Lloyd rested in Lucia's arms, but for some reason, he could not fall asleep at all. Even so, his body was far above normal; despite a sleepless night, he woke the next morning feeling completely energized, without the slightest fatigue.
With Lucia's help, he changed his clothes and then sat down for breakfast. Garling did not appear. Lloyd assumed that the conversation from last night had impacted Garling deeply, and that he had not yet fully recovered.
Just as Lloyd finished eating and before he could properly digest, Carlos burst into the dining room and delivered a message.
"Saint Lloyd, the Family Head requests you go to the training room immediately."
"Understood," Lloyd replied, leaving without Lucia.
He made his way alone to the training room from the previous day.
Inside, Garling stood with his back to the door, dressed in a black martial uniform and holding a wooden sword. The moment Lloyd stepped in, he felt a surge of sharp sword energy rush toward him. The Demon Blade Muramasa seemed to sense danger, appearing instantly in Lloyd's hand.
Before Lloyd could even greet him, Garling turned and unleashed a strike of sword energy. Lloyd's pupils narrowed, and he raised his sword instinctively to block.
Clang, the force of the strike pushed Lloyd several meters back, the Demon Blade Muramasa taking the brunt of the impact. Lloyd's right hand shook slightly, his expression solemn. This was the first time he had felt Garling's terrifying strength firsthand. The title of "King" was unquestionably earned.
Compared to Garling's sword energy, Gion's attacks would not even register.
Garling's face remained calm, as serene as it had been when he faced Xebec at God Valley long ago. With the sword in his hand, he appeared the absolute King.
The wooden sword in Garling's hand began to emanate a red aura. Lloyd frowned, thinking, Could that be Haoshoku Haki coating? Is Garling serious?
Before Lloyd could fully process the sight, Garling vanished and instantly reappeared in front of him, raising the wooden sword and striking down toward Lloyd's shoulder.
At this critical moment, Lloyd unleashed his Observation Haki to its peak. Just as the wooden sword was about to make contact, he activated Kamui, his body momentarily intangible, letting Garling's strike pass through harmlessly.
Surprise flickered across Garling's face. Lloyd seized the moment; his Armament Haki flared and enveloped the Demon Blade Muramasa. Gripping the sword with both hands, he drove it in an upward slash.
Unfortunately for him, Garling was not unskilled. Even faced with the unexpected Kamui, he was only momentarily surprised. With elite Observation Haki sharpening his senses, Garling twisted his wrist the instant Lloyd's body became solid again. His wooden sword met the Muramasa at an angle, redirecting the attack.
Lloyd did not relent. Releasing his grip, the Demon Blade Muramasa darkened until it split into seven shadowy blades suspended in the air, their points aimed straight at Garling.
This was a technique Lloyd had conceived during one of his battles and had named it after the devil fruit whispering within him.
"Floating Life Myriad Blades · Seven Kill Sword."
The seven blades formed a circle before surging toward Garling, attempting to shred him. Garling tapped the ground lightly with his toe and began retreating rapidly. The blades chased him relentlessly, like a swarm of hungry momonga darting through the air.
Realizing he could not easily shake them off, Garling stopped and casually waved a hand, knocking one blade aside. Yet the severed blade quickly returned to the formation, leaving the attack as fierce as ever.
Rather than showing irritation, Garling's face lightened with approval. He finally spoke.
"Making formless darkness tangible through the Muramasa, that is a clever idea, but the raw power is still insufficient."
With that, an overwhelming aura burst from Garling's body. The red energy around the wooden sword spread along the blade and up his arm. He lifted the sword and drove it into the air, shouting with authority,
"King's Sword, Imperial Extreme!"
Buzz, a transparent, blade-shaped shockwave pulsed from the tip of his sword, piercing through the seven black blades heading toward him. They quivered, then fell to the ground, merging into one.
The shockwave moved with blinding speed. Lloyd had barely a moment to react when it struck him. His mind felt shaken, as if his spirit had been scattered, and his body went limp. He fell to one knee, the Demon Blade Muramasa flying back into his hand so he could steady himself.
Garling sheathed his sword gracefully and walked toward Lloyd, calm in his tone.
"This is the swordsmanship of our Figarland Family, known as King's Sword. What do you think of its strength?"
Lloyd drew a slow breath and replied, "Impressive. What exactly is this formless sword energy?"
Garling reached out and pulled Lloyd to his feet as he explained.
"This is another application of Haoshoku Haki. King's Sword complements Haoshoku Haki. Imperial Extreme was only its first form, focusing the overwhelming deterrent force of Haoshoku Haki into the blade. Even elemental abilities cannot evade it."
It was clear this technique embodied the Figarland Family's deepest confidence. Haoshoku Haki formed the foundation of its cultivation. Considering how many in the family treasured tradition, any failure could have meant this art's disappearance.
Lloyd nodded slightly, then said, "My Haoshoku Haki has only just awakened. I can release it, but I cannot control it with precision like Unc. Mastering this swordsmanship will be difficult."
Garling chuckled, arms crossed.
"You are too eager for quick success. But that is alright. Cultivating this style will refine your Haoshoku Haki even more. As I said, they strengthen each other."
A subtle relief washed over Lloyd. He did not wish to linger too long here. Even with Garling, the shadow of Gulando still uneasily hovered in his mind.
Lloyd looked up and asked, "Uncle Garling, you mentioned Imperial Extreme was only the first form of King's Sword. What about the others?"
"There are three forms in total. Our ancestor used the final form, God Slaying, to land the decisive strike on Joy Boy."
"Then you must have already mastered the last form?"
"Yes, but I cannot unleash the full power of God Slaying, because it requires the strength of the Dark-Dark Fruit to harmonize with it."
At that, Garling's expression grew slightly wistful. He patted Lloyd's shoulder with earnest eyes.
"The Dark-Dark Fruit ultimately chose you. One day, I hope you will show me the true power of God Slaying. The future of this Family depends on you."
"I will not disappoint you," Lloyd replied coolly.
Garling smiled.
"Good. Now I will demonstrate the remaining two forms. From here on, you must learn them for yourself."
_____
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