Lloyd walked slowly to the ship's railing and placed his hand, which was emitting a dark aura, onto the Azure Dragon Devil Fruit.
Moments later, the fruit shrank slightly and lost its luster.
He beckoned to Shanks. As soon as Shanks approached, Lloyd pressed his palm against Shanks' abdomen.
A warm current flowed into Shanks' body, gathering toward his heart. His face gradually turned red, and waves of scorching energy began to leak from his body. The aura condensed behind him, forming a ribbon-like stream that deepened in color as it grew denser.
Throughout the process, Lloyd kept his hand firmly in place. His eyes narrowed as he observed every change, ready to extract the original power of the fruit if anything went wrong.
He had considered that the artificial fruit created by Dr. Vegapunk might carry the same core power as the original. If that were true, then stacking their power could strengthen it further.
From Shanks' current state, the theory appeared correct.
Shanks was already showing signs of approaching awakening.
After some time, the energy subsided. Shanks returned to normal and let out a long breath.
Only then did Lloyd withdraw his hand. "How do you feel?"
Shanks looked at him in disbelief. "Brother, what did you just do? I feel much stronger."
"That is all you need to know. Your Devil Fruit is no longer just a replica. Its power now surpasses Kaido's."
Shanks nodded, not fully understanding but trusting the result.
Lloyd crossed his arms. "You were close to awakening just now. Train your abilities and improve your compatibility with the fruit. Do not waste it. Also, stop calling it the Azure Dragon or Red Dragon. From now on, call it the God Dragon Fruit."
Shanks grinned. "Don't worry, Brother. I can train with Dracule Mihawk."
Lloyd raised an eyebrow. "The Shichibukai, Dracule Mihawk?"
"Yes. We have a good relationship and spar often."
"And who wins?"
Shanks smirked slightly. "Me. His swordsmanship is on my level, but my Haki is stronger."
Lloyd glanced at Shanks' left arm. In the original timeline, that arm would have been lost, ending their duels. Now, with both arms intact, their rivalry would only continue.
With the God Dragon Fruit, surpassing Mihawk would become much easier.
Seeing Shanks' eager expression, Lloyd let out a faint chuckle. "Not bad. You have not disgraced the Family. I am leaving."
Shanks froze, as if doused with cold water. His excitement vanished instantly.
"So soon? Brother, at least stay and have a drink..."
Lloyd waved him off. "No. Your crew would panic. If you want to drink, come back to the Family later. Stop being stubborn. Uncle Garling has always been thinking about you."
Shanks fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded.
Lloyd gave a faint smile. He did not force Shanks to return. Some decisions required time.
As Lloyd turned, his figure began to distort.
Shanks had seen this before. Lloyd was about to leave.
A deep sense of reluctance rose in his chest. Since the disbandment of the Roger Pirates, he had drifted without direction. Only after meeting Lloyd again did he feel anchored, reminded that he still had a home.
As Lloyd's form grew more indistinct, Shanks suddenly shouted, "Brother, I'm sorry!"
Lloyd stopped and cancelled his ability. "What is it?"
Shanks lowered his head, guilt clear on his face. "I stole the Nika Fruit from the World Government. I gave it, along with Captain Roger's straw hat, to Luffy."
Lloyd tilted his head slightly. "I already know. Tell me why you gave them to him."
"I did not plan to at first. When I obtained the Nika Fruit, I intended to give it to Captain Roger's son, Ace. Captain Roger told me the fruit chooses its own user. If Ace could not eat it, then it meant the fruit had chosen someone else. He also told me to pass the straw hat to whoever inherited the fruit."
"You did not try to eat it yourself?"
Shanks shook his head. "Captain Roger said the fruit would never choose me. Only those of the D clan are qualified."
Lloyd clicked his tongue. "So it comes down to fate again. Shanks, do you know the relationship between the D clan and us, the Celestial Dragons?"
Shanks lowered his head further. "They are our enemies."
Lloyd stepped forward until they stood close.
Shanks did not dare to meet his gaze. He remembered clearly that Roger had only managed to suppress Lloyd after becoming the Nika Fruit user. Even then, Lloyd had ultimately won, though he disappeared for twenty-two years afterward.
Anyone would assume he had been severely injured.
And Shanks had personally handed that same power to someone from the D clan.
As guilt tightened around him, a warm hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
Shanks looked up.
Lloyd was smiling.
"You do not need to blame yourself," Lloyd said calmly. "At the time, you did not know your identity. Roger raised you, so repaying him is only natural. There is nothing wrong with that."
Tears gathered in Shanks' eyes. "But Brother, Luffy survived. He escaped from you. Just like Captain Roger said, he might truly be the chosen one. If he fully awakens the Nika Fruit someday, then..."
Before he could finish, Lloyd tapped his forehead lightly.
"What are you afraid of?" Lloyd said with a faint chuckle. "When the younger brother causes trouble, the older brother handles it. That is how it should be."
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