Capítulo 13: CHAPTER 13
Alastor blushed slightly and said calmly, "Being alone now doesn't mean we'll be alone in the future."
Yamato rolled her eyes at him and snorted.
The second snail's transmission came through, showing Amigasa Village. Seeing the run-down state of the village and the thin, starving villagers, Yamato's appetite for roast suckling pig quickly faded. She said sympathetically, "These people... why are they so thin? Don't they have anything to eat?"
"Yes, but very little. They're mostly eating bran and greens—essentially, pig food."
"What! That despicable Orochi, that hateful man—he actually gives this to the people of Wano!"
Yamato became furious.
Alastor held her hand gently to calm her down and continued in a neutral tone, "Eating bran and greens isn't the worst of it. Many people starve to death outright. Those who don't starve and eat contaminated food suffer even worse."
"See that middle-aged man who keeps laughing? He ate contaminated food, and since then, he's been frozen with a permanent smile on his face. Even if his own child starves to death in front of him, he can only laugh."
Yamato's expression turned to shock, deeply moved by Alastor's words. She clenched her fists and said angrily, "This is the crime of Orochi and Kaido!"
"I don't deny that," Alastor replied calmly, his grip on her hand tightening slightly to prevent her from rushing off in anger.
"But is it only the fault of Orochi and Kaido? I don't think so."
Yamato looked at Alastor, puzzled. She had always believed Orochi and Kaido were solely responsible. Could others really be to blame as well?
"There are many responsible parties—Kozuki Sukiyaki, Kozuki Oden, the navy, the world government, even Pirate King Roger!"
"The tragedy of Wano is due to many factors. Even without Kaido, other ambitious pirates would likely have seized this land."
"The former shogun, Kozuki Sukiyaki, couldn't defend the country, and while Kozuki Oden had the strength, he was too naïve, easily swayed by Orochi's deceit."
"Wano's fall is, in a way, an inevitable result of the Great Pirate Era."
"What you're saying is so deep; I'm having trouble understanding it," Yamato said, blinking with innocent eyes.
"To put it simply," Alastor patiently explained, "Wano lacked the strength to defend itself. The Kozuki family failed to protect it—that's an undeniable fact."
"And as for your father, Kaido, though his rule over Wano is brutal, he also shields it from even worse threats in this era of pirates."
Wano, after all, is located in the New World, the endpoint of the Grand Line. Any pirate seeking to become the Pirate King and find the final island, Raftel, would inevitably set their sights on Wano.
With Kaido in place, no other pirates dare invade Wano, not even the World Government can enforce tribute here.
Alastor's words shattered Yamato's previous worldview, leaving her in deep thought.
Alastor saw her dazed expression and didn't disturb her further; he knew Yamato needed time to process everything.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice resolute, "Maybe you're right, but I still can't forgive Kaido and Orochi for their crimes. If Wano can't protect itself, then I will protect it!"
Alastor replied seriously, "How do you plan to protect it? By defeating Kaido? Be honest with yourself, Yamato. You are indeed strong, but Kaido stands at the peak of this world, with unimaginable power. You won't be able to defeat him alone."
What is this "power beyond imagination"? Is it Whitebeard's ability to destroy the world with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit? Or Garp's iron fists that drove the Pirate King, Roger, to the brink several times?
No, it's none of those. It's the Sun God, the Nika Fruit, Joyboy—Destiny's Child!
Alastor, however, is someone who doesn't believe in fate, so he won't allow a "child of destiny" to come to Wano a few years from now and destroy everything he's built.
He can't let Yamato put her hopes in anyone else.
"I have a different solution, one that can save Wano without defeating Kaido."
Yamato knew how difficult it would be to defeat her father, Kaido. Hearing Alastor's words, her eyes lit up, and she asked eagerly, "What is it?"
"It's simple. The solution is for you, Yamato, to become the Shogun of Wano!"
"What?"
Yamato's eyes widened.
"Does that sound familiar?" Alastor smiled slightly. "Your old man, Kaido, must have told you the same thing."
Yamato's expression turned wry. "How do you know?"
Alastor just smiled.
Although Kaido and Orochi Kurozumi appear to have a good relationship, Kaido never truly respected him. Kaido has long wanted his daughter, Yamato, to become Wano's Shogun. However, their relationship is so strained that they practically fight on sight, and Yamato never listens to Kaido.
Thus, after all these years, Kaido's plan remains unfulfilled, allowing Orochi to comfortably hold onto his position as Shogun.
"How can I be the Shogun of Wano? It doesn't seem appropriate or reasonable," Yamato said, shaking her head vigorously.
"Don't you want to save the people of Wano?"
"What does saving the people have to do with being Shogun?"
"It has everything to do with it! Only by becoming Shogun can you change the environment of Wano and improve the people's lives. Don't you understand that simple truth, Yamato?"
"I…"
Yamato fell silent, at a loss for words.
She felt conflicted about becoming Wano's Shogun. In her mind, only a member of the Kozuki clan should hold that title. How could she, an outsider, take it?
Still, Alastor's argument made sense.
Feeling dizzy and overwhelmed, Yamato shook her head vigorously, her white hair brushing against Alastor's face as she exclaimed, "I don't want to think about it—I want to eat!"
And so, she buried her head in her meal.
As Alastor watched Yamato devour her food, a stray grain of rice fell into her neckline. Alastor's gaze followed, and he nearly couldn't tear his eyes away.
Cough. "Yamato, I hope you'll think about what I said tonight. I'll be at sea for a while, and if possible, I'll send you images of the outside world. You can also reach me on the transponder snail."
Yamato swallowed the food in her mouth and looked up with envy in her eyes. "You're going to sea? I'm so jealous! I want to see the outside world too!"
Alastor couldn't resist reaching out to touch the red dragon horn on Yamato's head. "Sooner or later, you'll have your chance."
Yamato shook her head in dissatisfaction. "You'd better be careful. From Oden's journal, I know there are many powerful people out there!"
Alastor smiled and waved it off. "Don't worry, don't underestimate me, Yamato."
As he disappeared into the shadows, Alastor thought about his plans. It wasn't that he didn't want to train with Yamato. But given his current position, he couldn't just move around Oni Island freely, and if he visited too often, people might start noticing his connection with Yamato. That would be risky.
Besides, simply taking hits would only improve his defense, essentially just making him a "tank." Alastor also needed to enhance his offensive skills and learn new techniques, and for that, he needed to explore the wider world. Becoming the strongest isn't just about enduring blows—it requires skill and experience.
Yamato watched him disappear, her gaze lingering before she slowly turned away. She might not have even realized it, but over time, she had come to trust Alastor deeply, even feeling a small sense of attachment—like he was her closest person.
---
Back in Bakura Town, Alastor handed over management to Speed, with Billy assisting.
"Where is Master Alastor going?" Speed asked, surprised to see Alastor with a packed bag.
"I'm heading to sea for training," Alastor replied. "In the pirate world, how can one become truly strong without experiencing the sea?"
Speed looked at him with admiration but then asked, a bit concerned, "Master Alastor, are you planning to go alone? Won't you need anyone to accompany you?"
Alastor shook his head. He'd learned a lot about navigation over the past three years, and most islands in the New World had corresponding log poses provided by the Beasts Pirates. Going alone, he didn't have to worry about getting lost.
But his real reason for wanting to travel solo was to avoid drawing attention. He had no reputation in the New World yet, meaning he could act freely, engaging in looting, hunting, fighting, and feasting—unrestricted by the presence of subordinates. He didn't want anyone to hold him back, except maybe Yamato.
Of course, Alastor also took precautions. Handing Speed a transponder snail and a life card, he said, "If my life card shows any trouble, call me first. If I don't respond, inform Master Jack."
Given Jack's regard for Alastor as a close ally, he would surely come to his aid if Alastor were in danger.
With Yamato's transponder snail as an extra measure, Alastor felt prepared. After resting and making his final preparations, he set sail from Wano's port.
---
The New World was ruled by the Four Emperors, and most pirates seeking survival in this part of the ocean allied themselves with one of them. Whitebeard, known as the world's strongest man, held the largest territory, with the most pirate groups under his protection. This power would later enable his crew to face the entire Navy.
But this was the New World—a place filled with powerful fighters and ruthless pirates. Not all pirates were content with subordination; some sought to overthrow the Four Emperors and claim their power for themselves.
These rebels carved out an area of chaos in the gaps between the Four Emperors' territories. This chaotic sea lay beyond the jurisdiction of any one force, a place without rules where conspiracies, massacres, plunder, and dark trades ran rampant—a true pirate paradise.
"Hey, idiot! I found the treasure here first!"
"Shut up! I saw it before you!"
On an island in the chaotic sea, two pirate crews ran into each other and clashed over a treasure trove.
One captain had a scarred face and looked vicious, while the other was a one-eyed man, equally ferocious.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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