Before Kael and the others could escape, the sounds of Devil Fruit abilities clashing with Haki's counterattack began behind them, and the roaring never stopped.
Now the Valley of the Gods has completely become a battlefield for the "gods". Ivan couldn't help but look back and saw countless boulders floating up into the sky and then falling down like a heavy rain.
Kael also noticed this scene. He pulled Ivan who was already dumbfounded and said,
"That's Lion Fruit's ability. Run quickly. If you get affected, you'll be in trouble!"
Ivan came back to his senses, swallowed his saliva and sighed,
"The power of Devil Fruit is so terrifying. Can we achieve this level if we eat one?"
Kael narrowed his eyes and said firmly,
"Yes, at least those Devil Fruits given as prizes by the Celestial Dragons will not be worse than that Lion Fruit!"
After saying these, he moved forward and ran towards the magnificent house where the man in the suit was previously located.
Since all the Sky Dragons in town have been summoned by their servants, the Sartan, to join the war, no one is paying attention to them anymore. He must seize this opportunity.
The once magnificent houses were reduced to ruin. Kael, without hesitation, rushed toward the rubble and pushed it away with his bare hands. Seeing his desperate movements, Ivan and the others rushed to help him.
At that moment, no one could afford to slack off because the battle between those monsters could very well kill them.
Pat!
The clash between the boulders and the others sent out a gust of wind. In the ruins, Kael's robe flapped violently and was torn apart by the fierce wind.
Kael clenched his teeth and continued digging forcefully, muttering under his breath:
"Devil Fruit… If you truly know how to choose a master, then please choose me! Let's climb to the top of this world together!"
His fingernails were worn down almost completely, and bright red blood was oozing from the tips of his fingers. It dripped onto the shattered tiles and stones below, forming a vivid crimson trail across the ground.
Kael lifted his arm and wiped his eyes.
After a day-long escape, Kael's stamina had completely run out.
Just then, a faint golden light flashed beneath him. Kael quickly looked closer and saw that it wasn't just a glimmer it was the corner of a wooden box with golden plating.
Kael felt the blood in his body surge. He forced himself to stay calm and pulled the box out with trembling hands.
Fortunately, it wasn't locked likely left that way to be easily opened by some weaker Sky Dragons. Even someone as weak as Kael could open it without difficulty.
In that moment, this box was Kael's own Pandora's Box. Holding his breath, he opened the lid. Inside, a strange, purple fruit that resembled a pineapple sat quietly.
Seeing the fruit appear, Kael's eyes widened, and a lightning bolt seemed to flash in his mind.
"Is this… the Dark Fruit!?"
Kael's eyes filled with tears of joy he had found the Dark Fruit, the very fruit Blackbeard had been searching for over twenty years.
Finding the dark fruit was completely different from what Kael had expected. It was truly a big surprise.
After all, the Dark Fruit was undoubtedly a top-tier Devil Fruit. While it harmed its user like all others, its long-term side effects were nearly nonexistent.
There were many powerful fruits with strong offensive abilities, but most of them had turned out to be useless over time.
But the Dark Fruit was different. It wasn't just about brute force it held a hidden flaw that could cause even the most gifted users to lose their powers. And what Kael valued most… was the catastrophe it represented: the ability to erase everything like a black hole.
Three seconds after realizing what he held truly was the Dark Fruit, Kael opened his mouth and bit into it.
The essence of lavender mixed with its juices and filled his mouth with an indescribable taste. His face turned completely purple, and his stomach churned before he could even swallow.
Thankfully, a single bite was enough to gain a Devil Fruit's power. Otherwise, considering Kael's currently "tiny mouth", it would be terrifying to imagine the pain he might have endured.
Kael tossed aside the now ordinary-looking fruit and stood there for a moment, overcome by a strange sensation as if he had gained an extra sense… an unfamiliar freedom of movement.
He raised his right hand in front of his eyes and tried to activate his power.
Immediately, his hand was engulfed in darkness, and black smoke began to rise into the sky.
He stared at his right hand in shock. From that moment on, he was the master of the Dark Fruit… the one who commanded darkness.
"Kael-chan!"
Ivan's shout pulled Kael out of his thoughts. When he turned around, he saw Ivan holding a Devil Fruit shaped like a bear's paw, shouting excitedly:
"Look what I found! A Devil Fruit!"
Kael's pupils shrank. Anger surged in his chest when he realized the fruit in Ivan's hand was the Meatball Fruit.
Finding the Meatball Fruit was indeed a stroke of luck… but screaming about it like that? Complete idiocy.
Ivan's voice was far too loud, and the words "Devil Fruit" were far too sensitive. Whether it was the Rock side or the others, they all had hearing abilities far beyond that of normal people.
The moment Ivan shouted about finding a Devil Fruit, both warring sides froze. Several dangerous pairs of eyes locked onto Ivan, pinning him in place like prey.
In truth, Ivan's performance wasn't bad at all. Considering how many Conqueror's Haki users were present, the fact that he hadn't fainted outright meant he was far stronger than the average person.
Meanwhile, a Marine sighed upon noticing the appearance of several kids in this chaotic place. Garp pursed his lips and blamed the Celestial Dragons in his heart yet again.
Rocks didn't care much. Before he could say anything, Linlin suddenly rushed forward and aimed directly at the frozen Ivan.
"You little Bastard! Give me that Devil Fruit!!!"