"You are… Navy!?"
Shanks stared up at Lloyd in disbelief, his eyes wide.
Buggy, having been knocked to the ground, scrambled to his feet, and upon seeing Lloyd's face clearly, his entire body trembled.
Pointing shakily, Buggy stammered, "A… Admiral Candidate, Black Dragon!"
"What!?" Shanks gasped, stepping back instinctively.
Lloyd flicked a single hand, and a black saber materialized in his grip.
The sudden appearance of the weapon sent a chill down both Shanks and Buggy's spines.
At that moment, a golden sword energy descended from the sky.
Clang!
The collision rang sharply, sending a powerful shockwave across the deck.
Buggy and Shanks were thrown to the ground by the force.
When they looked up again, they froze.
Lloyd held the black saber in one hand, effortlessly blocking a massive golden slash.
His Navy cloak flapped dramatically in the wind.
The attack had come from Golden Lion.
Having tracked Roger's gaze, Golden Lion had noticed Lloyd's sudden appearance.
Mistaking him for a minor threat at first, he launched a full sword-energy attack without hesitation—only to have it easily blocked by the stoic Navy officer.
Even Roger's expression betrayed a hint of surprise.
Their battle paused momentarily as Roger studied Lloyd carefully.
"So it's him… The Navy wasn't exaggerating," he said.
Golden Lion frowned.
"Roger, what are you talking about? You know him?"
"Haha, he is Lloyd, listed as an Admiral Candidate a year ago, codename Black Dragon," Roger replied.
Golden Lion's eyes widened in recognition.
"Ah… I remember. The so-called head of the Navy Supernovas. He even fought Newgate once."
As they spoke, Lloyd's black saber vibrated, dispersing the residual sword energy.
Then, his form twisted and vanished from the spot.
Both Golden Lion and Roger scanned the battlefield but could not find him.
Roger raised an eyebrow.
"This ability… Where did he go?"
Golden Lion, undeterred, launched another attack.
Fortunately, Roger's Observation Haki allowed him to evade the assault.
He glared at Golden Lion.
"Shiki, the Navy has arrived. Are you still going to fight?"
Golden Lion laughed disdainfully.
"What Navy? It's just a Navy brat. An Admiral Candidate or not, we needn't even consider him interfering in our battle."
"You're insane!" Roger muttered.
"Hahaha! Compared to Captain Rocks back then, this is nothing!" Golden Lion's laughter echoed over the waters.
Meanwhile, Lloyd had returned to the warship.
Garp rushed to meet him.
"Lloyd, how is Roger's side?"
Sengoku watched, slightly annoyed at the awkward phrasing, sensing Garp's concern for Roger rather than the Navy.
Lloyd glanced at the stormy sky.
"The Roger Pirates' defeat is already evident. By the time we arrive, the battle will likely be over."
Garp's worry intensified.
He discarded his cloak, preparing to use Moonwalk to accelerate.
Sengoku's sharp eyes caught him and gripped his shoulder, scolding,
"What are you doing? Isn't it better for the Navy—and the world—if either Roger or Golden Lion is eliminated?"
Garp froze and fell silent.
Sengoku released him and turned to Lloyd.
"You should be able to reach Roger and Golden Lion's exact location directly now, right?"
Lloyd nodded.
Earlier, he had used Moonwalk to traverse part of the distance, then Kamui to spatially transfer to the battle upon sensing its commotion.
Any location he visited was now marked, allowing him to return instantly.
His Kamui utilized the gravitational pull of darkness to distort space, achieving spatial transfer effortlessly.
"I will proceed again later," Lloyd said calmly.
"Even if Golden Lion defeats the Roger Pirates, he will surely be severely wounded. I may gain something unexpected in the process."
Garp opened his mouth, but Sengoku pressed his head down and glared.
Then he instructed Lloyd,
"Okay, but ensure your safety. If the situation is unfavorable, withdraw using your ability. We only need the results."
Lloyd's lips curved in a slight smile.
"Do not worry, Admiral Sengoku. I am aware of the risks."
The warship pressed forward until the rumble of distant thunder reached them.
Lloyd stood at the bow, narrowing his eyes.
"It's time."
Once again, his figure dissolved into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
Aed Wall
The battle between Roger and Golden Lion raged on.
Both wielded Emperor-level strength, and the sheer aftermath of their clashes had already destroyed multiple ships—though all from Golden Lion's fleet.
The Jackson, Roger's lone ship, was heavily reinforced and shielded by Rayleigh and others.
Still, the overwhelming numbers surrounding them were beginning to take a toll.
A horde of enemy ships had surrounded the Jackson, threatening to crush the Roger Pirates entirely.
Golden Lion wielded his twin swords with savage precision, laughing wildly.
"Roger! Today is the end of your pirate crew!"
Roger remained calm, knowing that anxiety would not save them.
The key to turning the tide was dealing with Shiki first.
Without him, Golden Lion's numerical advantage would be useless.
Unlike some fabled fighters, Roger faced Shiki at full strength—both evenly matched.
A quick victory was impossible.
"Slash!"
Golden Lion poured all his strength into a massive golden sword energy, forcing Roger back onto the Jackson.
Then he raised his arms, summoning the ocean itself to obey him.
Massive waves, hundreds of meters high, condensed into giant lion heads under his control.
"Lion's Threat: Imperial Earth Scroll!"
All the water-lions crashed toward the Jackson.
Rayleigh and the others were already engaged with opponents, leaving Roger to block each onslaught.
Golden Lion's command of the sea seemed limitless, as the ocean continuously replenished his attacks.
Roger momentarily faltered, and one lion head struck the hull violently.
Golden Lion's excitement surged unchecked.
Above, the sky darkened ominously, foreshadowing the arrival of Lloyd.