ALL NOVEL Chapter 30: CHAPTER 30
"Why didn't Master Alastor save the poor mother and daughter?"
Speed rushed over with four horseshoes in hand.
As a woman, she was kinder compared to the other members of the Hundred Beasts.
Alastor remained expressionless and responded coldly: "Help? Why should I help? Do you think I'm a kind person?"
Speed trembled slightly, lowering her head, not daring to look at Alastor again. Yet, her eyes were full of confusion.
If Lord Alastor didn't want to save the mother and daughter, why did he stop that minion with just a glance? And why did he sit back and watch as Billy killed that man?
Speed couldn't figure it out, but she felt that Master Alastor was unpredictable—far beyond her understanding.
Alastor had no intention of explaining anything. Tragedies in this world couldn't be solved by saving one or two people.
In the era of great pirates, countless similar scenes played out every day.
Alastor was no saint, nor did he wish to be like Joey Boy (Yamato).
He simply wanted to become stronger, to ensure his own safety first, and then gradually achieve his ambition.
Prompting Yamato to become the general of Wano and reforming the country's status quo was part of ensuring the stability of the region.
If Wano Country were to fall into turmoil—either from internal instability or external invasion—the situation could easily spiral out of control.
Just like the connection between the Nine Red Scabbards and the Straw Hat Pirates in the original story, which ignited a wildfire in Wano and destroyed decades of effort by the Hundred Beasts in an instant.
Alastor would never allow such a thing to happen.
Moreover, if Wano's territory were well-managed, it could serve as a recruitment base for soldiers and expand his forces in the future.
Wano had a strong samurai tradition, and there were many potential talents among the common people. If properly cultivated, they could become excellent combat forces.
It should be noted that the current strength of the Hundred Beasts Corps is more than 30,000, which is still insufficient compared to the Navy, let alone the World Government.
In this regard, Alastor believed that Kaido was short-sighted. He focused on making weapons but neglected the creation of a strong army, which would eventually be useless.
Improving the situation in Wano Country was absolutely necessary.
As he mulled these thoughts, they entered the Flower Capital, where a group of heavily armed, imposing guards rushed forward.
Alastor collected his thoughts, sat back proudly on his mighty lion, and showed no intention of dismounting.
The commander of the guards was a sinister-looking man with a katana sword, narrow eyes, and a large gray-green bun on his head.
The man looked arrogant. Seeing that Alastor didn't get off his lion, he didn't dismount either. He simply cupped his hands and said:
"This is Lord Alastor, the newly appointed vice-manager of Kuri. I'm Kyoshiro, the captain of General Orochi's guard."
"Kyoshiro?"
Alastor sneered inwardly. He knew that this man was actually Denjiro, one of the Niine Red Scabbards and a retainer of Kozuki Oden.
In extreme grief and anger over Oden's death, Denjiro had changed his appearance, becoming what he was now.
Alastor said calmly: "I've brought all the food. Please accept it."
Denjiro looked over at the convoy, and after a few glances, his expression suddenly changed. "How come there's only this? It seems like only half of what we usually get?"
Alastor replied slowly: "The other half was taken by Shutenmaru of Mt. Atama Thieves Brigade."
Denjiro, who was about to pursue the matter further, immediately fell silent upon hearing this.
Shutenmaru, his former partner in the Nine Red Scabbards.
Since it was Shutenmaru who had taken the food, Denjiro couldn't pursue it. In fact, he was secretly relieved.
He pretended to be angry and said: "Damn thieves! General Orochi will not let them get away with this!"
The convoy was taken over by Denjiro's guards, and Alastor led his subordinates into the Flower Capital.
As the most central and prosperous city in Wano Country, the people here were mostly rich and powerful nobles.
The streets were far more orderly and clean compared to other areas, and the people didn't appear as ragged or hungry.
Of course, there were still beggars, but not many. In short, the living conditions here were a hundred times better than in other parts of the country.
The city also boasted various entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, and mixed bathhouses. The geisha culture unique to Wano was particularly notable and fascinated outsiders.
Alastor soon arrived at the General's Mansion.
Kurozumi Orochi was an arrogant fool who thought he could stand toe-to-toe with Kaido, so he didn't bother to come out and meet Alastor, the little brat.
Instead, he waited for Alastor in the lavish hall.
When Alastor entered, the Orochi opened his grotesque mouth and laughed loudly:
"Hehehehe, you've finally arrived! This general has been waiting for you! Come, hurry up, let's start the banquet!"
Alastor glanced at the grotesque Orochi. The man had a disproportionately large head and tiny body, with his nose and eyes crowded together. His mouth was so big it looked ridiculous.
But this wasn't the real issue. The problem was that Orochi had eaten the mythical Zoan-type Snake-Snake Fruit, Yamata no Orochi form, and yet his strength was pitifully weak. He was nothing but a waste, unable to live up to his power.
Alastor couldn't be bothered to engage with this trash, who was destined to die soon.
Orochi, oblivious to Alastor's disdain, grew more excited and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Bring all the food and wine! Tell Komurasakii and the others to come in and dance quickly. Haha, Komurasaki, my beautiful Komurasaki!"
At the mention of Komurasaki, Orochi's saliva nearly dripped onto the floor.
Food and wine were quickly served, and not long after, a tantalizing fragrance filled the hall, overtaking the smell of the food.
"Komurasaki, it's Komurasaki!" Orochi looked like a monkey in a hurry, almost wishing he could rush out immediately.
As the fragrance grew stronger, a beautiful figure appeared at the door.
She first saluted Orochi: "Master General."
Then, she bowed slightly to Alastor: "Lord Alastor."
She then entered slowly, her jasper-like feet gliding gracefully across the floor.
Alastor raised his eyes and looked at the oiran Komurasaki, who was known as the most beautiful woman in Wano Country, and also as Kozuki Hiyori, the daughter of Kozuki Oden.
Kozuki Hiyori was wearing a red and soft kimono dotted with pale yellow cherry blossoms. Her walking posture was graceful, accentuating her perfectly rounded and alluring figure.
Her crimson lips were flawless and red, like cherries, gleaming even in the dark with a bright luster.
Her skin was fair and delicate, and her hair was elegantly styled in a high bun, adorned with gold hairpins and jade beads, which emphasized her extraordinary nobility and beauty.
Her long eyelashes framed her beautiful eyes, which often appeared timid, as if habitually shy. With her noble attire and stunning face, she exuded an alluring charm.
Such a captivating beauty would likely make even a butcher, who only knew how to slaughter pigs, bow down under her influence.
No wonder she could become the oiran of Wano Country, and no wonder Kurotan Orochi was so obsessed with her.
Kozuki Oden had been able to father such a beautiful daughter, and it was likely thanks to Toki, who had traveled from more than 800 years ago.
Thinking of Toki, Alastor couldn't help but think of the miraculous Time Fruit, a truly remarkable power that could control time.
After Toki died, the whereabouts of the Time Fruit remained unknown.
If he ever had the chance, Alastor might search for it.
Komurasaki danced in the center of the hall like an elegant butterfly.
The fragrance she exuded was intoxicating, and every frown and smile was dazzling.
Her noble temperament, coupled with eyes that seemed to cry out for protection, made it hard for anyone not to feel an overwhelming urge to shield her.
Kurozumi Orochi was mesmerized, drooling, forgetting all about Alastor.
"Komurasaki, oh, my little girl," he muttered.
Orochi swallowed his saliva, and the maid beside him quickly poured him some wine. He drank it in one gulp and then began to dance.
Kozuki Hiyori pretended to glance at the Orochi, making him even more obsessed with her. At the same time, she quietly observed Alastor.
As the daughter of Kozuki Oden and an undercover agent working beside Orochi, Kozuki Hiyori had been waiting for the day her mother had predicted.
Though she was a fragile woman, there were things she could do.
She could gather intelligence, learn about the distribution of Orochi's troops, and uncover key information about the Hundred Beasts.
The most important news surrounding the Hundred Beasts was about a man named Alastor, who had suddenly appeared and become a core member of the Hundred Beasts' elite, the Flying Six.
Hiyori had never heard of Alastor before and had no information about him.
Now, she had the opportunity to observe him, and she was determined not to waste it.
Hiyori noticed that this man named Alastor was watching her dance very attentively, nodding from time to time as though praising her skillful performance.
But unlike Orochi, Alastor's eyes were clear, and he wasn't entranced by her beauty.
This is a man who will not be swayed by beauty, she thought to herself.
Suddenly, she felt as though there was something else in his gaze.
What was it? A hint of playfulness? A half-smile?
Hiyori's heart skipped a beat, and a vague premonition grew.
As Alastor's gaze lingered on her, she began to feel increasingly uncomfortable, as if she were exposed and bare before him.
What's going on?
Her heart pounded, and she dared not meet his gaze again. She subtly moved further away from him as she continued her dance.
Alastor noticed all of her small movements.
He smiled and took a sip of fine wine.
Even he had to admit that Kozuki Hiyori was indeed a rare beauty. But it was a shame that she was Toki's daughter.
The banquet went on until late at night.
Kurozumi Orochi was so drunk that he collapsed onto the floor like a dead pig, muttering "Komurasaki, Komurasaki" in his sleep.
Alastor stood up, glanced at Orochi, and left.
Once outside the General's Mansion, Alastor turned to Speed and his other subordinates and said:
"It's not every day we're in the Flower Capital. Enjoy yourselves tonight."
Speed and the others cheered and dispersed.
Alastor took a few steps and, in a flash, his figure disappeared. No one knew where he had gone.
---
Kozuki Hiyori, still in the hall, caught a glimpse of Alastor leaving the General's Mansion out of the corner of her eye.
She breathed a sigh of relief and slumped to the ground as if paralyzed, her bright red lips tightly pressed together.
Her heart continued to race, and it took a long time for her to calm down.
That man, that look, it's so terrifying. I must never cross him again!
It took a long time before Kozuki Hiyori regained her composure. Seeing no one around, her beautiful eyes finally reflected deep-seated hatred toward the Orochi, and she silently wished she could go up and kill him right then and there.
"Patience, Hiyori. You must be patient. There are only two years left until the prophecy my mother foretold. I've endured for so long. Is there not a little time left?"
According to her mother Toki's prophecy, in twenty years, the sky would fall, and nine shadows would collapse. Someone would save Wano, and someone would kill Kaido and Kurotan Orochi.
This prophecy, which Kozuki Hiyori, Denjiro, and all the retainers of the Kozuki clan firmly believed, gave them hope for the future.
They pinned all their hopes on that day.
Kozuki Hiyori walked out with her skirt in hand, the cool night air helping to ease her anxiety.
She was ready to go home.
The streets were deserted.