Neptune's pupils widened in utter shock, and he blurted out without restraint,
Absolutely not!!!
Lloyd lifted his gaze with indifference, then raised his right hand. Instantly a powerful gravitational pull emanated from his palm.
This force was like an invisible giant hand that seized Neptune's massive body — over twelve meters long — and yanked him toward Lloyd with astonishing speed.
Just as Neptune was about to crash head‑on into Lloyd's chest, an equally powerful repulsive force erupted at the last instant, striking Neptune like a colossal wave.
Yet Neptune did not fly backward.
The moment the repulsion fired, Lloyd activated Almighty Pull again, holding the king fast.
Neptune's body trembled uncontrollably, frozen in place directly in front of Lloyd.
A torrent of blood gushed from Neptune's mouth, spraying in terrifying volume like a rain of crimson silk drifting through the air.
The maneuver had inflicted severe internal trauma. Neptune felt as if his organs had shifted, and every breath stabbed him with aching, bone‑deep pain.
Everything occurred in the blink of an eye. By the time Queen Otohime and the others reacted, Neptune's massive form had already collapsed to the ground.
But the blood did not just fall. Streams of it converged into a swirling red orb, like liquid silk weaving an intricate pattern in midair.
Under the horrified gazes of Otohime and the assembled nobles, the blood orb slowly sank into Lloyd's right arm, causing it to glow with a deep, crimson light.
Since first using his right arm's power in battle, Lloyd had already been capable of manifesting aspects of the Blood‑Blood Fruit.
Normally a Devil Fruit that manipulates one's own blood cannot control the blood of others. But Lloyd's mastery and enhancement of this ability now allowed him to draw blood remotely from another person.
With each drop drawn, Neptune's face visibly grew paler, as though life itself was being hollowed from him.
Even his thick, royal hair darkened further. This was not old age — Fish‑Men with strong bloodlines, like Neptune, did not grey easily — but a sign that his vitality was being drained.
Otohime knew this well. She saw Neptune's strength dwindling before her eyes.
Even without age, this method of blood extraction could kill him eventually from sheer loss.
She cried out in terror,
Stop!!!
But Lloyd's actions did not cease. He controlled the extraction rate with precision, prolonging Neptune's agony rather than draining him outright.
Shyarly, still seated on Lloyd's shoulder, trembled in fear.
Tiger, seeing his king suffering, could not stand idly by. He stepped forward and protested,
Black Dragon Admiral…
Lloyd turned his head, expression unreadable, his tone flat and cold,
What is it?
Tiger could not look directly at Lloyd's heterochromatic gaze — gold in one eye, crimson in the other. A chill spread from his core, as though he had walked into an ice cellar. He froze, unable to speak.
Lloyd ignored Tiger and turned his attention to Otohime, who still lay prostrate on the ground. His voice was calm,
Now we should discuss Roger's matter.
Otohime felt as if her soul had been squeezed. Lloyd had not taken Roger's situation lightly earlier, but now he returned to the topic with cold intent, using it to justify further pressure after Neptune's refusal.
This was serious. If Lloyd insisted on pursuing this matter, even executing Neptune would be considered within the World Government's legal authority.
What Otohime did not know was this: even if Lloyd truly killed Neptune with no reasoning, he would not need justification.
In the eyes of Celestial Dragons, Neptune was merely a steward of a distant territory. Fish‑Man Island itself, and all who lived there, could be considered Lloyd's realm of influence.
This was no exaggeration. Compared to many Celestial Dragons, Lloyd was already considered reasonable.
Yet sometimes the more reasonable someone appeared, the easier it became for others to be exploited. Neptune was the living example of that.
Now Neptune could not even groan. He tilted his head toward Otohime with frail, cloudy eyes full of pain.
Seeing this, Otohime could bear it no longer and cried out,
Please spare Neptune! I will agree to anything!
Lloyd allowed a gentle half‑smile to form. With a snap of his fingers, the hovering orb of blood retreated from his arm and reentered Neptune's body, quickly restoring his rosy complexion as though nothing had occurred.
The aura of Conqueror's Haki that had filled the hall dissipated. Otohime and the others rose slowly, their expressions a mix of fear and awe.
Lloyd looked down at Otohime with a composed expression, as though nothing horrifying had just occurred.
No wonder you are called Lady Otohime by your people, he said quietly, You are far more sensible than this king.
I merely offered Fish‑Man Island a chance to show sincerity, Lloyd continued, but I did not expect it to be rejected so completely.
There is nothing left to do now but approach this matter formally.
Otohime swallowed her fear and forced a polite smile.
Then, speaking on behalf of all of Fish‑Man Island, she said,
On behalf of all the people of Fish‑Man Island, I thank you, Black Dragon Admiral!
She even bowed to Lloyd, a gesture that drew his eyes a little more respectfully toward her.
While bowing, Otohime also shot a sharp look at Neptune, stopping him from repeating his previous attempt at defiance.
When she straightened up, her smile was more natural, as though the terror moments before had never happened.
Gathering her courage, she met Lloyd's eyes and spoke softly,
Admiral Black Dragon, since you know I will one day give birth to a daughter, you must also know the special nature of this child, right?
____
Patreon = _Zeph