Lloyd glanced at Vergo, whose face was drawn with concern, then said calmly,
"Vergo, use your ability to stitch up his wound."
Both Vergo and Doflamingo froze at the suggestion. Neither had ever considered that the power of the Line‑Line Fruit could be used in such a way. Their astonishment toward Lloyd grew profoundly.
But Lloyd had merely named a technique that Doflamingo had displayed in his past, though neither he nor Vergo recognized it as anything more than instinct before.
For the thirteen‑year‑old Doflamingo and Vergo, however, this simple lesson was enough to bewilder and amaze them — one in awe, the other eager to learn.
Vergo approached Doflamingo immediately. Beneath Doflamingo's encouraging gaze, Vergo placed both hands gently against his chest and began shaping his lines.
But Vergo had previously worked with thick, rigid substances like bamboo. Delicate and soft threads were an entirely different matter.
He sweated as he struggled, his fingers fumbling with the fine weaves, while Doflamingo clenched his teeth, enduring the pain, his brow beaded with sweat.
Vergo did not dare look up at Doflamingo's expression. He worked in silence and concentration until, finally, the wound was successfully stitched closed.
Both men sighed long and deeply with relief.
Lloyd stood nearby, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in satisfaction as he watched Vergo complete his awkward but effective stitching.
Just then, Torrepol popped up, offering his own idea, saying he could use his ability to seal and reinforce the wound even further.
Upon hearing this, Doflamingo's forehead immediately bulged with throbbing veins. With a forced smile, he declined Torrepol's offer.
His physique was far beyond that of an ordinary man, and there was little concern about wound infection. If Torrepol's snot became involved, however, the outcome could be unpredictable.
Vergo's sutures were strong and precise. Doflamingo shifted his body slightly, clearly impressed by Vergo's craftsmanship.
With that resolved, Doflamingo instructed Torrepol and the others to lead the way while he and Vergo walked beside Lloyd toward his base camp.
Before long, they arrived at a magnificent manor.
Lloyd cast Doflamingo a half‑amused glance.
Doflamingo's face flushed. As a child, he had once glimpsed the grandeur of the Figarland Family's territory in Mary Geoise. Inspired by that distant memory, he had had this manor constructed in imitation.
It was not nearly as luxurious or vast as the real Figarland Family Estates, but it bore a certain elegance and resemblance.
Once inside, Doflamingo promptly called for attendants to serve tea and water to Lloyd.
Lloyd lifted the porcelain cup and took a delicate sip, then looked at Doflamingo seated before him and said,
"The power of a Devil Fruit is useful, but do not become obsessed with it. You must also focus on refining your physical techniques and Haki."
Doflamingo sat up straight like a dutiful student and nodded immediately upon hearing those words.
Lloyd's expression remained calm as he continued,
"Don't just nod. Do you understand what Haki is?"
"I do, but I do not know how to cultivate it yet…" Doflamingo admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
Lloyd seemed unsurprised by the confession.
In the original timeline, Vergo would have already joined the Navy by this point, and likely would have taught Doflamingo the methods of developing physical ability and Haki.
For a person with great aptitude, such things were usually learned quickly. But now, because of Lloyd's involvement in this alternate path, Doflamingo had never received that training.
Lloyd tapped the armrest of his chair lightly. In an instant, a formidable presence burst from him, enveloping Doflamingo, Vergo, and the others.
Instantly, Torrepol's eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground. Pica, not far behind, followed him in fainting.
Vergo also staggered, but he gritted his teeth and endured, refusing to lose consciousness.
Doflamingo felt an intense weight settle upon him, yet his mind remained clear.
Lloyd nodded slightly, and the pressure of his Conqueror's Haki retracted.
Vergo's waist straightened as he regained his composure.
Vergo wiped cold sweat from his brow. Not long ago, he had been knocked down by this same Conqueror's Haki.
This time he endured because his will was unshakeable, and because Lloyd had moderated the intensity.
Doflamingo had witnessed Vergo's Haki before, but compared to Lloyd's, it was simply incomparable in power and control.
And Lloyd could freely adjust the release and retraction of his Conqueror's Haki.
Lloyd did not look at Torrepol or Pica, still lying unconscious. Instead, he spoke calmly,
"Doflamingo, I will remain here for a week. During that time, I will teach you the most basic methods of Haki cultivation. After that, what you comprehend is up to you."
Doflamingo's face instantly lit up with joy. Lloyd before him was already acknowledged by the world as one of the strongest men alive. To receive direct guidance from him was a dream most warriors would never dare to entertain.
Vergo, hearing this, was genuinely happy for Doflamingo and also quietly envious.
Lloyd glanced at him and added,
"Vergo, you may come along as well."
Upon hearing this, Vergo was so moved he nearly bowed his head to the ground in respect.
Lloyd stood, his arms suddenly turning pitch black, gleaming like metal in the light.
He looked down at Doflamingo and Vergo with a subtle, wicked smile, then said,
"Very well, time is precious, let us begin."
Before either of them understood what was happening, both Doflamingo and Vergo were hurled backward simultaneously, launched out through the manor doors.
Lloyd, being considerate of Doflamingo's injuries, had instructed Vergo to serve as a cushion for him during the launch.
The goons standing outside watched the spectacle in bewilderment, unsure of what they were witnessing.
Swish!
Lloyd appeared and cast a quick glance at the assembled men, then one after another the group fell to the ground with a series of thudding impacts.
Even the goons could not withstand the presence Lloyd radiated.
He had to show some courtesy to Doflamingo, the Young Master after all.
Speaking of which, Lloyd thought briefly that the Family's name, once Donquixote but now Darkseid after his alias, meant that the position of Family head…
His expression shifted as he gave Doflamingo a long, meaningful look.
Doflamingo was still a bit dazed from the fall and didn't notice the gaze directed at him. Vergo, however, who had taken the brunt of the impact beneath him, rubbed his throbbing forehead, feeling as though pink birds were fluttering before his vision.
One week passed, and both of them had grown considerably.
Swollen.
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