Chapter 160: Chapter 160
Hearing Stussy's delicate call of "Master," Carl did not respond, but instead asked Vegapunk for a new white coat to put on Stussy.
Stussy tidied herself. She had gradually begun to digest the knowledge transmitted to her over the years, and her actions became more and more natural.
However, just as she adjusted her clothes and looked up at Carl, he suddenly stretched out his hand to Vegapun.
Before Vegapunk could react, Carl had already grabbed him by the neck.
Carl exerted just a little force, and Vegapunk's face immediately turned the color of liver. He looked at Carl with horror, wanting to speak but unable to make a sound.
Soon, Vegapunk, struggling to breathe, began to roll his eyes.
During this, Stussy did not attempt to help Vegapunk, instead, she asked Carl, "Master, do you need me to do something for you?"
Just when Vegapunk was about to lose consciousness, Carl loosened his grip and extended an arm to support him.
Vegapunk lay on Carl's arm, gasping for air, and it took him a long while to recover.
He raised his head, looked at Carl with resentment, and said, "Saint Carl, are you satisfied now? I was almost killed by you just now!"
As sharp as he is, Vegapunk understood Carl's intentions. It was a test to see if Stussy truly regarded Carl's will as her only directive.
Thinking of this, cold sweat appeared on Vegapunk's forehead. Among the few Celestial Dragons he had met, Carl's presence gave him a far greater sense of oppression than Saturn.
The most unsettling part was Carl's knowledge of every detail about him; sometimes, it felt like Carl could even read his thoughts, leaving Vegapunk afraid to make any wrong moves regarding Stussy.
Vegapunk's complaint was his last act of defiance.
Carl glanced at him and said indifferently, "Ten billion Belly, half for your research funds, and the other half to your hometown."
Now was not a period of inflation, and Belly would go further. Vegapunk's eyes lit up at the mention of this sum, and a smile crept across his face.
"Saint Carl is indeed generous. Is there anything else you're not satisfied with? I can make some improvements!"
Carl pondered for a moment, then said to Stussy calmly, "Stussy, commit suicide."
Vegapunk's eyes widened in shock. Stussy was momentarily stunned. Although she had been programmed by Vegapunk to prioritize Carl's commands, she was still not a mindless robot and retained some of her emotions and judgment.
She hesitated slightly at Carl's sudden command to end her own life.
However, due to the authoritarian chip Vegapunk had implanted in her, as per Carl's instructions, Stussy's hesitation only lasted for a moment. The chip activated, forcing her compliance. Her eyes became resolute as she moved to pierce her chest.
As she raised her hand to strike her heart, Carl suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Feeling the force in her hand, Carl realized she had been serious about carrying out the command.
He smiled as he held her wrist down, saying, "That's enough. You belong to me now."
Stussy bowed her head slightly and said softly, "Master, Stussy will always be yours."
Looking at the obedient Stussy, Carl turned his hand, revealing a football-shaped blood-red fruit in his palm—the Blood-Blood Fruit.
"Stussy, eat this fruit," Carl instructed.
Without hesitation, Stussy took the Blood-Blood Fruit and consumed it. She didn't flinch or question him as she ate the entire Devil Fruit.
After she finished, her face twisted slightly in disgust, and she wiped the red juice from the corner of her mouth.
"Master, this taste is revolting!" she complained.
Carl and Vegapunk both nodded in agreement, having experienced the foul taste of Devil Fruits themselves.
Carl said, "Don't think about it too much. Focus on your new ability."
Stussy nodded and activated her power. In an instant, her arms transformed into flowing blood.
Vegapunk's eyes widened. "This ability... is it the Blood-Blood Fruit of Saint Darian!?"
Carl gave Vegapunk a sidelong glance and then turned to Stussy, asking, "How does it feel to have special abilities now?"
Stussy leaned against Carl and replied in a seductive voice, "It feels wonderful, thank you for the gift, Master."
Stussy hugged Carl's waist, her body pressing close. Carl raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Master, I can't control myself..." she murmured.
Before Carl could respond, Stussy's body turned to liquid blood, attempting to merge with his.
Carl instinctively activated Shinra Tensei, repelling her.
The blood splattered against the wall, then slowly reformed into Stussy's body.
"I'm sorry, Master," she said, struggling with the strange sensations coursing through her.
Carl raised his hand, interrupting her apology. "It's not your fault. I think I understand what's happening."
He focused on Stussy, and with a mere thought, she began to walk toward him, her movements not entirely her own.
"Master, I can't stop myself!" she cried in alarm.
Carl smirked. "So that's how it is."
With a simple gesture, he transformed Stussy's body into a swirling blood orb in the palm of his hand. He manipulated the blood effortlessly, molding it as he wished, while Stussy's voice echoed faintly from within.
After toying with the blood orb, Carl released his hold, and Stussy reappeared, her gaze fixed on him with unwavering devotion.
Vegapunk was left speechless, thinking to himself that even without the implanted chip, Stussy might still have been utterly loyal to Carl.
There was undoubtedly something unique about that Blood-Blood Fruit!
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