Ji Ge recounted his experience with no visible emotion on his face.
Ginny and the others were stunned. They couldn't imagine a father so cruel; even calling him "worse than a beast" felt like praise.
Lowering his gaze, Ji Ge's eyes faintly emitted black smoke. His calm expression was just a mask; beneath it, his emotions churned.
"I'll definitely return to Mariejois and kill him with my own hands," he said coldly.
Ginny's heart tightened. She instinctively grabbed Ji Ge's hand and asked urgently:
"Brother Ji Ge, are you going to leave us?"
Ivan blinked rapidly, revealing his nervousness. Xiong also looked at Ji Ge with anxious eyes.
Ji Ge paused, then chuckled softly.
"How could I? I'm far too weak right now. It's not yet time to take back Mariejois."
At that, all three companions breathed a sigh of relief. After escaping together from the Valley of the Gods, their bond had become unshakable. Ji Ge's strength and leadership had made him their pillar of support—especially for Ginny, the only girl in the group.
She hugged him tightly, rubbing her cheek against his face and exclaiming with joy:
"That's great, Brother Ji Ge! We'll always be together—never apart!"
Ivan tried to speak but struggled with his bandaged hands. Xiong spoke first:
"Brother Ji Ge, you gave me this strength. I'll train hard and never hold anyone back!"
Ji Ge smiled, but the darkness lingering around his eyes lent his grin a dangerous edge.
"Xiong, don't you care that I'm a Celestial Dragon?"
Xiong shook his head firmly.
"No. Ji Ge is Ji Ge—my big brother, forever."
Ginny tilted her head, puzzled.
"Then why did you look so worried just now?"
"I… I'm sorry," Xiong admitted. "I knew when Galin mentioned the Fegalando family. I'd heard of them back when I was a slave. But I didn't want to ruin what we have. I thought if I stayed quiet, we could go on as we are… I didn't expect Brother Ji Ge to bring it up himself."
He scratched his head sheepishly, his honesty touching Ji Ge.
Pushing Ginny back gently, Ji Ge looked at the three of them, dark energy swirling faintly behind him.
"Don't blame me alone. All of you have suffered at the hands of the Celestial Dragons. I'll avenge you all."
Ginny's voice trembled with worry.
"But Brother Ji Ge… can we really oppose the Celestial Dragons?"
Ji Ge raised his right hand, now enveloped in darkness, and said softly:
"Of course. Otherwise, wouldn't I be wasting the Dark-Dark Fruit?"
A surge of darkness erupted from him, swallowing the entire church like a black curtain. Ginny clutched his clothes, trembling. But the darkness quickly faded, revealing a spotless, gleaming hall.
"What… what is this?" Ginny gasped.
Xiong's eyes widened in awe. He had seen Ji Ge's terrifying power before, but this display of control was astonishing. That same darkness that could destroy everything had been used delicately, absorbing only dust and grime without harming a single thing—or person.
Xiong couldn't help but respect Ji Ge more deeply. His own Devil Fruit abilities felt crude in comparison.
Ji Ge's mastery stemmed from his complete fusion with his body and his extraordinarily strong soul. His talent had also awakened Observation Haki, further honing his precision.
Ginny clapped her hands, delighted by the magic-like sight. Ivan swallowed hard, his eyes full of envy. Among them, he alone lacked a Devil Fruit.
Ji Ge noticed and smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry, Ivan. The Devil Fruit meant for you hasn't appeared yet. Trust me—it's destined to be yours."
Ivan's face lit up with excitement.
"Really?! What's it called?"
"That," Ji Ge said with a mischievous grin, "is a secret. But I'll tell you this—it'll suit your little hobbies perfectly."
Ivan pestered him endlessly for an answer, but Ji Ge remained silent. Finally, unable to take Ivan's antics anymore, Ji Ge flicked a finger, sending a puff of darkness to seal Ivan's mouth. The suction pulled his lips into a pout.
"Mmph! (I haven't eaten yet!)" Ivan protested through the darkness.