Before Lloyd and the others could get far, the clash of top-tier Haki and Devil Fruit powers erupted behind them, the sound of roars echoing endlessly.
God Valley had transformed completely into a battlefield fit for "gods." Ivan glanced back, his eyes widening as countless massive Rocks floated upward, then plummeted like a torrential storm.
Lloyd tugged at the stunned Ivan, voice sharp and calm.
"That's the power of the Float-Float Fruit. Move fast, or we'll be crushed!"
Ivan snapped back to reality, swallowing hard. "The power of Devil Fruits… it's terrifying. If we ate one, could we reach that level?"
Lloyd's eyes narrowed, firm and calculating. "Yes. At least the Devil Fruits offered by the Celestial Dragons won't be weaker than the Float-Float Fruit."
Without hesitation, he pressed forward, leading the way toward the opulent mansion the suited man had been at earlier.
All of the Celestial Dragons' underlings in the town had been summoned by Saint Saturn for the battle, leaving no one to watch them. This was the opportunity Lloyd had been waiting for.
Returning to the original mansion, now reduced to rubble, Lloyd wasted no time. He began pushing aside the broken stones with bare hands, his movements precise and relentless.
The others followed instinctively, knowing that even a moment's hesitation could be fatal amidst the chaos of the monsters' battle.
Boom!
The gust of wind from Rocks' clash whipped through the rubble. Lloyd's robes flapped violently as his small frame swayed, yet he continued digging, muttering under his breath.
"Devil Fruit… if you truly seek a Master, then choose me. Together, we will rise to the peak of this world."
His fingernails were nearly gone, crimson blood dripping onto the shattered stone, following cracks that seemed to guide his hands. Lloyd's eyes blurred slightly, but he followed the path the bloodline traced, methodical and determined.
After a full day of fleeing, his body was exhausted. A heavy stone shifted under his hand, causing him to stumble dangerously.
Then, a faint golden glimmer caught his eye. Under a partially buried stone, a wooden box revealed a corner plated with gold.
Lloyd's pulse quickened. He forced calm over trembling hands and carefully dug out the box. It was unlocked, likely intended for easy access by some weak Celestial Dragon. Even in his exhausted state, Lloyd opened it without difficulty.
In that moment, the box became a Pandora's box in Lloyd's mind. He held his breath and lifted the lid.
There, resting quietly, lay a strange Devil Fruit, purple all over, shaped like a pineapple.
Lloyd's eyes widened. Lightning seemed to spark across his mind.
"This… is this the Dark-Dark Fruit!?"
He had seen its image in the annals of the manga, Blackbeard's prize fruit, a legend over twenty years in waiting. Its appearance exceeded all expectations.
This fruit was undeniably top-tier. Unlike other Logia-type or elemental Devil Fruits, it did not grant control over natural elements, making it useless against ordinary fodder.
But the Dark-Dark Fruit… it represented annihilation, a black hole capable of swallowing all. That was the power Lloyd desired.
Less than three seconds after confirming the fruit, he bit down decisively.
The light purple pulp and juice filled his mouth, an indescribable taste spreading through him. His face flushed purple-red as his stomach churned violently.
One bite was enough. Lloyd felt a strange new sense awaken, like an additional limb he could control at will.
He extended his right hand, testing his new power. It immediately turned pitch black, tendrils of darkness rising like smoke.
For the first time, Lloyd felt the mastery of the Dark-Dark Fruit, the controller of shadows and annihilation.
"Lloyd!"
Ivan's voice broke through his focus. He held up a fruit shaped like a bear's paw, eyes bright with excitement.
Lloyd's pupils narrowed slightly. From its appearance, it was unmistakably the Paw-Paw Fruit. A valuable prize, yet Ivan's flamboyant personality made him far too conspicuous.
Unaware that Lloyd had already eaten the Dark-Dark Fruit, Ivan's instinct was to give it to him, but shouting about it in the middle of battle had consequences.
The word "Devil Fruit" carried far beyond ordinary ears, instantly drawing dangerous attention from both the Rocks Pirates and the World Government forces.
Ivan froze under the lethal gazes, a silent trap around him.
Even so, Ivan's natural aptitude allowed him to withstand the scrutiny of numerous Conqueror's Haki users without passing out—a testament to his potential.
Saint Saturn immediately recognized the Paw-Paw Fruit, signaling Saint Garin to seize it, but Galin's attention was fixed on Lloyd nearby, a subtle, calculating expression on his face.
The Navy was astonished that a few children had appeared in such chaos. Garp curled his lip, muttering to himself that it must be another mess caused by the Celestial Dragons.
Rocks' crew was more focused. Before Rocks could react, Linlin charged forward, her finger aimed at Ivan, who stood frozen in place.
"Brat! Hand over that Devil Fruit to this beautiful woman!"
________
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