Chapter 161

### Chapter 161: Chapter 161

Carl had never expected that he would be able to manipulate the next user of the Blood-Blood Fruit at will. It wasn't until Stussy turned into blood and pounced on him that he suddenly felt a strange connection between them.

From that moment on, Stussy became Carl's in the truest sense—both as a person and as a part of his power.

Because Carl possessed the original power of the Blood-Blood Fruit!

He hooked a finger under Stussy's chin, smiling wickedly. "Very good. I didn't expect such an unexpected gain."

Stussy lowered her head slightly, stretched out her red and tender tongue, and licked Carl's fingertips, as docile as a kitten.

Carl laughed, pulling Stussy into his arms before disappearing from the spot, not bothering to say anything to Vegapunk.

He flew back to Mary Geoise with Stussy in his arms. That night, he and Stussy had a "fusion" of fruit.

They lived together in the Figarland family estate for a few days before Carl took Stussy to the Jaygarcia family's residence, where Saturn was.

By now, there was no one in Mary Geoise who didn't recognize Carl.

The guards outside the estate immediately bowed at a ninety-degree angle upon seeing him, their voices filled with respect.

"Saint Carl!"

Carl nodded slightly and continued walking with Stussy. The guards made no attempt to stop him, maintaining their bow until he passed. Only then did they dare to straighten up.

Although Stussy had been implanted with information about Carl at the research institute, this was her first time witnessing his noble status firsthand.

He could enter the residences of the Five Elders at will—a privilege that "ordinary" Celestial Dragons could never dream of.

Along the way, everyone who saw Carl immediately bowed in salute. Several members of Saturn's faction even stepped forward to greet him.

Upon seeing Carl holding the beautiful Stussy in his arms, many of them showed envy, but none dared to have improper thoughts.

They were people of Saturn, one of the Five Elders, and unlike the arrogant Celestial Dragons outside, they were smart enough to know better.

Saturn was their ancestor, and he had always taught them to be respectful toward the Figarland family. With Carl as the next head of the Figarland family, they certainly didn't want to offend him.

Carl responded politely to each greeting. His powerful hearing allowed him to navigate without a guide, leading him directly to Saturn's bedroom.

Just as he arrived, the door opened, and Saturn stepped out.

Seeing Carl, Saturn was momentarily stunned. "Carl, how did you find this place? I was just about to come looking for you."

A guard had informed Saturn of Carl's arrival.

Carl smiled. "You are my elder. How could I let you come out to receive me?"

He still remembered Saturn's actions when Darian had possessed him. Although Saturn's intent at the time was to kill "him," it was clear he had been on Garling's side.

Because of this, Carl's attitude toward Saturn was far better than toward the other four Elders.

Saturn noticed the difference. He nodded with a smile, glancing at Stussy in Carl's arms. "Saint Carl, let's go inside and talk."

Inside, the three of them sat on the sofa. Saturn pointed at Stussy.

"Saint Carl, this woman should be Stussy, correct?"

Carl nodded. "Yes, I just brought her from Vegapunk."

"I see. I was planning to have her join CP0 after she woke up, but since you've taken a liking to her, I suppose we can forget that plan."

To Saturn, Carl bringing Stussy here was merely a formality. After all, the research institute was under his jurisdiction.

Carl smiled. "Thank you, but I have to return to the Navy, and it would be inconvenient to bring her with me. Let her join CP0—she can receive training there."

Saturn was briefly stunned. *Inconvenient? Didn't you bring Lucia into the Navy?*

But, having lived for centuries, he quickly grasped Carl's true intentions.

He looked at Carl deeply. "Saint Carl, you want to take control of CP0, don't you?"

Since Saturn was so direct, Carl saw no reason to hide it.

"Indeed. Saint Saturn, you know my influence within the World Government is still too weak. Now that Darian is dead, it's time for me to develop my own power."

"Haha, Saint Carl, I think you don't just want influence—you want to completely turn CP0 into your own force, don't you?"

Carl simply smiled.

Saturn continued, "Good. You have ambition. No wonder Saint Casillas chose you."

Carl's eyes narrowed slightly. Saturn's words carried a lot of weight—he seemed to have a deep connection with his ancestor, Casillas.

Suddenly, Saturn asked, "Saint Carl, can you let me meet Saint Casillas?"

Carl shook his head. "The ancestor has fallen into a deep sleep. We'd best not disturb him."

A trace of regret crossed Saturn's face, but he didn't press further. "I see. Given his condition back then, it was already rare that he retained even a trace of his will."

Carl couldn't help but ask, "Saint Saturn, you and Casillas…"

"Saint Casillas was my master, though he never admitted it. Someone like me, with no real talent, isn't qualified to be his apprentice."

Saturn chuckled self-deprecatingly. He raised his head slightly, speaking softly.

"If Casillas had not been seriously injured, he would be the one most qualified to enjoy eternal life."

At the mention of eternal life, Carl's interest was piqued.

"Eternal life… is this related to the Op-Op Fruit?"

"Yes. Didn't Garling ever mention it to you?"

"No, but the Op-Op Fruit isn't exactly a secret among us Celestial Dragons. I know a little about it."

"Then let me remind you—there is only one spot for the immortality surgery. If you miss it, you don't know how long you'll have to wait for another chance."

In the past 800 years, only six people in Mary Geoise had achieved immortality—including Imu.

The procedure was extremely difficult.

First, one had to obtain the Op-Op Fruit. Then, they had to find a suitable person with special abilities and train them until they were capable of performing the surgery. This process alone could take decades, even longer.

And once the immortality surgery was performed, the highly trained individual would die, and the process would have to start all over again.