Kael's expression never changed as he recounted his past.
Ginny and the others were stunned. They couldn't even imagine such a father existing in this world being "more monstrous" would be a compliment.
Kael lowered his eyes. Black wisps of smoke drifted from the corners of his gaze. It was clear: his mood was far from the calm surface appearance.
"I will absolutely return to Mariejois and kill him with my own hands!"
Ginny's heart tightened. She reached out and unconsciously grasped his hand, asking with eagerness:
"Brother Kael, will you abandon us?"
Ivan blinked wildly, sorrow shining in his eyes. Berro also raised his head, looking at Kael tensely.
Kael paused for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled softly:
"How could that be? I'm so weak now and this isn't the time to return to Mariejois!"
Hearing that, Ginny and the others breathed a sigh of relief. As companions who'd escaped God Valley together, their bond ran deep.
Moreover, Kael's performance in God Valley had made him their leader. This feeling was even stronger for Ginny, the only girl of the four.
Once Kael confirmed he had no intention of returning to Mariejois at least for now Ginny was overjoyed.
She couldn't help hugging him, rubbing his cheek firmly, and shouting:
"Wonderful, Brother Kael! We'll always be together! We'll never part!"
Ivan grimly squeezed his bandaged hand and was about to speak when Berro stepped forward and said:
"Brother Kael, you gave me this power. I will work hard and support you!"
A bright smile appeared on Kael's face, but in the darkened corners around his eyes lay a malevolent grace within his smile.
"Bear don't you care that I might be one of the Celestial Dragons?"
The bear nodded gently and replied softly:
"No! Kael is still Kael! He's my brother forever!"
Ginny turned away and, with a shocked expression, asked:
"Berro, why did you bow your head earlier? You looked so worried!"
"Yes, sorry. Actually I heard Shanks mention the name 'Figarland.' I heard it when I was a slave of the Figarland family… but I didn't want to destroy our relationship. I thought if I acted like I didn't know, we could keep living together. Unexpectedly, Brother Kael told us his past himself…"
Berro scratched his head as he spoke an honest gesture that felt simple and sincere to Kael.
Kael gently pushed Ginny aside and looked around. Darkness appeared behind him:
"Don't blame only me. All of you have suffered abuse from the Celestial Dragons. I will avenge all of you!"
Ginny, after all, was a girl. She cared that everyone could live well. Upon hearing Kael's words, she couldn't help worrying about what they might gain and lose:
"But Brother Kael can we really oppose the Celestial Dragons?"
Kael smiled faintly, raised his right arm turned into darkness, and whispered:
"Of course otherwise I'd be letting this Dark Fruit down, wouldn't I?"
No sooner did he finish speaking than an infinite darkness engulfed the entire church like a black curtain, leaving no trace of light.
Ginny was frightened. She grasped Kael's clothes tightly with both hands.
Thankfully the darkness didn't last. Soon it dissipated, revealing a clean, orderly hall in their sight.
"Was that the power of the Dark Fruit?"
Ginny gaped, stunned as she looked around at the spotless space surrounding them.
Berro also a Devil Fruit user was even more amazed. He had witnessed Kael control the Dark Fruit's power so flawlessly!
He'd seen the destructive potential: that terrible dark mouth nearly consumed all three. Just thinking of it still made him break into cold sweat.
He could feel the ultimate destructive power hidden within that darkness capable of turning everything to dust!
Yet Kael had released such immense power without damaging the furniture or anyone only absorbing dust and debris. This level of precise control embarrassed the bear.
If it were him, he'd probably have formed a giant meatball vortex around the church and cleaned everything up. But with his current ability, even creating a meatball to surround the walls would be difficult; even if he could, he couldn't control it.
Kael's mastery over the Dark Fruit had grown because he had fully integrated with his original body, and his spirit power exceeded that of ordinary people.
A naturally talented man like him would awaken Observation Haki!
Ginny hadn't considered that far. The magical scene blazed the excitement into her cheeks she clapped her hands eagerly:
"Gudu…"
Ivan swallowed a mouthful of spit in envy.
Among the two and a half children present, he was the only one without a Devil Fruit. Now after seeing Kael and Berro use their powers, he hoped he'd find his own.
Kael noticed Ivan's reaction. He could observe words and emotions well and easily understood what Ivan was thinking. He smiled right away and said:
"Ivan, don't worry. The right Devil Fruit for you hasn't appeared yet. Believe me that fruit will be yours."
Ivan's excitement soared. He was convinced by Kael's words and immediately asked:
"What's the fruit's name?"
Kael wagged a finger and said mysteriously:
"I'm not telling yet you just need to know it will perfectly satisfy your little hobby!"
Hearing that made Ivan even happier. He continued bombarding Kael with questions but no matter how much he begged, Kael stayed silent and it drove him a little crazy.
Finally Kael couldn't take Ivan's "torture" any longer. Black smoke drifted from his finger and covered Ivan's giant mouth.
Ivan's mouth was enveloped in darkness and the suction power forced his face to scowl sharply.
"Heh Hııh-ıh! (Tell me the fruit name!!!)"