One Piece: Building the Roxas Empire

Two days later, in a quiet room deep in the temple, a ray of soft light quietly fell, illuminating Ganfor's face as he slowly opened his eyes.

He looked around. This unfamiliar environment was not the sacred temple he lived in before. Doubt and confusion welled up in his heart, and he murmured to himself, "Am I still alive?" The fragments of his memory gradually came together, and he recalled the thrilling scene - he resolutely activated the percussion shell, and not just once, but twice in a row, pouring all his strength into that shocking blow.

He tried to move his right arm gently, but a sharp pain came over him like a tide, as if every inch of his bones was telling a story of breaking and rebirth, causing him to gasp involuntarily. "Is this the price of that row of shells?" Ganfor thought to himself, with a look of awe for this power, mixed with a hint of reluctance and helplessness.

Just as he was immersed in self-reflection, a gentle but respectful voice broke the silence in the room: "Lord Ganfor, you finally woke up. You have been in a coma for two days." Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw a warrior dressed in divine weapon uniform, approaching with steady steps, his eyes full of concern.

Gan Fuer calmed down, looked at the divine soldier with deep eyes, and slowly asked: "I was unconscious for two days? So, what is the situation outside now?"

Upon hearing this, the divine soldier had a slightly complicated expression and replied in a low voice: "Yes, sir, during the two days of sleep, Lord Darius became our new god. I'm sorry, sir, we have all unanimously decided to submit to Lord Darius."

After hearing this, Ganfor felt mixed emotions. He knew that as the god of Sky Island, he could not protect Sky Island, and it was natural for him to be deprived of his position. Now thinking of Darius's terrifying power, he still felt scared.

"Oh, will you all submit to him? That's good too, at least we don't have to sacrifice fearlessly." Gan Fuer's eyes flashed with gloom when he heard this. He didn't want to blame his subordinates. It could be said that all this was caused by fate. The throne had been lost, and he was powerless to change it. He could only accept the reality and follow the will of heaven. However, after a moment of silence, he suddenly came back to his senses and asked anxiously: "What about Yijun? Is she okay?"

The divine soldier responded quickly, with a relieved tone: "Your Highness is safe and sound, and everything is fine. What's more gratifying is that Lord Darius has promised Your Highness that when they leave Arpaiado, he will return the throne to you."

"Return it to me?" Ganfor heard the words and smiled bitterly, feeling mixed emotions. Facing Darius, he felt powerless and insignificant. Even when he used what he thought was the most powerful repelling shell, he was unable to shake him at all. In the end, he was able to survive only with the help of his daughter's power.

The words of the divine soldier sounded again, conveying Darius's wishes: "Lord Darius said that when you regain consciousness, you will be invited to see him."

"I understand. I'll go right away." Ganfor agreed without hesitation. Being under someone else's roof, he had to bow his head and do things humbly. Moreover, this experience allowed him to witness the pinnacle of the world's power with his own eyes. The shock and fear he felt were beyond words. No, it could even be said that what he witnessed was just a drop of water in the vast ocean of power. Because of his insignificant strength, he was unable to see the full picture. This realization made Ganfor realize his own insignificance and inadequacy even more deeply.

Inside the solemn temple, Darius sat leisurely on the supreme throne. The saint Bai Yijun, who was once holy and noble, was now nestling gently in his arms. On both sides, two clever maids were gently massaging his shoulders and handing him delicious fruits from time to time. It seemed as if he had regarded this place as his own private territory, enjoying honor and comfort.

At this moment, Ganfor, the former guardian of Sky Island, dragged a hanging arm and staggered into the temple, his eyes were like torches, shooting directly at the lofty Darius and Bai Yijun who was safe in his arms. His eyes were intertwined with anger and helplessness, and finally turned into a heavy sigh: "My lord, how can I get you to show mercy and release my daughter?"

Darius heard this and raised a playful smile, as if he was enjoying a good show. "Oh, Ganfor, you are finally here. Don't put on that tragic expression. This seat will still be yours after I leave. I am just taking your place now. As for Bai Yijun, she chose to follow me completely of her own accord. You are so weak, what kind of protection can you give her?"

He paused, and his tone was a little more comforting: "Don't worry, I, Darius, am not a heartless person. I have promised Yijun that I will not hurt you. After I leave this place, Sky Island will continue to be governed by you. This is my promise to you."

Gan Fuer seemed to have lost all his strength when he heard this, and his tone was full of pleading: "Sir, my daughter is still young and ignorant. I beg you to show mercy and let her live!"

Darius gently patted Bai Yijun on the back, signaling her to speak. Bai Yijun raised his head, looked at his father firmly, and said word by word: "Father, please understand my decision. I have decided to follow Lord Darius to Qinghai, where there is a wider world waiting for me to explore. This is my choice, no one forced me."

Bai Yijun remembered that two days ago, she begged Darius to let her father go and was forced to devote herself to him. At first, Bai Yijun felt that this was an extremely shameful thing, because she was the saint of Sky Island and she had been indoctrinated to stay away from desires, stay away from love between men and women, and avoid having her holiness defiled.

But after she truly tasted the joy of love, she forgot all the doctrines and rules. In just two days, Bai Yijun tasted the forbidden fruit, and it was impossible for her to become the holy saint she used to be.

Gan Fuer felt heartbroken upon hearing this. He asked in disbelief, "Yijun, how could you be so easily convinced by him? Did he force you to say that?"

Bai Yijun shook his head, his eyes flashing with longing and determination for the future: "Father, no one forced me. This is a decision I made after careful consideration. Please believe me and respect my choice."

Darius's face darkened, and he retorted in a cold tone: "Even if I forced her, what could you do? Don't forget, your daughter risked her life to save your life. You should be content. Besides, going to Qinghai with me is also a great opportunity for her to broaden her horizons and gain knowledge. With your current weak body, can you really protect her? In the future, any pirate group will be enough to defeat the 'Divine Guard' you mentioned." Ganfor was speechless when he heard this.

At this time, Bai Yijun stepped forward and said to Gan Fule with a firm look in her eyes: "Father, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Lord Darius will treat me well." Every word of this was true, because thinking back to the two days she spent with Darius, she seemed to have stepped into a whole new world, experiencing unprecedented emotions and experiences, and developed an indescribable attachment to Darius.

Seeing this, Ganfor was extremely reluctant, but he could only accept the reality reluctantly. He pleaded earnestly: "Then, please be kind to my daughter."

Darius nodded slightly to indicate his agreement, and then turned his attention to the business. He took out a blueprint from his bosom, on which was drawn the outline of a strange fruit - that was exactly the Thunder Fruit he had been thinking about. Since he had accidentally come to the Sky Island, he had to find this devil fruit no matter what, even if the hope was slim, he was willing to give it a try. He announced solemnly: "Immediately notify the whole country, whoever finds this fruit must immediately hand it over, and he will be rewarded with 50 billion Ik."

"Could this be the legendary devil fruit?" Ganfor's eyes flashed with disbelief as he stared at the mysterious pattern that Darius slowly unfolded, his tone full of surprise and curiosity.

"Aha! It seems you have some knowledge!" Darius heard this, a smug smile appeared on his lips, and a cunning light flashed in his eyes: "You have been the God of Sky Island for so many years, have you seen a devil fruit?"

Ganfor nodded slightly after hearing this, his expression becoming serious, "Yes, I have heard a little about this. Because my partner, Pierre, is an extraordinary bird that accidentally ate the Ma-Ma fruit, and its form and abilities have undergone earth-shaking changes."

Darius did not continue to delve into this topic, but solemnly handed the blueprint in his hand to Ganfor, and said in a deep voice: "Ganfor, I hope you can start immediately, make multiple copies of this blueprint, and post it as a reward notice in every corner of the Island of Gods. At the same time, be sure to inform the whole country that if anyone finds or knows the whereabouts of this devil fruit, they must report it immediately. Anyone who dares to take the devil fruit privately will be executed immediately."

Ganfor took the blueprint. Although he was reluctant in his heart, he could only nod and agree on the surface. "I understand, Lord Darius. Although I know nothing about this fruit, I can feel its importance from your attitude. I will do my best to ensure that this bounty is quickly spread throughout the country without missing any corner."

Deep down in his heart, Ganfor knew that he was at the mercy of others. Darius's power was astonishing, and his beloved daughter seemed to be infatuated with Darius. He had no way to resist and could only silently carry out Darius's orders. He now only hoped that Darius' words were true, and as long as he met his conditions, he would be able to leave Sky Island honestly. Of course, it would be even better if he could let his daughter go.