Once the Conqueror's Haki that had been sealed in the ancient robot Emet's knot for eight hundred years was released, it erupted with a power that shook the world.
The battlefield of yellow sand was filled with dust stirred up by the tangible Haki, and terrifying black and red lightning lit up the entire sky.
Nearly a million bones scattered across the battlefield began to tremble slightly. Countless hollow skulls all turned to look toward the ancient robot.
Whether they were real corpses roaming the sea or skeletal projections created to fight for Garling after defeat, none of them had ever encountered such terrifying Haki.
If they were not essentially magical projections, they likely would not have been able to withstand such oppressive tyranny.
As Garling was completely suppressed, unable to resist, Kizaru, Stussy, and the others were also shaken by this overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.
As for Seraphim, Sentomaru, Vegapunk, and the rest, their condition was even worse. They were nearly crushed to the ground.
"What's going on with this Conqueror's Haki?"
Vegapunk was pinned to the ground, staring in shock at the ancient robot.
"That robot was Joy Boy's companion eight hundred years ago. Could this Conqueror's Haki have been passed down from that time?"
"Is it even possible to seal Conqueror's Haki? How strong must one's Haki be to endure for eight hundred years without fading? Or was Joy Boy's Haki simply so powerful that time had no effect on it?"
His doubts extended not only to the fact that the ancient robot was releasing Haki, but also to how Caelan had known about the existence of this Haki.
He had researched the ancient robot for many years, yet never discovered that such a formidable Haki was sealed within it.
In an instant, Vegapunk's brilliant mind churned with countless questions.
Unfortunately, he didn't have time to ask Caelan, the only one unaffected, before he fainted from the impact.
For a scientist with no combat strength, it was simply impossible to endure such intense Haki.
Kizaru narrowed his eyes and lay flat on the ground in an uncharacteristically pitiful manner.
Yes, as an admiral, he had actually been overwhelmed by Haki. He had never considered such a possibility before today.
Even that red-haired, known for his domineering spirit, couldn't achieve this level.
He couldn't help but glance at Caelan, the only one still standing. Amidst the surging Haki, Caelan's figure stood tall like a mountain, completely unmoved.
As expected, the monster who surpassed even admirals couldn't be brought down by a mere burst of Haki.
"This is Joy Boy's Haki, the pinnacle of Conqueror's Haki."
Caelan closed his eyes, calmly feeling the waves of Haki wash over him.
The aura that terrified Garling and left Kizaru sprawled on the ground felt no different than a breeze to him.
In terms of combat strength, he had already surpassed every pirate, past and present. His Conqueror's Haki was only one step from reaching its peak. Naturally, he wouldn't be shaken by a sealed Haki from eight centuries ago.
In fact, this high-level Haki was like a teacher, guiding him in the mysteries of peak Conqueror's Haki.
His original plan to use this Haki to kill Garling was no longer necessary.
Soon, very soon, before the Haki stored in the knot had fully dissipated, his own Haki would break through to the next level.
Sorry, ancient robot.
Since you've used the gift Joy Boy left you, I'll summon Joy Boy to meet you soon.
Judging from Nika Luffy's current condition, Joy Boy's spirit shouldn't have completely disappeared, even after eight hundred years.
By then, not only would his Haki reach its peak, but he would also gain two more powerful fighters.
Even if Joy Boy's soul had completely perished, it didn't matter. Nika Luffy was still in his hands, and the ancient robot could still be collected.
Looks like everything is proceeding as planned.
Caelan noticed the ancient robot trembling slightly and thought silently.
At this moment, Garling lay quietly on the ground, trying his best to lower his presence.
Joy Boy's Haki had rendered him completely unable to resist. Even the immortal power granted to him by Imu was temporarily sealed.
If Caelan struck now, he could kill him without needing the God Slayer Spear.
If he had to die, he'd rather it be later.
Maybe once this inexplicable Haki faded, Caelan would regret the price he paid to use the God Slayer Spear and decide to spare him?
"I'm sorry, Joy Boy!"
A thunderous roar suddenly echoed across the battlefield, drawing the attention of Kizaru and Garling, who were still conscious.
The ancient robot, with a missing horn on its head, awakened. Its body, towering over a hundred meters tall, slowly rose in the desert battlefield.
Whether because this Haki was left behind by Joy Boy, or because it was a robot, Emet wasn't affected by the Haki.
The Conqueror's Haki that had been preserved for eight centuries had been forcefully released by Caelan, and the robot could feel Joy Boy's aura from eight hundred years ago.
At this moment, Emet awakened.
When it first woke, it was confused, thinking the Haki had been released by the new Nika.
But after sensing its surroundings, it didn't feel Joy Boy's presence anywhere. It looked around in confusion.
There was no Nika, no sound of the Drums of Liberation.
It stood in the middle of a yellow sand battlefield, surrounded by countless bones and several powerful humans. There were two broken knots on its body, remnants of the final gift Joy Boy had left for it.
Now, Joy Boy's Haki was leaking from the knot, growing weaker by the second.
"Ah?! Who destroyed Joy Boy's gift? Who!"
Emet's face twisted with fury.
Who untied the knot? Not only waking it up at the wrong time, but also destroying the last gift left by Joy Boy!
Kizaru gasped, shocked by the sudden awakening of the ancient robot.
He had seen it many times before while guarding Vegapunk at Egghead, and had always assumed it was broken.
He never expected it to suddenly come back to life.
From its height of over a hundred meters and the armor on its body, it was easily at the level of an admiral.
"Is that the robot that attacked Mariejois two hundred years ago? It's still alive!"
As the leader of the Knights of God, Garling knew more details.
Two centuries ago, this steel giant once stormed Mariejois, inflicting massive losses on the Celestial Dragons.
During that incident, even under the combined attacks of several powerful individuals, it sustained no major injuries. It only stopped because it ran out of energy.
It could be considered a terrifying ancient weapon.
But according to the records, it was supposed to have been destroyed by Saturn.
Damn it, what exactly did Saturn do?
Garling cursed silently, and suddenly an idea came to him.
This robot was clearly enraged by the release of that powerful Haki and might be directed to attack Caelan.
That could give him a chance to survive.
As the Haki released from the knot gradually weakened, Garling pointed at Caelan and shouted at the ancient robot, "Mighty Iron Giant, it was that man still standing who attacked you and unleashed that Haki!"
(To be continued.)
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