After leaving Garp at Impel Down, Lloyd led his team back to Marineford.
The moment he arrived, he was summoned directly to Fleet Admiral Kong's office.
Kong did not waste time. After asking about Garp's condition, he spoke gravely,
"Lloyd, Garp has now taken up a post in the prison, leaving many tasks unfinished. Although his rank was Vice Admiral, the responsibilities he handled were far beyond what ordinary officers at that rank could manage. After careful thought, you are the only one capable of taking over those duties now."
Lloyd paused thoughtfully, then asked in his usual composed tone,
"Fleet Admiral Kong, are you referring to the pursuit of the Roger Pirates?"
Kong nodded.
"The Roger Pirates have always been a major target on the World Government's wanted list. In recent years, their movements have become extremely suspicious. The mission to capture them must not be neglected."
"Understood," Lloyd replied simply. "Just tell me when the action begins."
With that, the task handover was concluded. Lloyd returned to his office, then reached out to Garling to discuss the current prison warden's incompetence.
To Marineford, Impel Down and the Navy were technically separate institutions, and even Fleet Admiral Kong had no direct authority to force administrative changes inside the prison. But for Lloyd, both organizations were merely different "branches" under his purview. Anyone slacking in their duties deserved to be handled.
After he informed Garling, Garling assured him not to worry and that he would speak to Saint Saturn about it.
One simple conversation between uncle and nephew was all it took to remove the old warden at Impel Down.
After that matter was settled, Garling's tone suddenly turned serious.
"Lloyd, you should come back home for a bit. Gulando might not have much time left."
Lloyd's expression flickered with concern.
"Uncle Garling, what do you mean by that? Is he dying?"
"Almost," Garling replied gravely. "His Blood‑Blood Fruit is nearing the point of losing control. If that happens, he will not die outright, but he will turn into an emotionless monster. I won't hesitate to end him myself if that occurs. If you still want your revenge, you should come back immediately."
Lloyd did not hesitate.
"I'm leaving now."
He ended the communication before Garling could reply further. Briefly he relayed his plans to Lucia and the others, then activated Kamui to depart Marineford.
He had visited Mary Geoise many times, but returning alone this way was still efficient.
Not long after Garling finished his call, Lloyd had already arrived at the palace.
The moment he stepped off the cloud of his teleportation, a strong scent of blood met him. Lloyd's eyes instantly turned crimson, and his tongue slowly wickedly licked his lips.
Being a user of the Vampire Fruit, the stronger the scent of blood, the more it excited him.
Taking a deep breath to suppress his impulse, he fixed his gaze and spoke with cold control,
"Uncle Garling, I'm back. Where is Gulando?"
Garling silently guided Lloyd and walked with him toward the palace entrance. At the threshold, he pointed in a direction — toward Gulando's estate.
Lloyd followed Garling's gaze and saw a swirling mass of blood mist above Gulando's palace, appearing almost tangible. Within that crimson vapor, shapes writhed and twisted in chaotic patterns, forming a shockingly terrifying spectacle.
Garling spoke slowly,
"This is the omen of the Blood‑Blood Fruit losing control, much like what happened with your grandfather back then. I never expected it to happen so soon."
Lloyd withdrew his gaze and asked,
"Uncle Garling, why does the Blood‑Blood Fruit lose control in the first place?"
Garling sighed deeply,
"Actually, it isn't the fruit itself that loses control, it's the user's unending greed. Gulando is deliberately seeking his own end."
In this world, there exists a Devil Fruit known as the Blood‑Blood Fruit, which allows its user to manipulate and control blood as a strange and dangerous power. Users can manipulate blood in many ways, including forming blood into weapons, and in some fan‑created interpretations the fruit even allows an ability to affect others' blood to cause crippling effects.
Blood‑Blood Fruit users can increase their strength by absorbing the blood of others, but there is a terrible cost. Unlike simpler Devil Fruits, where using power drains stamina, absorbing blood can twist the user's mind. Each drop fuels a growing madness that eventually overwhelms them. Gulando had been buying slaves for years precisely for this reason — to absorb their blood without restraint, feeding his power and his spiraling madness.
When Garling explained this, a flash of bloody light flickered in Lloyd's eyes. His voice was calm but edged sharply with resolve,
"Uncle Garling, I must confront Gulando now. If he loses consciousness entirely, my vengeance will be meaningless."
Garling exhaled slowly, sadness and resolve intertwined in his expression. Despite the bitter task that lay ahead, he stepped forward firmly.
"When the time comes to kill Gulando, it will be painful. After all, he is my own brother. But as head of the Figarland Family, I cannot stand by. If you cannot end it, I will not hesitate to act myself. Our family's honor must be upheld."
Lloyd did not object. Having Garling by his side was a strength, as he could not predict how powerful Gulando had become after devouring countless lives.
The two exchanged glances, and in a flash they vanished from the palace grounds.
In the past, Gulando's palace had been guarded by Golden Armored Guards, but now not a single defender remained. No servants, no sentries — just silence steeped in blood.
The palace gate was stained dark red, with fresh blood trickling from the cracks around the door.
Upon arriving, Lloyd struck with precision. A single powerful punch shattered the gate, and with Garling at his side, he entered without hesitation.
Inside, the space was vast and macabre. Piles of bones lay like tiny mountains among dried, shriveled skins. Scattered among the wreckage were the remains of Minks and members of the Longarm Tribe.
Lloyd's gaze did not linger on the corpses. His eyes swept the chamber, and his voice remained controlled, almost clinical,
"Gulando. Come out. It is past time for us to settle this."
For a moment there was no response, as though Lloyd spoke into a void.
Lloyd exhaled coldly, and at his signal the Demon Blade Muramasa emerged from behind his right hand, flying forward with sharp precision toward a pool of stagnant blood in the corner.
The liquid surface writhed, splitting as though something beneath it breathed.
With a sickening ripple, the blood formed into a shape, coalescing into a twisted figure, and out stepped Gulando with an evil, blood‑soaked smile.
"Welcome home, my child."
___
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