When Garling saw that Joy Boy had submitted to Caelan, he was utterly shocked.
The World Government had secretly searched for the Nika Fruit for eight hundred years because that fruit carried Joy Boy's legacy.
Joy Boy, the powerful enemy that Lord Imu still feared.
Yet he had surrendered to Caelan so easily?
If that was the case, then what did that make Lord Imu, the supreme leader of the World Government, in front of Caelan?
An insignificant figure, a small stone that could be casually stepped on?
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
The once towering image of Imu in Garling's heart gradually collapsed, and a shadow that loomed over all else shrouded his heart.
He was so shocked that he went numb, slipping into a state of mental collapse.
At that moment, Caelan, having temporarily dealt with Joy Boy and Emeth, looked down at Garling lying on the ground like a worm.
The once-luxurious robes were now caked in dust, leaving him disheveled and pathetic.
His Conqueror's Haki shattered, Garling had also lost the presence he once held as the leader of the Knights of God. Now, he was nothing more than a ragged old beggar.
Caelan sneered and swung two crescent-shaped slashes.
One slash flew toward the CP agents. The other flew toward Garling.
The slash was enveloped in terrifying black and red lightning, like a devil's judgment out of hell.
"I'm going to die?"
"I'm really going to die."
Garling stared at the incoming slash with fear and unwillingness.
He couldn't block it. The power of immortality was meaningless under that black-and-red Conqueror's Haki. He would undoubtedly die from that blow.
But he was still young, only in his seventies.
He had just obtained the power of immortality from Imu. Why was he about to die already?
Swish!
All the CP agents were reduced to ash, their remains merging with the yellow sand.
Garling was somewhat different. He was, after all, a powerful admiral-level figure who relied solely on swordsmanship, with a body far stronger than ordinary people.
So the fragments of him were slightly larger.
As expected, the immortality granted by Imu was ineffective.
Most of that immortal power was destroyed by the slash wrapped in Conqueror's Haki. Only a trace remained in a small chunk of flesh.
Caelan calmly returned Shusui to its sheath, as if it had been a minor matter.
Because it was.
A person with high emotional intelligence would say, "Everyone is equal before me."
With low emotional intelligence, it was simply, "Everyone here is trash."
Borsalino shrank his neck, feeling a chill run through his body.
A powerful admiral-level figure died just like that, like some no-name thief with a bounty of 100,000 berries.
The blade cut into Garling's body, leaving him covered in wounds.
If it had been Borsalino, the outcome would've been the same.
Hmm... a strange feeling crept over him.
When did admirals become ants?
Borsalino felt lost, and Caelan's image in his mind grew even taller.
Even though he hadn't personally been overwhelmed by that oppressive aura, he was now completely submissive.
"The leader of the Knights of God died just like that?" Vegapunk looked at the shattered remains of Garling, feeling a mix of relief and complicated emotion. "This was the guy I was desperate to beg for help from, and he just died like that?"
He had been terrified of Garling. His brilliant mind had raced for solutions until he finally decided to ask for help.
And the powerful Celestial Dragon who had robbed him of sleep was instantly killed, just like that.
But then again, maybe it wasn't so simple.
Vegapunk began analyzing the power Caelan had just used.
Based on data previously collected from Borsalino, Caelan's strength was estimated to be seven to ten times that of an average admiral.
He wielded the swordsmanship of a top-tier swordsman, practically unrivaled in the world.
He also possessed the world's strongest Haki, a Conqueror's Haki stronger than even Joy Boy's.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. Any one of those abilities alone would make someone worthy of Yonko-level status.
All of that, combined in one person, created Caelan.
Vegapunk couldn't understand how Caelan's power and dominance had far exceeded human limits. It was utterly unscientific.
It was like a combination of overpowered traits jammed into one person, defying all logic and balance.
Vegapunk scratched his oversized head, puzzled. "This is bizarre. Is he even human?"
"Dr. Vegapunk, it's impolite to speak ill of someone behind their back. It's even ruder to say it to their face."
Caelan let out a quiet sigh as he spoke.
"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding," Vegapunk said with a wry smile. "You're just so powerful, Commander Caelan. I couldn't help but admire you."
"Then take it as a compliment."
Caelan didn't care about the scientist's babble and shifted his attention to the other gains from this operation.
Bartholomew Kuma had been modified to the point of losing his mind, but since Vegapunk still had his memories, he could repair him for future use.
Stussy had those alluring blue eyes, and she seemed ready to throw herself at him.
She couldn't help it. After watching Caelan's performance throughout, she was utterly enthralled. This was a man worth her devotion.
Caelan glanced past Stussy and looked away.
There were also the seven Seraphim, each inheriting the extraordinary potential of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the blood of the Lunarian race. They could be developed to vice-emperor level.
If needed, Vegapunk could mass-produce an army of Seraphim.
Once the world was unified, assigning a Seraphim to each nation would ensure peace.
Also, S-Snake was so adorable.
With long white hair cascading down her back and skin as pale as snow, she looked pure and innocent in her white dress. It stirred one's protective instincts.
She looked just like a miniature version of Hancock.
But compared to Hancock's fiery and commanding presence, she looked purer and more arrogant. That only made her even more adorable.
Caelan looked at S-Snake and nodded slightly, deciding that future Seraphim would follow her template.
Cute and powerful. A legion of them would be ideal.
However, one must be careful. When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes back at you.
S-Snake stuck out her pink tongue and licked her lips. The stars in her eyes sparkled brightly.
With Hancock's genes in her, she fell in love with Caelan at first sight. He was the man she wanted to conquer.
Oh, the way he made the giant Joy Boy submit was so manly.
Oh, the way he killed a Celestial Dragon with one strike was so domineering.
So handsome. Lord Caelan!
So strong. Lord Caelan!
I can't take it anymore.
S-Snake could no longer suppress the impulse in her heart. She charged at Caelan and dove into his arms.
(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.)