Lloyd returned to the General's Residence and handed Tama and Golden Lion over to Doflamingo. Tama's ability held immense value, especially for the production of SMILE Devil Fruits. With time, she could grow into someone comparable to Sugar from the original story.
Doflamingo felt an unprecedented sense of ease. Lloyd had already cleared every obstacle in his path. If he still failed to take control of Wano Country, then he would not be worthy of standing before Lloyd again.
At Navy Headquarters, Marineford, a warship descended from the sky and landed steadily at the port. Moments later, seven Admirals disembarked one after another. The surrounding Navy soldiers stared in shock, many of them forgetting to salute.
After stepping off the ship, Lloyd turned and gave a small wave toward Doflamingo. In response, Doflamingo bowed deeply before taking to the sky and disappearing into the distance.
Within the crowd, a young pink-haired Marine stared at Lloyd's figure ahead. He swallowed nervously before shouting,
"Bl- Black Dragon Admiral!"
The sudden outburst startled a nearby Marine with a peculiar chin, causing him to shudder.
Lloyd, who had been speaking with Akainu, paused and turned his gaze toward the source of the voice. His brow lifted slightly.
"Koby?"
Akainu glanced over and asked, "You know him?"
Lloyd narrowed his eyes slightly. "More or less. He should be the disciple Garp took in, correct?"
Akainu nodded. "Yes. His talent is average, but he is said to be quite hardworking."
"Hardworking?" Lloyd let out a faint chuckle. "Did someone claim he puts in a hundred times the effort?"
Akainu frowned slightly. "That is an exaggeration. If someone could truly do that, their aptitude would not be considered average. Effort itself is a form of talent."
Even Akainu, known for his relentless training during his cadet days, would not dare claim such a level of effort. Pushing that far would only result in death.
Lloyd said nothing more. Instead, he glanced at Koby and made a subtle gesture, beckoning him forward.
Koby, after shouting, seemed completely drained. His body trembled as if all strength had left him. Beside him, Helmeppo quickly nudged him.
"Hey Koby, what are you doing? Black Dragon Admiral is calling you. Move!"
Snapping out of his daze, Koby realized that all eyes were now on him, including those of the Admirals. His throat went dry. As he tried to step forward, his legs weakened. If not for Helmeppo supporting him, he would have collapsed on the spot.
Akainu observed this and frowned. "His mental fortitude is lacking. I do not understand what Garp sees in him. Just effort?"
Lloyd remained indifferent.
With Helmeppo's support, Koby finally stood before Lloyd. Looking up at Lloyd's imposing figure, his nervousness only grew stronger. Helmeppo, on the other hand, quickly straightened himself, saluted, and called out respectfully.
"Black Dragon Admiral!"
Lloyd gave a slight nod before shifting his gaze to Koby. His eyes moved to the insignia on Koby's shoulder.
"Chief Petty Officer Koby, were you the one calling me?"
Koby trembled violently. "Bl- Black Dragon Admiral, I... I have something I want to ask..."
Nearby Marines exchanged glances.
"This guy has no sense of propriety."
"Does he even understand who he is speaking to?"
"He has backing. Vice Admiral Garp."
"That means nothing. The strongest influence in the Navy now is Black Dragon Admiral. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku would not protect you if you offended him."
Lloyd looked down at Koby calmly. "Speak."
Koby forced himself to steady his breathing. "I want to know... is Straw Hat Luffy still alive?"
"He is alive."
Koby's entire body relaxed instantly, as if a crushing weight had been lifted from his shoulders. That reaction did not go unnoticed.
Akainu's eyes narrowed. "You seem pleased."
He stepped forward, his presence pressing down like a mountain. Koby collapsed onto the ground under the pressure. Helmeppo froze, unable to move.
"Admiral Akainu, please do not misunderstand," Koby stammered, his face pale. "Straw Hat Luffy saved my life before, so I..."
"So you developed sympathy for a criminal pirate?"
Akainu bent down, grabbed Koby by the collar, and lifted him effortlessly. His other arm began to emit dense smoke, heat building rapidly as if he intended to execute Koby on the spot.
The other Admirals remained silent. Kizaru kept his hands in his pockets, showing no intention of interfering. They all understood Akainu's temperament.
Except Lloyd.
"That is enough, Sakazuki," Lloyd said calmly. "It is natural to feel something for someone who saved your life. Release him."
Akainu clicked his tongue but complied, releasing his grip. Koby fell heavily to the ground.
"You are unfit to be a Marine," Akainu said coldly.
Those words carried significant weight. In the current Navy, the hardline faction dominated. As one of its leading figures, Akainu did not need to act further. His subordinates would understand what to do.
Lloyd casually waved his hand. A dark book materialized in the air. From within it, a massive ice-encased head dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.
The moment it appeared, the entire port fell into stunned silence before erupting into shock.
"Emperor Kaido!"
Koby stared at the frozen head, Kaido's eyes still wide open in death. His face turned pale as he struggled to stand.
Lloyd's voice remained indifferent.
"You sought me out over a pirate. Did Garp never teach you how to respect your superiors?"
Kizaru shrugged slightly. "Knowing Vice Admiral Garp, he probably skipped that lesson."
Realization dawned on Koby. His earlier actions had been both foolish and disrespectful. He immediately bowed repeatedly.
"I am sorry, Black Dragon Admiral!"
Lloyd pointed at Kaido's severed head.
"Carry it. Bring it to the Headquarters building."
Koby froze for a moment, then forced himself to obey.