"Saint Lloyd, please spare me! I can leave the Navy immediately!"
Aramaki dropped back to his knees, his forehead striking the ground repeatedly as he bowed with desperation. His earlier confidence was nowhere to be found, replaced entirely by terror.
Lloyd tilted his head slightly, his expression calm and distant.
"Do you really think Saint Warcury will spare you if you leave the Navy now?"
Aramaki lay flat against the ground, his body trembling violently as despair flooded his voice.
"No… he won't."
Lloyd's gaze sharpened.
"So you understand that much. Then what is your plan? Hide for the rest of your life, or abandon everything and become a pirate?"
"No!" Aramaki shouted without hesitation. "I will never become a pirate! Pirates are the lowest form of trash!"
That response genuinely surprised Lloyd. Even in this state, Aramaki's contempt for pirates remained absolute. The World Government's indoctrination ran far deeper than Lloyd had expected.
Of course, Aramaki's current pitiful display only existed because of who Lloyd was. To Aramaki, the Celestial Dragons and the World Government were not just authority, they were faith itself.
Lloyd slipped his hands into his pockets and spoke indifferently.
"I did not expect that. You actually have principles. Very well. I can forgive your offense."
Aramaki's head snapped up, disbelief written all over his face.
Lloyd allowed a faint smile to surface.
"However, from this moment onward, you will work for me. In other words, you will serve the Figarland Family."
Aramaki's breathing hitched.
"Saint Lloyd… does that mean you want me to betray Saint Warcury?"
Lloyd's smile deepened slightly, though there was no warmth behind it.
"Betrayal? Both he and I are Celestial Dragons. Serving either of us should be no different for someone like you. Or are you implying that the Figarland Family stands beneath a single Elder?"
As Lloyd spoke, darkness surged once more around his body. Aramaki, still kneeling, was dragged forward by an unseen force, inch by inch, his face pale with panic.
"No, no, no! That is not what I meant!" Aramaki cried out. "I am willing, I swear my loyalty to you!"
As a CP0 operative, Aramaki understood exactly how terrifying the Figarland Family truly was. A single Elder could not compare to the weight of this family's influence.
The Figarland Family was synonymous with martial dominance among the Celestial Dragons. Its head commanded the God's Knights themselves. To Aramaki, this family was an object of genuine admiration.
If he had to choose a patron, there was no better option.
Still, fear lingered in his eyes.
"But Saint Lloyd… what about Saint Warcury?"
"That is none of your concern," Lloyd replied coldly. "From now on, you answer only to the Figarland Family. Saint Warcury would never dare lay a hand on you."
Hearing those words, Aramaki clenched his teeth. He reached into his pants and pulled out a Den Den Mushi marked with a red birthmark on its forehead, offering it up with both hands.
Lloyd nodded in approval.
This was clearly the Den Den Mushi Aramaki used to communicate with Saint Warcury. Offering it willingly was a declaration of submission.
A tendril of darkness emerged, wrapping around the Den Den Mushi and pulling it inward. The creature was swallowed completely, reshaping itself into a black Bible that merged seamlessly into Lloyd's palm.
Once it was done, Lloyd leaned down, placing a hand on Aramaki's shoulder.
"Good," he said quietly. "Go back and sleep, Aramaki. Training resumes tomorrow."
Aramaki nodded repeatedly, relief flooding his face. His body dissolved into scattered vines, which quickly disappeared into the night.
---
After Aramaki left, Lloyd retrieved another Den Den Mushi from within his coat.
Moments later, the creature lifted its drooping eyes. A deep, authoritative voice echoed through it.
"Calling me at this hour, Lloyd. Did you encounter trouble?"
Lloyd smiled faintly.
"Uncle Garling," he said calmly. "Someone has begun targeting our family."
---
Mary Geoise
A squad of Golden Armored Guards arrived before the residence of the Topman Family. The two men in suits stationed at the entrance immediately paled at the sight.
One of them stepped forward hastily.
"Excuse me, this is private property…"
Before he could finish, Carlos, who led the formation, kicked him squarely in the chest. The man was sent flying, his body smashing through the gate as it burst open.
The remaining guard froze in place, terror locking his limbs. He turned stiffly toward his companion, who lay unconscious with his eyes rolled back.
Carlos did not spare him a glance.
With a wave of his hand, the Golden Armored Guards split into two groups and spread out efficiently. From behind them, Saint Garling, draped in a black robe, advanced with measured steps.
Behind Garling walked a short man wearing a crown and carrying a long flintlock rifle. Gold adornments similar to Garling's decorated his body.
He casually wiped down the barrel of his gun and spoke with a grin.
"Commander, your men really live up to the Figarland name. My Maimaiye Family would never dare act like this."
Garling cast him a cold glance.
"Enough chatter. I am here to speak with Warcury. Why did you insist on coming?"
The crowned man chuckled.
"To borrow your presence, of course. I want to give Warcury a headache. That old fool never stops interfering with the God's Knights."
Garling ignored him and continued deeper into the Topman Family residence.
The disturbance at the entrance had already been reported. Before Garling could advance far, Saint Warcury emerged, accompanied by a group of men in suits.
Warcury's expression darkened as he looked at Garling.
"Saint Garling, what is the meaning of this? You bring armed men to my residence and injure my guards?"
Disdain filled Garling's eyes.
He stepped forward and released a surge of Haoshoku Haki. Crimson pressure exploded outward, instantly knocking more than half of the suited men unconscious.
The remaining few were clearly elites. Though they remained standing, their bodies trembled violently as they struggled against Garling's overwhelming will.
Warcury's face twisted in shock and fury. His body expanded grotesquely as four massive fangs extended from his mouth, entering his hybrid form.
"Saint Garling!" he roared. "You are going too far! Do you think no one in the Holy Land can restrain you?"
Click.
The sound of a bullet being chambered echoed sharply.
The crowned man had already raised his rifle, his playful expression gone, the barrel aimed squarely at Warcury.
"Commander," he asked coolly, "shall we proceed?"
Garling did not answer.
In a flash, he vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of Warcury.
Warcury slammed his hands together, drawing in the surrounding moisture. A high pressure water cannon burst forward with destructive force.
Bang.
A pitch black bullet tore through the attack, shattering it instantly.
Garling did not draw his sword.
His left leg, crackling with red and black lightning, swung upward and struck Warcury's open maw with devastating force.
Several thunderous impacts rang out as Warcury's massive body was sent flying like a ragdoll. He crashed through multiple buildings before finally coming to a halt.
Garling remained where he stood, his leg still raised, surrounded by stunned men in suits who could only stare in disbelief.
____
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