At the mention of Luffy, Shanks's expression shifted instantly. His eyes widened as he stared at Lloyd in shock.
"Brother, why did you bring up Luffy? Have you also been to Laugh Tale?"
Lloyd answered calmly,
"I have not been there. I doubt that place would welcome me, or you."
Shanks's body trembled slightly. After a brief silence, he spoke in a low voice,
"I have not been either..."
"I know. Was it because Buggy fell ill?"
Shanks looked up sharply.
"You even know that?!"
Lloyd remained indifferent.
"Your Brother knows far more than you can imagine. Now tell me, who defined the title of Pirate King? Joy Boy?"
Confusion spread across Shanks's face. He slowly shook his head.
"I do not know... it feels like everything was already decided."
Lloyd clicked his tongue softly.
"From the moment I returned to life, destiny no longer exists."
He turned and locked eyes with Shanks, his gaze cold and unwavering.
"This world belongs to the Figarland Family. Joy Boy was nothing more than a failed struggler. Whether he relies on reincarnation or some other trick, this time I will erase him completely."
As he spoke, Lloyd waved his hand.
A row of Devil Fruits of various shapes and colors appeared along the ship's railing.
The Uo Uo no Mi, Model Seiryu, an artificial replica of it, the Jiki Jiki no Mi, the Mera Mera no Mi, each one radiating immense value.
These were Lloyd's spoils of war. Any one of them could create a powerful figure.
He briefly explained their abilities, then said,
"Choose one."
Shanks stood frozen, clearly overwhelmed. After a long pause, he finally spoke,
"Brother... you can extract Devil Fruits from their users?"
The former owners of these fruits were no ordinary figures. The Uo Uo no Mi, Model Seiryu had belonged to Kaido himself.
A realization struck Shanks.
"And Doflamingo... did you give him the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi as well?"
Lloyd gave a small nod.
"He has already joined the Family. He is one of us. And he was originally a Celestial Dragon."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough of that. Pick a fruit and eat it."
Shanks hesitated.
"Brother, I do not want to eat a Devil Fruit."
"You do."
"If I eat one, I might not be able to reach Laugh Tale. Back then, Kozuki Toki and Buggy both..."
"There is such a claim? Then perhaps Joy Boy is involved. It does not matter. I will deal with him."
Shanks still shook his head.
"I do not want to become unable to swim."
Lloyd let out a cold snort.
"Who told you that eating a Devil Fruit makes you helpless in the sea?"
Shanks frowned.
"Is that not common knowledge? I saw Buggy nearly drown after eating one."
Lloyd said nothing more. Instead, he stepped forward and leaped straight into the sea.
A splash followed.
Moments later, he rose from the water and returned to the ship.
Flames ignited across his body, instantly evaporating the seawater. His clothes remained intact as his Logia ability took effect.
Shanks stared in disbelief.
"That... should not be possible..."
Lloyd narrowed his eyes slightly. His right hand flickered with dark energy as he slipped it into his pocket.
"My foolish younger brother, you understand nothing about the Figarland bloodline. We are born with privileges. Even after consuming a Devil Fruit, we do not become helpless in the sea."
Hearing this, Shanks immediately examined himself, muttering,
"Incredible... does that mean I can too?"
"Stop wasting time and choose."
Shanks swallowed. With Lloyd's explanation, his hesitation began to fade.
In the world of pirates, once a Devil Fruit was eaten, its power became part of the user. It was not borrowed strength. Even former Admiral Zephyr acknowledged that true strength came from combining Devil Fruit abilities with powerful Haki and combat skill.
And Shanks already stood at the peak in both.
He slowly reached toward the fruits, then suddenly stopped.
Turning to Lloyd, he asked,
"Brother... I do not have much experience with this. Which one suits me best?"
Lloyd had intended to let him decide, but after a moment, he spoke,
"The Uo Uo no Mi, Model Seiryu. It offers the most balanced and versatile power."
Shanks blinked.
"If I eat that, will I turn into a massive blue dragon like Kaido?"
"Yes. The fruit's appearance should have made that obvious."
Shanks frowned.
"I prefer red."
Lloyd stared at him, unimpressed.
"That is your reasoning?"
Shanks nodded seriously.
With a faint sigh, Lloyd pointed at a nearby fruit shaped like a red apple.
"Then take this one. It is an artificial version created by Vegapunk. If your concern is color, this one may suit you better."
In truth, even Lloyd was not entirely certain about its transformation color. However, it made little difference. If Shanks disliked it, Lloyd could always extract it later, though it would not be pleasant.
Shanks considered briefly, then picked up the artificial fruit and took a large bite.
He even chewed instinctively.
The next moment, his face turned green.
"Ugh..."
Vegapunk's work was flawless, even down to the terrible taste.
Shanks gagged, nearly vomiting, but Lloyd immediately covered his mouth and forced his jaw shut.
Shanks struggled for a moment.
Gulp.
He swallowed it.
Bending over, he took several rough breaths before slowly straightening. He clenched his fists, feeling the change within his body.
Just as Lloyd expected him to test his new power, Shanks suddenly leaped off the ship.
A splash echoed.
The sea surface rippled, bubbles rising briefly before everything fell silent.
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