Under the solemn gaze of all the scholars, Lloyd, with one hand casually resting in his pocket, walked slowly to the center of the vast archive. His steps were calm, measured, and carried an unsettling stillness.
He lifted his head and let his eyes sweep across the countless volumes of knowledge towering around him. After a long moment, he murmured under his breath, "Truly magnificent… the burden of wisdom."
Lloyd paused, silent, almost savoring the stillness. Then, with the faintest flick of his wrist, the Dark Bible materialized in his hand. Shadows spilled from its covers like ink dropped into water, forming an obsidian veil that draped over every shelf.
When the darkness withdrew, only barren racks remained.
Every book that had once been revered as sacred had been swallowed into the Dark Bible.
The scholars, who had always treated the archive as their faith, stared horrified. Panic erupted in their eyes, and with wild desperation, they lunged toward Lloyd like frenzied beasts, led by Director Kuroba at the front.
Without turning, Lloyd casually raised a finger and hooked it onto the hand holding the Dark Bible.
Puff… Puff… Puff…
A succession of muffled explosions rang out. The charging scholars were obliterated mid‑stride, their bodies bursting like fragile balloons. Blood and gore coalesced into floating crimson spheres that hovered for a moment before flowing like liquid into Lloyd's form.
Lloyd closed the Dark Bible and vanished from the library in a blink.
Silence returned to the Tree of Wisdom.
Outside the decimated archive, Olvia stood with Robin as she nervously tried to describe her years of work. She spoke cautiously, avoiding any mention of forbidden details. To Robin, she had only ever been exploring as an archaeologist. She didn't dare breathe a word about the truth of her research, or the immense danger it carried.
While she talked, Olvia constantly turned her head toward the darkened ruins of the archive. She was about to speak again when Lloyd emerged from the wreckage and walked toward them with a cold smile.
Robin's eyes widened immediately.
Then, without hesitation, she spoke up in a trembling voice.
"Big Brother… you're Admiral Black Dragon, aren't you?"
Lloyd did not flinch. He had expected no less from Robin — a genius in every sense, a master of languages and deduction. Reading newspapers, or piecing together identities, was trivial to her.
He bent slightly, then reached out and lightly brushed Robin's hair with his fingers.
"That's right," he said softly, "are you afraid?"
Robin didn't answer. Instead, her small body quivered slightly. Fear radiated from her — raw and open. She already knew her mother was wanted by the World Government, which meant Lloyd was the one who would take her into custody.
Lloyd didn't intend to intimidate her. Seeing her reaction, he withdrew his hand.
Olvia stepped forward cautiously and asked, "Admiral Black Dragon… what about the people inside?"
Lloyd didn't look at Olvia. His gaze lingered on Robin for a moment before he spoke.
"I've already sent them where they belong," he said, voice cool. "Do you want to see them?"
Olvia's face drained of color.
She understood too well what he meant. Every scholar who had rushed Lloyd had been annihilated.
Even though Kuroba might have been the one to send them forward, Olvia's heart twisted with guilt, and for a fleeting moment, she wished she could die.
But then she saw Robin — her daughter — standing there, confused and fragile. That thought vanished instantly.
Lloyd turned his attention back to the ruins of the Tree of Wisdom.
The fabled tree had stood for over a thousand years, its shade so vast it could once cover the entire island. Yet the island itself had always been small, barely a dot on the sea when compared with larger lands beyond.
Suddenly, a burst of flame erupted from the back of Lloyd's neck.
Olvia instinctively hugged Robin close and stumbled back several steps.
In the next instant, roaring fire spewed from Lloyd in a torrent, twisting upward and transforming into burning serpents that coiled around the Tree of Wisdom's trunk.
Under the blistering heat, the ancient tree screamed as its bark ignited, turning into an inferno of blazing embers and thick black smoke spiraling toward the sky.
Not only the tree, but the fire spread outward with terrifying speed. Within moments, a sea of flame surrounded them, untouched only where Lloyd stood.
Olvia could hear screams muffled beneath the roar of the blaze. She couldn't bear it, covering Robin's ears with her shaking hands.
Robin stared blankly at the conflagration, her wide eyes haunted and stunned.
The one place she had always felt was a refuge — a sanctuary — was now nothing but flame and ash.
Then, a Den Den Mushi on Lloyd's arm began to cry out urgently.
Lloyd pulled it out and answered the call.
On the other end, Admiral Akainu stood aboard a battleship, eyes fixed on the burning island as if it were all justice made manifest.
"Lloyd," Akainu said in his deep, rumbling voice, "you've made your move already."
"Yes," Lloyd responded.
"Then should we return?" Akainu asked.
"Wait," Lloyd said, "until I'm back on the battleship."
"All right," Akainu replied.
Lloyd hung up the Den Den Mushi, lifted Olvia effortlessly with one hand while Olvia instinctively hugged Robin tightly, and then with a powerful beat of his wings, soared into the sky.
The battleship was already close enough that within three minutes Lloyd landed beside Akainu's position.
Kizaru had already departed.
Akainu's gaze fell upon Olvia — trembling in Lloyd's grip — and Robin, silent and silent. Recognition flickered in his eyes.
"Olvia?" Akainu murmured, tone calm yet steeled in judgment. "Lloyd, why bring her back?"
Olvia's wanted poster was plastered throughout the World Government archives. Every Marine commander was familiar with her face.
Akainu's presence exuded the chill of absolute justice. Olvia instinctively clutched Robin and leaned closer to Lloyd, only to remember what had just occurred on the island. Her body froze stiff.
Lloyd spoke in his cool, measured voice.
"The knowledge in her mind still holds value," he stated. "I intend to bring her back. She will receive the punishment she deserves."
Akainu studied Lloyd intently, eyes narrowed yet filled with understanding.
"Lloyd," he said solemnly, "is your home in Mary Geoise?"
Lloyd allowed a small, unreadable smile to cross his features.
"It seems Borsalino already told you," Lloyd said. "Yes, my home is there."
Akainu lowered his head slightly and fell silent.
Lloyd was about to explain his reasons for such secrecy when Akainu suddenly spoke again, his voice filled with passion.
"If someone like you remains in Mary Geoise, it would be considered a blessing for justice."
Lloyd was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected remark.
As expected of you, Sakazuki, he thought.
He lifted a hand and placed it on Akainu's shoulder.
"Sakazuki," he said, "I'm glad you understand me. But Ohara…"
Before Lloyd could finish, Akainu cut him off decisively.
"No problem," Akainu said simply. "I would have done the same."
Lloyd blinked.
"Well, I mean," Akainu continued with an odd hint of pride, "you can open fire."
Although Lloyd had not directly annihilated the island with cannons, he had allowed the Marines every opportunity to fire their weapons. After all, once cannons thundered, credit for the assault would be rightfully theirs.