"I have Green Blood implanted in my body?"
Lloyd stared at the report in his hands, his expression unreadable.
The words themselves did not shock him, but they dragged long buried memories to the surface.
Because the report had been personally reorganized by Dr. Vegapunk, it also included the scientist's own annotations and interpretations.
These notes allowed Lloyd to gain a far clearer understanding of what the Green Blood inside his body truly represented.
In later years, Vegapunk would use Green Blood on the Seraphim.
Its primary function was to allow them to replicate Paramecia type Devil Fruit abilities.
In simple terms, Green Blood acted as a carrier for lineage factors, a medium capable of storing and transmitting the essence of power.
However, the Green Blood injected into Lloyd was fundamentally different.
It did not carry the lineage factors of Devil Fruit users.
Instead, it contained the lineage factors of two special races, the Mink Tribe and the Lunarians.
More importantly, the Green Blood used on him was the earliest prototype.
Compared to the refined version later implanted into the Seraphim, this first generation Green Blood was far more powerful.
At the same time, it was significantly more unstable.
Its requirements for the host's physical body were absurdly high.
Dr. Vegapunk had never intended to put this version into practical use.
In his view, the first generation Green Blood was nothing less than a lethal poison.
But Gulando saw things differently.
He placed immense value on Green Blood's ability to carry lineage factors.
He firmly believed that the bloodline of the Figarland Family was strong enough to withstand such power.
Acting on that belief, he had two different lineage factors injected into Lloyd without hesitation.
For Green Blood implantation to succeed, it had to be done during childhood, while the host's body was still developing.
Only then could the lineage factors fully integrate and reach their maximum potential.
Judging from Lloyd's current condition, that conclusion had proven accurate.
At the very least, the integration of the Mink Tribe's lineage factors was already extremely high.
Whether it was generating electricity or entering a Sulong like transformation under the moon, Lloyd outperformed ordinary Mink Tribe members by a wide margin.
For reasons still unclear, the Lunarian traits had yet to manifest.
Lloyd suspected it was due to the vast difference in hierarchy between the two bloodlines.
The Lunarians were simply on another level, requiring far more time for their lineage factors to awaken.
After all, Lunarians were once known as gods.
Their ability to survive in any natural environment alone was already absurd.
When combined with their innate flames and their unique ability to switch between defensive and high speed states, their race easily ranked among the most formidable in the world.
After finishing the report, Lloyd remained silent for a moment before speaking calmly.
"Uncle Garling, have Dr. Vegapunk brought here."
Saint Garling gave him a sharp look but did not hesitate.
He immediately ordered someone to summon the scientist.
After issuing the command, he turned back to Lloyd.
"Changed your mind?" he asked lightly.
"Or are you still planning to kill him?"
Lloyd shook his head.
"No. There is something I need to confirm."
Not long after, Dr. Vegapunk was escorted inside.
At this point in time, he had not yet split himself into multiple bodies.
His massive forehead was even more striking in person, and his expression carried a sense of weary resignation.
He stopped before Saint Garling and Lloyd.
His gaze lingered on Lloyd for a long moment before he finally spoke.
"Saint Lloyd… you summoned me here to execute me, didn't you?"
Lloyd regarded him with mild interest.
"Oh? You seem quite prepared."
Vegapunk nodded slowly.
"Yes. What I did to you back then violated every scientific principle I believe in. I owe you an apology."
"But you were forced," Lloyd replied evenly.
"Gulando threatened you. What did he use?"
"My homeland," Vegapunk answered without hesitation.
"The Kingdom of Baldimore."
Lloyd remembered it.
In the future, Kuma would send Franky flying there.
Darkness flickered around Lloyd's fingers like quiet flames as he spoke softly.
"I see. Then tell me, are you prepared to die?"
Vegapunk fell silent.
A trace of unwillingness crossed his face.
He still had countless important experiments unfinished.
Dying here was the last thing he wanted.
Seeing that silence, Lloyd waved his hand.
Darkness spread beneath Vegapunk's feet, swallowing him inch by inch as his body slowly sank.
Saint Garling calmly lifted a teacup, watching without a word.
Just as the darkness reached Vegapunk's chest, he suddenly shouted, panic breaking through his composure.
"Saint Lloyd, please. Can you give me more time?"
Lloyd rested his chin on one hand, looking down at Vegapunk, whose body was now buried to the neck.
His voice remained indifferent.
"A reason."
Vegapunk struggled to breathe as he tilted his head back.
"Your physical condition still requires further examination. And I have research that is not yet complete."
Lloyd smiled faintly.
With a lift of his hand, the darkness receded, releasing Vegapunk.
"What research?" Lloyd asked.
"Artificial Devil Fruits? Or cloning?"
Vegapunk stiffened, then quickly relaxed.
Given Lloyd's status, it was not strange for him to know such things.
What he did not notice was the look of surprise that flashed across Saint Garling's eyes.
Saint Garling was well aware of Vegapunk's projects, largely due to his connection with Saint Saturn, who oversaw scientific affairs.
What shocked him was that he had never once mentioned these matters to Lloyd.
So how did Lloyd know?
Vegapunk nodded slowly.
"Both projects are still ongoing. And there has been progress."
In terms of scientific capability, Dr. Vegapunk stood peerless in the world.
Either project alone would consume a scientist's entire life, yet he was advancing both simultaneously, with tangible results.
Lloyd also remembered what Vegapunk would eventually accomplish, technology so absurd it bordered on fantasy.
If he had been born on another world, he would have been hailed as a once in a millennium genius.
Lloyd studied him with a strange look, then spoke.
"Uncle Garling, I want to go to the research facility with him."
Saint Garling nodded casually.
"Go. I'll inform Saint Saturn later. Just don't stay too long. You rarely return, we'll have dinner together tonight."
Vegapunk stared at Saint Garling in disbelief.
This was not how he imagined the leader of the God's Knights behaving.
Lloyd rose from his chair, his expression composed and aloof.
"Understood. I'll only take a brief look. Tonight, we'll drink together."
Saint Garling smiled.
"Alright."
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