THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Even if Rayleigh managed to reach the Marineford war, his current physical state would likely render him ineffective in the grand scheme of the battle. His age and lingering injuries meant that his strength was no longer at its peak.

Moreover, Ace's most significant identity now was as Whitebeard's son. Whitebeard himself had set sail to wage war against the Navy to save him. For Rayleigh to involve himself in this fight would be redundant, perhaps even disruptive to Whitebeard's plans.

Rayleigh, as someone who had once traveled to Laugh Tale and learned the truth about the world, understood the greater picture. The world didn't need Gol D. Roger's son to create change; it needed Joy Boy, the one destined to inherit Roger's will and wield the power of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.

Roger's regret had always been his untimely death, leaving him unable to fulfill the prophecy. He wasn't the one destined to carry the torch of liberation, as he wasn't the wielder of the Nika fruit. Now, however, the destined individual had appeared—Monkey D. Luffy, the boy with the Straw Hat.

Luffy wasn't just any pirate. He was a member of the D family, a wielder of the mythical Nika fruit, and the inheritor of Roger's Straw Hat—a symbol of the new era. Shanks himself had bet everything on Luffy, believing him to be the ultimate Joy Boy.

Although Luffy's strength was still far from what was needed to change the world, Rayleigh was determined to help him grow. Before parting ways, Bartholomew Kuma had informed Rayleigh of Luffy's destination. Once Rayleigh recovered from his injuries, he resolved to seek out Luffy and personally train him.

A month ago, the Country of Flowers was embroiled in chaos. Its people were impoverished, struggling to find enough food to survive. Now, however, the nation thrived in peace and prosperity.

The reason was clear to its citizens: the intervention of Lord Alastor.

When Alastor had taken the treasure of the Happo Navy, he killed the corrupt king of the Country of Flowers and subdued the infamous pirate Don Chinjao. By doing so, he brought the nation under his control.

On the surface, the Country of Flowers flew the flag of Kaido's Beast Pirates, but in truth, it was Alastor's territory. With no direct involvement from Kaido or his crew, the governance of the country fell entirely under Alastor's influence.

Alastor's authority extended through key figures such as Don Chinjao, who controlled the nation's military. His grandson, Sai, and other members of the Happo Navy followed suit, further solidifying Alastor's rule.

Under Alastor's leadership, the nation underwent significant reforms. New laws and policies improved the quality of life for its citizens, bringing an unprecedented era of stability and happiness.

In the bustling streets of the Country of Flowers, a blind man dressed in purple walked with a cane, navigating with ease through the crowded marketplace. He wore a serene smile as he sensed the joy and contentment around him.

"It's rare to find such a truly happy nation," the blind man remarked to himself. "I heard this wasn't always the case."

From an open-air tavern, a burly man called out, "You know about the Country of Flowers' past?"

The blind man turned his head slightly toward the voice. "Only what I've heard."

The burly man, Abu, one of Sai's subordinates, noticed the man's blindness and marveled at how effortlessly he moved. "What's your name, old man?"

The blind man smiled. "My name isn't worth much. Just call me Issho."

"Issho? Never heard of you. You just arrived in the West Blue?"

"A wandering traveler," Issho replied humbly. "I move from place to place, witnessing the state of the world."

At that moment, the giant monitor in the town square broadcasted Fleet Admiral Sengoku's declaration at Marineford. The crowd erupted as Sengoku revealed that Portgas D. Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.

"Roger's son?" Abu exclaimed in shock. "So that's why this war is happening!"

Chinjao, sitting nearby, muttered grimly, "Sai bragged about heading to this war with Lord Alastor. That fool better not overestimate his abilities and get himself killed."

Issho's white eyes turned toward the screen, his grip on his cane tightening.

How many lives will be lost in this war for the sake of one man? he wondered. What justice is there in such a senseless conflict?

Turning to Chinjao, Issho asked, "You mentioned Alastor, the man known as the 'Thunder Calamity.' Is this country truly tied to him?"

Chinjao's eyes narrowed in surprise. Despite his whisper earlier, Issho had heard him clearly. Realizing the man's perceptive abilities, Chinjao answered cautiously, "Indeed, everything in this nation operates under Alastor's system."

Issho's expression hardened. He had traveled to countless countries, observing their systems and the impact of their leaders. The Country of Flowers stood out—its reforms and governance were undeniably effective, providing peace and prosperity for its people.

But Issho had also heard of Alastor—a man who had caused chaos in the New World, openly defied the World Government, and even killed a Celestial Dragon.

"A violent man leading such a prosperous nation…" Issho murmured to himself, conflicted. Can such a man truly bring justice, or is it just another illusion?

The blind wanderer continued to ponder as the world around him moved toward an inevitable storm.

Fujitora, known for his sense of justice and quiet resolve, never imagined that behind the fierce reputation of "Thunder Calamity" Alastor of the Beast Pirates lay a talent for governance. The intricacies of the system implemented in the Kingdom of Flowers piqued his curiosity.

"It's quite interesting," Fujitora mused, his blind eyes gazing in the direction of the bustling town square. "Tell me more about this Alastor," he said, taking a seat with a faint smile.

Fujitora had traveled to the Kingdom of Flowers not merely by chance. His travels around the world were part of his personal mission to uncover the sources of injustice that plagued society.

He had been investigating the crimes of the Shichibukai, specifically those of Donquixote Doflamingo, the man known as "Joker" in the underground. Fujitora had discovered the horrifying truths about the Shichibukai system, including slave trading, war profiteering, and the manipulation of innocent lives. These were atrocities carried out under the protection of the World Government.

The sheer cruelty of these sanctioned acts enraged Fujitora. "These so-called pirates," he often thought, "are worse than outlaws—they're monsters in disguise, emboldened by the government."

His investigation led him to Doflamingo's operations in the West Blue, where weapons were being sold to fuel wars. This path brought him to the Kingdom of Flowers, where he encountered something unexpected—a country far removed from the chaos and corruption typical of pirate territories.

Upon arriving, Fujitora discovered that the Kingdom of Flowers had implemented an unorthodox yet effective system.

While there were still oppressive measures like mandatory taxes and incentives for military enlistment, there were also regulations requiring government officials to lead efforts to grow food and generate wealth for the people. The military was explicitly tasked with protecting civilians, a duty considered non-negotiable.

What struck Fujitora most was the equality ingrained in the system:

The Royal Family Redefined: Commoners were no longer required to kneel before the king, only bow respectfully.

Power Redistribution: The king had no command over the army, which was now led by a commander-in-chief—in this case, Don Chinjao himself.

Transparent Governance: The appointment and removal of officials followed strict procedures, insulated from the king's whims.

This unique balance of power between rulers and subjects was unlike anything Fujitora had ever seen. In a world dominated by rigid hierarchies, the Kingdom of Flowers dared to challenge convention.

Fujitora's heart, long weighed down by the darkness he had witnessed, felt a spark of hope. For the first time in years, he found himself smiling.

"Tell me more about this system," Fujitora urged Chinjao, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Chinjao, sensing the blind man's strength, cautiously recounted Alastor's reforms. Though wary of Fujitora's intentions, Chinjao admitted that the information wasn't particularly secret; anyone observing the Kingdom of Flowers for a few days could piece it together.

Chinjao explained, "Alastor reshaped the Kingdom of Flowers. The royal family lost their privileges. Even minor nobles must now contribute to society to justify their positions. Alastor ensures officials are chosen through merit and held accountable for their duties."

Fujitora nodded repeatedly, his excitement evident even without sight. Though his eyes could no longer see, his heightened perception captured every nuance of Chinjao's words.

In his mind, Fujitora thought, This is what I've been seeking—a model of governance that prioritizes the people over titles and power.

Gripping his cane tightly, he murmured, "This is it... This is the system I've been searching for. If such principles can take root here, perhaps they can spread to the entire world. The Shichibukai system must be abolished, but more than that, the entire world's system needs reform!"

Unbeknownst to Fujitora, the man responsible for this governance, Alastor, was far from the Kingdom of Flowers. At that very moment, Alastor was underwater near Marineford, using an ability that allowed him to remain submerged for extended periods.

His body had undergone a unique transformation: his cells, capable of generating and storing electrical currents, now allowed him to extract oxygen directly from water. Though not as efficient as Fish-Man physiology, it enabled him to stay underwater for weeks without surfacing.

From the ocean depths, Alastor monitored the chaos unfolding above. His enhanced Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) let him hear every sound in Marineford, including the declaration by Sengoku that Portgas D. Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger.

"Oh," Alastor muttered, glancing upward through the murky water. "Whitebeard is making his move."

He saw dozens of coated pirate ships rapidly approaching Marineford. Most surfaced as they neared, but three remained underwater—one of them bearing Whitebeard's commanding voice.

"Let the others draw the Navy's attention," Whitebeard ordered. "We'll head straight for the harbor!"

Alastor's lips curled into a smile. "The old man's still got it. This should be interesting."

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