Under the reverent gazes of countless Marine officers and soldiers, Lloyd and Sakazuki slowly approached Sengoku.
Zephyr stepped forward first. He gave a flawless military salute.
"Marshal."
Then his stern expression softened slightly. He stepped closer and firmly patted Lloyd on the shoulder.
"Lloyd, well done."
Lloyd gave a faint smile.
"Zephyr Sensei, you should have come along. It is a shame you missed it."
Zephyr chuckled.
"There is nothing to regret. Someone had to remain at Marineford. Besides, I doubt anyone in this world could stand against you and the others."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across Lloyd and the elites behind him, pride evident in his eyes.
Training even a single Admiral was an achievement few could claim. Yet Zephyr had produced several, including the current Fleet Admiral. Combined with the many Vice Admirals who rose under him, his influence within the Marines had quietly surpassed that of Sengoku.
Sengoku watched from the side. Though he remained composed, the hint of envy in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Suddenly, Monkey D. Garp lifted his head.
"Marshal..."
His voice, once full of vitality, now carried a heavy weight.
Sengoku and Tsuru both felt a quiet ache at the sound.
Zephyr glanced at Garp and let out a silent sigh.
Lloyd turned his gaze toward him, his expression indifferent.
"Vice Admiral Garp, what is it?"
Garp hesitated. His lips trembled slightly before he spoke.
"Dragon's body... may I see it?"
A brief silence followed.
Then Lloyd raised his hand.
Dark mist surged outward.
As it dispersed, two frozen figures appeared before them. One massive, one smaller.
Encased in the larger block of ice was Charlotte Linlin, her form distorted beyond recognition. In the smaller one lay Monkey D. Dragon.
Compared to Linlin, Dragon's body remained mostly intact, though one arm was missing.
Garp staggered forward.
By the time he reached the ice, tears were already streaming down his aged face.
Dragon's eyes remained open.
Garp slowly raised his hand and pressed it against the frozen surface.
"You still ended up here..."
Tsuru stepped forward, intending to comfort him.
But before she could speak, Garp moved.
His fist clenched tightly.
Then he struck.
A burst of Haki surged violently, lightning crackling across his arm as the punch landed.
The ice shattered instantly.
Dragon's body broke apart along with it, dissolving into countless fragments that scattered into the air.
Lloyd observed silently.
His Observation Haki had already foreseen this outcome. From that distance, he could have intervened easily.
He chose not to.
Garp stood there, breathing heavily, his strength seemingly drained. His hands rested on his knees as he struggled to steady himself.
Sengoku snapped out of his shock.
"Garp! What are you doing?"
Garp slowly turned around. His face was pale, devoid of its usual energy.
"Monkey D. Dragon was my son. He reached this end, and I bear responsibility as his father."
He paused, his voice lowering.
"I should have been the one to kill him. I should have gone to Whole Cake Island. Instead, I failed. I am a coward."
Taking a deep breath, Garp removed his Marine coat.
In front of everyone, he bowed deeply toward Lloyd.
"Marshal, I violated military law by destroying the body. Please punish me."
Silence fell.
No one dared to speak.
All eyes turned to Lloyd.
He simply watched Garp, his expression unreadable.
After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"I will deduct one year of your salary. Return and reflect on your actions."
The words stunned everyone present.
Even Garp stiffened in disbelief.
But Lloyd had already turned away, walking toward the headquarters with Sakazuki and the others.
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances. Relief and gratitude filled their hearts.
---
Back inside the headquarters, Lloyd spent some time in his office.
He reviewed compensation for the fallen, ensuring their families were properly taken care of. Rewards for those who distinguished themselves in battle were distributed without hesitation. Promotions were granted where deserved, and bonuses issued accordingly.
Once everything was settled, Lloyd stretched slightly.
He changed into a black robe bearing the insignia of the Figarland Family, then made his way to the port with Charlotte Pudding.
Pudding followed closely, her demeanor cautious and restrained. This was no act. In Lloyd's presence, she did not dare to pretend.
Lloyd summoned his personal speedboat from the Dark Bible. Without hesitation, he grabbed Pudding and leapt aboard.
Flames surged beneath his feet, feeding into the vessel's engine.
In the next instant, the boat shot forward, a trail of fire tearing across the sea's surface.
Pudding cried out in shock as the speed overwhelmed her senses.
To shield her, Lloyd unfolded the wings on his back, wrapping her within them. Even then, the sheer velocity left her dizzy.
By the time they reached the base of the Red Line, her eyes had turned unfocused, her body barely steady.
Lloyd showed no concern.
He dismissed the boat and immediately took flight, carrying her upward. In a matter of moments, they reached the summit.
At the entrance to Mary Geoise, guards dressed in suits reacted in alarm.
The moment they recognized Lloyd, they dropped to their knees.
"Saint Lloyd!"
The shout echoed loudly.
The sudden noise stirred Pudding awake. She shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying as she tried to regain her bearings.
Lloyd placed a hand gently on her head, stopping her movement.
His wings folded as he descended.
Without sparing the kneeling guards a glance, he walked forward, pulling Pudding along as she curiously looked around.
"You may rise."
His voice was indifferent.
Only after he had already walked far away did the guards dare to stand again.
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