One Piece: Three Devil Fruits, Beginning with Darkness

**Chapter 15 - Choice**

Garling Figarland had always valued his nephew, Jiger. As one of the elite among the Celestial Dragons, he had extensive influence and powerful connections, making it easy for him to keep track of Jiger's whereabouts.

Over the past six years, the two had maintained contact, though their exchanges were never excessive. Garling was aware of Jiger's ambitions, and unlike others in the Figarland family, he never tried to impose his will upon him.

When news reached him that Jiger was about to kill the king of Solbel, Garling sent only a single sentence in his letter:

"Choose your own path. Remember, the Figarland family is behind you."

There was no need for further explanation.

Garling's position in the family was untouchable, and even the eldest son, Grando, could not dictate his actions. He had never approved of Grando's reckless experiments, but he had underestimated the consequences. He never imagined that his brother's twisted research would lead to Jiger's so-called "death."

By the time Garling learned what had happened, it was already too late.

Now that fate had granted him a second chance to stand by his nephew, he would not waste it.

In the beginning, Garling had wanted Jiger to return to the Figarland family, to take his rightful place among them. But Jiger refused.

The Figarland family respected strength above all else. To reclaim his name, to make his presence undeniable, he had to rise above them all. He had to shatter the chains of expectation, to dominate the family with nothing but his own power.

And one day, when the time was right—he would personally end the life of his father, the man who had treated him as nothing more than a disposable experiment.

**That Evening**

The sun had long set, casting the kingdom in a blanket of deep blue and scattered lantern light. A heavy tension lingered in the air within the church. Jiger, Ginny, and Kuma sat quietly on the worn-out sofa, their faces calm but their minds already moving ahead.

The door creaked open, and a burst of energy rushed in.

Ivan, wild-eyed and brimming with excitement, practically bounced into the church. But the moment he saw the three of them sitting there in silence, his enthusiasm shrank. He halted, shrinking his neck back slightly as if sensing a storm brewing.

"Uh… are you guys waiting for me?" Ivan asked, his voice lower than usual. "Did something happen?"

Ginny shot up from the couch, hands on her hips, glaring at him with a pout.

"Ivan, where have you been? You're back so late!"

Ivan blinked, his hands flailing dramatically as he gestured toward the door.

"Don't you know? It's crazy out there! The king is missing!"

He expected shock. Maybe even a little panic. Instead, he was met with blank stares.

Ginny sighed heavily, giving him a look that screamed, *You poor fool.*

Jiger, still seated, turned a page in his Bible before offering Ivan a knowing smile.

"I sent him back to God's arms."

Ivan froze, his brain scrambling to process what he had just heard. Then, his eyes widened.

"What!?"

Jiger had never hidden his capabilities from them, so Ivan immediately understood the full implications of his words. His mouth opened slightly, and after a moment, he gulped and made a dramatic gesture—drawing his thumb across his neck.

"So… the king was killed by you?"

"Yes."

A brief silence followed.

Then, without warning, Ivan threw his hands in the air, spun on his heel, and started twirling around in circles.

"I've *long* hated that greedy bastard of a king! As expected of you, Jiger! Hehe!"

He spun himself right up to Jiger, then leaned back and winked flirtatiously, as if throwing some kind of challenge.

Ginny, utterly unimpressed, felt a vein throb on her forehead. She swiftly raised her foot and delivered a firm kick to Ivan's backside, sending him tumbling forward.

Jiger, still holding his Bible, maintained his polite smile, though a single bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead. Absentmindedly, he turned another page, as if that would somehow erase the ridiculousness of what had just happened.

Beyond combat, Jiger had spent much of the past six years focusing on something even more difficult—controlling himself.

The day he awakened the power of the Mink Tribe within his body, he had nearly lost control.

It wasn't just the Mink genes. There was more inside him. More than one bloodline running through his veins. These powerful, clashing genes twisted together, fusing and colliding, threatening to override his mind. When his instincts had fully awakened for the first time, he had nearly lashed out at Kuma and the others, unable to recognize friend from foe.

It had taken every ounce of willpower to stop himself that day.

Since then, he had devoted himself to maintaining emotional balance, forcing his mind to remain steady even when his blood raged. Reading the vast collection of books stored in the church had become part of his daily routine. It was a form of discipline, a way to anchor himself to clarity if ever rage takes hold.

For now, it was enough.

But deep down, Jiger knew—this control was temporary. If he did not fully master it, one day, it would break free again.

And next time, there might not be anyone to stop him.

Sighing internally, Jiger shut the Bible in his hands with a decisive motion. His expression darkened, his gaze turning sharp.

"The news of the king's disappearance has already spread," he stated. "The World Government will act soon. It won't be long before they send the navy to investigate."

Kuma, who had been rubbing his palm pads together in thought, looked up and tilted his head.

"Brother, then… are we going to war with the navy?"

Ginny smirked and reached into her vest, pulling out a sleek, gold-plated pistol. She twirled it between her fingers before gripping it tightly.

Jiger recognized it immediately.

That pistol had been a birthday gift from him. A little something he had retrieved from the palace on one of his nightly visits.

Ginny adored it. She carried it with her at all times—except when bathing. And even then, Jiger sometimes wondered if she kept it within reach.

But this weapon was not just for show.

Ginny had long since abandoned the innocence most girls her age still clung to. While others were being doted on by their parents, Ginny had walked through the Valley of the Gods. She had stared into the abyss of human cruelty and survived.

She understood, perhaps better than anyone, that strength was the only thing that mattered.

And so, she had trained. Constantly.

Now, Ginny was a dreadful sharpshooter.

Not to mention Ivan—his demon boxing techniques was already taking shape, honed through years of training and development.

Jiger looked at his three companions, their eyes burning with anticipation. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't be so tense," he said, his voice light with amusement. "I'm not asking you to fight the navy to the death. I just want to know—do you want to join the navy with me?"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Ginny, usually quick to react, found herself at a loss for words. She blinked a few times, as if making sure she had heard correctly. Then, after a moment of processing, her brows furrowed with concern.

"I don't care! I'll go wherever Brother Jiger goes, but…" She hesitated, lowering her voice. "We were all slaves. If they find out, wouldn't we…"

Before she could finish, Jiger reached out and lightly tapped her forehead with his finger.

"Why do you always forget?" he said with a small smile. "I'm also a Celestial Dragon. As long as I'm here, no one will dare lay a finger on all of you."

Ginny stared at him for a moment before nodding obediently. Without hesitation, she took his hand in both of hers, gripping it tightly.

"Brother Jiger, I'll follow you. I told you six years ago—we should never be separated!"

Beside her, Kuma silently raised his massive hand, a simple yet resolute sign of his agreement.

Only Ivan remained still. His head was lowered, eyes obscured beneath the shadow of his bangs.

Jiger didn't press him for an answer. He simply waited, watching Ivan with quiet patience.

Ginny, however, had far less restraint.

"Ivan!" She stomped over, grabbing his ear and pulling it roughly. "What are you thinking about? Don't you want to come with us?"

Ivan remained silent for a long moment. Then, with rare seriousness, he finally lifted his head.

"...I'm sorry," he said, his voice steady but laced with something deeper. "I don't think I'm suited to be a sailor. I love freedom... and the sea."

Ginny's expression flickered—shock, then frustration, then something more difficult to read. She opened her mouth, ready to argue, but Jiger calmly raised his hand, stopping her.

Jiger had no resentment toward Ivan's decision. Everyone had their own path, their own dreams. He had no right to force anyone into his.

And, truthfully, he had expected this answer from the start.

It was a little disappointing, but not surprising.

He would never forget the days they had fled together through the Valley of the Gods, the countless hardships they had endured, the laughter and the pain they had shared over the past six years.

Some things wouldn't change, no matter how far they drifted.

Seeing the trace of guilt in Ivan's eyes, Jiger smiled—a warm, genuine smile. He stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Ivan's shoulder.

"It's okay," he said softly. "We'll always be friends. And one day… we'll meet again on the sea."

Ivan stared at him for a moment before a grin slowly spread across his face.

"Heh. You better not lose to me when that time comes, Brother Jiger."