Lloyd's voice was extremely weak, yet the moment it left his lips it struck the room like thunder.
Lucia and Ginny rushed forward without hesitation and threw themselves beside the bed. Both women called his name repeatedly, their voices trembling with desperation and hope. However, Lloyd gave no further response.
The only visible change was the spreading of the strange blood-red crystals across his body. The crystalline patches that covered his skin had expanded slightly compared to before.
Even so, the faint sound Lloyd had made ignited a powerful spark of hope in everyone present. For eight long years they had endured endless worry and silent despair. The oppressive weight that had built up in their hearts during those years seemed to loosen all at once.
When Lucia finally stepped out of the reception room again, the cold expression she normally carried had softened slightly.
Otohime was nowhere to be seen. The Golden Armored Guards had already escorted her away.
Only Shirahoshi remained in the hall.
The young mermaid princess sat alone, quietly wiping tears from her eyes as she sobbed.
Shirahoshi's appearance created a strange contrast. Her delicate and childish face looked incredibly soft and gentle, yet her body was already enormous even at a young age. The difference between her small face and her towering figure gave people an oddly striking impression.
Lucia slowly approached her.
She stopped in front of the six year old girl who was already taller than herself and spoke calmly.
"Stop crying. Come with me to see Young Master Saint Lloyd."
Shirahoshi sniffed loudly when she heard those words.
No one knew exactly what Otohime had told her earlier, but the moment Lucia mentioned Lloyd, the girl quickly nodded. Her tearful expression changed into obedient determination, making her look extremely innocent and cute.
Lucia's gaze shifted toward Shirahoshi's pink fish tail.
A thought crossed her mind, and she asked almost unconsciously.
"Can you stay active on land for a long time?"
Shirahoshi immediately straightened herself and replied nervously.
"Lucia sama, I, I can."
Lucia shook her head slightly.
"You do not need to call me sama. You are staying here temporarily. There is no superior and subordinate relationship between us."
Shirahoshi placed both hands carefully on her lower abdomen. She seemed hesitant, her voice soft and restrained.
"Then... then can I call you Lucia Onee san?"
For a moment, Lucia froze.
A look of surprise appeared on her face.
That form of address stirred an old memory in her heart.
When Saint Lloyd had first met her as a child, he had called her by the same name.
Lucia Onee san.
The memory surfaced vividly in her mind.
Recalling the moment she had first encountered Lloyd all those years ago, Lucia could not help but curl the corners of her lips slightly. A rare smile appeared on her usually cold face.
Even her voice became gentler.
She reached out and gently held Shirahoshi's hand.
"Let's go."
Together, the two of them walked toward the room where Lloyd lay.
---
Marine Calendar 1513
Navy Headquarters
Zephyr looked at the two men standing in front of him with a puzzled expression.
"You both want to go out to sea with me to train the students?"
Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Akainu nodded seriously.
Zephyr frowned slightly before turning toward Sakazuki.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino is one thing. Are you that free as well?"
Kizaru immediately puffed his cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"Hey, Zephyr Sensei. Sakazuki and I are both Admirals now. Just because he is busy does not mean I am not busy too."
Akainu did not respond to the complaint. Instead, he spoke calmly before Zephyr could question further.
"Zephyr Sensei, Borsalino and I simply have some free time recently. We also want to see the quality of this year's recruits. If there are promising candidates, we can recruit them directly after they graduate."
Zephyr nodded slowly.
That explanation sounded reasonable.
Every class of students he trained would eventually produce a few excellent individuals. These talented rookies were often noticed by high ranking officers before graduation.
After all, who would not want capable subordinates?
Kizaru and Akainu were two of Zephyr's proudest students since he became the chief instructor. If there were good seedlings among the current recruits, it was only natural for them to take an interest.
After thinking for a moment, Zephyr spoke again.
"There are three particularly outstanding recruits in this batch. Two of them are Devil Fruit users, both Paramecia type abilities. You should pay attention to them later. Their names are Ain, Binz, and Shuzo."
Kizaru looked completely indifferent to the matter. His usual lazy attitude made it obvious he was not very invested in scouting new talent.
Akainu, however, silently memorized the three names.
Zephyr opened his desk drawer and pulled out several photographs. He placed them on the table in front of the two Admirals.
Pointing at one of the photos, Zephyr said,
"This is Binz. He ate the Paramecia type Lush Lush Fruit. I am already considering assigning him to Aramaki in the future. Their abilities would complement each other very well."
Afterward, Zephyr picked up another photograph.
His expression became slightly helpless.
"This is Ain. Her Devil Fruit ability is related to time. Her development potential might be the greatest among them. However, if either of you wants to recruit her, it may not be easy."
Kizaru, who had been staring off absentmindedly moments earlier, suddenly leaned closer with curiosity.
"Oh? Zephyr Sensei, does this girl have such high standards? Does she not even admire Admirals?"
Zephyr shook his head.
"Ain actually has a good personality. It is not that she dislikes Admirals."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"It is simply that the Admiral she admires is Saint Lloyd."
"And the person she wants to serve under is also Saint Lloyd."
The room became quiet for a moment.
When Lloyd's name was mentioned, Zephyr let out a soft sigh.
"I wonder when that kid will finally wake up. His name is almost becoming a legend now."
Kizaru spoke up casually.
"Zephyr Sensei, Sakazuki and I went to Mary Geoise last month to visit him. Dr. Vegapunk said Lloyd is close to waking up."
Before this, the two Admirals had already told Zephyr that Lloyd was actually a Celestial Dragon.
When Zephyr first learned that shocking truth, he had been stunned for a long time before finally accepting it.
Zephyr crossed his arms.
"Vegapunk says that every time, but he never gives an exact date."
He paused before adding another thought.
"Recently I heard the World Government plans to transfer Fleet Admiral Kong. If that happens, Sengoku will most likely become the next Fleet Admiral."
A hint of regret appeared on Zephyr's face.
In his opinion, Lloyd had once been the perfect candidate to become the youngest Fleet Admiral in history.
With Lloyd's overwhelming military achievements and his terrifying background, his promotion would have been completely unquestionable.
Akainu spoke in a low, firm voice.
"Zephyr Sensei, Kong and Sengoku's sense of justice is too conservative. If Saint Lloyd were here, those so called Emperors of the Sea would have already been wiped out."
Zephyr personally agreed with that sentiment.
His own ideology leaned strongly toward a more aggressive form of justice.
However, Kong and Sengoku were both his long time superiors and close friends. It would not be appropriate for him to criticize them openly.
So he simply waved his hand.
"We will talk about those matters after Lloyd wakes up. For now, I am taking the students out to sea for training. If you two want to come along, then follow."
With that, Zephyr pushed the door open and walked out.
Kizaru and Akainu immediately followed behind him.
The three men arrived at the training grounds where the recruits were already standing in neat lines.
The moment the students saw the two Admirals, excitement erupted among them.
Several quick reacting recruits immediately stood straight and shouted loudly.
"Admiral Akainu!"
"Admiral Kizaru!"
Zephyr raised his hand to calm the crowd.
"You do not need to be so tense. These two were once students here just like you."
He gestured toward the Admirals.
"This time they will join us on our voyage. You can simply treat them as your seniors."
Zephyr looked across the group of recruits one last time.
"Alright. We depart now."