Seizing a godhead, as the name suggests, means taking it from a previous god. Gaining a godhead this way requires killing a god—and being ready to endure the pursuit of all gods. They would never tolerate a human doing such a thing. There is, of course, another path: to comprehend an entirely new domain that has never existed in this world. But that is even harder. The number of gods in existence is beyond counting. Most may not even reach Third‑tier, but they are still gods. And the domains one grasps through self‑enlightenment are not necessarily powerful—most are likely weak. Even then, the gods might not tolerate it. Humans must not aspire to godhood; even peeking toward that realm is blasphemy.
In the Saint Seiya world, the line between gods and humans is stark.
The ancient method of godhead seizure appears in old texts only in scattered, fragmentary hints. Understandably so. This is a power that could instantly raise a Seventh Sense Saint to Third‑tier god level. After awakening the Eighth Sense, they could even fight ordinary Second‑tier gods. How could the lofty gods allow something that might threaten their status to remain known?
What is known is that seizing a godhead is a highly complex process.
But that only applies to ordinary people. Meruem did not belong in that category. His "Gluttony" could even digest souls.
Still, now was not the time to kill Poseidon. It was unclear whether Heaven's gods would detect such an act.
His current strength already surpassed that of those main gods. There was no need to risk exposing himself for the sake of one godhead.
At least, not before Hades was dealt with.
"What? Make Kanon the Pope? Absolutely not. That brat's temperament is completely unstable. Always grinning and horsing around—over my dead body," Saga objected flatly in the council chamber of the Pope's Palace, as the latest Twelve Gold Conference descended into heated debate.
With the sea war over, Kanon had returned to the Sanctuary after completing his undercover mission in the sea realm. The first thing Meruem did was publicly reveal Kanon's identity and nominate him as the Pope's successor. The reason was that the current Pope, Shion, was too old and needed a young and vigorous heir to take his place.
The others were mostly fine with it. Most of the Gold Saints had last seen Kanon more than ten years ago and still didn't know him well. But the fact that he had infiltrated the sea realm of a god as notorious as Poseidon and risen to a rank just below the Sea Emperor himself impressed them deeply.
They knew they couldn't have done that. In terms of fighting, they might be unmatched, but undercover work? Not a chance.
More importantly, Kanon was extremely powerful. Though still a step behind Saga and Shaka, his strength ranked in the top tier among the Gold Saints.
Strong, capable, and willing to endure humiliation for the Sanctuary and Athena—such a person commanded respect anywhere.
So most Gold Saints voiced no objection. Even Aiolos, who had known Kanon thirteen years prior, agreed once he heard the full story. Only one man—Gemini Saga—strongly opposed it.
What a joke. Kanon was his own little brother. Others might not know the guy, but he did. A heaven‑defying daredevil like Kanon was already doing well just by not causing chaos everywhere. Undercover? Saga did not buy it.
His biggest issue, though, was simpler: if his brother became Pope, Saga, as the older brother, would have to take orders from him. How humiliating would that be?
Even if the Twelve‑Gold Council had greatly weakened the Pope's authority, the Gold Saints were still nominally under the Pope's command.
As for Kanon's "unsuitable personality," that argument was nonsense. A man who had once stood as one of the Three Great Warriors of the sea realm, the most powerful Sea General under Poseidon, clearly knew how to lead. Compared to him, Sorrento, who spent all day by Poseidon's side, and Chrysaor, who avoided worldly affairs, had little to say.
Affairs large and small in the sea realm had basically been handled by Kanon.
Saga was right about one thing: Kanon truly did have nerves of steel.
But even his opposition was pointless. He was alone. The other eleven Gold Saints, plus Pope Shion, raised no objection. Naturally, the proposal passed smoothly.
Saga was left sulking.
Incidentally, Shion himself no longer wished to remain Pope. Frankly, he'd held the post for over two hundred years. He knew that in the coming Holy War he and Dohko would both take the field. Whether they survived was anyone's guess. It was time to give the younger generation a chance.
As for the excuse that he was "too old and lacked the energy" for the papacy—that was pure nonsense. After Meruem's Impure World Reincarnation and Samsara Rebirth, Shion's body was at its prime. If Dohko returned to youth and fought him, they'd be evenly matched.
After two centuries, their mastery of Cosmos had reached terrifying heights.
But for Saints, dying in battle for Athena was the proper end. To their comrades from two hundred years ago, these two had already stayed behind far too long.
"In that case, let Kanon prepare to assume the papal office," Meruem said at last, making the final decision.
The coronation ceremony was suitably grand. It was a major event for the Sanctuary. Nearly all the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Saints were present.
Under everyone's gaze, Kanon received the papal helm and crimson robe from Shion's hands.
Looking at the young Saint before him, even Shion couldn't help but sigh. The Sanctuary was stronger than ever. Even Poseidon, the Sanctuary's second greatest enemy, had been sealed with ease, and the cost had been effectively zero.
Such a thing had almost never happened in all previous Holy Wars.
There was still time before the Sanctuary's greatest foe, the Underworld, fully awakened. Shion believed the young Saints before him would surely protect Athena.
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