Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Garling's expression remained unchanged as he responded calmly,

"Darian, death may be a relief for you."

Darian scoffed. "Still so self-righteous."

Ignoring him, Garling turned to Carl.

"Carl, before the Fruit goes completely out of control, its core will be exposed. That will be the moment when Darian is at his weakest. Your current speed is enough to take him down."

Garling still remembered the moment his father lost control. Back then, his hesitation had nearly cost him everything. His father had regained a sliver of consciousness, allowing Garling to strike the final blow. That experience taught him the importance of seizing the moment.

That was why he was warning Carl now. If they let this chance slip, Darian—no matter how much sanity he retained—would never surrender.

Carl gave a slight nod, preparing himself. He would wait for that moment of weakness and strike decisively.

Darian shook his head, his eyes narrowing.

"Garling, you're too naïve. Do you think I'd make the same mistakes as our father? What do you really know about this Fruit?"

Garling frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Heh, you'll find out soon enough."

With a twisted grin, Darian glanced at his last remaining clone. It stepped forward, then dissolved into a mass of blood, merging seamlessly into Darian's body.

The moment the fusion was complete, Darian's aura erupted. His muscles expanded, tearing through his clothes. His once dark hair turned stark white, spreading wildly. The blood energy around him surged into the sky like a crimson beacon. His eyes burned with bloodlust, and a monstrous grin twisted his face.

Darian's power had peaked, but his sanity was slipping. His movements became erratic, his body trembling as he fought for control.

Despite his worsening state, he had planned for this. By dispersing some of his energy through his clones earlier, he had managed to buy himself time.

At first, Carl didn't notice a drastic increase in Darian's strength. But Darian had underestimated Carl's progress with the Dark-Dark Fruit—an ability that directly countered the Blood-Blood Fruit.

Realizing the danger, Darian's gaze locked onto Carl, a ravenous hunger in his eyes. In a blur, he lunged forward, his speed unfathomable for his massive frame.

Carl remained calm. His divine power shimmered, and his body phased out of reality. Darian's feral strikes passed through him harmlessly, each attack leaving the surrounding battlefield in ruins while Carl stood untouched.

Darian continued his rampage, blood vessels bulging, his skin cracking as blood poured from the wounds. But then, he suddenly stopped. His bloodshot eyes snapped toward Garling.

"Garling!" Darian growled, his voice layered with desperation. "Let me use your body first!!!"

Garling's response was immediate. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, its edge gleaming with Haki. He slashed at Darian, but the wound sealed almost instantly, the regenerative power of the Blood-Blood Fruit working at its peak.

"I'm not crazy yet, Garling," Darian said, his grin widening grotesquely. "But I will be if you don't help me!"

"You've already lost your mind," Garling said coldly.

Darian threw his head back and laughed, his voice raw and unhinged.

"My father… He already told me how to stop the Blood-Blood Fruit from spiraling out of control!"

Garling's grip tightened on his sword. "What did you say?"

Darian's grin twisted. "It's simple, really." His voice dropped into a whisper, thick with malice. "Before you lose control completely… all you need to do is take over the body of a loved one."

Garling froze for just a second.

It was all Darian needed.

In an instant, he struck. A devastating punch slammed into Garling, sending him crashing to the ground, blood spraying from his mouth.

Darian didn't pursue him immediately. Instead, he reached out, absorbing the blood that had spilled. His eyes flickered, regaining a brief glimmer of clarity.

Garling coughed, struggling to rise. "What did our father say to you back then?" His voice was hoarse. "Why didn't he tell me?"

Darian sneered. "Because you were his favorite." His words dripped with resentment. "He would never have considered taking over your body—not even in his last moments."

A gust of wind cut between them.

Carl had appeared beside Garling in an instant, divine energy radiating from his form.

They stood together, facing Darian—who was now beyond reason. Beyond redemption.