Gladius screamed in pain. The scene in front of them shocked every member of the Don Quixote family present, who now looked at Alastor with a newfound fear in their eyes.
After all, Pica was one of the top cadres, and he was the first to react. He immediately apologized to Alastor, saying, "Gladius was truly disrespectful to you, Alastor. He deserved it. Someone, carry Gladius out!"
Pica wanted to say more, but Alastor, uninterested in his sharp, grating voice, picked up the box containing the Smile Fruit on the table and walked away.
"I'm taking this," he said, swaggering off.
Pica's face darkened as he took a few deep breaths, suppressing his anger. He turned to Viola and asked, "Did you see anything with your ability just now?"
Viola had expected the tension between Alastor and Gladius to escalate, but she hadn't anticipated it would end so quickly. Without time to use her fruit ability, she made an excuse, saying, "That man's arrogance is overwhelming. I can't see through him."
No matter the fruit ability, it can be hindered by one's domineering presence. For example, Trafalgar Law's Ope ope no mi fruit in the original story couldn't affect Kaido or Big Mom because of the disparity in strength.
Hearing this, Pica's fear of Alastor grew. His body was resilient enough to withstand Gladius' explosion, and his aura strong enough to block Viola's Staring Fruit ability. That guy was indeed formidable; no wonder he was so arrogant.
With a sullen expression, Pica left, ready to report to Doflamingo. Viola also intended to follow but noticed something in her vision and stopped in surprise. Alastor hadn't left Dressrosa after all; instead, he had gone to the town below for amusement.
Pica reported to Doflamingo that Alastor had broken one of Gladius' hands.
"That guy's body is unusually strong; he's unaffected by explosions. He might have an ancient Zoan-type ability," Pica remarked.
Doflamingo wasn't overly surprised. Virgo had previously mentioned Alastor's impressive physical durability. And considering their alliance with the Beasts Pirates, it wasn't shocking to see yet another formidable animal-type ability user.
With a wicked smile, Doflamingo said, "The strong are always arrogant, especially the young ones. Isn't that beneficial to us? The stronger the Beast Pirates grow, the closer we get to destroying this dull world!"
Ever since his father renounced their celestial dragon lineage, Doflamingo, who had returned to Mary Geoise only to be cast out, harbored a deep-seated hatred for the world under the celestial dragon's rule. Born with a dark nature, he had killed his father and younger brother with his own hands.
Doflamingo, a lover of chaos, symbolized madness and destruction. Though he aspired to raze the world, his strength alone wasn't enough. That's why he allied with Kaido of the Beasts.
Doflamingo ordered, "Let that man do as he pleases. No one in the family is to provoke him."
Reluctantly, Pica acknowledged Doflamingo's orders and quickly disseminated them.
Meanwhile, Alastor strolled into the vibrant streets of Dressrosa, taking in this land of passion and fairy tales with interest. The tropical climate made the weather hot, and girls dressed lightly and were open about romance.
As he walked, several pretty girls flirted with him, blowing kisses his way.
Being this handsome had its own set of challenges. Alastor briefly considered wearing a mask to avoid attention in the future.
The so-called "fairies" here were the small folk, known for their speed and stealth, who often went unseen by ordinary people.
One trait of the small folk was their simplicity and willingness to trust others. Doflamingo had imprisoned their princess, Mansherry, and tricked them into thinking that by working hard, they could rescue her. This ruse provided him with ample free labor.
However, as Alastor looked around, he noticed only toy dolls and no small folk. These toys, originally humans, had been transformed by Sugar's hobi hobi no mi Fruit ability. Those who became toys were forgotten by everyone and forced to return to the factory as slaves at night.
Thus, while Dressrosa's citizens appeared happier than those of Wano, their hidden darkness ran deeper. This was the grim reality for the weak—the unchanging law of the jungle in this world.
The more Alastor learned about this sea and the Pirate World, the stronger his determination grew.
"Hey, that's… the arena," he murmured, looking at a vast circular building with seastone fences and a single gate. It resembled a large prison rather than an arena.
Alastor had little interest in the arena, which served as entertainment for the masses. Besides, it didn't house strong opponents to boost his defense, nor did it offer rare rewards like the Flame-Flame Fruit from two years later in the original story.
As he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of a young girl holding a long sword.
The girl had long pink hair and a slender frame, wearing only a few pieces of golden armor that revealed her fair skin.
Such a slight girl, standing out in an arena filled with warriors, was quite a spectacle.
"It's the fantasy princess Rebecca—she made it out of the corridos arena alive again! She's quite lucky."
"It's not just luck. She has the title of the Undefeated Daughter, so she has some skill."
"Hmph, 'Undefeated Daughter'—she's just lucky! Look at that outfit. She's tarnished the former Riku royal family's reputation!"
"Don't say that. Wearing that and fighting like that… her form, her stance… it's one of the most beautiful sights in the arena!"
When Rebecca, only fourteen years old, heard the mocking voices, she immediately felt a wave of shame and indignation. Tears welled up in her big eyes.
But she held them back, refusing to cry. She bit her lip, her expression stubborn, and trotted away from the crowd.
Behind her, the sounds of ridicule echoed.
Rebecca ran with all her strength, putting distance between herself and the jeers, finally stopping in an empty corner. She squatted down, hugged her knees, and silently cried.
As she wept, she pulled her cloak tightly around her, trying to cover herself and hide from the world.
Suddenly, a warm coat was draped over her shoulders.
"Thank you..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Rebecca tensed up. She grabbed the sword beside her, looked up, and demanded, "Who's there?"
A blurry shadow appeared in her tear-streaked vision. Rebecca quickly wiped her eyes and finally saw him clearly.
It was a tall, handsome young man, watching her with an expression that made her feel a bit uneasy.
"Who are you?" Rebecca asked, mustering her courage.
The young man replied calmly, "I'm Alastor of the Beasts Pirates."
Rebecca's face paled.
The Beasts Pirates—the most feared crew under one of the Four Emperors in the New World. Even Doflamingo was wary of their backing!
Her father and Mr. Soldier, had told her about them. Mr. Soldier—Rebecca's father, Kyrus—had been forgotten by her due to his transformation into a toy soldier.
"Why are you here…?"
Rebecca's voice trembled, overwhelmed by shock and fear.
"Don't be afraid," Alastor said gently. "Although we may be on opposing sides, I won't hurt you."
Rebecca bit her lip, and her nervousness gradually subsided. For some reason, she felt that this man's words held no malice.
Maybe it was his aura that put her at ease, or perhaps the warmth of his coat comforted her.
But Rebecca still watched him warily.
Alastor, undeterred, continued speaking:
"Happy people might not be truly happy, but those who suffer truly know misfortune. In this age of pirates, there are too many fallen princesses like you."
Rebecca looked at him, confused by his words.
"And all tragedy stems from the lack of strength, from personal weakness. Fate always lies in the hands of the powerful, isn't that right, Princess Viola?"
At that moment, Rebecca's eyes widened. Viola was her aunt, her mother's sister!
And, not far behind the wall, Viola's heart raced as she hid in shock, her face pale.
She had been following Alastor ever since she noticed he hadn't left Dressrosa and was wandering around. Out of curiosity—and concern for Rebecca—she'd gotten closer to him, ultimately revealing her presence.
In truth, Alastor had sensed her the moment she used her Staring Fruit ability to observe him, picking up on her presence with his keen sense of dominance.
Realizing she couldn't abandon Rebecca, Viola stepped out from behind the wall, her brown eyes fixed on Alastor as her lips parted to speak:
"What…what do you want?"
Viola was tense. Knowing this man had broken Gladius' arm, she understood he was far from merciful.
Considering her impression of the Beasts Pirates as ruthless and violent, she grew more concerned that Alastor would harm her and Rebecca.
"Don't look so nervous. I'm not here to eat you," Alastor said coolly, observing Viola.
She wore a purple dress that cascaded down in layers like a blooming flower. Her waist was tightly cinched, showing off her graceful figure.
Her full lips were striking, and if not for her tragic experiences, she would have been a passionate, lively woman—the ideal image of Dressrosa's women.
"How can I trust you? You're a fighter from the Beasts Pirates, and you've made a shady deal with Doflamingo!" Viola retorted, tension evident in her voice. She cautiously moved in front of Rebecca, shielding her.
Although Viola had never directly interacted with Rebecca, she had always protected her from behind the scenes.
"Aunt!"
Rebecca was overwhelmed with emotion at seeing her long-lost relative; tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"Rebecca, now isn't the time to reminisce. This man is very dangerous!" Viola warned.
"Yes!" Rebecca nodded firmly, wiping away her tears. She had lost her parents young and grown self-reliant, much more mature than others her age.
Alastor watched the touching reunion between aunt and niece with mild interest.
Despite being related by blood, the two women were distinctly different. One had a delicate beauty, while the other exuded a sultry allure—they were like two unique flowers.
But no matter how beautiful a flower, without the strength to protect itself, it remains vulnerable to the powerful.
Alastor stated, "You don't have to trust me. Just understand that, right now, your lives and futures are in my hands."
Although Viola held a position as a cadre within the Don Quixote family, no one—Doflamingo, Pica, or the others—truly trusted her. They kept her around solely to make use of her Staring Fruit ability.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Viola knew this well.
She had no doubt that if the man in front of her spoke, Doflamingo would kill her without hesitation to maintain his relationship with the Beasts, including Rebecca.
It was a blatant threat.
Viola clenched her fists, her face growing even paler. She spoke in a trembling voice, "What... what do you want? We have nothing left. There's nothing of value to you."
"No," Alastor said, smiling and shaking his head. "You are still very useful to me."
Viola bit her lower lip in frustration, her silver teeth glinting as she asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Alastor's voice was calm. "It's simple. I need you to continue infiltrating the Don Quixote family and use your ability to find a samurai. If you discover one, report to me immediately."
Such a simple request surprised Viola. What shocked her even more was what the man said next.
"Of course, I won't ask you to do this for nothing. I will protect both you and Rebecca. Even Doflamingo won't be able to harm you easily. In fact, one day, you might even become the princess of Dressrosa again."
Viola couldn't believe her ears. She had thought the man before her was cruel and frightening, but the request he made didn't feel like a threat—it seemed more like help.
Yes, in Viola's mind, Alastor was helping them.
All he wanted her to do was find the samurai and offer her and Rebecca protection.
The protection of the Hundred Beasts was incredibly valuable. From Pika's reaction, it was clear that no one in the Don Quixote family dared to offend Alastor. Even Doflamingo had given an order to respect him.
But why was the man before her doing this?
Viola had been able to remain undercover in the Don Quixote family for so long. She wasn't foolish—quite the opposite. She quickly realized that Alastor's final words, about her becoming the princess of Dressrosa again, hinted at something much bigger.
Dressrosa was under Doflamingo's control. Could it be...?
Viola came to a shocking conclusion.
The man named Alastor had murderous intentions toward Doflamingo!
She was stunned, unable to believe her own thoughts.
But this was the only explanation that made sense of Alastor's actions.
Stammering, she asked, "You... you want to kill Doflamingo?"
Alastor's eyes glimmered, slightly impressed by her quick wit. But he neither confirmed nor denied her words—he merely smiled.
"So, do you agree to my terms?"
Viola's beautiful eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. How could she not agree? This offer was too valuable to refuse.
Yet, she still couldn't understand why Alastor wanted to kill Doflamingo. Wasn't the Hundred Beasts working with the Don Quixote family?
Viola wisely didn't ask, though. Regardless of the reasoning, the outcome was exactly what she had hoped for. It was as though fate itself had intervened.
Doflamingo was Viola's greatest enemy. Despite her wariness toward Alastor, the opportunity for revenge that she had longed for had finally appeared. How could she not seize it?
Viola decisively agreed. "I understand. I will work for you from now on."
Alastor nodded in satisfaction. "Very good."
With Viola planted in Dressrosa, his mission here had been accomplished.
And Viola's ability to track targets should prove useful for locating Kin'emon, Momonosuke, and the others in the future.
Although Rebecca was still young, she understood that Alastor, the man who had draped his coat over her, was here to help them. They finally had a chance to avenge Doflamingo!
Rebecca was even more excited than when she saw Viola. She rushed to Alastor, raising her head to ask, "My lord, are you really going to kill Doflamingo?"
Alastor gently ruffled Rebecca's pink hair, responding lightly, "This isn't about gratuitous help. I only act according to my own principles."
Rebecca's face flushed with determination, and she shouted, "No matter what, as long as you kill Doflamingo, you will be my benefactor!"
The young girl's hatred had festered deep within her ever since her mother's death. She had endured years of discrimination, ridicule, and hunger, fighting in the arena, all for the chance to avenge her mother.
Alastor smiled and patted her thin shoulder. He then handed Viola a confidential den den mushi.
"Contact me through this. Until next time."
Alastor left, under the watchful, conflicted gaze of Viola, and Rebecca's eyes filled with gratitude and hope.
Rebecca looked at Viola, a happy expression on her face. "Auntie, I think Lord Alastor is a good person."
A good person?
Viola looked at the coat that Rebecca was still wearing. Alastor was indeed different—he didn't carry the same brutal aura as the Beasts Pirates. But he was certainly not a "good" person in the conventional sense.
In fact, he was likely far more terrifying than Doflamingo.
Working under a man like him, would she and Rebecca truly be safe? And what would become of Dressrosa's future?
Viola's heart was full of uncertainty.
Alastor's favor toward Viola and Rebecca stemmed from two key factors: on one hand, he needed to use Viola's "Staring Fruit" ability, and on the other, he was setting the groundwork to control Dressrosa in the future.
Doflamingo, as both a Shichibukai and a Celestial Dragon, wielded significant power. If he were to die, it would create shockwaves throughout the world, and the navy would certainly take notice.
Alastor, as a member of the Beasts Pirates, could not remain hidden forever. His influence within the Beasts would only grow, and with his involvement in killing vice admiral Guleta from the G5 branch, he was likely becoming well-known within the navy.
This made it difficult for him to control Dressrosa openly. He wasn't a Shichibukai, and without an official title, the navy would never let Dressrosa, a government-controlled territory, fall into his hands.
Of course, Alastor could seek Kaido's help, using the Beasts' prestige to oppose the navy. But Kaido would probably refuse to allow Alastor to kill Doflamingo, given the latter's crucial role as a dark broker in the world.
This was why, in the original story, Kaido reacted so strongly when Doflamingo was defeated by Luffy—sending Drought Jack to hijack a warship escorting the Warlord.
Alastor's plan would incite fear in the navy and the World Government, and Kaido would likely withhold support. Securing control over a territory wouldn't be easy.
Thus, Alastor needed to plan carefully.
His strategy was to use Viola's royal bloodline. After the Don Quixote family was destroyed, Viola would return to her rightful place as the queen of Dressrosa, while Alastor would pull the strings behind the scenes.
This way, the navy would have no reason to intervene in Dressrosa's affairs, and Alastor wouldn't need to ask Kaido for help.
It could be described as the best of both worlds.
However, while the plan was sound, the most important factor was that Alastor needed enough strength.
Only with strength could expectations turn into reality.
Alastor never slacked off in his training. Even on his way back to Wano Country, he frequently ventured out to sea to fight Sea Kings.
When he arrived at the port of Wano Country, his defense had successfully increased to 1,200 points.
"Lord Alastor!"
On the shore, Speed, Billy, and other subordinates came to greet him.
Then, there were a few heavy footsteps, and a large figure approached—Drought Jack himself.
All the pirates bowed in fear, "Master Jack!"
Jack ignored everyone, his gaze fixed solely on Alastor. He suddenly extended a massive hand to pat Alastor's shoulder and said:
"Alastor, you did a great job this time. You've caught that adult's attention."
The only person Jack would refer to as "that adult" was Kaido, the Governor of the Beasts.
Upon hearing Jack's words, Speed, Billy, and the others gasped. Did Master Alastor really attract Kaido's attention?
Alastor smiled slightly and replied, "I did gain quite a bit during this trip, and I also brought back the Smile Fruit."
He handed the box containing the Smile Fruit to Jack, having lost all interest in such things.
Jack took the box with one hand, but the other hand that had patted Alastor's shoulder suddenly felt a bit strange, as if he were not patting a human's shoulder, but rather hard steel.
"Alastor, your body is incredibly tough!"
Drought Jack, who rarely praised anyone, offered a rare compliment.
Alastor replied modestly, "This level is far from Master Jack's strength."
This was neither a lie nor flattery.
Alastor had checked with his system and found that Jack's physical defense was as high as 10,000 points. No wonder he could take such a beating. His title as "the Beaten King" was well-earned.
Alastor surmised that Jack's defense was so high not only because of his Ancient Mammoth Fruit but also due to his merman physiology. A merman's body was naturally tougher than that of a human.
The two of them returned to Kuri together.
That night, a grand banquet was held, and they didn't return home until they were thoroughly drunk.
The next day, Jack called Alastor to watch the waiters eat artificial Devil Fruits.
The Hundred Beasts group had more than 30,000 members, but only a few hundred of them were Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, referred to as "Gifters."
The rest of the members had the potential to become devil fruit users, but they were known as "Waiters."
Dozens of waiters cheerfully took out the strangely shaped, man-made Devil Fruits from boxes and swallowed them in one go.
Soon, some began to scream in pain, followed by laughter, clearly having failed to acquire a power and becoming a source of amusement.
Only about ten people managed to succeed.
The success rate was disappointing.
Jack had those who successfully acquired an animal-based ability join the Gifters Legion, making them the main fighting force of the Hundred Beasts.
As for the others who failed, Jack considered them worthless and had them thrown out, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Alastor suggested, "It would be better to lock these people up, so they don't cause trouble. And as for the Smile Fruit scraps, collect them and don't let them scatter."
Jack didn't take the suggestion seriously but didn't refuse.
Alastor was now his most trusted subordinate, and having caught the attention of Kaido, it was only a matter of time before Alastor would join the Agents and enter the core of the Hundred Beasts group. Jack had to listen to Alastor's opinions.
Alastor did his part, ordering the minions present to take action.
Since he had decided to change the status quo of Wano Country, it was crucial that the environment be kept free of Smile Fruit debris.
After everything was handled, Jack spoke in a low voice:
"Alastor, have you decided which of the Agents you'll challenge?"
Currently, only five members made up the Flying Six: Page One, Black Maria, Sasaki, Ulti, and Who's-Who.
Many of the true fighters in the Hundred Beasts were envious of the vacant spot, but Alastor was the only one who had been given the opportunity to challenge one of the Agents.
This was a rare opportunity and one that had to be seized.
Alastor didn't think too much about it and replied, "I'll challenge Page One."
Page One was the youngest of the Agents, two years younger than Alastor, and was considered the weakest among them.
Alastor was fairly confident in his chances against Page One.
Jack agreed. "That brat, Page One. If he hadn't stolen the Ancient Zoan Ryu Ryu no mi Fruit, he wouldn't have been able to take the position of Agents. His strength is average in my opinion."
Alastor smiled and said, "After all, he's an Ancient Zoan devil fruit user with incredible defense and recovery power. I can't afford to underestimate him."
With that, the decision was made.
Jack informed Kaido about the challenge and summoned Alastor and the core fighters of the Beasts in Kaido's name.
The challenge was set to take place at the Onigashima Island training ground.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
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