THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Marigold nodded solemnly. "Yes, such resilience in a man is rare. He must be incredibly strong. It's unfortunate that he encountered my sister's overwhelming beauty."

The allure of the Empress, Boa Hancock, was indeed unrivaled. Her beauty was not just incomprehensible—it was a weapon. Even those physically stronger than her would fall victim to her charms if they harbored the slightest lust. And for those who resisted, a single strike of her devil fruit could petrify them instantly.

This was the fate of a Pacifista whose head she had shattered effortlessly during the Battle of Marineford.

As Marigold and her sister Sandersonia discussed these truths, Hancock's expression suddenly hardened. Her delicate hands, resting at her waist, clenched tightly. Recognizing this subtle shift, Marigold and Sandersonia turned their gazes toward the horizon.

Their faces darkened as they spotted the source of Hancock's unease.

"That's the VIP ship of the World Government," Marigold spat, her voice laced with venom. "And that attire—there's no mistaking it. It's a Celestial Dragon!"

The memories of their childhood as slaves on the Red Line flooded back—their greatest trauma and the deepest scar on their hearts. The sight of a Celestial Dragon ignited a visceral hatred within them.

"Turn the ship around!" Marigold barked. "We need to leave immediately and cleanse our eyes of that filth."

Without waiting for Hancock's approval, Marigold issued the order. There was no need to ask. Hancock's trembling body and clenched fists spoke volumes about her suppressed rage. If they stayed any longer, Hancock might act on her impulse to attack, jeopardizing their hard-earned position as a Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai).

However, just as the Perfume Snake began to change course, an unimaginable event unfolded before their eyes.

The man they had been pursuing—the one they believed too cautious to confront Hancock—stepped onto the Celestial Dragon's ship. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and unleashed an enormous, blinding slash.

In an instant, the Celestial Dragon and his ship were cleaved in two. Blood painted the sea red.

A deafening silence followed. The crew of the Kuja Pirates froze in disbelief, and even the sea serpents pulling their ship halted.

The eerie quiet was broken by chaos erupting along the shores of the Sabaody Archipelago. Pirates, marines, and civilians alike screamed in panic. One voice cut through the noise:

"The Celestial Dragon is dead!"

"One of the World Nobles has been killed!"

"By a man named Alastor!"

The revelation sent shockwaves throughout Sabaody. Pirates like Urouge, Bonney, and Kid reacted in their own ways. Urouge mourned the inevitable repercussions with a solemn prayer, while Bonney cursed Alastor's recklessness, fearing the wrath of the Admirals and the Five Elders. Kid, ever pragmatic, vowed to keep an eye on Alastor, knowing such a man could become a formidable enemy.

Even Trafalgar Law, Capone Bege, and Hawkins, who had long dispersed, were shaken. Hawkins, ever confident in his divinations, muttered cryptically about his predictions coming true, earning a bitter retort from Bege.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates scrambled to avoid the inevitable naval crackdown. Zoro, Sanji, and Luffy sprinted under Nami's frantic orders, with Robin lingering momentarily to observe Alastor's audacity.

"This is beyond reckless," Robin thought. "Even Luffy's actions at Enies Lobby pale in comparison to this. The Revolutionary Army itself has never dared to provoke the World Nobles so directly."

As the chaos unfolded, the Perfume Snake sailed away at full speed. Once Sabaody disappeared over the horizon, Marigold spoke cautiously:

"That man... He killed a Celestial Dragon. This close to Marineford, I doubt he'll escape unscathed."

The Kuja Pirates, however, couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude toward Alastor. For the first time, someone had struck back against the World Nobles, avenging a pain they had carried for years.

Hancock remained silent, her expression unreadable. She stood at the helm of the ship, staring into the distance.

Alastor headed straight to his quarters, his posture suggesting he was retiring for the night.

Marigold and the other Kuja warriors exchanged glances, unsure how to proceed, and began whispering among themselves about the mysterious man who had so boldly entered their ship.

Meanwhile, Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, returned to her own chambers. She shut the door firmly behind her and walked toward her bed when a deep voice broke the silence:

"Boa Hancock, why don't you come aboard my ship?"

The sudden voice behind her might have startled most, but Hancock remained calm, her composure unshaken. She turned slowly, her gaze icy and imperious, locking onto the man who had somehow infiltrated her most private sanctuary.

"Mind your words," she said haughtily, her tone dripping with disdain. "You are on my ship."

Alastor, seated casually on a chair he had claimed, smirked. "I see you noticed me the moment I entered your chambers. As expected of the Pirate Empress, one of the strongest women in the world."

He glanced around the room—a boudoir of elegance and simplicity, draped in white tones. A few delicate garments hung on the walls, a stark reminder of the sanctity of this space. No one, not even Hancock's sisters, dared to enter this room. It was an unspoken rule.

Leaning back in the chair, Alastor sighed. "Finally, a place to rest." His eyes gleamed as he added, "Forgive my intrusion, but after killing a Celestial Dragon, I knew the World Government and Navy would stop at nothing to hunt me down. By hiding aboard a Warlord's ship, I might just have a chance to escape."

Boa Hancock's gaze narrowed, her annoyance evident. Yet, for reasons she couldn't fully grasp, her usual anger at such audacity was absent.

Sitting elegantly on her bed, she crossed her world-famous long legs, her floral-patterned short dress shifting slightly. She stared at Alastor and asked coldly, "You killed a Celestial Dragon without considering the consequences?"

"Of course I considered them," Alastor replied nonchalantly, stretching as though he hadn't a care in the world. "But those creatures are repugnant. How can such filth exist? Killing him was almost instinctual." He paused, his sharp gaze meeting Hancock's. "Besides, you were following me."

Hancock's lips curled into a dangerous smile, her eyes gleaming with suspicion. "The concubine came to confront you. Do you believe I'll help you escape after such recklessness?"

Alastor grinned. "Oh, I'm certain you will. No one hates the Celestial Dragons more than you."

Hancock's breath caught, her expression faltering for just a moment. Her fingers dug into the sheets as she absorbed his words. This man knew her past—her darkest secret, the pain she kept hidden beneath her flawless facade.

"You know nothing," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Alastor's expression turned serious. "The Celestial Dragons are a plague upon this world. Their domination is a tragedy. But the Beast Pirates, led by Kaido, are preparing for a war that will shatter their rule. The strongest creature in the world will ensure their reign ends."

Hancock listened silently, her mind racing.

Alastor leaned forward, his voice low and commanding. "So I'll ask again: Boa Hancock, will you join me and align yourself with the Beast Pirates to destroy the Celestial Dragons?"

Though his words carried the weight of Kaido's name, Hancock paid no mind to the Emperor himself. Her thoughts were consumed by the possibility of vengeance—of finally ridding the world of those who had enslaved her and her sisters.

Could this man truly be the key to realizing such an impossible dream?

Her intuition told her there was a sliver of hope, however faint.

Taking a deep breath, Hancock met Alastor's gaze and declared, "Very well. I will join you."

Alastor's smirk returned, victorious.

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