The moment he connected everything to Dr. Vegapunk joining the World Government, a terrifying realization struck Judge like thunder.
"The ultimate weapon… it actually succeeded!"
The man standing before him, Lloyd, was the very existence he had once only imagined in theory.
Thinking back to Lloyd's rapid rise and the overwhelming strength he had displayed since his name first shook the seas, Judge became more certain of his conclusion.
Compared to Lloyd, the children he had painstakingly created through Lineage Factor modifications, Iji, Niji, Yonji, even Reiju, were nothing more than flawed imitations.
As for Sanji, Judge had not seen him in nearly a decade. In his mind, Sanji was still the weak child he had once discarded, a failure unworthy of consideration.
There was only one thing Judge could not understand.
If Lloyd had truly undergone Lineage Factor modification, then he should have been a beneficiary of that technology.
So why was he showing such merciless hostility?
Lloyd's gaze remained cold as he stared directly into Judge's eyes.
Even now, the memories of those days in the laboratory lingered within him. A faint ache still surfaced in his chest when he recalled them.
The physical scars had long healed after the powers within him awakened, but the ones buried deep in his mind had never faded.
Back on Earth, he had always despised a certain kind of person.
Those who, after achieving success, claimed they should thank the very people who had made them suffer, saying that without that pain, they would not be who they were today.
To Lloyd, that kind of thinking was nothing but delusion.
If suffering was something to be grateful for, then what was the meaning of overcoming it?
Dr. Vegapunk held value to him because Gulando had forced him into the experiment, and during that process, Vegapunk had also played a role in keeping him alive, giving him a chance to survive.
But Judge?
He was nothing.
A low vibration filled the air.
Invisible forces twisted together as gravity and attraction converged on a single point.
Judge's head suddenly began to distort, expanding and compressing in rapid succession. Blood poured from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Under the unbearable pressure, even his eyes were forced out of their sockets.
The scene was horrifying.
Galette and the others turned pale instantly. Even Admiral Borsalino, who had seen countless battles, narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered,
"Scary, indeed…"
Lloyd's control was terrifyingly precise.
Despite the relentless torment, Judge did not die. Lloyd deliberately sustained his brain's function, keeping him conscious through the entire process.
Reiju, forced to kneel nearby, could no longer endure it.
"You monster! Stop!"
Her voice trembled with both fear and anger.
Lloyd glanced at her.
In the next instant, Judge's head exploded with a dull sound. Blood and fragments splashed across Reiju's face.
Her vision went dark as her mind nearly shut down from the shock.
Lloyd did not spare her another glance. The hostility she had shown had already been noted, and in his eyes, that alone was enough to decide her fate.
At that moment, Admiral Borsalino spoke again.
"Marshal, how should we deal with the rest?"
Since Lloyd had become Fleet Admiral, Borsalino addressed him formally during missions or in the presence of others.
Lloyd himself did not care much for titles. Back when they first joined the Navy, he, Borsalino, and Sakazuki had shared a much more casual bond.
However, Sakazuki was strict about discipline.
In his view, ranks mattered. Before, when they were equals, informality was acceptable. Now, Lloyd stood above them as Fleet Admiral, and proper conduct had to be maintained.
An army required order.
Sakazuki enforced it without compromise, even correcting Borsalino's habits.
Lloyd gave his answer without hesitation.
"Execute them."
The moment the order was given, a blade of golden light formed in Borsalino's hand.
Ama no Murakumo.
A single flash.
Four heads separated cleanly from their bodies and fell aside. The cuts were so precise and the heat so intense that no blood sprayed outward.
The four headless bodies remained kneeling for a brief moment before collapsing to the ground.
Borsalino had never been a merciful man.
Lloyd glanced at the corpses before speaking again.
"Borsalino, have their suits removed. Those battle suits still have value. Send them to Dr. Vegapunk for research and improvement."
Borsalino nodded, a faint smile forming on his face.
"I worked with him for quite some time. These suits are indeed impressive, barely any damage despite everything. If something like this could be mass-produced…"
Lloyd allowed a slight smile.
"They are core members of the Vinsmoke Family. Naturally, the materials used are of the highest quality. Mass-producing this exact version is unlikely, but with Dr. Vegapunk's capabilities, a more practical design can be created. One suitable for widespread use within the Navy."
Borsalino had only spoken casually, but Lloyd's response made his eyes narrow with interest.
"That would require a massive budget."
Lloyd's expression remained indifferent.
"Funding is not an issue. I will submit the request to the World Government, it will be approved. Once implemented, these suits will significantly reduce casualties during missions. The reduction in pensions alone will offset the cost. If not, we will simply reallocate funds from the Army and Air Force. They do not require as much."
He spoke as if it were a trivial matter.
This was the world of pirates, and the Navy was the primary force maintaining order across the seas. It was only natural that they received the largest share of resources.
Now, as Fleet Admiral, Lloyd saw the Navy as his foundation.
Any advantage should be secured for it first.
If the other branches had complaints, they would take them to Kong. None of that would affect Lloyd.
Even if he were to take control of all three forces in the future, his authority would remain unshaken.
Borsalino looked at Lloyd with a rare expression of approval.
A commander who fought on the front lines and ensured benefits for his subordinates was someone worth following.
Even setting aside their past relationship, serving under Lloyd felt… efficient.
If anyone in the Navy dared to slack off under such leadership, Borsalino would be the first to deal with them.
With a strange sincerity in his tone, he said,
"Marshal, having you as Fleet Admiral is truly something else."
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