One Piece: Three Devil Fruits, Beginning with Darkness

Chapter 8: Garling Takes Action!

Rocks' expression darkened as Lingling suddenly abandoned the battlefield. Without hesitation, she charged toward Ivan, her eyes locked onto the Meat-Meat Fruit in his grasp.

Her speed was monstrous—too fast for Ivan to react. In a mere instant, she was already upon him, her towering frame casting a shadow over the boy.

But just before she could reach him—

A dark vortex formed in the air.

Jiger raised his right hand, now jet black, and aimed directly at Ivan. The swirling abyss in his palm twisted the space around it, pulling with an overwhelming force.

"All things are drawn to darkness!"

A low, resonating hum filled the battlefield as an immense gravitational pull erupted from Jiger's hand.

Ivan's body jolted as he was abruptly yanked backward, the Devil Fruit flying from his grasp as if caught in an unseen tide. He crashed into Jiger's arms, the fruit landing squarely in his other hand.

Lingling's momentum carried her forward—but her prey was gone.

She skidded to a stop, blinking in confusion.

'What just happened?'

For a moment, silence hung over the battlefield.

Then—

Expressions of shock and realization spread among the watching powerhouses.

Rocks, still engaged in his fight, caught sight of the **black vortex** swirling in Jiger's palm. His eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"That brat from before…! That ability—could it be?!"

From the government's side, Saint Saturn composed mask finally cracked. His expression twisted—not in shock at the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, but at Jiger's face.

"Who… is that child?" he murmured, his voice laced with something bordering on suspicion.

Turning swiftly, he locked eyes with Saint Garling, who stood silently nearby.

Garling usual stoic expression was unsettled, his brows furrowing deeply. His lips parted slightly as if recalling something from long ago.

"Impossible… he's dead. But…" he whispered, his voice too low for anyone to hear.

Everyone was thinking something different.

But Lingling?

Lingling wasn't one for deep contemplation. She had already spun back toward Jiger, her previous confusion vanishing as a playful grin spread across her face.

Placing a hand on her hip, she eyed him curiously.

"Huh… didn't expect you to be a special one, little guy." Her tone was lighthearted, almost teasing. "You've got quite the ability there… and you're not bad-looking, either."

She took a step forward, her imposing presence making the air feel heavier. "But, kid… you stole my prize."

Her grin widened, her voice turning sultry.

"How about this? Give me the fruit, and I'll take you under my wing."

At this moment, Lingling wasn't the bloated, crazed emperor that Jiger had seen in the future. She was still young, still beautiful, with a dangerously **charming** aura.

Yet, despite the alluring tone in her voice, the image of the monstrous woman she would one day become flashed through Jiger's mind.

A shiver ran down his spine.

Lingling mistook his reaction for fear. She laughed and took slow, deliberate steps toward him, her confidence unwavering.

Jiger clenched his jaw. He knew he had only a brief moment before she acted again.

Before she could close the distance completely, he tightened his grip around Ivan's wrist.

"Ahh—Jig-chan, that hurts!" Ivan yelped, his mouth flying open in pain.

Jiger didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he shoved the Devil Fruit toward Ivan's mouth, trying to force him to eat it.

But he had underestimated Lingling's speed.

Before the fruit could reach Ivan's lips, she vanished.

A blur—then a crushing force.

**BAM!**

Ivan's body shot through the air like a ragdoll, kicked away with terrifying force.

Jiger barely had time to process it before an iron grip closed around his arm.

Lingling squatted beside him, her hand wrapped tightly around his forearm, her long fingers digging into his flesh.

Her playful demeanor vanished. Her voice was dangerously low.

"Brat… you're not being very obedient.

Jiger's muscles tensed. He knew he was in trouble.

But before Lingling could act—

A shadow descended.

**SHING!**

A blade flashed through the air.

Lingling's eyes widened. She instinctively released Jiger and lifted her arm, coating it in a thick layer of Armament Haki.

Just in time—

**CLANG!**

A devastating slash met her defense, sending a metallic ring across the battlefield.

The force of the strike was enough to make Lingling's entire body jolt. She took a step back, her gaze snapping toward the attacker.

A figure landed lightly nearby, blade in hand.

Saint Garling.

His golden armor gleamed under the chaotic sky, his expression calm—but his eyes held a cold, cutting intensity. He watched Lingling carefully.

Lingling frowned, lowering her arm. She flexed her fingers, and a faint sting shot through her skin. Looking down, she noticed a thin, red line on her forearm.

She had actually been injured.

It wasn't deep, but it was real.

A rare feeling of annoyance settled in her chest. Even with her monstrous defense, she had felt that strike.

Garling swordsmanship wasn't something to be taken lightly.

Lingling's eyes flickered toward him, then to the still-hovering **Meat-Meat Fruit.**

Her mind spun.

'So… even the Celestial Dragons are after this one, huh?'

A slow, dangerous grin spread across her face.

"Fine. If you all want it that badly… then I guess I just have to take it first."

Her attention briefly shifted toward the battlefield behind them.

The Blue Dragon Fruit.

If she could get both fruits…

Her grip on Napoleon tightened.

This was far from over.

The message Ginny had relayed earlier had mentioned two things of interest: Meat-Meat Fruit and the Blue Dragon Fruit. Before setting foot in the Valley of the Gods, Lingling had thoroughly studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and made her plans accordingly.

Her real objective in coming here had never been the Meat-Meat Fruit. She wanted the Blue Dragon Fruit.

Since she already possessed the Soul-Soul Fruit, she had no need for another power. Instead, she intended to use the fruit—to secure **Kaido.**

Kaido was the man she had set her eyes on, and he had been stubbornly resisting her persuasion. But she knew that power could tempt even the most willful of warriors. If she gifted him a **Mythical Zoan**, an ability worthy of a true conqueror, she could finally bind him to her side.

Lingling never truly submitted to Rocks. She had long desired to break away from his pirate crew and forge her own empire. With Kaido by her side, her dream could begin.

At first, the Meat-Meat Fruit was merely a backup plan—a lesser alternative.

But Garling intervention changed everything.

If even the mighty Knights of God were interested in this fruit, perhaps it had greater value than she had initially thought.

She turned her attention back to the battlefield—only to realize that she had been completely ignored.

Garling wasn't looking at her. He had turned his focus entirely to Jiger.

His gaze drifted to Jiger's chest, where deep, crisscrossing scars marred his skin. His expression flickered, as though seeing something familiar—something... impossible.

After a pause, he spoke, his voice even yet carrying a weight that could not be ignored.

"Hey… what's your name?"

Jiger stiffened.

Of all the people in this battle, why would Garling—the leader of the Knights of God—pay attention to him?

His mind raced for answers. Was it because of the Dark-Dark Fruit's power? Was it something else?

He had no idea.

What he did know was that neither Lingling nor Garling were people he could afford to defy. However, Garling expression didn't hold hostility—only intrigue, maybe even something akin to recognition.

After a brief hesitation, Jiger answered,

"My name is Jiger."

At that moment, Garling body visibly tensed.

A shudder ran through him as if something had just **clicked** in his mind. His voice turned uncharacteristically urgent.

"Your full name—what is it?"

Jiger froze.

His full name?

The question confirmed one thing—Garling knew him. Or at least, knew the person he used to be.

But the problem was… Jiger himself did not.

He had no memories of a past life other than the one he had on Earth, no recollection of a different identity. The only thing he knew about this body for certain was the name he had chosen for himself.

With a wary expression, he answered honestly, "I don't remember anything about my past. The only name I know is 'Jiger.' That's my full name."

Garling studied him carefully. His eyes darkened as he murmured, "Lost your memories… You can remember your first name, but not your last…"

Jiger saw the moment of hesitation and seized the chance.

His voice was cautious, yet laced with curiosity.

"You know me, don't you? Then tell me… What was my full name?"

Up until now, Lingling had been standing there, watching this entire exchange with her patience slowly unraveling.

The veins on her forehead throbbed.

They were ignoring her.

Two men—one she had deemed a threat, the other a mere kid—were chatting as if she wasn't right there.

Her teeth clenched.

"Enough!" she roared, her voice booming across the battlefield. Her heavy steps cracked the ground beneath her.

Her furious glare snapped between Jiger and Garling.

"What the hell are you two doing?! Standing around talking about names?! What do you take me for?!"

She had had enough!

Reaching out, she snatched the Meat-Meat Fruit from the ground with a vice-like grip.

Without another word, she turned sharply, ready to leave.

Jiger's heart sank.

'Shit—she's taking it!'

A sharp **whoosh** cut through the air.

Before Lingling could even take a step—

Garling moved.

He barely raised his blade, yet the force that followed was monstrous.

A single sword strike.

A flash of red and black lightning erupted—blazing through the air like a divine judgment.

BOOM!

The pressure alone sent tremors through the battlefield.

Lingling's instincts screamed at her. **She couldn't ignore this.**

She immediately crossed her arms, activating her full-body **Armament Haki** to withstand the impact.

The moment the attack landed. A shockwave rippled outward. The ground beneath her cracked open.

Even with her unbelievable defense, she felt the weight of that strike. A dull sting spread across her arms.

And in that brief moment of forced defense—

The Meat-Meat Fruit slipped from her grasp.

It tumbled downward—and rolled right to Jiger's feet.

Jiger's mind snapped into action.

'Now's my chance!'

His eyes darted toward the nearby figures.

'Ivan had been kicked meters away—too far to reach it.'

But there was someone else.

His gaze landed on Bear.

Without hesitation, Jiger kicked the fruit toward him and shouted—

"Bear! Eat it!"

Bear and Ginny had been standing frozen, still caught in the chaos.

Jiger's voice snapped them out of it.

Bear's eyes locked onto the flying Meat-Meat Fruit.

For a split second, his mind hesitated.

Then—

He threw hesitation aside.

His massive mouth opened wide, and in one clean motion—

GULP.

The fruit disappeared down his throat.

A heartbeat passed.

Then—

A strange tingling sensation ran through Bear's palms. He lifted his hands to inspect them, and—

There.

On both his hands, a pair of soft, pink pads had appeared.

His power had awakened.

Jiger exhaled. 'They did it.'

But the battle was far from over.

Lingling's eyes, burning with fury, snapped toward them.

The real fight was about to begin.