Shanks clapped his hands and said,
"As expected, I guessed right!"
Lloyd smiled without speaking. Shanks continued,
"Brother, when are you planning to hold the wedding? With your status, it should be a grand one, right?"
"You are quite the worrier. What, do you want to be my best man?"
Shanks froze for a moment, then replied awkwardly,
"Brother, the wedding will be in Marineford or Mary Geoise, right? I can attend, but it is not convenient for me to appear publicly. Being the best man is out of the question. When the time comes, just get me a Navy uniform, I will disguise myself and blend into the crowd."
Lloyd raised an eyebrow and said sternly,
"Nonsense. You are attending your brother's wedding. What kind of behavior is this, sneaking around? Do you think you are a thief? Do I need to remind you of your status again?"
"But that would cause you trouble..."
"What trouble? Do not concern yourself with things that are not your responsibility. First, go and become the Pirate King. After that, I have my own plans."
As he spoke, Lloyd frowned slightly and continued,
"By the way, why are you still lingering in this part of the sea? You are the only one left among the Yonko. The entire world is watching you. Are you not going to seize this opportunity?"
In front of Lloyd, Shanks was completely suppressed by their bloodline difference. After being lectured, he immediately looked toward Beckman with a pleading expression.
Beckman sighed helplessly and stepped forward.
"Marshal, we do want to act, but reaching Laugh Tale requires someone who can decipher the poneglyphs. The Kozuki Clan is gone, and the scholars of Ohara have been wiped out, so..."
Lloyd raised his hand to stop him.
"Enough, I understand."
He then looked at Shanks and asked,
"Was that what you wanted to tell me earlier?"
Shanks nodded honestly.
"Brother, Katakuri mentioned that he has a sister who carries the blood of the Three-Eyed Tribe. I wonder if she is still alive."
Since Katakuri had left early with Pudding, he had not seen Lloyd take Brulee away.
Lloyd gave a faint smile.
"Of course. I kept her specifically for you."
Shanks' face lit up with excitement, but Lloyd continued,
"Do not celebrate too early. Her Three-Eyed Tribe bloodline is not pure, so her ability has not awakened yet. You will need to wait."
As he spoke, Lloyd waved his hand. A book landed on the table in front of Shanks.
Shanks picked it up and opened it. After glancing at the first page, his eyes widened.
"This is..."
"The deciphered text of the Road Poneglyph from Whole Cake Island. I still have a survivor from Ohara in custody, and this is her work."
"I see. As expected of you, Brother."
Lloyd scoffed.
"Enough flattery. I cannot give you that Ohara survivor. Her identity is too sensitive. If exposed, it would damage the World Government."
"I understand. I can wait."
"Hm. You will not be idle in the meantime. I have already prepared a competitor for you."
Shanks was stunned.
"A competitor? Who?"
"Marshall D. Teach."
"Teach?"
"Do not underestimate him. He is a true pirate. Soon, his name will echo across the seas."
Shanks narrowed his eyes slightly.
"For someone to be valued by you, Brother, I would like to meet him soon."
"Valued? Not quite. He will not be active for long."
Shanks nodded. He knew that if Lloyd truly wanted Teach dead, Teach would never have left Whole Cake Island alive.
Thinking of Teach reminded Shanks of his former companion, Buggy.
It had been a long time since they last met.
Recalling their argument back then, Shanks let out a quiet sigh.
Lloyd noticed and frowned.
"What is it? Why are you sighing?"
Shanks was silent for a moment before replying,
"I suddenly thought of Buggy. I wonder what he is doing now. Has he found the treasure he has always chased?"
Lloyd crossed his arms and thought for a moment.
"He will not find any treasure. He should already be locked up in Impel Down."
Shanks was startled.
"What? When did that happen?"
After the Roger Pirates disbanded, Buggy left the New World and settled in East Blue, ruling over a small territory. Meanwhile, Shanks remained active in the Grand Line. Their worlds had completely diverged.
Buggy might see news about Shanks in newspapers, but Shanks would never hear about Buggy. A small-time pirate in East Blue would never attract the attention of major news agencies.
Even if Buggy was captured and imprisoned, it would not make headlines unless his past was exposed.
Lloyd briefly explained the circumstances of Buggy's capture. After hearing it, Shanks slapped his forehead.
"That idiot. His luck was always good, how did he manage to walk straight into a Navy base?"
Then he asked,
"Brother, how long will he be imprisoned?"
"He is being held on the first level. It is the least dangerous floor, but he will still be there for about ten years."
A complicated emotion rose in Shanks' heart. He shook his head and murmured,
"Ten years... what a shame. If he knew that I am aiming to become the Pirate King now, he would definitely be furious. After all, I disappointed him back then."
With his memories from another world, Lloyd understood the complicated bond between Shanks and Buggy.
Buggy often claimed that he hated Shanks for causing him to eat a Devil Fruit and lose his treasure map. In truth, that was not what mattered most.
Back then, both of them were brought to the Sabaody Archipelago by Rayleigh. After staying there for a while, they planned to set sail together again.
Before their departure, Buggy excitedly spoke about the One Piece to Shanks. However, Shanks, troubled by his own thoughts at the time, admitted that he had no intention of pursuing it.
Those words deeply wounded Buggy.
In his eyes, Shanks had always been destined to become the Pirate King.
___
Happy New Month