THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Jack was visibly excited. "I can't wait to return to Wano safely. Next time, I'll crush anyone who stands in our way!"

Alastor watched Jack leave before making his way to the Flower Capital.

It had been over ten days since he last saw Yamato, and he realized he missed her more than he expected.

When he arrived at the gates of the General's Mansion, soldiers stationed there immediately noticed him. Despite his rising status as one of Yamato's trusted allies, he adhered to the protocols of Wano's leadership and waited for permission to enter. The soldiers reported his presence, and after some time, he was allowed in.

Inside the grand hall of the General's Mansion, Yamato sat on the general's seat. Her posture was poised, exuding the authority befitting a ruler. Her expression was calm yet commanding, a reflection of her growing confidence as Wano's leader.

"Understood. The general has heard your concerns. You may all leave now," Yamato declared to her aides and advisors.

Once the hall was cleared, leaving only Alastor and Yamato, she rose from her seat. But before she could say a word, Alastor strode forward, slammed the doors shut, and pulled her into his arms.

"Wha—" Yamato began, but her words were cut off as Alastor pressed his lips to hers in a bold, passionate kiss.

Ten minutes later, Yamato pushed him away, her face flushed, and gasped, "That was too long! I could barely breathe!"

Alastor chuckled, wiping the red mark from his lips. "Last time, you appointed me to your council in front of everyone. I promised I'd repay that with double the intensity."

Yamato frowned, a comedic black line forming on her forehead. "When did you ever say that?"

Pulling out her iconic spiked mace, she said threateningly, "You just got back, and you're already asking for a fight, aren't you?"

Unexpectedly, Alastor grinned mischievously and licked his lips. "Go ahead, Yamato. Hit me as hard as you want."

Yamato raised an eyebrow at his challenge but decided to indulge him. "Fine! Let's see if you can handle this. Raimei Hakke!"

Purple lightning surged around her mace as she swung it with precision. This was the signature technique passed down by her father, Kaido, and one of the most devastating moves in her arsenal.

The last time Yamato had used Raimei Hakke on Alastor, it had sent him flying, leaving him severely injured. But this time, Alastor stood his ground, raising his arms to brace for the impact.

The force of the strike pushed him back, and the electric charge coursed through his body. Thunder, with its unparalleled destructive power, was a force that most feared. Yet Alastor remained unfazed.

Yamato stared, wide-eyed. "What... Why isn't the lightning affecting you?"

Alastor stretched nonchalantly, a faint smile on his lips. "Because I've been training."

"Don't treat me like a fool!" Yamato snapped. "Explain properly!"

Chuckling, Alastor finally relented. "While you were managing Wano, I made a trip to Skypiea. There, I encountered a man with the power of the Goro Goro no Mi—the Thunder Fruit. Let's just say I spent some time 'training' with him, immersing myself in lightning every day. Over time, my cells adapted and developed resistance."

Yamato blinked, her jaw dropping. "You voluntarily got electrocuted every day? Are you insane?"

"Maybe," Alastor admitted. "But evolution happens under extreme conditions. My body can adapt quickly thanks to my unique physiology. That's why I'm the only one who can pull this off."

Yamato looked at him like he was a monster. After a moment, she muttered, "If I could build lightning resistance, I wouldn't have to fear my old man's Raimei Hakke anymore..."

Alastor smirked. "Well, next time we challenge Kaido, I'll take the hits while you focus on attacking."

Yamato's eyes sparkled. "You mean it? Husband and wife teaming up to take down that old dragon?"

Alastor shook his head, amused. Though his current durability was impressive, he knew Kaido's power far exceeded anything Yamato could unleash. He would need to grow even stronger before confronting the Strongest Creature.

Alastor's thoughts shifted to the Navy. The date for Portgas D. Ace's execution had been announced. There were less than ten days left until the Summit War at Marineford.

If Alastor wanted to seize the opportunities that battle would present, he needed to accelerate his preparations. Strengthening his body further was paramount, and he already had a plan in mind.

After discussing government matters and plans for Wano's resources with Yamato, Alastor departed. He climbed to the peak of a barren mountain and gazed at the stormy sky above.

Dark clouds loomed, thunder rumbling in the distance.

"This weather should amplify your abilities, right, Enel?" Alastor asked without turning.

Behind him stood Enel, the former self-proclaimed god of Skypiea. Now a shadow of his former self, Enel was shackled with a Seastone collar. His once-proud demeanor had given way to weariness, his gaunt frame and bloodshot eyes reflecting his humiliation.

"You... dare mock me?" Enel growled weakly.

Alastor didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the lightning that illuminated the sky.

"This is just the beginning," he murmured. "The power of thunder is limitless—and I'll wield it to change the course of this world."

An exhausted Enel replied weakly, "Yes..."

"Good. Then summon the thunder in the sky and show me your limits," Alastor said calmly, removing the Seastone collar from Enel's neck.

The sudden freedom shocked Enel. He couldn't believe it at first—no Seastone restraints, no tricks. He was truly free.

"Yahahaha!" Enel erupted into wild laughter, his voice echoing through the stormy sky. Tears mixed with his maniacal grin as he celebrated. He was a god, not a dog to be chained and humiliated!

But his euphoria quickly turned to rage. Glaring at Alastor, he screamed, "You bastard! Go to hell! 200 Million Volt Thunderbolt!"

Blinding lightning erupted from Enel, crackling with raw power. The thunder roared, and the sky lit up as the massive bolt struck Alastor head-on.

Alastor stood unmoving, his eyes cold and unflinching. The immense voltage coursed through his body, causing only moderate burns.

"Don't make me repeat myself," Alastor said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Summon the thunder in the sky."

Enel froze, his confidence wavering. How? he thought. 200 million volts... didn't even faze him?

Gritting his teeth, Enel shot upwards into the sky. "Fine! Let's see how you handle my strongest move! I'll show you true divine power—Raigo!"

High above, Enel began to amass energy, pulling thunderclouds together with the full force of the Goro Goro no Mi. The sky grew darker as the clouds twisted and merged, forming an enormous sphere of condensed lightning.

This was the move that had annihilated his homeland, Birka. It was capable of destroying entire islands.

"I refuse to believe you can survive this!" Enel yelled, his voice trembling with madness. The massive ball of lightning—Raigo—shimmered menacingly in the sky.

Alastor took a step into the air, using Geppo to rise toward the center of the Raigo.

Enel's crazed laughter filled the heavens. "The internal current of the Raigo exceeds one billion volts! No one can withstand this! You'll be reduced to ashes!"

Inside the storm of electricity, the intense voltage tore through Alastor's body. His cells were destroyed one by one, overwhelmed by the sheer power.

[Host is critically injured. Defense +100.]

But Alastor's body didn't crumble. His cells, already mutated from prolonged exposure to lightning, began to adapt further. They not only resisted the onslaught of electricity but started to harness it.

Gradually, the internal balance of his body shifted. Normally, the body's bioelectricity remains dormant, maintaining a stable charge. But now, the cells released this energy, and Alastor entered a state of Life Return (Seimei Kikan), controlling his body at the cellular level.

The lightning outside didn't destroy him—it synchronized with him. Streams of electricity poured into his body, merging with his internal currents.

Enel watched in disbelief as the colossal Raigo began to stabilize around Alastor, its currents no longer lashing out chaotically.

When the storm finally calmed, Alastor stood in midair, his entire body crackling with electricity. Lightning danced along his frame, illuminating his silhouette like a god of thunder.

"He's dead... He must be dead!" Enel muttered, his body trembling. "Yeah... yeah hahaha! No one can survive a billion volts of lightning!"

For a moment, Enel reveled in his supposed victory. He thought of the humiliations he had endured—his once-divine status reduced to that of a prisoner. He envisioned tormenting Alastor's allies, especially the one who controlled insects, inflicting upon them the same pain he had suffered.

But as he turned into pure lightning and entered the Raigo to confirm his enemy's demise, he stopped cold.

There, in the center of the storm, stood Alastor.

He was unharmed.

Enel's breath hitched. "This... this can't be... Why can't I sense his presence?"

The Mantra (Observation Haki) that once allowed Enel to predict every move of his opponents couldn't detect even a trace of Alastor's breath.

"No, it's not that I can't sense his breath..." Enel realized, his voice breaking. "It's that his energy has become one with the storm..."

Alastor opened his eyes, now glowing with electric blue energy. Lightning crackled as he spoke, his voice calm but resonating with power.

"Enel, you've shown me the true potential of lightning. For that, I'll grant you a small mercy—I won't kill you."

Enel stepped back, his bravado shattered. "Impossible... This power... It's divine!"

Alastor smirked. "You call yourself a god, but you never understood the power you wielded. Lightning isn't divine. It's a force of nature—and now, it's mine."

With a single motion, he raised his hand, and the remnants of the Raigo obeyed, condensing into a sphere of raw energy in his palm. The storm calmed, the skies cleared, and the air grew still.

Enel fell to his knees, his pride shattered. He muttered in disbelief, "I... lost..."

Alastor descended, electricity still flickering along his body. "Remember this moment, Enel. A god's power is meaningless without the will to master it."

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