Awakening! Conqueror's Haki!

Lucia blinked slightly, but she quickly understood who Gigue was referring to when he mentioned "him."

She tightly gripped Gigue's hand and said with a determined expression, "Young Master, it's not convenient for you to make a move against him. If that day truly comes, I will kill him for you!"

Gigue shook his head, black energy gradually rising from his body, and said, "From the day he experimented on me, he ceased to be my father. I must take his life myself."

Lucia fell silent upon hearing this, and Gigue said no more until they arrived at the Figarland Family's stronghold.

To call it a family stronghold was an understatement; its scale far surpassed the palaces where kings resided. Led by Lucia, Gigue walked for a long time before reaching the depths of the stronghold, the residence of the Figarland Family Head.

A middle-aged man with hair and a beard connected in a crescent shape stood at the entrance of the royal chamber. The man exuded an aura of natural authority.

Setting aside his peculiar hairstyle, his features and facial contours resembled Gigue's, like a middle-aged version of him.

He was a born king, the current Figarland Family Head, Saint Garling.

The moment Gigue stepped onto this territory, Garling's gaze sharpened, and an aura as solid as a physical force erupted from him. The golden-armored guards behind Gigue instantly knelt to the ground under the pressure.

Lucia, who was stronger, also showed signs of pain. Only Gigue's expression remained relatively calm, but the beads of sweat on his forehead indicated he was not faring any better.

Watching Gigue halt, suppressed by the overwhelming aura, Garling slowly descended the steps, his voice deep as he said, "Gigue, is this all you've got? Is this the result of your training at Marine Headquarters? Didn't you just say you wanted to take revenge yourself!?"

Gigue was startled. He hadn't even reached the entrance when he said those words, yet Garling, deep within the stronghold, could hear him.

If not for his memories of Earth, Gigue might have suspected Garling had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and developed Mantra.

However, the effects of Observation Haki varied from person to person. Abilities like foresight and the Voice of All Things were understandable, but this kind of "super-hearing" was also within the realm of possibility.

It could only be said that Garling's strength was unfathomably deep. Not only in Conqueror's Haki, but even his Observation Haki had been cultivated to such a terrifying level.

As Garling approached step by step, the pressure Gigue felt intensified. Lucia beside him gritted her teeth, struggling to endure.

"Saint Gigue..."

Lucia finally couldn't hold on, a trickle of bright red blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Gigue's eyes narrowed upon seeing this. He pulled Lucia into his arms, and tentacle-like darkness erupted from behind him, surging towards Garling.

Garling showed no intention of stopping. He let out a cold snort, and his aura surged again, directly shattering the encroaching dark tentacles.

His terrifying aura struck Gigue like a heavy blow. Clutching Lucia in his arms, Gigue's body bent, almost forcing him to his knees.

Garling walked up to him and said from above, "Is this the end?"

At this moment, Gigue's eyes had turned completely black. He could have used Kamui to evade the impact of this Conqueror's Haki, but if he chose to escape like this, his so-called revenge would truly become a complete joke.

Seeing Gigue struggling to stay upright, Garling's eyes flashed with a hint of approval. He hadn't seen Gigue since God Valley and wanted to test him.

Although he spoke as if he were very disappointed in Gigue, Garling was actually quite satisfied with his performance.

The Conqueror's Haki Garling was releasing now was not just a mental deterrent; his Conqueror's Haki could cause tangible damage.

After all, he was one of the top-tier fighters in the Pirate World, and in his mastery of Conqueror's Haki, even Red-Haired Shanks might not surpass him.

That Gigue, at the age of sixteen, could withstand his Conqueror's Haki assault proved that he definitely possessed kingly potential.

Seeing Gigue on the verge of collapse, Garling was about to withdraw his Conqueror's Haki when suddenly, Gigue, who had been looking down, muttered to himself, "How could it end... like this!!!"

As Gigue shouted these words, something seemed to shatter deep within his soul. Then, a pitch-black aura mixed with lightning erupted from Gigue's body.

Lucia, held in Gigue's arms, felt her body lighten, and her slightly blurred consciousness gradually returned. She looked up and around, seeing a black semi-circular shield enveloping her and Gigue.

Her eyes widened, and she looked at Gigue with surprise, saying, "Young Master! You've awakened Conqueror's Haki!?"

Gigue smiled and nodded. He straightened his body again, looking directly into Garling's astonished eyes, and said, "Uncle Garling, is this the welcome gift you're giving your nephew?"

Gigue's sudden awakening had also shocked Garling. He collected himself, withdrew his Conqueror's Haki, and said, "Good. This is the caliber befitting the Figarland Family. Welcome home, Saint Figarland Gigue."

Gigue concentrated slightly, about to respond, when Lucia, whom he was holding, suddenly let out a muffled groan. Startled by her sound, Gigue quickly looked down and asked, "What's wrong, Lucia? Are you injured?"

Lucia raised her eyes to look at Gigue, her face flushed, and said softly, "I'm fine. It's just that Young Master's strength is a bit much, and I'm having trouble breathing..."

"Huh?"

Gigue blinked, then realized his arm was tightly wrapped around Lucia's ample chest, almost flattening it.

Feeling the soft texture against his arm, Gigue coughed twice, intending to release Lucia.

Sensing Gigue's movement, Lucia grabbed his arm and lowered her head, murmuring, "Young Master, please wait a moment. My legs are a bit weak. Could you support me for a little longer?"

Since Lucia said that, Gigue couldn't refuse. He casually moved his hand to Lucia's waist, pulling her close against his body, and said, "Then you'll come in with me like this."

"Eh? No, no, I can still manage!"

"Enough, you're my person, and I won't allow you to refuse."

These words hit Lucia with the impact of Conqueror's Haki, and her body went completely limp.

Garling watched silently the entire time. Only after Lucia leaned onto Gigue's shoulder and settled down did he speak, "Let's go. I have something to give you. Consider it a homecoming gift from your uncle to his nephew."