Lloyd didn't see it as a problem, since he was a user of the Vampire Fruit and had all the time in the world.
He didn't even need the Ope Ope no Mi to extend his life, because his vampiric nature allowed him to live indefinitely.
But the people he cared about didn't have the luxury of waiting. If only he attained eternal life while they aged and died, that would be torment, making eternal life itself meaningless.
He wanted the people he loved to live forever with him.
In truth, Lloyd already had a general idea about the Ope Ope no Mi, because the research that Dr. Vegapunk conducted later centered on something called Green Blood.
As a Paramecia‑type Devil Fruit, the Ope Ope no Mi could theoretically be "replicated" through this stabilized Green Blood.
If paired with cloning technologies, then mass producing Ope Ope no Mi users might be possible. In Lloyd's calculations, the best candidate for the next generation of Ope Ope no Mi users was Law.
But before that could happen, he needed a way to extend lifespans.
Stussy blinked with wide eyes as she listened intently to the conversation between the older man and Lloyd, two individuals both wielding immense power.
In some ways, entering CP0 was even harder than joining Marine Headquarters. Within the World Government, CP0's status was actually slightly above the Navy's.
That was because CP0 was known as the strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons, answering directly to them. The Celestial Dragons naturally treated CP0 with more respect than the Navy.
Gaining entry into CP0 was akin to ascending to the heavens. Yet Lloyd and Saint Saturn had settled the matter with just a few words.
As they talked, the discussion shifted to secrets of the Celestial Dragons and incredible matters like eternal life.
Stussy couldn't help but gently touch Lloyd's arm and whisper.
"Master, should I step aside?"
Lloyd waved his hand with indifferent composure.
"No need, listen from beside me."
Then Lloyd addressed Saint Saturn directly.
"Saint Saturn, one thing has always confused me. Why has no head of the Figarland Family undergone the Immortality Surgery in the past eight hundred years?"
Saint Saturn was quiet for a moment, gazing into Lloyd's eyes.
"I can only say it's because the talent of the Figarland Family is truly exceptional."
Lloyd narrowed his eyes. He already understood Saint Saturn's meaning.
It was nothing more than the prowess of the Figarland Family stirring jealousy in someone powerful, and that someone could only be Imu.
Thinking it through, it made sense. With the Figarland Family's talent, if they were granted eternal life, who knew how many more Saint Cassius‑level geniuses might emerge?
For any superior, that was intolerable.
Lloyd snorted coldly. If they wouldn't grant it, then he would take it himself.
He intended to bring the Figarland Family to the pinnacle of the world in his own generation.
On the journey back from Saint Saturn's quarters, Lloyd spoke to Stussy in his arms.
"Stussy, after you enter CP0, keep an eye out for a man named Doflamingo. I'll give you his information later."
"Understood, Master."
"Work hard. Remember, I'm behind you. If anyone forces you to do something you don't want to do, you can invoke my name."
Stussy's lips curved into a charming smile.
"Master, I really like it when you're behind me."
"Hmm? Hmm?"
Her words clearly carried another meaning, and Lloyd understood immediately. He looked at her with a half‑smile and teased,
"What, are you saying you want to be above me?"
"Stussy listens to whatever Master says," she replied, voice playful.
In the time that followed, aside from training with Saint Garling, Lloyd devoted his remaining hours to his daily routine with Stussy.
Since Stussy was effectively one of Lloyd's Devil Fruits, she required proper development.
Ambitious and curious, Stussy often stayed up late with Lloyd, researching ways to advance the Blood‑Blood Fruit.
During this period, Stussy asked Lloyd to carve the Celestial Dragon's Hoof mark on her back, save for a blank space in the center, and in that blank space Lloyd's name was inscribed.
After about a month, Lloyd was finally ready to depart.
To be honest, after Gulando's death, Lloyd felt a great sense of ease. Coupled with Stussy's company, he truly wanted to stay a few more days, treating it like a vacation.
Of course, given his physiology, alcohol and women had no real physical effect on him, they only brought pleasure to his body and mind.
But no matter what, Lloyd had to leave, because Marine Headquarters had begun to spiral into chaos.
Word had arrived that Gol D. Roger had been unusually active lately, appearing here and there for reasons unknown.
Marine Headquarters had received reports that the Roger Pirates were moving toward the area where the Whitebeard Pirates were stationed. Pirates of their caliber rarely crossed paths, but when they did, a battle was almost certain.
If it were merely a fight, the Navy could handle it. What worried them most was the possibility that after fighting they might sit down and share a drink, and in the course of drinking come to some sort of understanding. If they allied, the situation would become catastrophically difficult.
Especially since the relationship between Whitebeard and Roger had always been somewhat ambiguous. Roger wouldn't seek out Whitebeard without a hidden motive.
Among the major combat forces at Marine Headquarters, Garp, who had been "chasing" Roger everywhere, had been reassigned to a prison position and was currently unreachable by the Navy.
Fleet Admiral Kong had suffered internal injuries in his last encounter with the Red Count. Under those conditions, heading out to find the Roger Pirates was clearly a poor choice.
Besides, he was Fleet Admiral. Unless circumstances became truly desperate, he would not leave Marine Headquarters again.
As for Sengoku and Admiral Zephyr, Sengoku, as the designated next Fleet Admiral, had even more duties to manage than Kong. Moreover, Marine Headquarters needed at least one Admiral stationed there, and he was the best choice.
Looking at the situation, the only Admiral who could be dispatched was Admiral Zephyr, who had been away from the front lines for some time.
However, this time the threat wasn't only Roger. There was a very real possibility of facing Whitebeard as well. Sending only Zephyr would be equivalent to sending him to his doom.
It was important to note that Zephyr was not Garp; he had no special relationship with Roger.
So if Roger caused trouble, the Navy simply couldn't function without Lloyd.
Seeing that Lloyd was slow to return, Kong grew restless. He suspected the World Government was interfering, deliberately keeping Lloyd away, so he made an urgent report to the Five Elders.
The reply he received was that Lloyd had just completed a confidential mission and was officially granted a holiday in the Holy Land.