCentre.isNil
@@ -623,6 +715,14 @@ func init*(api: var AristoApiObj) =
   api.mergeGenericData = mergeGenericData
   api.mergeStorageData = mergeStorageData
 
+  api.partAccountTwig = partAccountTwig
+  api.partGenericTwig = partGenericTwig
+  api.partStorageTwig = partStorageTwig
+  api.partUntwigGeneric = partUntwigGeneric
+  api.partUntwigGenericOk = partUntwigGenericOk
+  api.partUntwigPath = partUntwigPath
+  api.partUntwigPathOk = partUntwigPathOk
+
   api.pathAsBlob = pathAsBlob
   api.persist = persist
   api.reCentre = reCentre
@@ -673,6 +773,14 @@ func dup*(api: AristoApiRef): AristoApiRef =
     mergeGenericData:     api.mergeGenericData,
     mergeStorageData:     api.mergeStorageData,
 
+    partAccountTwig:      api.partAccountTwig,
+    partGenericTwig:      api.partGenericTwig,
+    partStorageTwig:      api.partStorageTwig,
+    partUntwigGeneric:    api.partUntwigGeneric,
+    partUntwigGenericOk:  api.partUntwigGenericOk,
+    partUntwigPath:       api.partUntwigPath,
+    partUntwigPathOk:     api.partUntwigPathOk,
+
     pathAsBlob:           api.pathAsBlob,
     persist:              api.persist,
     reCentre:             api.reCentre,
@@ -845,6 +953,41 @@ func init*(
       AristoApiProfMergeStorageDataFn.profileRunner:
         result = api.mergeStorageData(a, b, c, d)
 
+  profApi.partAccountTwig =
+    proc(a: AristoDbRef; b: Hash256): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartAccountTwigFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partAccountTwig(a, b)
+
+  profApi.partGenericTwig =
+    proc(a: AristoDbRef; b: VertexID; c: openArray[byte]): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartGenericTwigFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partGenericTwig(a, b, c)
+
+  profApi.partStorageTwig =
+    proc(a: AristoDbRef; b: Hash256; c: Hash256): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartStorageTwigFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partStorageTwig(a, b, c)
+
+  profApi.partUntwigGeneric =
+    proc(a: openArray[Blob]; b: Hash256; c: openArray[byte]): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartUntwigGenericFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partUntwigGeneric(a, b, c)
+
+  profApi.partUntwigGenericOk =
+    proc(a: openArray[Blob]; b: Hash256; c, d: openArray[byte]): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartUntwigGenericOkFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partUntwigGenericOk(a, b, c, d)
+
+  profApi.partUntwigPath =
+    proc(a: openArray[Blob]; b, c: Hash256): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartUntwigPathFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partUntwigPath(a, b, c)
+
+  profApi.partUntwigPathOk =
+    proc(a: openArray[Blob]; b, c: Hash256; d: openArray[byte]): auto =
+      AristoApiProfPartUntwigPathOkFn.profileRunner:
+        result = api.partUntwigPathOk(a, b, c, d)
+
   profApi.pathAsBlob =
     proc(a: PathID): auto =
       AristoApiProfPathAsBlobFn.profileRunner:
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
index 59727d5e1..f9e15bc58 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import
   results,
   ./aristo_walk/persistent,
   "."/[aristo_desc, aristo_get, aristo_init],
-  ./aristo_check/[check_be, check_top]
+  ./aristo_check/[check_be, check_top, check_twig]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ proc checkBE*(
 
 
 proc check*(
-    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database, top layer
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
     relax = false;                     # Check existing hashes only
     cache = true;                      # Also verify against top layer cache
     proofMode = false;                 # Has proof nodes
@@ -88,6 +88,41 @@ proc check*(
   ? db.checkBE()
   ok()
 
+proc check*(
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
+    root: VertexID;                    # Start node
+    path: openArray[byte];             # Data path
+      ): Result[void,AristoError] =
+  ## Check generic path `path` against portal proof generation and
+  ## verification.
+  ##
+  ## Note that this check might have side effects in that it might compile
+  ## the hash keys on the `root` sub-tree.
+  db.checkTwig(root, path)
+
+proc check*(
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
+    accPath: Hash256;                  # Account key
+      ): Result[void,AristoError] =
+  ## Check accounts tree path `accPath` against portal proof generation and
+  ## verification.
+  ##
+  ## Note that this check might have side effects in that it might compile
+  ## the hash keys on the accounts sub-tree.
+  db.checkTwig(VertexID(1), accPath.data)
+
+proc check*(
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
+    accPath: Hash256;                  # Account key
+    stoPath: Hash256;                  # Storage key
+      ): Result[void,AristoError] =
+  ## Check account tree `Account key` against portal proof generation and
+  ## verification.
+  ##
+  ## Note that this check might have side effects in that it might compile
+  ## the hash keys on the particulat storage sub-tree.
+  db.checkTwig(accPath, stoPath)
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_twig.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_twig.nim
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..88e6ece42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_twig.nim
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# nimbus-eth1
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Licensed under either of
+#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
+#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
+#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
+#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
+# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed
+# except according to those terms.
+
+{.push raises: [].}
+
+import
+  eth/common,
+  results,
+  ".."/[aristo_compute, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_part]
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public functions
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc checkTwig*(
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
+    root: VertexID;                    # Start node
+    path: openArray[byte];             # Data path
+      ): Result[void,AristoError] =
+  let
+    proof = ? db.partGenericTwig(root, path)
+    key = ? db.computeKey (root,root)
+    pyl = ? proof.partUntwigGeneric(key.to(Hash256), path)
+
+  ok()
+
+proc checkTwig*(
+    db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database
+    accPath: Hash256;                  # Account key
+    stoPath: Hash256;                  # Storage key
+      ): Result[void,AristoError] =
+  let
+    proof = ? db.partStorageTwig(accPath, stoPath)
+    vid = ? db.fetchStorageID accPath
+    key = ? db.computeKey (VertexID(1),vid)
+    pyl = ? proof.partUntwigPath(key.to(Hash256), stoPath)
+
+  ok()
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# End
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
index 7924c6256..bb0d0b5fe 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ proc ppLayer(
 # Public functions
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-proc pp*(w: Hash256; codeHashOk = false): string =
+proc pp*(w: Hash256; codeHashOk: bool): string =
   if codeHashOk:
     w.ppCodeHash
   elif w == EMPTY_ROOT_HASH:
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_part.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_part.nim
index f2cd637fe..771194170 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_part.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_part.nim
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ proc partAccountTwig*(
     db: AristoDbRef;
     accPath: Hash256;
       ): Result[seq[Blob], AristoError] =
-  ## Variant of `partGetBranch()`.
+  ## Variant of `partGenericTwig()`.
   db.partGenericTwig(VertexID(1), NibblesBuf.fromBytes accPath.data)
 
 proc partStorageTwig*(
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ proc partStorageTwig*(
     accPath: Hash256;
     stoPath: Hash256;
       ): Result[seq[Blob], AristoError] =
-  ## Variant of `partGetBranch()`.
+  ## Variant of `partGenericTwig()`.
   let vid = ? db.fetchStorageID accPath
   db.partGenericTwig(vid, NibblesBuf.fromBytes stoPath.data)
 
 # ----------
 
-proc partUntwig*(
+proc partUntwigGeneric*(
     chain: openArray[Blob];
     root: Hash256;
     path: openArray[byte];
@@ -120,39 +120,40 @@ proc partUntwig*(
   except RlpError as e:
     return err(PartTrkRlpError)
 
-proc partUntwig*(
+proc partUntwigPath*(
     chain: openArray[Blob];
     root: Hash256;
     path: Hash256;
       ): Result[Blob,AristoError] =
-  ## Veriant of `partUntwig()`.
-  chain.partUntwig(root, path.data)
+  ## Variant of `partUntwigGeneric()`.
+  chain.partUntwigGeneric(root, path.data)
 
 
-proc partUntwigOk*(
+proc partUntwigGenericOk*(
     chain: openArray[Blob];
     root: Hash256;
     path: openArray[byte];
     payload: openArray[byte];
       ): Result[void,AristoError] =
-  ## Verify the chain of rlp-encoded nodes and return the payload.
+  ## Verify the argument `chain` of rlp-encoded nodes against the `path`
+  ## and `payload` arguments.
   ##
   ## Note: This function provides a functionality comparable to the
-  ## `isValidBranch()` function from `hexary.nim`
+  ## `isValidBranch()` function from `hexary.nim`.
   ##
-  if payload == ? chain.partUntwig(root, path):
+  if payload == ? chain.partUntwigGeneric(root, path):
     ok()
   else:
     err(PartTrkPayloadMismatch)
 
-proc partUntwigOk*(
+proc partUntwigPathOk*(
     chain: openArray[Blob];
     root: Hash256;
     path: Hash256;
     payload: openArray[byte];
       ): Result[void,AristoError] =
-  ## Veriant of `partUntwigOk()`.
-  chain.partUntwigOk(root, path.data, payload)
+  ## Variant of `partUntwigGenericOk()`.
+  chain.partUntwigGenericOk(root, path.data, payload)
 
 # ----------------
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_utils.nim b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_utils.nim
index 094a78244..1dc7b5162 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_utils.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/aristo/aristo_utils.nim
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ proc toNode*(
     if vtx.lData.pType == AccountData:
       let vid = vtx.lData.stoID
       if vid.isValid:
-        let key = db.getKey (root, vid)
+        let key = db.getKey (vid, vid)
         if not key.isValid:
           return err(@[vid])
         node.key[0] = key
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
index 7f9dd6d4f..8074a4f72 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ when CoreDbEnableCaptJournal:
 else:
   import
     ../aristo/[
-      aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_merge, aristo_tx],
+      aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_merge, aristo_part,
+      aristo_tx],
     ../kvt/[kvt_desc, kvt_utils, kvt_tx]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ proc forget*(ctx: CoreDbCtxRef) =
   ctx.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Public main descriptor methods
+# Public base descriptor methods
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 proc finish*(db: CoreDbRef; eradicate = false) =
@@ -212,6 +213,104 @@ proc stateBlockNumber*(db: CoreDbRef): BlockNumber =
       0u64
   db.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
 
+proc verify*(
+    db: CoreDbRef | CoreDbMptRef | CoreDbAccRef;
+    proof: openArray[Blob];
+    root: Hash256;
+    path: openArray[byte];
+      ): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
+  ## This function os the counterpart of any of the `proof()` functions. Given
+  ## the argument chain of rlp-encoded nodes `proof`, this function verifies
+  ## that the chain represents a partial MPT starting with a root node state
+  ## `root` followig the path `key` leading to leaf node encapsulating a
+  ## payload which is passed back as return code.
+  ##
+  ## Note: The `mpt` argument is used for administative purposes (e.g. logging)
+  ##       only. The functionality is provided by the `Aristo` database
+  ##       function `aristo_part.partUntwigGeneric()` with the same prototype
+  ##       arguments except the `db`.
+  ##
+  template mpt: untyped =
+    when db is CoreDbRef:
+      CoreDbAccRef(db.defCtx)
+    else:
+      db
+  mpt.setTrackNewApi BaseVerifyFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = mpt.call(partUntwigGeneric, proof, root, path)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok(rc.value)
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofVerify))
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
+proc verifyOk*(
+    db: CoreDbRef | CoreDbMptRef | CoreDbAccRef;
+    proof: openArray[Blob];
+    root: Hash256;
+    path: openArray[byte];
+    payload: openArray[byte];
+      ): CoreDbRc[void] =
+  ## Variant of `verify()` which directly checks the argument `payload`
+  ## against what would be the return code in `verify()`.
+  ##
+  template mpt: untyped =
+    when db is CoreDbRef:
+      CoreDbAccRef(db.defCtx)
+    else:
+      db
+  mpt.setTrackNewApi BaseVerifyOkFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = mpt.call(partUntwigGenericOk, proof, root, path, payload)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok()
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofVerify))
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
+proc verify*(
+    db: CoreDbRef | CoreDbMptRef | CoreDbAccRef;
+    proof: openArray[Blob];
+    root: Hash256;
+    path: Hash256;
+      ): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
+  ## Variant of `verify()`.
+  template mpt: untyped =
+    when db is CoreDbRef:
+      CoreDbAccRef(db.defCtx)
+    else:
+      db
+  mpt.setTrackNewApi BaseVerifyFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = mpt.call(partUntwigPath, proof, root, path)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok(rc.value)
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofVerify))
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
+proc verifyOk*(
+    db: CoreDbRef | CoreDbMptRef | CoreDbAccRef;
+    proof: openArray[Blob];
+    root: Hash256;
+    path: Hash256;
+    payload: openArray[byte];
+      ): CoreDbRc[void] =
+  ## Variant of `verifyOk()`.
+  template mpt: untyped =
+    when db is CoreDbRef:
+      CoreDbAccRef(db.defCtx)
+    else:
+      db
+  mpt.setTrackNewApi BaseVerifyOkFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = mpt.call(partUntwigPathOk, proof, root, path, payload)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok()
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofVerify))
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public key-value table methods
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -323,6 +422,22 @@ proc getGeneric*(
 
 # ----------- generic MPT ---------------
 
+proc proof*(
+    mpt: CoreDbMptRef;
+    key: openArray[byte];
+      ): CoreDbRc[seq[Blob]] =
+  ## On the generic MPT, collect the nodes along the `key` interpreted as
+  ## path. Return these path nodes as a chain of rlp-encoded blobs.
+  ##
+  mpt.setTrackNewApi MptProofFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = mpt.call(partGenericTwig, mpt.mpt, CoreDbVidGeneric, key)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok(rc.value)
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofCreate))
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
 proc fetch*(mpt: CoreDbMptRef; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
   ## Fetch data from the argument `mpt`. The function always returns a
   ## non-empty `Blob` or an error code.
@@ -422,6 +537,22 @@ proc getAccounts*(ctx: CoreDbCtxRef): CoreDbAccRef =
 
 # ----------- accounts ---------------
 
+proc proof*(
+    acc: CoreDbAccRef;
+    accPath: Hash256;
+      ): CoreDbRc[seq[Blob]] =
+  ## On the accounts MPT, collect the nodes along the `accPath` interpreted as
+  ## path. Return these path nodes as a chain of rlp-encoded blobs.
+  ##
+  acc.setTrackNewApi AccProofFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = acc.call(partAccountTwig, acc.mpt, accPath)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok(rc.value)
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofCreate))
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
 proc fetch*(
     acc: CoreDbAccRef;
     accPath: Hash256;
@@ -529,6 +660,24 @@ proc state*(acc: CoreDbAccRef; updateOk = false): CoreDbRc[Hash256] =
 
 # ------------ storage ---------------
 
+proc slotProof*(
+    acc: CoreDbAccRef;
+    accPath: Hash256;
+    stoPath: Hash256;
+      ): CoreDbRc[seq[Blob]] =
+  ## On the storage MPT related to the argument account `acPath`, collect the
+  ## nodes along the `stoPath` interpreted as path. Return these path nodes as
+  ## a chain of rlp-encoded blobs.
+  ##
+  acc.setTrackNewApi AccSlotProofFn
+  result = block:
+    let rc = acc.call(partStorageTwig, acc.mpt, accPath, stoPath)
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok(rc.value)
+    else:
+      err(rc.error.toError($api, ProofCreate))
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi: debug logTxt, api, elapsed, result
+
 proc slotFetch*(
     acc: CoreDbAccRef;
     accPath: Hash256;
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
index 039f6803b..05c9e7f7a 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/api_tracking.nim
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
-  std/[strutils, times, typetraits],
+  std/[sequtils, strutils, times, typetraits],
   eth/common,
   results,
   stew/byteutils,
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ type
     AccForgetFn         = "acc/forget"
     AccHasPathFn        = "acc/hasPath"
     AccMergeFn          = "acc/merge"
+    AccProofFn          = "acc/proof"
     AccRecastFn         = "recast"
     AccStateFn          = "acc/state"
 
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ type
     AccSlotDeleteFn     = "slotDelete"
     AccSlotHasPathFn    = "slotHasPath"
     AccSlotMergeFn      = "slotMerge"
+    AccSlotProofFn      = "slotProof"
     AccSlotStateFn      = "slotState"
     AccSlotStateEmptyFn = "slotStateEmpty"
     AccSlotStateEmptyOrVoidFn = "slotStateEmptyOrVoid"
@@ -54,6 +56,8 @@ type
     BaseNewTxFn         = "newTransaction"
     BasePersistentFn    = "persistent"
     BaseStateBlockNumberFn = "stateBlockNumber"
+    BaseVerifyFn        = "verify"
+    BaseVerifyOkFn      = "verifyOk"
 
     CptKvtLogFn         = "kvtLog"
     CptLevelFn          = "level"
@@ -80,6 +84,7 @@ type
     MptForgetFn         = "mpt/forget"
     MptHasPathFn        = "mpt/hasPath"
     MptMergeFn          = "mpt/merge"
+    MptProofFn          = "mpt/proof"
     MptPairsIt          = "mpt/pairs"
     MptReplicateIt      = "mpt/replicate"
     MptStateFn          = "mpt/state"
@@ -122,6 +127,10 @@ func toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[Blob]): string =
   if rc.isOk: "ok(Blob[" & $rc.value.len & "])"
   else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
 
+func toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[seq[Blob]]): string =
+  if rc.isOk: "ok([" & rc.value.mapIt("[#" & $it.len & "]").join(",") & "])"
+  else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
+
 func toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[Hash256]): string =
   if rc.isOk: "ok(" & rc.value.toStr & ")" else: "err(" & rc.error.toStr & ")"
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
index be660d398..8ad2c0bb5 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ type
     HashNotAvailable
     KvtNotFound
     MptNotFound
+    ProofCreate
+    ProofVerify
     RlpException
     StoNotFound
     TxPending
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_helpers.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_helpers.nim
index 1a41b4ef7..1b7a0aef4 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_helpers.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_helpers.nim
@@ -51,10 +51,10 @@ proc bless*(ctx: CoreDbCtxRef; dsc: CoreDbMptRef | CoreDbTxRef): auto =
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 template kvt*(dsc: CoreDbKvtRef): KvtDbRef =
-  dsc.distinctBase.kvt
+  CoreDbCtxRef(dsc).kvt
 
 template ctx*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef): CoreDbCtxRef =
-  kvt.distinctBase
+  CoreDbCtxRef(kvt)
 
 # ---------------
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ template call*(api: KvtApiRef; fn: untyped; args: varArgs[untyped]): untyped =
     fn(args)
 
 template call*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef; fn: untyped; args: varArgs[untyped]): untyped =
-  kvt.distinctBase.parent.kvtApi.call(fn, args)
+  CoreDbCtxRef(kvt).parent.kvtApi.call(fn, args)
 
 # ---------------
 
@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@ func toError*(e: KvtError; s: string; error = Unspecified): CoreDbError =
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 template mpt*(dsc: CoreDbAccRef | CoreDbMptRef): AristoDbRef =
-  dsc.distinctBase.mpt
+  CoreDbCtxRef(dsc).mpt
 
 template mpt*(tx: CoreDbTxRef): AristoDbRef =
   tx.ctx.mpt
 
 template ctx*(acc: CoreDbAccRef): CoreDbCtxRef =
-  acc.distinctBase
+  CoreDbCtxRef(acc)
 
 # ---------------
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ template call*(
     fn: untyped;
     args: varArgs[untyped];
       ): untyped =
-  acc.distinctBase.parent.ariApi.call(fn, args)
+  CoreDbCtxRef(acc).parent.ariApi.call(fn, args)
 
 # ---------------
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim b/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
index cf05eaf5a..f1cad133e 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
@@ -365,8 +365,9 @@ func init*(
     data.list[KvtApiProfBeLenKvpFn.ord].masked = true
 
     beDup.putKvpFn =
-      proc(a: PutHdlRef; b: openArray[(Blob,Blob)]) =
-        be.putKvpFn(a,b)
+      proc(a: PutHdlRef; b, c: openArray[byte]) =
+        KvtApiProfBePutKvpFn.profileRunner:
+          be.putKvpFn(a, b, c)
     data.list[KvtApiProfBePutKvpFn.ord].masked = true
 
     beDup.putEndFn =
diff --git a/tests/test_aristo/test_portal_proof.nim b/tests/test_aristo/test_portal_proof.nim
index 91c156e1b..72f362b43 100644
--- a/tests/test_aristo/test_portal_proof.nim
+++ b/tests/test_aristo/test_portal_proof.nim
@@ -183,13 +183,13 @@ proc testCreatePortalProof(node: JsonNode, testStatusIMPL: var TestStatus) =
         # Verify proof
         let root = pq.db.getKey((rVid,rVid)).to(Hash256)
         block:
-          let rc = proof.chain.partUntwig(root, path)
+          let rc = proof.chain.partUntwigPath(root, path)
           check rc.isOk
           if rc.isOk:
             check rc.value == pyl
 
         # Just for completeness (same a above combined into a single function)
-        check proof.chain.partUntwigOk(root, path, pyl).isOk
+        check proof.chain.partUntwigPathOk(root, path, pyl).isOk
 
       # Extension nodes are rare, so there is one created, inserted and the
       # previous test repeated.
@@ -212,12 +212,12 @@ proc testCreatePortalProof(node: JsonNode, testStatusIMPL: var TestStatus) =
 
         let root = pq.db.getKey((rVid,rVid)).to(Hash256)
         block:
-          let rc = chain.partUntwig(root, path)
+          let rc = chain.partUntwigPath(root, path)
           check rc.isOk
           if rc.isOk:
             check rc.value == pyl
 
-        check chain.partUntwigOk(root, path, pyl).isOk
+        check chain.partUntwigPathOk(root, path, pyl).isOk
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Test