Ignoring Rocks' scowling expression, Linlin's attention was completely drawn to the sight of the Meat-Meat Fruit. Without hesitation, she dashed off at an incredible speed, aiming straight for Ivan.
But before she could reach him, Ji Ge suddenly raised his right hand, now pitch-black, and pointed at Ivan. A swirling black vortex formed in his palm.
"Universal Pull!"
With a loud buzz, overwhelming gravitational force shot from Ji Ge's palm. Ivan and the Meat-Meat Fruit were both yanked toward Ji Ge at terrifying speed. Linlin skidded to a stop, missing her mark, her expression flickering with confusion.
The powerful figures observing from afar all reacted differently. Rocks' gaze narrowed, disbelief etched across his face as he focused on the swirling black power.
"Could it be… that kid just now? That ability… No way!"
Saint Satan's face showed rare shock—not because of the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, but because of Ji Ge's face.
"Who is that boy?" he muttered.
He turned toward Saint Jialin, who stood silently nearby, his expression unusually complicated. "He's… clearly dead. But this boy looks just like…" Jialin whispered to himself.
Everyone had their own thoughts, their own suspicions.
Linlin snapped out of her brief surprise, a playful smirk curling on her lips. "So you've got abilities too, huh, little boy?" she said in a teasing tone. "Not bad. And you're pretty handsome. But you took what's mine. Be good and hand over that fruit. Better yet… why not follow me instead?"
At this point in time, Linlin wasn't the monstrous, obese woman the world would one day fear—she was still stunningly beautiful, her voice carrying a sultry charm.
But Ji Ge only shuddered, haunted by the memory of the bloated, terrifying "Big Mom" she would eventually become.
Linlin mistook his shiver for fear. Chuckling, she strolled toward him leisurely, confident the Devil Fruit was already hers.
Ji Ge suddenly seized Ivan's arm and twisted it, making the man cry out in pain. In that instant, Ji Ge snatched the Meat-Meat Fruit, trying to force it into Ivan's mouth.
But Linlin was faster than he expected. In a single breath, she appeared right in front of Ji Ge, her foot swinging out. Ivan was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing several meters away.
Linlin crouched, pinching Ji Ge's slender arm between her fingers, her tone turning dark. "You're not very well-behaved, are you, brat—huh?!"
Before she could finish, her instincts screamed danger. She hastily coated her arm in Armament Haki just as a black blur appeared, a blade whistling toward her.
Clang!
The attacker was none other than Saint Jialin. With a powerful slash, he forced Linlin to retreat, his sword radiating a deadly aura. He landed gracefully, eyes cold as he glared at her.
Linlin glanced at her arm, wincing at the dull pain. A red mark marred her flawless skin—a sign of just how strong his attack was. She frowned deeply.
The Knights of God's leader abandoned the main battlefield… to fight me? she thought, troubled. The Celestial Dragons must really want this fruit. In that case, I need both the Meat-Meat Fruit and the Azure Dragon Fruit.
Linlin's mind raced. She had already memorized the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, and while she already possessed the Soul-Soul Fruit, she had no intention of eating another. Instead, she planned to use them as bargaining chips—especially to win over Kaido, who was reluctant to submit to Rocks.
Linlin had never truly pledged loyalty to Rocks. She had long been plotting to leave his crew and establish her own power. Securing the Azure Dragon Fruit was key to tying Kaido to her side. The Meat-Meat Fruit was just a bonus… or so she thought.
But she misunderstood Jialin's intentions entirely. He wasn't interested in the Devil Fruits. His gaze was fixed on Ji Ge, particularly the scars crisscrossing the boy's bare chest.
"What's your name, boy?" Jialin asked suddenly.
Ji Ge froze, startled. He recognized Saint Jialin—the leader of the Knights of God, a man of unimaginable strength. Why would someone like him pay attention to a child like Ji Ge? Was it because of the Dark-Dark Fruit's power?
"My name is Ji Ge," he answered cautiously.
The name seemed to shake Jialin. "Your full name?" he pressed.
Ji Ge blinked, realizing this man might know his predecessor's identity. But he had no memories of his past life. "I… can't remember anything before now. All I know is that my name is Ji Ge. That's my full name."
His tone was earnest, almost painfully sincere.
Jialin studied him silently, muttering, "So you've lost your memory… You can recall your name, but not your surname."
Ji Ge hesitated, then asked tentatively, "Do you… know me? Could you tell me my full name?"
Linlin, completely ignored, finally exploded with rage. "Enough! Who cares about names?! Are you seriously ignoring me right now?!"
With a roar, she lunged, snatching the Meat-Meat Fruit. She turned to leave, but Jialin's sword flashed once more.
A slash imbued with red and black lightning screamed through the air, forcing Linlin to block. The fruit flew from her grasp, rolling back to Ji Ge's feet.
Seeing an opening, Ji Ge kicked the fruit toward his ally. "Bear! Eat it, now!" he shouted.
The massive bear, still stunned, instinctively obeyed. With one giant bite, he swallowed the Meat-Meat Fruit whole. In an instant, soft paw pads appeared on his palms—the unmistakable mark of the Meat-Meat Fruit's power.