The dark golden barrier surrounding Uta disappeared the instant it came into contact with Scarf Man's palm.
With its protection gone, Uta immediately began to fall.
Scarf Man stepped forward and caught her effortlessly, holding her in a princess carry. As she settled into his arms, the warmth of his embrace caused her long eyelashes to tremble slightly. Slowly, she opened her eyes and met a pair of golden pupils.
Confusion filled her gaze as she spoke weakly,
"Let me go… who are you exactly…?"
Half of his face was still concealed by the scarf, but the look in his eyes carried a faint smile.
"Silly girl, I am your Uncle."
Uta's eyes widened in shock, and a soft, disbelieving sound escaped her lips.
Under her stunned gaze, the black scarf dissolved into wisps of dark mist and faded away.
What appeared before her was an exceptionally handsome face.
After a brief moment of silence, Uta exclaimed in disbelief,
"Fleet Admiral Black Dragon!"
Lloyd's identity was known across the world. Anyone who followed the news could recognize his distinct appearance immediately.
Uta stared at him blankly, her voice filled with doubt.
"This has to be a joke… how could Fleet Admiral Black Dragon be my Uncle?"
At that moment, Shanks landed beside them. His expression was filled with concern as he leaned closer.
"Uta, how are you? Are you hurt?"
With Tot Musica summoned, Uta's personality had returned to normal. She tried to respond, but before she could speak, a deafening roar interrupted her.
Lloyd raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shanks.
Shanks's expression darkened slightly.
"Brother, take care of Uta. I will deal with that monster."
Lloyd gave a small nod. He sat down on the ground with Uta still in his arms, allowing her to lean against him.
A faint blush appeared on Uta's face. She looked up at Lloyd's youthful features and whispered,
"Are you really my Uncle?"
Lloyd reached out and lightly tapped her smooth forehead.
"If you were not my niece, with how reckless you were earlier, I would have already dealt with you differently."
Uta lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
"I… I am sorry. I do not know what happened. I just could not control myself…"
"You are not entirely at fault. Stop eating those mushrooms. That is what allowed the monster to take advantage of you. Under those conditions, losing control was inevitable."
While they spoke, Shanks had already engaged Tot Musica.
He immediately transformed, entering his Dragon-Human form. His imposing presence caused Uta to gasp in surprise.
Hearing her reaction, Shanks allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile.
He released a powerful dragon's roar infused with Haoshoku Haki, causing the entire Uta World to tremble violently.
Then he opened his mouth and unleashed a blazing dragon breath toward Tot Musica. The monster responded by generating a barrier of black light.
The attack collided with the barrier. Intense heat surged forward, accompanied by crackling Haoshoku Haki lightning. The barrier shattered instantly into fragments of black light.
The dragon breath pierced through Tot Musica's massive body, sending it crashing into the ground.
When it rose again, a massive hole could be seen in its abdomen.
Yet, as expected, such damage meant little to it.
Tot Musica let out a furious roar. Its body began to regenerate, a dark vortex forming within the wound before sealing it completely.
Shanks narrowed his eyes. He was well aware that the most troublesome aspect of this creature was its near-immortality.
Without hesitation, his aura surged again. He drew his sword, Gryphon, and unleashed a massive slash infused with Haoshoku Haki.
At that moment, Tot Musica's form changed.
A pair of pitch-black wings burst from its back. It roared and met the attack directly, raising its arms to block the incoming slash.
The collision shook the entire space.
Everyone watching was stunned. The monster's strength had far surpassed what they remembered.
Even Shanks was visibly surprised. Tot Musica was far stronger than before.
Lloyd, however, remained expressionless.
This development was within his expectations.
Tot Musica possessed three forms. For unknown reasons, it had been summoned in its second form, and now it had evolved into its third and strongest state.
At the same time, Uta let out a pained groan. Her face turned pale, and a trace of blood appeared at the corner of her lips.
There was a direct connection between her and the monster. Tot Musica was continuously draining her soul to increase its power. If this continued, she would die.
Lloyd's eyes grew slightly colder.
He had intended to let Shanks handle the situation, but there was no longer enough time.
Dark mist began to seep from the corners of his eyes. Gently, he placed Uta on the ground.
"Hold on a little longer. This will end soon."
His voice carried a strange sense of certainty. Uta nodded weakly, her lips trembling slightly.
"Uncle…"
Lloyd paused briefly, then gave a faint smile before responding.
In the next instant, his body dispersed into a swarm of black bats, rushing toward the battlefield.
Shanks, still engaged in combat, seemed to sense something. He struck Tot Musica back and ascended into the air.
Tot Musica spread its wings, preparing to chase, but countless black bats suddenly appeared before it. They gathered together, forming Lloyd's figure.
Lloyd stood in its path, his gaze cold and unyielding.
He slowly raised his right hand, black energy swirling around it.
What happened next was shocking.
Tot Musica, a being that knew only destruction, showed fear.
Without hesitation, it turned and attempted to flee.
But it was already too late.
Lloyd's right hand expanded rapidly, transforming into a massive dark hand that shot forward and seized the monster midair.
He lifted Tot Musica effortlessly, his voice indifferent and absolute.
"You were born from darkness, so return to it."
===
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