The once fierce and arrogant Joy Boy had his Haki crushed instantly by Caelan's casual and merciless suppression.
This sudden reversal made Joy Boy's heart tremble violently. He fell into extreme shock and disbelief.
Joy Boy had always been confident, believing himself to stand at the very peak of the world, unmatched by anyone.
Even when facing Imu, the final victor, he believed Imu had only won by relying on conspiracy and luck.
But at this moment, after feeling Caelan's power firsthand, he was shaken to realize that such an overwhelming existence truly existed in the world.
Joy Boy widened his eyes and stared at Caelan, as if trying to see through him.
He could not figure out who this man was.
How could he wield power beyond comprehension?
Especially that Haki, which far exceeded everything Joy Boy understood. His own Haki had already reached its peak, enough to glimpse the future.
Yet Caelan's Haki crushed his effortlessly.
Countless questions filled his mind, leaving him lost and confused.
"Joy Boy, it is really you!" Emet's voice trembled with excitement, even containing the hint of a sob.
If he had human emotions and human eyes, he would have shed tears at this moment.
Eight hundred long years had passed. Through all that time, he believed their parting had been a farewell for eternity.
The scene of Joy Boy handing him the knot remained forever vivid.
Those memories had carried him for eight hundred years.
Even seeing someone inherit Joy Boy's will would have been a blessing.
He never imagined he would see the real Joy Boy again.
"I am sorry. I did not fulfill your promise. Fishman Island is still under the dark sea…" Emet spoke incoherently, overwhelmed.
"Wait, Emet, do not say such things!" Joy Boy looked at the giant robot with a missing horn and asked in confusion, "What is happening? What happened to me?"
"Joy Boy, it is eight hundred years later. You were resurrected by that lord."
Emet pointed to Caelan with deep respect.
After witnessing Caelan's overwhelming Haki and his ability to bring the dead back to life, Emet felt he was looking at a god.
Though Joy Boy was once revered as a sun god, Emet now felt Caelan was the real deity.
A god is not determined by worship, but by power alone.
"How did you do it?"
Joy Boy could not help but ask.
He had been dead for eight hundred years. Resurrection was impossible.
Even Imu, who turned himself into a monster for the sake of eternal life, could never resurrect someone dead for eight centuries.
"You do not need to worry about how. You only need to know that you are alive again." Caelan said firmly. "One more thing. As the price for reviving you, I will take your freedom."
He had no desire to explain the mechanics behind summoning a giant from eight hundred years ago. Too troublesome.
Let Joy Boy adapt to the era first. Then they could talk.
Besides, Joy Boy had exploded with hostility as soon as he awakened. He needed a warning.
"Ah?"
Joy Boy stared blankly, unable to understand Caelan's words.
Take away his freedom?
Impossible. The only thing he could lose was his life. No one could take his freedom.
"Kneel."
Caelan gave the order through the Command Spell.
Joy Boy's massive body immediately lost all control and knelt before Caelan.
"What is happening? Joy Boy!"
Emet shouted in shock.
The freest man in the world would never kneel to anyone.
He understood that Caelan had done something and prepared to attack.
"Joy Boy, make him kneel with you."
Caelan spoke calmly.
Joy Boy gritted his teeth and said, "Emet, kneel down too."
"No, Joy Boy, this is not you!"
Emet's voice shook.
He knew this was not Joy Boy's will, but it was still Joy Boy's command. It left him torn.
"Joy Boy, beg him to kneel."
Caelan snapped his fingers, issuing another command.
"Emet, kneel before him, I beg you!"
Joy Boy cried out in agony.
He resisted from the depths of his soul, but could not reject the order.
"Joy Boy!"
Seeing Joy Boy humble himself to that extent, Emet finally made his decision.
He lowered his knees and knelt before Caelan along with Joy Boy.
"That is correct." Caelan nodded. "From today onward, you are my subordinates."
"Yes."
Joy Boy answered with deep frustration.
And with Joy Boy under Caelan's control, Emet had no choice but to agree.
"…"
He felt like a villain.
After reaching the peak of Conqueror's Haki, he had become more self-focused and domineering.
Caelan shook his head lightly to rid himself of the strange thoughts.
He looked at the frustrated Joy Boy and Emet and said seriously, "Do not look at me like that. When you understand what I intend to do, you will truly submit."
"…"
Joy Boy and Emet remained silent.
He forced them to kneel and still spoke of sincere submission. Even if they were not sincere, they had no choice.
Everyone watching from Vegapunk's group was shocked to their core.
"This is the Sun God Nika from eight hundred years ago, the strongest enemy the World Government ever had?"
Vegapunk watched Joy Boy kneeling before Caelan, rubbing his eyes over and over.
It was unbelievable enough that Joy Boy was resurrected. But Caelan had even commanded him to kneel.
That was Joy Boy, the invincible figure of hidden history.
How did he lose instantly and kneel before Caelan?
"Commander Caelan never disappoints when it comes to shocking others."
Kizaru let out a tired sigh.
Resurrecting Joy Boy and controlling him was nothing surprising anymore.
He believed Caelan still had far more terrifying abilities.
The bottomless nature of Caelan's power gave him a true sense of safety.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)