The speedboat tore through the Sea for half a day at extreme speed. Tiger, now recovered enough to sit upright, watched Lloyd, who lay opposite him in a deep sleep.
Suddenly, something unusual happened to Lloyd's body.
A wisp of white smoke rose from his right arm. His sleeve quickly melted from intense heat, revealing the arm beneath, which pulsed with a crimson glow. Spiral black patterns writhed on his skin as if alive.
Tiger's eyes widened in alarm, his breath caught in his throat, until he noticed the cabin floor beneath Lloyd's arm beginning to melt from the heat. Only then did he reluctantly shout to wake him.
But Lloyd was sleeping too soundly. Even Tiger's voice failed to rouse him.
In desperation, Tiger reached out to touch Lloyd. The moment his hand made contact he felt a searing, burning pain, the sound of sizzling filling the air.
He jerked his hand back, his palm now covered in blistered burns that looked ghastly.
Despite the pain, Lloyd woke from the push. When he removed the dark book from his face, his right arm had already returned to normal.
Rubbing his forehead, Lloyd frowned and looked up at Tiger.
Did you just push me? he asked calmly.
Tiger pointed at Lloyd's face in surprise.
Your eyes…
Lloyd paused, then produced a mirror from the dark book and held it up. In its reflection, the pupil of his right eye was now glinting with a brilliant gold hue.
The sudden change left Lloyd momentarily confused.
Tiger leaned in and explained everything he had witnessed moments earlier. After hearing Tiger's account, Lloyd raised his right arm, examining it with a measured expression.
It seems these changes began after I used the power of my right arm against Whitebeard, he mused, referring to events from the previous struggle.
Perhaps I should see Dr. Vegapunk for an examination.
With that thought Lloyd instinctively rose, intending to use Kamui, but then saw Tiger watching him with hopeful eyes.
Lloyd lifted an eyebrow and dismissed the idea of using Kamui for now. Instead, he addressed Tiger.
Where are you headed next? he asked.
Tiger shook his head earnestly.
I want to return home, to Fish‑Man Island, and rest for a while.
Lloyd considered that. Fish‑Man Island lay directly beneath the Red Line and was on his way. He had no desire for his journey to end, and aside from the unusual eye and occasional sleepiness, he felt no immediate signs of severe abnormality.
He could take this opportunity to visit Fish‑Man Island first, and afterward use Kamui to reach Dr. Vegapunk.
Alright, then, he replied, I can take you there. It's on my route anyway.
Tiger's face lit up with joy. Though he had regained some strength, after what he'd endured he certainly didn't have the confidence to swim back alone.
But he didn't expect someone like Lloyd — a Navy Admiral of tremendous power — to offer him a ride. He was already deeply grateful.
Overwhelmed, Tiger knelt and cried out,
Thank you very much!
Lloyd waved him off.
No need for that, he said. They say if you save someone, you save them all the way… whichever applies here.
Sit tight, I'm accelerating.
Without giving Tiger time to prepare, Lloyd's flames behind his neck flared sharply. The speedboat pivoted, and an immense pillar of flame burst from its tail, vaporizing seawater into steam wherever it swept.
A series of thunderous sonic booms echoed as the boat rocketed forward like a burning meteor, leaving only a blazing trail behind.
Lloyd stood with his hands in his pockets, one foot perched on the bow, projecting calm control. Tiger, however, was in a sorry state beneath him.
He lay sprawled in a star shape, arms and legs splayed wide. His mouth stretched comically as the fierce airflow kept it wide open, preventing any sound.
Thankfully Tiger's physical condition was strong enough that apart from discomfort, the speed didn't harm him.
This speedboat was custom‑built by the Marine Headquarters. Its construction was exceptionally sturdy, and its engine power legendary — all Lloyd needed to do was release the flames from his Devil Fruit‑derived ability to drive it.
In less than half a day, they reached the edge of the Red Line.
Lloyd stretched and looked back at Tiger, who was still stretched out awkwardly on the deck.
Alright, we're at…
Before Lloyd finished, Tiger suddenly bolted upright, leaned over the side, and vomited violently, spewing bile into the Sea.
Afterward he lay there motionless, like a dried fish that had lost all moisture.
Lloyd shrugged.
The speed was fast, he said casually, but you'll be more comfortable in the seawater now, right?
Tiger nodded weakly.
Yes… I'll go down now…
No need, Lloyd said, I will go with you. You still have to show me the way.
With that, Lloyd angled the bow downward into the water, reigniting his flames. The speedboat plunged into the Sea.
Once submerged, Tiger felt slightly more alive, though something felt off.
Then a shocking realization struck him — wasn't Lloyd a Devil Fruit user? This speedboat wasn't coated in Seastone, yet Lloyd remained unaffected in the water.
He turned his head sharply and stared, only to see Lloyd standing confidently on the bow as the water swirled around him.
Due to the seawater, Lloyd's hair floated upwards, yet he opened his mouth beneath the surface and spoke clearly.
Don't just stand there, he said, point the way.
Tiger could hardly believe his eyes. It was already astonishing enough that a Devil Fruit user's body could remain active in seawater, but Lloyd seemed to do more than just survive. He breathes underwater and even speaks.
According to One Piece canon, all Devil Fruit users lose the ability to swim and become weakened when submerged in seawater, though they can still breathe underwater if their species naturally allows it, such as Fish‑Men and Merfolk. Even so, submerged users generally cannot move freely in water and are vulnerable, though specific circumstances — such as gear or partial submersion — can alter how water affects them.
Tiger stared at Lloyd in stunned disbelief, realizing that humans might be capable of far more than he ever imagined.