The news that one of the Four Emperors' crews, the Beasts Pirates, had been completely annihilated by the Navy's Seven Great Admirals spread across the world like a violent storm.
What followed shortly after was the appointment of a new Fleet Admiral.
When the public learned that the new Fleet Admiral was the former Admiral Black Dragon, most people were not surprised. It felt inevitable.
However, the announcement of Lloyd's true identity left the world in shock.
A Celestial Dragon, Saint Figarland Lloyd
Most ordinary people did not understand what the surname Figarland represented, but they understood one thing clearly. Lloyd, the legendary Admiral, was a Celestial Dragon.
Because of this, he was granted the title of Celestial Dragon Marshal.
...
At Navy Headquarters, Marineford, military flags fluttered across the plaza. Navy officers and soldiers had gathered in full force, their gazes fixed with burning intensity on the towering structure at the center.
Today marked the investiture ceremony of the new Fleet Admiral, the Celestial Dragon Marshal.
Under countless watchful eyes, Lloyd stood atop the high platform. He wore a pristine white suit, draped in a Navy cloak with black sleeves. His posture was calm and commanding.
Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who had not yet officially stepped down, stood behind him.
The one bestowing the title upon Lloyd was not Sengoku, but one of the Five Elders, Saint Saturn.
To demonstrate the importance the World Government placed on Lloyd, they had dispatched one of the highest authorities in the world.
Sengoku watched from behind with a dazed expression as Saint Saturn personally placed the golden epaulets of the Fleet Admiral onto Lloyd's shoulders.
Compared to this, Sengoku's own ceremony had been nothing more than a formality.
Sengoku had met the Five Elders before at Mary Geoise. In his memory, they were stern, emotionless figures.
Yet now, Saint Saturn stood before Lloyd with a faint smile, his satisfaction unmistakable.
Vice Admiral Tsuru gently patted Sengoku's back and spoke in a low voice.
"Sengoku, perhaps Lloyd is more suited for this position. Only he can truly unleash the Navy's full power."
Sengoku nodded silently. He understood this truth better than anyone.
At the highest level, Lloyd could command the full support of the World Government. Within the Navy, he possessed unmatched authority and prestige.
In both aspects, Sengoku knew he could not compare.
"I am indeed old," he muttered with a sigh.
Not long after the ceremony concluded, Lloyd departed Marineford alone.
...
In the latter half of the New World, aboard the Red Force, Shanks stood at the bow. In one hand, he held a newspaper, and in the other, a bottle of sake.
His eyes lingered on Lloyd's image printed on the front page, his expression unreadable.
Yasopp approached from behind. The moment he saw the newspaper, his face darkened.
"Black Dragon…"
Shanks took a long drink before replying calmly.
"You should call him Celestial Dragon Marshal now."
Yasopp tightened his grip on his rifle.
"A man as ruthless as him becoming Fleet Admiral… this world is becoming harder to understand."
Shanks did not respond. In his mind, the Navy and pirates were natural enemies. Showing mercy to one's enemies was nothing but foolishness.
Still, he said nothing.
After all, Yasopp's son, Usopp, had been killed by Lloyd, his head twisted off without hesitation.
Shanks still remembered the day Yasopp learned the truth. His cries had echoed across the sea, driven to madness, he had attempted to seek revenge. Shanks had been forced to knock him unconscious to stop him.
Benn Beckman leaned against the railing, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.
"A Celestial Dragon becoming Fleet Admiral… unbelievable."
Shanks stared at the swaying liquor in his bottle.
"He's not someone you can see through."
Beckman narrowed his eyes.
"Kaido and the Beasts Pirates are gone. It seems the World Government no longer cares about maintaining balance."
Shanks replied without much emotion.
"That's because he's back. The Navy has returned to what it once was, just like twenty-two years ago."
A sharp glint flashed in Beckman's eyes.
"Then are we next?"
To his surprise, Shanks answered immediately.
"No."
Beckman frowned.
"And why are you so certain?"
Shanks took another drink.
"If he wanted me dead, I would have died long ago. More than once, even. The first time I met him was during the Edd War Sea. He even saved me once."
The crew fell into stunned silence.
Yasopp frowned deeply.
"Boss… what exactly is your relationship with him?"
Shanks casually tossed the empty bottle aside.
"I'd like to know that myself. That question has followed me for years."
Just as his words fell, a voice tinged with faint amusement echoed from above.
"Then why haven't you ever asked me?"
Everyone froze.
Shanks' body stiffened as if struck by lightning. Slowly, he raised his head.
At the top of the mast, Lloyd sat casually, looking down at them with a faint smile.
Shock spread across the crew.
"When did he get there?!"
Every member of the Red Hair Pirates was highly skilled, especially in Observation Haki. Shanks had even mastered advanced perception techniques, while Beckman and Yasopp had pushed their Observation Haki to its peak.
Yet none of them had sensed Lloyd's presence.
Shanks narrowed his eyes, noticing the faint, black aura covering Lloyd's body.
It was that power that had concealed him.
Yasopp's face twisted with hatred. Without hesitation, he raised his rifle.
Click.
The sound of the chamber locking echoed sharply.
He fired several shots in rapid succession.
The bullets, coated in Armament Haki, passed straight through Lloyd's body without resistance.
Only then did Shanks react, his pupils shrinking.
"Stop!"