THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

"Reporting to Master Yamato, there are no horses here, only a mighty lion. I wonder if Master Yamato dares to ride it?"

Yamato raised her chin confidently. "Why wouldn't I dare? Go bring that lion over."

Alastor nodded and went to fetch his mount.

This lion was a creature Alastor had carefully selected. It was majestic, with a thick, lush mane that gave it an imposing presence. However, when the lion sensed Yamato's natural, domineering aura, it immediately knelt in submission.

Yamato shot a triumphant glance at Alastor, then mounted the lion with ease, looking both heroic and captivating.

Before she could settle herself, Alastor's voice rang out:

"Since there's only one mount, I'll have to ride with you, Master Yamato."

Without waiting for a response, Alastor jumped onto the lion's back and gave it a firm slap.

Roar!

The lion let out a startled growl and bolted forward, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Beasts Pirates members watching were left in stunned silence before bursting into admiration.

"Lord Alastor is fearless! Riding with Master Yamato, who fought Kaido himself!"

"That's nothing! Lord Alastor has even faced Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world!"

"Stop talking and hurry up! Follow them!" Billy yelled, snapping them into action. The group mounted their steeds and set off after the pair.

However, Alastor and Yamato were already far ahead, the swirling dust obscuring their movements.

On the lion's back, Alastor pulled Yamato into his arms.

Yamato's cheeks flushed crimson as she struggled. "Stay away from me! Your sword handle is digging into my side!"

Instead of listening, Alastor shifted closer, lowering his voice as he whispered against Yamato's bright red earlobe:

"Ordering me around, are you? You're getting bold, Yamato."

With that, he lightly bit her earlobe.

Yamato's strength drained instantly. She leaned weakly against Alastor's chest, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Stop… stop this!" she protested in a trembling voice. "If you don't, I'll hit you with Thunder Bagua wrapped in Conqueror's Haki next time!"

Hearing this, Alastor relented, releasing her. He knew Yamato would keep her word.

It wasn't until they neared the Flower Capital that Alastor finally let go and dismounted.

Yamato turned and glared at him fiercely, her earlobe still wet and blushing.

Alastor spoke seriously: "Yamato, there's going to be a bloody fight soon. Be prepared."

Yamato calmed herself, her expression firm. "I've been ready since I decided to become the General of Wano. Changing the world isn't just about slogans—it takes thunderous action too."

Alastor chuckled. "Repeating my words, are you?"

Yamato smirked. "Why? Can't I?"

As they spoke, their subordinates finally caught up, panting heavily.

Alastor turned serious, jumping off the lion and scanning the group with a sharp gaze.

These were the elite forces of the Beasts Pirates, including thirty users of artificial Zoan Devil Fruits.

Under Alastor's imposing stare, they straightened up immediately, standing at attention.

He addressed them coldly. "Once we enter the city, follow orders to the letter. Don't ask questions. Understood?"

"Yes, Lord Alastor!"

Their collective roar shook the ground, their fervor surpassing even their earlier response to Yamato.

Yamato glanced at Alastor, slightly pouting in dissatisfaction.

Alastor, however, was already focused on the Flower Capital in the distance.

The bustling city, which had endured countless storms, was about to experience another bloody reckoning. This time, it would welcome its new ruler.

It was noon, and the Flower Capital was alive with festivity. Flowers adorned the streets, gongs and drums echoed through the air, and people flooded out of their homes to witness the spectacle.

Today was the day General Orochi paraded through the streets on his tour—a tradition designed to flaunt his power and status.

Perched atop an eight-carrier palanquin, Orochi surveyed the crowd with a self-satisfied smirk. The people knelt along the roadside, chanting "Long live the general," their voices tinged with fear.

Orochi thrived on their terror. It fed his ego to see their trembling eyes and hear their hesitant cheers.

As part of his twisted ritual, Orochi would pick a random person from the crowd to kill, ensuring his reign of fear remained unchallenged.

"So, who will be the unlucky one today? Let me see…" Orochi chuckled darkly, scanning the faces below.

Suddenly, a beautiful figure caught his eye—a graceful geisha, her elegance reminiscent of the famed courtesan, Komurasaki.

For a moment, Orochi hesitated. The sight of her brought back memories of Komurasaki's betrayal and subsequent disappearance, a wound that still festered in his heart.

His expression twisted in rage. "Damn you, Kyoshiro! Where did you take Komurasaki?"

Fueled by anger, he pointed his pistol at the trembling geisha. "You! You're nothing compared to Komurasaki. Die for daring to remind me of her!"

The geisha's face turned pale, her body trembling as tears welled in her eyes. The crowd around her remained silent, too afraid to intervene.

But many clenched their fists in silent rage. Orochi's cruelty was unbearable, and his rule illegitimate. Still, fear kept them shackled.

As Orochi prepared to pull the trigger, a sudden sound interrupted him.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The rhythmic pounding of hooves filled the air, growing louder with each beat. The ground shook as if heralding the arrival of something—or someone—unstoppable.

Orochi was startled and immediately erupted in fury. "Who dares ride a horse while this general is on tour? Unforgivable! Fukurokuju, go and kill them all!"

With Kyoshiro gone, Fukurokuju had taken command of Orochi's personal guard.

A loyal ninja of the Shogunate, Fukurokuju immediately led a detachment of guards toward the sound of galloping hooves.

It wasn't long before he encountered Alastor, flanked by a strange woman riding atop a lion's head. Behind them were hundreds of Beast Pirates, their killing intent palpable.

Fukurokuju froze.

His pupils constricted as dread crept into his heart. Staring at the formidable force before him, his voice wavered. "Lord Alastor, you—"

He never finished the sentence.

In a flash, Alastor's blade struck, and Fukurokuju's head fell cleanly to the ground.

The second-generation Kitetsu gleamed as it was sheathed, untouched by blood.

Before Alastor could issue an order, Billy, ever perceptive, commanded the Beast Pirates to eliminate the rest of Fukurokuju's guards with ruthless efficiency.

Alastor's cold voice followed.

"Divide into two teams. One will storm the General's Mansion and ensure none of Orochi's men survive. The other will head to the Kurozumi estate and annihilate the Kurozumi family."

"Yes, Lord Alastor!"

The Beast Pirates responded in unison, their voices echoing with unshakable resolve. No one hesitated. The trust and fear they held for Alastor were evident.

Thus began the massacre.

Alastor turned to Yamato. "Does this sit well with you?"

For a moment, Yamato's eyes flickered with hesitation, but it vanished just as quickly. She urged her lion forward, her tone steady.

"Don't treat me like some naive girl. Growing up with that old man, I've seen more of this than you'd imagine."

She was referring to her father, Kaido, who had risen to power through countless acts of brutality.

Alastor smiled faintly. "Good. Then the most crucial act will be yours—executing Orochi before the eyes of Wano's people. That will solidify your authority as their new general."

Yamato didn't reply. Instead, she spurred her lion faster, her aura intensifying.

Alastor followed, and soon they reached the site of Orochi's procession.

The shogun sat on his grand palanquin, pointing a pistol at a terrified geisha. His face twisted with malice, drunk on the fear of his subjects.

Yamato's anger surged to its peak. Without hesitation, she leapt high from the lion's back, her massive mace raised overhead.

"Kurozumi Orochi! Your reign of terror ends here. You've committed countless atrocities and slaughtered innocents. Today, you'll pay for your crimes against Wano!"

The air around Yamato crackled with Conqueror's Haki as her mace descended. The blow carried immense power, wrapped in an aura of unyielding dominance.

Orochi turned in shock, his face contorted with disbelief.

"Who... who dares attack me? Do you know who I am? I am the supreme general of Wano! Kaido stands behind me!"

His voice grew more hysterical with each word, but fear betrayed him as his body trembled uncontrollably.

The bystanders, including the geisha who had moments ago been staring death in the face, lifted their heads to witness the scene unfolding before them.

Orochi's pleas were futile. The mace, gleaming with deathly intent, continued its descent.

And with it, the winds of change swept through Wano.

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