Six years later.
Inside the church in the Sorbet Kingdom, Kuma—his height towering beyond five meters—sat as immovable as a mountain at the center of the hall. He had become known throughout the region. Around him, a line of elderly people waited patiently for treatment, seeking relief from pain and injury. With the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit, Kuma had transformed into a renowned pastor. For many aged souls who lacked the means to pay for proper care, he was their only hope.
On a pew, a young man and a young woman sat side by side. The man was bent over, reading a black-covered Bible with serious concentration. The woman rested her chin on her hand, watching him with soft eyes and a trace of longing. These two were Lloyd and Ginny, six years older than when they first escaped God Valley.
Ginny had grown into a graceful young woman. Her hair was now short and pink. She wore a simple outfit: a white tank top and dark denim shorts, youthful clothes that suited her light purple eyes and lively spirit perfectly. At that moment, she sighed with mild exasperation and teased, "Lloyd san, is that book more interesting than me? You have not looked at me at all. Am I not worthy of your attention?"
Lloyd slowly lifted his gaze, his dark eyes deep and unreadable. He gently reached out and ruffled Ginny's hair. "When did you start doubting yourself, beautiful Ginny?" His voice was calm and steady. "Do not forget how many letters this church has received lately addressed to you."
Ginny frowned. "Those are just from desperate old people and lonely fools," she said defiantly. "They bother me like pesky flies."
At that moment, Kuma finished his work for the day. He rose and began guiding the elderly parishioners out of the church. Once they had gone, the large transparent paw of his Paw-Paw power evaporated, leaving the hall quiet once more.
Lloyd closed his Bible and stood up. Ginny rose too. She looked up at Lloyd—now fifteen years old but already nearly two meters tall, several heads taller than her—and admiration flickered in her eyes. His long white coat with a high collar and the black cross emblazoned on his chest made him look every bit the imposing High Priest of darkness. His messy black hair framed a fair face with sharp, refined features and eyes darker than midnight.
Lloyd's voice was soft but carried unmistakable authority. "It is time for me, the High Priest, to begin tonight's work."
He tapped the Bible. The black cover writhed as if alive, then twisted into a small vortex of shadow that hovered above the open floor before dissolving. In its place stood a disheveled middle-aged man, crowned but ragged. His royal garments were torn and filthy. The man looked frightened, broken, utterly pathetic.
Ginny gasped with recognition. "King Beckley?"
Kuma, returning from ushering the last patient out, turned at her cry. He stared at the new figure with eyes wide. For years, Kuma and Ginny had grown accustomed to Lloyd's nocturnal hunts for criminals. They had tolerated him being called the Dark High Priest. But seeing the king of this land under Lloyd's power shocked them beyond expectation.
Lloyd strode forward, calm as a shadow. He leaned down, placed a cold hand on King Beckley's back and whispered, "Now, place your hand inside that paw. Do you want me to give you a helping hand?"
His voice was a demon's murmur. King Beckley trembled violently. His legs quivered, his body warmed unnaturally, and he lost control. A hot stream trickled down his legs. A stench of urine and panic filled the air. Lloyd frowned at the shameful sight. "As king, you should know better than to soil yourself in fear."
The king closed his eyes, voice trembling. "You cannot do this. I am the ruler of a nation under the World Government. If word spreads, the Navy will come. They will hunt you down."
Lloyd's lips curved into a faint, cruel smile. "Good. I want them to come. When they see me, they will salute."
"What? What ridiculous words are those?" the king cried out.
"Silence," Lloyd said softly. "I chose tonight carefully. The crowd was large, and this Paw is bigger than usual. Tonight you will taste your crime fully."
Without waiting for Beckley's protest to end, Lloyd placed his hand firmly on the king's arm and pushed him forward into the hovering paw of darkness.
A harrowing scream, low and pig-like, echoed through the hall. It lasted until the sound finally choked in sobs. With a sickening thud, King Beckley collapsed into a pool of blood tainted with urine. His eyes rolled back. He lay on the ground, powerless.
Lloyd shook his head slowly. "You can't even endure a moment. Your years on the throne were your bargain. Your title protected you once. But crowns are meaningless in fear." He raised his hand and unleashed a wave of darkness. The blood, urine, and corpse dissolved in black mist that vanished silently into the air.
Ginny stepped forward immediately. She waved her hand wearily to dispel the lingering stench. "Lloyd san, why did you bring down the king?" she asked, voice trembling.
Lloyd turned to her calmly. "Because I want the Navy to come," he said quietly.
Ginny frowned in confusion. "But the Navy would side with him, wouldn't they?"
Lloyd's eyes darkened. Tendrils of smoke drifted from his blackened hand. He spoke with chilling certainty. "Have you forgotten my surname? I am from the Figarland Family."
Ginny's eyes widened, shock glimmering in them.
Lloyd's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Once the Navy arrives, I expect a grand welcome ceremony in my honor."
He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again the darkness surrounding his hand coiled tighter, alive with potential.
After six years of growing power, Lloyd had reached a plateau. If he wished to transcend it, he needed battle, danger, and the sharpening of his Haki. The Sorbet Kingdom was too weak, too safe. The seas were shaking with upheaval. Great powers like the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates rose one after another. Now was the moment to test himself among storms.
He recalled the timing precisely. It coincided with when Zephyr had just become an instructor and begun receiving his first batch of students. Zephyr's reputation was impeccable. Unlike the unorthodox methods of Kaido, Zephyr taught discipline, technique, and control—the kind of training that forged true warriors. Under his tutelage, many Admirals of the Natural System were born.
Lloyd believed that with his talent and Zephyr's guidance, his strength would soon surge beyond imagination.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope. Embossed across its surface in gold were the words: "Saint Figarland."