Garling's body trembled. If what Gulando claimed was true, then with his Father's strength back then, taking over his body would have been effortless.
Sensing Garling's silence, Gulando sneered. "Do you know what the first thing Father said to me was when he found me? He asked if I would sacrifice my life for him, my Father!"
He did not pause for a reply, continuing in a venomous tone. "At the time, I thought he was entrusting me with something important, but it turned out he was merely showing me how to prevent the Blood-Blood Fruit from spiraling out of control. What he truly wanted… was my body!"
Gulando's face twisted with malice as he pointed at Garling, his voice dripping with hatred. "If it had only been that, I might have spared him resentment, since he gave me a choice. But for you… he never even mentioned this. From beginning to end, his only path was to take my body!"
Those words cut Garling like a sharpened blade. His body swayed, and the sword in his hand clattered to the ground.
At that moment, even Garling, whose will was forged of steel, faltered. Lloyd, standing beside him, stepped forward, voice deep and commanding. "So, from the day I was born, you intended to use the Blood-Blood Fruit to claim my body?"
Gulando's aura flared monstrously as he stepped closer, every stride deliberate, the air vibrating with his blood power. A sinister smile stretched across his face. "No, my original target was Garling. I wanted Father to pay for his favoritism. But I did not anticipate your talent… to be so exceptional."
Before he could finish, Gulando's form began to shimmer, becoming ethereal. Lloyd's eyes narrowed, and instinctively he activated Kamui.
In the next heartbeat, Gulando reappeared beside Lloyd. A twisted grin formed on his face, and then, without warning, his entire body detonated into a dense blood mist that engulfed the dazed Garling.
Lloyd's expression hardened. He realized Gulando's target had shifted from him to Garling. Gulando knew Garling too well — his words earlier had been a calculated ploy, designed to pierce Garling's mental defenses and create an opening.
From the blood mist, Gulando's sinister voice echoed, "Lloyd, since you refuse to give me your body, I will use Garling's first. Once possession is complete, I will seek out your allies in the Navy. Let's see if you can hold back then."
The Five Elders displayed varying reactions. Saint Warcury's expression held a mix of shock and grim satisfaction. He had not expected Garling, whom he had long despised yet failed to eliminate, to face such imminent peril.
Saint Saturn's face was solemn. Dark flames coalesced behind him, signaling his readiness to intervene.
The other three Elders' eyes were cold. To them, this was the Figarland Family's internal matter. Gulando had stated that once possession was complete, the Blood-Blood Fruit would not spiral out of control. As long as it posed no threat to the Holy Land, they would not interfere.
Lloyd could not allow Gulando to possess Garling. As the blood mist seeped into Garling's pores, Lloyd released his intangibility. His right hand glowed red, plunging directly into the swirling blood.
One of Garling's eyes had turned crimson, but after Lloyd's intervention, the color rapidly faded. Gulando's voice came from Garling's mouth, "Hahaha! You fell for it!!!"
Whoosh!
The blood mist that had surged into Garling was instantly redirected into Lloyd, merging into his body at incredible speed.
Garling regained clarity in an instant, sharply turning to Lloyd. "Lloyd!!!"
Lloyd's face was fierce, framed by flickering flames behind his neck. His silver ribbons from Moon God Mode had vanished, but seeing Garling regain consciousness, he forced a grim smile. His voice, though trembling slightly, carried resolve. "Uncle Garling, that wasn't truly you just now. You've helped me so much, now let me help you."
Lloyd's body began to tremble violently. Garling's heart clenched at the sight, and he surged forward instinctively, wanting to support Lloyd. But Lloyd's sharp command stopped him. "Do not come near!!!"
Swish, swish, swish!
Dark red spikes erupted densely from the ground around Lloyd. A terrifying energy radiated from him as he laughed, low and chilling. "Heh heh heh… Indeed, a son's body is more compatible with me. This vessel… is perfect!"
It was Gulando's voice. Hearing it echo from Lloyd's mouth, Garling's sorrow intensified, and the hand holding his sword trembled uncontrollably.
Lloyd's voice continued, dripping with Gulando's malice. "What's wrong? Can't even lift your sword? Know this — this is my weakest moment. You could strike and end me, just as you ended Father back then! Hahaha!"
Rip!
Saint Saturn's clothes suddenly tore, startling the remaining Elders. His body expanded grotesquely, six black spider-like legs extending from his lower half, and a pair of bull horns grew from his head.
He enveloped his staff with Armament Haki and addressed Lloyd in a deep, commanding voice, "Gulando, Saint Kazan's decision back then was correct. Saint Garling is far more suitable than you to lead the Figarland Family!"
Lloyd's eyes blazed with fury at the insult, and he roared, "You old undying fool! You seek your own death!"
"You are the one who should die!"
Swish!
Saint Saturn lunged toward Lloyd. At the same time, Garling's figure flashed forward, intercepting him. With a clang, Garling's sword collided with Saturn's staff, sending black sparks flying.
Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes, meeting Garling's gaze. "Garling, you are…"
Pain twisted Garling's face as he pushed against the staff, closing his eyes. "Saint Saturn, I appreciate your concern, but he is still Lloyd right now."
"But he will not be for long! You must act now, or it will be too late!"
Garling slowly turned his back to Saturn, voice barely above a whisper. "Then so be it. When that time comes, I will die alongside my nephew."
"What?? Garling! Are you truly worthy of Saint Kazan like this!?"