Song Demon King

My own black knife...

Her breathing quickened involuntarily, but Kuina's eyes remained firm as she looked around.

The vast ocean of famous swords dazzled her for a moment, leaving her in awe of this paradise for all swordsmen.

"Famous swords, famous swords, famous swords! Each one is at least fifty times the quality of a fine, fast sword, and some are even better. How is that possible?"

"These are all the work of one person. This Three Tomoe mark looks somewhat familiar..."

Despite her many questions, Kuina silently looked around, searching for the sword she was most familiar with.

After an unknown amount of time, as she stepped onto a circular stone platform, the familiar and rustic shape and feel made her subconsciously stop in her tracks.

"Wado Ichimonji? No, it's a replica, but why does this replica feel so familiar?"

Holding the hilt of the sword and assuming the iaido stance, everything about it, from the feel to the center of gravity of the sword, is exactly the same as the Wado Ichimonji.

"This is it..."

"It's that. Then get a good night's sleep and call its name in your dreams. I don't have time to let you experience hundreds of years with it. Remember, you can only see your truest self through the mirror."

The sound faded into the distance, and just as Kuina was feeling lost, a dizzying sensation swept over her, and the gentle sea breeze caressed her cheeks once more.

The sky was azure, and the familiar dojo and village lay behind her, which only deepened her confusion.

"This is... Shimotsuki Village?"

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Subconsciously, she quickened her pace and unleashed the Shave technique in an instant. Pure and flawless sword energy swept across the surroundings. When Kuina turned around, her eyes revealed a deep sense of vigilance.

"Who are you? Why are you in Shimotsuki Village? Where have all the villagers gone? Answer me!"

"Shimotsuki Village? Why would you think this is Shimotsuki Village, Kuina? I'm asking you, two identical individuals, what is the key to determining the king's and his mount's position?"

At this moment, the figure opposite, dressed entirely in gray and wearing a mask of a skeletal demon, questioned him loudly. He was especially bewildered when he saw that the figure was clearly holding a sword similar to the Wado Ichimonji.

"A king and his mount? What on earth does this all mean?"

"If you don't know, then let me tell you. What distinguishes a king from a mount is... instinct!"

In an instant, the world before our eyes was filled with sword energy, and the pure white Flying Slash Attack completely split the sea in two.

"Damn it, what's going on here? At least give me a sword!"

Bite!

With a sudden Wado Ichimonji appeared in his palm. Before he could even feel confused, he brandished his sword, slicing the curtain of sword energy before him into pieces.

"I don't know why I'm here, but once I defeat you, I can leave!"

"Give it a try, if you can do it..."

In the real world, in Kuina's room.

The Asauchi in her hand gradually merged with Kuina's domineering aura and soul, intertwining deep within her soul, like a mirror reflecting her own soul essence.

"As expected, first comes the battle, and then one gradually comes to know one's opponent in the process. This is truly the style of a swordsman. It's just a matter of personal choice."

"It seems that this time it took much longer to get to know people than in Yamato. People are ultimately different."

Before she could finish speaking, the restlessness in her heart resurfaced. Huayue turned her head and gazed into the distance for a long time, her eyes filled with subtle emotions.

"It's starting, the noise that's interfering with consciousness..."

Meanwhile, in the Music Kingdom of Elegia.

"What a beautiful voice, as if it possesses magic from another era. I'd also like to entrust this sheet music to you, Miss Uta!"

"It's okay, I'd be happy to."

Inside the grand and magnificent auditorium, which exudes a classical style, you can find all kinds of musical instruments.

This is a music capital, Music Kingdom belonging to the world, where world-class musicians gather, a dreamland exclusively for masters of various instruments.

At this moment, the Red-Haired Pirates were enjoying a grand banquet in the hall. Shanks even had a smile on his lips as he looked at Uta, who was being fawned over by everyone, and showed a fatherly sense of satisfaction.

"She is a truly outstanding musician with a limitless future. Perhaps she will become a music master whose fame will spread far and wide."

The current king of the Music Kingdom, Gordon the Lament, made no attempt to hide his admiration, which prompted the Red-Haired Shanks to silently make a decision.

"Let's forget it. If this child finds out that we're leaving her alone on this island, she'll probably resent us for the rest of her life, hahaha!"

Gordon was filled with regret at Shanks's refusal, but he still respected Shanks's decision, not only because Shanks was a famous pirate, but also because he was Uta's adoptive father.

One beautiful song after another, sung in that heavenly voice, cleansed everyone's soul and made everyone even more optimistic about the child's future.

When all the songs ended, the people, immersed in the beauty, did not notice, not even Shanks.

Deep within the ancient ruins of Elegia, eerie light ripples, the sealed stone slabs slowly unravel, and sheets of paper float in the wind, drifting towards the center of the distant auditorium.

At that moment, Uta, who was all smiles, felt a flutter in her heart. She glanced back and noticed an old sheet of music on the sofa in front of her.

"This is... such a strange song, let's give it a try..."

A strange and inexplicable sound, as if signifying liberation, rang out. Shanks' pupils contracted, and blood-red lightning was suddenly released, interfering with reality from the void with an overwhelming aura.

Rumble!

Suddenly, purplish-black flames rose up, and crimson lightning swept across the entire Elegia, instantly engulfing the Music Country in flames.

"I'm late..."

Deep within the underground ruins of the Music Kingdom, as she took in the Poneglyph before her, Huayue's eyes flickered, and a mysterious smile appeared on her lips.

"Shanks and the others seem to be in some trouble. Go and bring that sheet music. Tot Musica, the Song Demon King, this ancient aggregate of wills will allow me to better understand the nature of Haki interfering with reality. Go."

"Seriously, all my older brother knows is how to boss people around..."

"As long as we isolate that rampaging creature from everyone else, there shouldn't be any problems, right, brother?"

"Even I have to be mobilized. Isn't it a bit too much to deal with a little girl, Your Majesty?"

Cistus complained in a low voice, her deep blue wings on her back spreading rapidly, with faint blood-red seepage.

A pale purple barrier rapidly opened at Yamato and Hiyori's wrists, instantly covering the entire area of Elegia.

"Fruit Awakening - Silence!"

"This is... Divine Departure!"

The ferocious griffin charged toward the Song Demon before it, a smirk playing on its lips as it surveyed the hellish scene below.