THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Suddenly, a powerful shockwave, as if an earthquake had erupted within Enel's pupils, rocked the very air around him. His voice trembled in disbelief.

"It's... it's his aura! It's completely merged with the thunder itself, as though he is the thunder!"

Enel could not process what was happening. His mind spun in confusion and disbelief.

No! This can't be true. I am the God of Thunder!

His eyes burned with fury, bloodshot red as he screamed out, "This is impossible! I AM the God of Thunder!"

But in the center of the storm of lightning, a figure emerged, crackling with the power of the storm itself. The figure looked at him with eyes glowing like lightning, radiating a terrifying aura of oppression that felt like a physical weight on his chest.

Enel's voice died in his throat. A shiver ran through his body, paralyzing him with fear. His knees wobbled as if to buckle.

This... this power... Enel thought in horror. No, this is impossible! This man...

There was no question now. The man standing before him felt more like a true God of Thunder, wielding the kind of divine power that lightning was supposed to have.

Enel swallowed hard, barely able to control the panic rising in his chest.

In the next instant, the figure before him vanished. Alastor moved with lightning speed—faster than Enel could even perceive. Before Enel had a chance to react, his neck was gripped by an invisible force.

"You're lucky," Alastor's voice came coolly, his grip tightening. "My cells not only resist lightning, but they can also induce it. You still have some value to me, so I won't let you die... yet."

With that, Alastor slammed a Seastone collar onto Enel's neck. He effortlessly dragged the Lightning God out of the storm's center, away from Wano's territory.

Enel could only sputter, unable to muster any resistance. He felt like a helpless doll in Alastor's grip. The thunder within the storm raged violently, but Alastor's body absorbed a significant amount of it as they moved.

The remainder of the lightning that Enel had summoned was too dangerous to fall into the hands of those in Wano, so Alastor extended his palm. The cells in his hand emitted a current, forming a crackling ball of thunder.

The palm resonated with the storm, drawing lightning toward him. Alastor's hand pulsed with energy as he pulled the storm itself and flung it far from Wano's shores, where it landed with a crash atop a barren mountain.

Enel hit the ground, stunned and motionless, like a dog beaten to submission.

Alastor kicked him aside dismissively. He stared at the lightning-clad palm in awe, a rare expression of excitement crossing his face.

"I've noticed something recently," Alastor said to himself, eyes gleaming. "My cells can generate electric current. And with that current, my Kenbunshoku Haki... it's amplified. My range has expanded tremendously."

Though the current Alastor could generate was weak in comparison to full-fledged lightning users like Enel, it had its uses. "I can't release it far—maybe about a foot away from me. But it's enough to amplify my power."

Alastor wasn't a Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) user, so long-range lightning attacks were still beyond him. However, he had a distinct advantage in how he could induce lightning to follow his will.

"The best part?" Alastor's grin widened. "My cells also absorb and store the lightning I take in. With that stored energy, I can release lightning much farther than before."

He had absorbed approximately 200 million volts of lightning just moments ago—more than enough to cause devastation if unleashed. While it wouldn't have much effect on him due to his resistance, to others, it would be a deadly force.

Even the Four Emperors would hesitate to face such an attack. The only one who could likely survive it without consequence was Straw Hat Luffy, who had shown time and again an uncanny ability to withstand unimaginable odds.

But Alastor's lightning wasn't just about raw power. It also enhanced his speed. The surge of energy stimulated his cells, making his reflexes and movements almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Alastor's grin deepened. "The boost in speed is incredible. I've never moved this fast before."

He recalled his past methods—Shave (Soru)—which was fast but not unprecedented. Many in the Grand Line could use Soru or similar techniques. But this new ability, supercharged by lightning, allowed him to move like a bolt of lightning itself, leaving nothing but a blur in his wake.

The speed wasn't just for movement. His offensive capabilities had also evolved. By attaching lightning to his strikes, he could now pierce through almost anything—armor, defenses, you name it.

"This power... it's on a different level."

Alastor paused, considering his options. "I need someone to test my strength... someone who will push me further."

He mused over possible candidates. Yamato had just acquired a large sum of gold, meaning she would likely be preoccupied for a while. Their sparring was more of a training session—nothing that would truly challenge him.

"Not Yamato. I need a real fight."

"Jack might be a good match... but we're allies. I don't want to hurt him. Besides, we might need him later on."

That left only one other person. Shutenmaru, the formidable warrior from the Nine Red Scabbards, and one of Wano's most powerful figures outside of Kaido's direct circle.

The choice was clear. Alastor had long considered Shutenmaru as a potential adversary—a sharp stone to hone his skills on. With most potential threats in Wano Country eliminated, Shutenmaru was now the perfect test.

For years, the Atamayama Thieves Brigade, led by Shutenmaru, had prospered. With the backing of the Three Disasters and the incompetence of Orochi's regime, the bandits plundered without fear of reprisal. They were feared across Wano for their ruthless raids, robbing villages and hoarding treasures.

The common folk of Wano lived in misery, while the Atamayama Thieves Brigades enjoyed lavish lives, untouched by the country's strife. Shutenmaru, born of a violent and lawless past, had only pretended to follow Kozuki Oden's ideals. His loyalty to the fallen samurai lord was the only thing keeping him from being an outright tyrant himself.

But now, with Kaido's rule weakened by the absence of Orochi and the rise of new powers like Yamato, the Atamayama Thieves Brigade's days were numbered. Their fate was sealed, and Shutenmaru was the only one left standing between Alastor and his new level of power.

Alastor had already eliminated most of the forces who might oppose him. Shutenmaru would be the final test.

In the early years, didn't Kozuki Oden himself often engage in reckless and chaotic behavior? He was notorious for his wild adventures, often clashing with civilians and even abducting women. He famously built a harem in a temple, a fact that many considered absurd.

It was only later, after meeting and being influenced by the ideals of the Kozuki clan, that the Asura Boy—Shutenmaru—surrendered to Kozuki Oden. Although his strength was not as great as others, it's possible that it wasn't just Oden's strength that attracted him but perhaps the same rebellious spirit he himself had once embraced.

However, everything changed when Yamato ascended to power.

Under her rule, the conditions in Wano had drastically improved. With the exception of Rabbit Bowl, which was still used as a weapon base by Kaido's forces, the security of the other five regions had been significantly strengthened. People's lives had stabilized and improved.

The common people received regular food rations from Paradise Farm, and with the leadership of local figures, they were gradually reclaiming the fertile lands to grow food. Wano's agricultural system began to flourish, and the common folk's livelihoods steadily improved.

Life had never been this hopeful. Compared to the days under Kurozumi Orochi's reign, the present was a paradise.

The people of Wano Country, grateful for Yamato's leadership, had even taken to calling her "General Shotoku," a title that highlighted her benevolent rule.

But for the Atamayama Thieves Brigade, this change had been disastrous. Their opportunities to pillage and plunder had dwindled. No longer could they easily take advantage of the chaos in Wano, and their criminal activities had become increasingly risky. If they attempted to rob, they were met with hostility from the very people they once terrorized.

The bandits were furious, feeling betrayed. "How could they forget about the Kozuki family?" they grumbled, nursing their anger over stolen wine and dried meat. They had once looted freely under the rule of Orochi, but now, the people were rising against them, supporting Yamato instead.

"General Shotoku... What a joke!" one of the thieves spat, slamming his fist on the table. "These fools are all traitors! All it takes is a little benefit from the current general, and they forget everything the Kozuki family did for them!"

"That's right!" another thief shouted. "We used to feel bad for them, avoided them while robbing, but now they're nothing but a bunch of white-eyed wolves! They've thrown in their lot with the new masters!"

"Once the Kozuki family returns to power, we'll deal with them all!" another man seethed.

"We're not far off from that. Madame Toki's prophecy will come true in two years!" one of the older thieves added darkly.

The group erupted into louder curses, fueled by their resentment.

At this moment, a tall young man suddenly appeared before them, standing no more than five meters away. His voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Oh? You want to chop off my head? How about you come and try? I'm right here."

The bandits froze in place. They looked around in a panic, unsure of where the voice had come from, but it was too late. They turned to find Alastor standing with his hands behind his back, a casual smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"You're the ones who were talking about cutting off my head, right? Let's see what you've got."

The bandits' faces turned pale with shock. They had just been discussing how to avenge Brother Wameng, but now the very man who had killed him was standing right in front of them.

The burly man among them—one of their strongest—was the first to charge forward, brandishing a massive sword.

"Since you're looking for death, I'll be happy to oblige!" he roared, swinging his weapon with brutal force.

But the strike never landed.

The sword collided with Alastor, but instead of slicing through his flesh, it vibrated violently, and the burly man's hands were forced open. The blade cracked under the strain, barely staying intact.

The thief was left stunned, his jaw hanging open in disbelief.

"This…" the man stammered, his eyes wide. "I couldn't even scratch him."

Alastor shook his head, unimpressed. "Looks like you won't be avenging your friend."

He then turned to the rest of the bandits. "Anyone else want to try?"

The remaining thieves exchanged nervous glances. They all knew the burly man was the toughest among them, and if he couldn't even land a blow on Alastor, there was no way they could succeed.

Alastor, unbothered by the silence around him, casually reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin, flipping it between his fingers. He coated it with a thin layer of electricity, and then, with a swift motion, flicked it toward the bandits.

The burly man, who had already been shaken by his failure, let out a panicked cry, "Run! Go find Boss Shutenmaru! This guy's a monster!"

But it was too late.

Alastor's voice was calm, barely a whisper, "Late."

With a flick of his finger, the coin shot forward, crackling with intense electricity. The high-intensity current generated by the coin's rapid movement created a piercing beam of lightning, a Thunder Cannon.

In the blink of an eye, the thunder beam consumed the burly man, turning him into nothing more than ash, his body vaporized by the sheer heat and power of the attack.

The remaining thieves stood frozen, eyes wide in horror. They were no longer just facing a strong opponent—they were facing something beyond their comprehension.

Alastor's grin never faltered as he turned to the rest of the bandits. "Anyone else?"

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