Chapter 9: Your Surname Is Figarland

Seeing Kuma swallow the Paw-Paw Fruit in one gulp, Linlin's fury boiled over, her lungs feeling as though they were about to explode. She glared at Carl with an expression that suggested she was ready to devour him alive.

However, at this moment, she was powerless. Garling was suppressing her relentlessly, giving her no opportunity to free her hands.

Taking advantage of the situation, Carl pulled Ivankov toward him and shouted to Kuma,

"Kuma, use your ability to send us away! Control your strength—just shoot!"

Carl had previously explained to Kuma how to utilize the Paw-Paw Fruit's ability for quick movement. Fortunately, Kuma was naturally compatible with the fruit, so upon hearing Carl's command, he glanced at himself before teleporting to Carl's side in an instant.

Carl spread his hands, dark vortices emerging from each palm. The powerful gravity pulled Ginny and Ivankov, who had been sent flying earlier, toward him.

During this process, Carl kept a close watch on Saturn, who was engaged in battle with the Rocks Pirates. According to the original storyline, Saturn was supposed to interfere with Kuma.

Yet, Saturn showed no intention of coming over. Carl speculated that it might be due to Garling's departure from the battlefield.

After all, without Garling, it was still difficult for the current Marine forces, even with Saturn, to face the Rocks Pirates head-on—especially considering the number of powerful figures within the pirate crew.

Kuma raised his hand again, preparing to use his ability once more to send both himself and Carl away from the Valley of the Gods.

Garling, who had been silently observing Carl, saw Kuma's actions and immediately understood their plan. As Kuma's hand was about to touch Carl, Garling suddenly shouted,

"Boy! Remember! Your last name is Figarland!"

Bo!

The Paw-Paw Fruit's ability activated, and Carl's figure vanished on the spot. Kuma hesitated for a moment, considering saving more slaves, but before he could act, Rocks suddenly went berserk.

His Conqueror's Haki exploded, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Thunder rumbled in the sky, and the entire Valley of the Gods trembled as if the world itself was ending.

With blood-red eyes, Rocks roared furiously at the spot where Carl had disappeared, his voice shaking the heavens.

"Bastard! Where did you send that kid?! That's my fruit!!"

Sengoku and Garp exchanged puzzled glances. What fruit? The Paw-Paw Fruit? They couldn't understand why Rocks was reacting so violently.

Although Kuma possessed great potential, he was still young. Rocks' overwhelming Conqueror's Haki momentarily stunned him. However, when he snapped back to his senses, he wasted no time—he immediately activated his ability, vanishing from the battlefield.

Saturn, seeing this, yelled toward Garling,

"Garling! Come back quickly!"

Garling stood in silence for a brief moment before breaking free from Linlin and rushing back to the battlefield that demanded his attention. Linlin, however, had no intention of returning. Now freed from Garling's interference, she resumed her search for the Azure Dragon Fruit.

In the distance, Saturn let out a sigh of relief upon seeing Garling rejoin the fight. He muttered under his breath,

"That fruit originally belonged to you…"

Garling shook his head, his voice calm.

"I'm not particularly interested in Devil Fruits. I came here simply to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Besides, he's still alive—which means Vegapunk's experiment was a success. That being the case, there's no fruit more suitable for him than that one."

Saturn opened his mouth as if to say more, but before he could, Rocks surged forward like a bolt of black lightning, his fist brimming with rage.

"Boom!"

Saturn was caught off guard. His cane flew from his grasp as Rocks' fist slammed into his face with devastating force, sending him crashing through the battlefield.

Sengoku barely suppressed a laugh, while Garp let out a loud guffaw.

Pffft!

Tsuru, standing beside him, pinched Garp hard on the waist.

Even though Garp was heavily armed and physically resilient, he winced in pain. His expression twisted into something even uglier than a cry.

The Rocks Pirates, on the other hand, had no reservations. They erupted into raucous laughter, gleefully watching Saturn's misfortune as if rubbing salt into his wounds.

Despite the heavy blow, Saturn recovered quickly—his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit granting him exceptional regenerative abilities. However, the slight tremor in his stance revealed that Rocks' punch had done significant damage.

Rising to his feet, Saturn scanned the Marine forces with cold eyes before pausing slightly on Garp. Garp, unfazed, casually picked his nose, looking utterly indifferent.

Though furious, Saturn knew that Garp was a crucial combat force. He had no choice but to suppress his anger and turn to Marine Fleet Admiral Kong, issuing a chilling order.

"Destroy the Rocks Pirates—leave no one alive!"

Rocks snorted in disdain.

"With just you lot? After today, I will be the new king of the world! Come on, brats!"

Once again, the two sides clashed. Despite facing the combined might of the Marines and the Holy Knights, the Rocks Pirates showed no signs of faltering. On the contrary, they were beginning to push their opponents back.

Rocks himself grew increasingly excited. According to his plan, the battle would be much easier if he acquired the Dark-Dark Fruit. With its powers, his chances of victory would rise exponentially.

Yet, seeing the Marines and World Government forces struggle, he realized that they weren't as formidable as he had anticipated. Some of his own crew members were even holding back.

Among his subordinates, the one fighting the hardest was none other than Kaido. Still just a reckless young warrior, Kaido swung his mace with blinding speed, striking down anyone in his path. His relentless assault stood in stark contrast to the more reserved efforts of the other captains.

Rocks took note of this. If they emerged victorious, he was already considering giving Kaido a promotion and a raise.

But celebrating too early has always been a fatal mistake. Just as Rocks was about to crush a Marine officer's neck, a powerful black-and-red sword light streaked across the sky.

"Divine Departure!"

Rocks' pupils shrank. Without hesitation, he tossed the Marine aside and retreated swiftly.

The sword's slash struck the ground, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the air. When it cleared, a massive, bottomless ravine had formed.

"Uh-huh!"

A man wearing a red cloak descended from the sky, a confident smile on his face.

Garp, who had been somewhat detached from the fight, suddenly roared as if reinvigorated.

"Roger! You bastard, you finally showed up!"

Gol D. Roger turned his head, flashing Garp a grin before pointing his sword at the now grim-faced Rocks.

With a deep voice, he declared,

"Rocks, you're far too dangerous—I can't let you continue!"

Author's Note:

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