One Piece: Three Devil Fruits, Beginning with Darkness

The sky had fully darkened, casting a blanket of deep indigo over the Valley of the Gods. A cold wind rustled through the dense foliage, whispering through the trees as if mourning the countless lives lost over the past few days. The hunt had finally come to a temporary halt, not out of mercy, but because of the rules imposed by the Celestial Dragons.

According to their twisted game, any hunting done outside the designated hours would be considered a violation—an unsportsmanlike act that would cost them their so-called *points.* And points, after all, determined their rewards.

In just a few days, the number of slaves in the Valley had dwindled from a staggering 100,000 to mere remnants. The bodies of those who had fallen now littered the forest, either discarded carelessly or left to rot where they had been slain. Every single death had been converted into points, feeding the sadistic competition among the Celestial Dragons.

Lying on the cold, hard ground, Jiger and Kuma rested with their heads touching, gazing up at the vast expanse of the night sky. The bright moon hung overhead, its silvery glow illuminating the bleak reality of their situation. The eerie contrast between its beauty and the blood-soaked land beneath it was not lost on Jiger.

If he had never met Kuma and the others, would he still be alive right now? He doubted it. Alone, he would have been nothing more than another body added to the count—a nameless casualty in a massacre orchestrated for the amusement of the so-called gods.

Though, for some inexplicable reason, his clothing lacked the slave mark that painted the backs of so many others, he was not foolish enough to believe that spared him from being hunted.

The Celestial Dragons weren't the type to let details get in the way of their entertainment. Even if he wasn't worth any points, what difference did it make? If they wanted to shoot him for sport, they would. The value of a life meant nothing to them.

For now, however, the night was still, granting them a rare and fleeting moment of peace.

A short distance away, Ivan and Ginny whispered to each other in hushed tones. The atmosphere, though tense, held a fragile sense of camaraderie—one born not just of survival, but of the trust that had formed between them.

Then, in a softer voice, Ginny turned toward Kuma and asked,

"Hey, Bear, if we manage to get out of here… what would you do?"

Kuma blinked in surprise, then answered without the slightest hesitation,

"Of course, I'd live happily together with everyone!"

Ginny let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "That's obvious, but that's not what I mean," she clarified. "What's your *dream*? What do you really *want*?"

Kuma fell silent for a moment, as if the question had never truly crossed his mind before. Then, a spark lit in his eyes, and he finally spoke—his voice filled with conviction.

"I want to be like *Nika!*" he declared, his expression glowing with determination. "I want to bring freedom to *everyone!*"

The moment those words left his lips, his entire demeanor changed. He wasn't just answering a question—he was revealing a piece of his soul. The sheer passion in his voice made it clear that this wasn't just some childish fantasy. It was something he *believed* in.

Ivan, lying nearby, immediately sat up and grinned. He shot Kuma a thumbs-up, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"That's an amazing dream, Bear! I *believe* you can do it!"

Kuma, caught off guard by the praise, scratched his head with an embarrassed smile. But then, his gaze instinctively shifted toward Jiger, who had remained silent throughout the conversation.

Despite his seemingly carefree nature, Bear was more perceptive than people gave him credit for. He could *feel* the difference between Jiger and the rest of them.

The four of them had been through hell together, and all of them had been forced to mature beyond their years. But even then, there was still something inherently youthful—something *human*—about Ivan, Ginny, and even himself. Despite everything, they still held onto remnants of childish hope, of innocent dreams.

But Jiger… Jiger was different.

Though he was the youngest among them, he carried himself with a level of composure that didn't belong to someone his age. It wasn't forced bravado or a mask of confidence—it was the quiet, hardened resilience of someone who had long since learned that life was cruel.

Jiger had seen things. *Felt* things.

And that made Kuma respect him even more.

Unbeknownst to the others, Jiger's maturity had been shaped not by choice, but by necessity. Before arriving in this world, he had already lived over twenty years as an orphan on Blue Star. He had known struggle in a different form, had felt both the warmth of kindness and the sting of indifference from society.

The road to adulthood had been one he walked alone, without family, without protection. If he had been just a little weaker, just a little more naive, he wouldn't have made it.

It was through sheer will—and the occasional kindness of strangers—that he had managed to survive, even securing a place in university against all odds. But *only he* knew the battles he had fought along the way.

So while the others had been forced to grow up quickly *here*, Jiger had already been hardened long before he arrived.

Jiger's so-called *maturity* had never been a choice—it was a necessity, something life had forced upon him. It was this very quality that made him stand out among their small group of four. While they had all been through hell together, it was Jiger whom Bear silently regarded as their backbone.

So when it came to dreams, Kuma didn't just want to share his own—he wanted to hear Jiger's thoughts. And that was why Kuma couldn't help but glance at him now, seeking something unspoken. Approval, perhaps. Or maybe just an answer to a question he wasn't sure how to ask.

Jiger noticed the weight of Kuma gaze and, for a moment, remained silent. Then, a small, knowing smile curved his lips. With a slight nod, he finally spoke.

"Come on, Bear," he said, his voice steady yet warm. "Your dream will definitely come true. In fact, I *know* you'll do better than Nika. You're better than him."

Kuma's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. He hadn't expected such strong praise from Jiger. For a moment, he felt both flattered and at a loss for words.

Ginny and Ivan, too, were stunned into silence. They stared at Jiger, their eyes unblinking as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard. Then, as if snapping back to reality, Ivan suddenly blurted out,

"What about you, Jiger? What's *your* dream?"

Jiger, who had been gazing at the sky, slowly turned away. His expression was calm, unreadable.

"I don't have that kind of thing," he replied, his tone almost indifferent. "If I had to say… I just want to become stronger. Strength is everything."

Ivan, clearly unsatisfied with such an answer, pressed further.

"Okay, but *why*? What do you want to *do* once you have that power?"

Jiger exhaled softly, as if considering how to phrase his response. Finally, he shrugged and said,

"There are a lot of things I want to do. For starters, I want to help Kuma achieve his dream. And you and Ginny's as well." His voice held a rare sincerity, but then his lips curled into a smirk. "But if your dream is to make the whole world as *perverted* as you, Ivan, then forget it."

A dramatic gasp came from Ivan.

"Jiger, you're so heartless! I'm *hurt!*" he wailed, clutching his chest in mock despair.

Despite his exaggerated reaction, his eyes gleamed with something else—*gratitude.*

Kuma and Ginny, however, weren't holding back their emotions. Their eyes shimmered with unshed tears as they looked at Jiger's back, moved beyond words. And then, for the first time, they called out to him with something different—something filled with warmth and respect.

"Brother Jiger!"

At their words, a faint smile played on Jiger's lips. He hadn't been trying to win them over, but deep down, he *was* serious about what he had said.

Having spent most of his life alone, he valued the bond he had formed with the three of them more than he let on. There were no ulterior motives—no hidden intentions. He wanted to protect them, not out of obligation, but because they *mattered* to him.

And after this conversation, their bond only grew stronger. If anything, the only thing missing was a dramatic oath of brotherhood beneath the moon.

Soon, exhaustion overtook them. Ivan and Ginny yawned before shifting closer, resting their heads on Bear's warm belly, finding comfort in the steady rise and fall of his breathing. Jiger, too, allowed himself to relax, though his mind remained alert, calculating their next steps.

Just before drifting into sleep, he spoke one last time.

"Remember," he murmured, his tone serious. "No matter who finds a Devil Fruit first, don't hesitate. Eat it immediately. Even if you only get a small bite—*just eat it.* Understand?"

Kuma nodded solemnly.

"I got it, Brother Jiger!"

"Good. Now get some rest. We still have to survive tomorrow."

"Mm!"

And with that, silence fell over the small group, their rhythmic breathing the only sound in the cool night air.

---

### Meanwhile…

Far from the Valley of the Gods, in the vast darkness of the sea, a fleet of massive ships loomed like shadows against the water. Their sails stretched high, catching the moonlight, and upon each of them flew a flag—a black background with a skull insignia.

The *Rocks Pirates* had arrived.

In the cabin of the largest ship, the air was thick with tension. Every core member of the infamous pirate crew had gathered, their presence alone enough to shake the world. Among them stood three figures who, in the years to come, would become legends—Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.

Kaido's status, at present, was far lower than that of Whitebeard and Big Mom. But his potential was undeniable, and thanks to his *unknown connection* with Big Mom, he had earned his place in the room.

Outside these walls, each of them would have been feared rulers of their own domains. But here, within the ship's dimly lit chamber, they were not the ones who commanded attention.

All eyes were on the man sitting upon the throne.

His rough, battle-hardened face was framed by long, wild black hair that hung loosely over his broad shoulders. A heavy black cloak draped over his powerful form, adding to the sheer dominance he exuded.

Even without speaking, his very presence carried a suffocating weight. The room itself seemed to shrink under the pressure of his *Haki*, as if reality itself bowed before him.

This was the captain of the Rocks Pirates.

**Rocks D. Xebec.**

At that moment, Rocks lifted a massive barrel of liquor in one hand and downed it in a single, thunderous gulp. Then, with a sharp exhale, he *slammed* the empty barrel onto the floor, his face twisting into a scowl of pure rage.

"Damn the World Government!" he roared, his voice shaking the very walls. "This time, I'm going to *settle all our debts*—old and new!"

*BOOM!*

A violent surge of *Conqueror's Haki* exploded from his body, crackling through the room like a living storm. Purple-black lightning lashed out, rattling furniture and sending a suffocating wave of pressure over everyone present.

Some flinched. Others tensed. But no one dared to interrupt.

Not long ago, an undercover agent planted by the World Government had *dared* to infiltrate their ranks—stealing treasure from Beehive Island while most of the crew was away. That very treasure had now become *prize money* for some ridiculous competition.

The news had driven Rocks into a fury unlike any before.

And now, his rage would be unleashed upon the Valley of the Gods.