Lloyd did not return to Marine Headquarters. Instead, he headed straight for Mariejois.
Inside the training hall of the Figarland Family, Garling swung his blade and released a massive slash. In an instant, a huge block of Seastone split cleanly in two, the cut smooth as glass.
Garling slowly raised his hand and brushed his fingers across the edge of his sword. Crimson lightning crackled along the blade, releasing waves of terrifying Conqueror's Haki.
He lowered his stance and rested the sword at his waist, taking the posture of a swordsman preparing to draw.
His breathing gradually synchronized with the rhythm of the room. A sharp red glint flashed through Garling's eyes.
The next moment, the sword flashed from its sheath.
A circular crimson slash exploded outward.
Every Seastone target in its path was cut perfectly down the center as if they were nothing more than soft butter.
Buzz!
A dark vortex suddenly twisted open in the middle of the room.
Lloyd stepped out from within.
The moment he appeared, the crimson slash reflected in his eyes.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Demon Blade Muramasa materialized instantly in his hand. Lloyd lifted the black blade vertically before his chest. Sparks burst violently as he forcefully blocked the incoming slash until its power completely dispersed.
Garling slowly sheathed his sword. One hand rested on his waist as he looked at Lloyd with a faint smile.
Muramasa dissolved into black particles and vanished from Lloyd's hand.
Lloyd spread his arms slightly and said,
"Uncle Garling, that was dangerously close. Your nephew nearly got sliced in half the moment he arrived."
Garling chuckled.
"Stop picking up Borsalino's bad habits. That level of attack still isn't enough to threaten you."
During the twenty two years Lloyd remained asleep, both Kizaru and Akainu frequently visited Mariejois. Over time, they became rather familiar with Garling.
Garling admired Akainu quite a bit.
As for Kizaru...
The man was polite enough, and his strength was undeniable, but his personality was truly strange.
Kizaru was also highly skilled with a sword, and Garling had exchanged blows with him several times. Throughout the sparring sessions, Kizaru repeatedly muttered things like "So scary," leaving Garling with an unusually deep impression.
Thinking about Kizaru's expression made Lloyd smirk slightly.
"He's an interesting man, don't you think, Uncle Garling?"
Garling nodded before snapping his fingers.
Immediately, several servants entered the training hall carrying luxurious tables and chairs. Others carefully arranged tea sets and expensive pastries nearby.
Garling's training sessions allowed no interruptions, so servants only entered after he finished.
One servant knelt beside Garling with a basin of water. Without even glancing down, Garling casually washed his hands before sitting in a chair and lifting a teacup.
Several servants approached Lloyd and knelt respectfully, waiting for instructions.
Lloyd merely waved his hand.
"You may leave."
The servants immediately stood. None of them dared straighten their backs fully as they quietly retreated from the room before gently shutting the doors.
Everything happened with practiced precision.
Soon, only Garling and Lloyd remained inside the enormous training hall.
Lloyd sat opposite Garling and picked up a cup of tea.
"Uncle Garling, guess what I just did."
Garling crossed his arms and examined Lloyd carefully.
"You fought someone. Did you think I wouldn't notice that killing intent?"
Lloyd smiled faintly.
"As expected of Uncle Garling, nothing escapes your senses."
"Enough flattery. I want to know who could provoke such killing intent from you. Was it that rat Blackbeard you mentioned before? Is he even worthy?"
"Of course not," Lloyd replied casually. "It was Joy Boy."
The moment those words left his mouth, Garling's expression became serious.
"Joy Boy revived? Does this involve Garp's grandson?"
Lloyd nodded.
"This time, he essentially used Monkey D. Luffy's body to fight me. That body couldn't fully unleash Joy Boy's power, and he also had to protect Straw Hat's crew during the battle. Because of that, I suppressed him the entire time."
Garling frowned deeply.
"This Monkey D. Luffy... What happened afterward? Even if he couldn't use his full strength, Joy Boy shouldn't have died so easily."
Lloyd leaned back slightly in his chair.
"In the end, Imu used some kind of weapon and erased Egghead completely. Joy Boy vanished along with the island."
His eyes narrowed.
"Afterward, I searched the surrounding sea personally. There wasn't a single trace left behind."
"But I know that bastard isn't dead."
Garling's gaze sharpened.
"Joy Boy has survived for eight hundred years. Someone like that definitely possesses methods to preserve his life."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As for the weapon you mentioned..."
Garling's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It was most likely Uranus."
"While you slept, Vegapunk submitted a report stating that the Five Elders ordered him to fully research an enormous energy source. At the time, I suspected it was meant to power Uranus."
Garling rested his arm against the table.
"The power Roger displayed through the Nika Fruit during your battle probably made Imu feel threatened."
Lloyd tapped the armrest lightly while considering Garling's words.
"Uranus..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"The Ancient Weapons truly live up to their reputation."
"Poseidon is already within our grasp. That leaves only Pluton."
Garling glanced at him.
"Lloyd, are you planning to seize Pluton as well?"
"Of course."
Lloyd's voice was indifferent.
"Ancient Weapons should never remain outside our control."
Garling nodded in agreement.
"Spandine recently delivered information regarding Pluton."
He paused before looking at Lloyd with an amused expression.
"I have to admit, your subordinates are surprisingly capable. Not only in combat."
Lloyd chuckled softly.
"Spandine's son now controls CP5," Garling continued. "He has gathered several useful agents beneath him. According to their intelligence..."
Lloyd raised his hand slightly.
"Uncle Garling, I already know."
Garling stopped speaking immediately.
Lloyd's methods had always reassured him.
Lloyd lightly tapped his fingers against the chair while organizing his thoughts about Pluton.
During the twenty two years he slept, the world's course still drifted toward its original trajectory.
Even without Nico Robin joining them initially, the Straw Hat Pirates still reached Water 7.
Because of that, Franky eventually became part of their crew.
Franky had once seen the blueprints for Pluton.
But now that Franky had been killed by Lloyd, only one person in the world had ever seen those blueprints.
Iceberg.
And beyond the blueprints, there was still a completed Pluton hidden somewhere in the world.
Lloyd already knew exactly where it was.