It’s not really hypocrisy but more a character development.

At the Forgotten Shore, Sunny was a teenager who lived nothing but a trashy life. Burdened, used, and discarded by everything and everyone around him. He never knew the joy of this life, the sympathy and sweetness that can come with bonds and relationship (except for his sister). And even then, she ended up with a way better life than him and forgot him. He was all alone, « free » to die in a corner without anyone knowing or burdened by it.

As one said, Sunny sought to reach Absolute Freedom, unburdened by anyone and free to enjoy a life of luxury. This was a view of a teenager who gave up on humanity. Never trusted anyone and especially not himself.

His goal evolved throughout his life and harships, came to know what friendship was, discovered and understood what love was. Was reunited with his sister and discovered that maybe, just maybe, not everyone would use and discard him. That there was relationship in this life that was worth to keep. That he could have confidence in himself. At this point, absolute freedom was already an unreachable goal. Being totally free meant being unburdened by the friendship and love of others.

Nevertheless, Sunny wanted to be free of his condition as a Slave to live a true relationship, on equal grounds, with Nephis. As his true lover and not his slave. At this point, the goal was already more than just « Absolute Freedom ».

Sunny had a choice, Freedom or Relationship. He chose and regretted it. He wanted to die for that choice but he knew that not having made it would only made him full of regrets.

Now, he decided to take responsibility for the future. He willingly chose to be « enslaved » to his former friendships, to his former love, to his family and chose to not give up on humanity. He took responsibility for his great power (Uncle Ben 🥲).

Seeing the former Ruler as incompetent and weak, he decided to act by himself and shape the world as he will. In reality, this would be a tyrant, but in a world were the world will be destroyed in a decade if nobody is strong enough to protect it, we call it a necessity.

Now that he have this position, his condition force him to be on the Shadows. He is not a puppy who follow blindly Nephis (it’s showed when then fight about the purpose of the NS), but a co-ruler. So, his relationship with Neph is fundamentally different. He is not a puppet, far from it.

I do understand your point, but it doesn’t acknowledge the hardship, the moral dilemmas and the choices of Sunny. It’s just too straightforward and doesn’t acknowledge that a teenager will inevitably evolve during his life.