Chapter 190

Chapter 190:

Neptune's eyes widened in shock, and he almost shouted,

"Can't!"

"Hm?"

Carl glanced at Neptune with a calm expression. Then, raising his right hand, he unleashed a powerful gravitational force from his palm!

It felt as if an invisible giant hand had gripped Neptune's massive twelve-meter-long body, pulling him swiftly toward Carl. Just as Neptune was about to collide with him, an equally strong repulsive force burst forth, slamming into Neptune like a raging wave.

Yet, Neptune didn't get pushed back.

At the moment of impact, Carl activated his Attraction, keeping Neptune frozen in place. His massive body trembled violently, locked in mid-air, unable to move.

"Puff!"

A large amount of blood spurted from Neptune's mouth. Given his enormous size, the blood sprayed like a downpour, forming a red mist in the air before coalescing into a floating sphere at Carl's fingertips.

Under the horrified gaze of Otohime and the others, the blood sphere slowly descended, merging into Carl's right arm, which began to glow with a scarlet light.

Ever since unlocking his right arm's power, Carl had been able to utilize aspects of the Blood-Blood Fruit's abilities.

The Blood-Blood Fruit allowed him to manipulate the blood of others in the air, amplifying his vampiric nature.

With this ability, he could now drain vitality at will.

As they watched in horror, Carl moved his fingers, drawing even more blood from Neptune. A thin stream of crimson extended from Neptune's body, flowing toward Carl's hand.

Neptune's face paled visibly. His once-brilliant hair lost its sheen. The ability drained more than just blood—it siphoned life force, leaving him weak and despairing.

Otohime's horrified voice broke through the suffocating tension.

"No!"

But Carl's grip on Neptune's life force remained firm. He controlled the speed of the drain, ensuring Neptune felt every moment of his fading strength.

"Black Dragon Admiral…"

Tiger stepped forward, his voice wavering, desperately hoping to stop the scene before him.

Carl turned his head, his expression unreadable, his golden and red eyes locking onto Tiger like twin abyssal suns.

"Yes?"

His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was suffocating.

Tiger froze. The words he wanted to say died in his throat. He couldn't move.

Carl turned back to Otohime, who was trembling nearby, and said coldly,

"Now, let's talk about Roger."

Otohime swallowed hard, her fear barely concealed.

Carl had made it clear earlier that he didn't care about Roger's business. Now, he was bringing it up as leverage, using Neptune's refusal to cooperate as an excuse to exert more pressure.

If Carl decided to hold Neptune accountable, the World Government would see it as justified, even if Neptune lost his life.

Fishman Island, after all, was considered property of the Celestial Dragons.

And among those Celestial Dragons, Carl was known as one of the more "reasonable" ones.

In a desperate move, Otohime fell to her knees, pleading,

"Please, let Neptune go! I will agree to whatever you want!"

A warm smile played on Carl's lips.

With a snap of his fingers, the blood at his fingertips surged back into Neptune's body.

Almost instantly, Neptune's color returned. The aura of Haki that had blanketed the hall vanished, allowing everyone to breathe again.

Carl's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Otohime and spoke,

"It seems you are more reasonable than this king. I merely offered Fishman Island a chance to redeem itself, yet Neptune refused so decisively. I had no choice but to act impartially."

Otohime managed to suppress her trembling, forcing a calm smile as she replied,

"Then, on behalf of the people of Fishman Island, I thank Black Dragon Admiral for his mercy."

She bowed low before him, a gesture that earned her a flicker of admiration in Carl's eyes.

As she straightened, her smile became more natural, as if the confrontation had never happened.

Meeting Carl's gaze with newfound determination, she spoke softly,

"Admiral, if you already know my daughter is to be born…

"Then you must also know how special she will be, correct?"