THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

During Caesar's speech, he glanced at the young woman beside him and an idea suddenly struck him. With a sly grin on his face, he stepped forward and said in a low, almost mocking voice:

"Violet, you seem to have the clairvoyance ability. It must be easy for you to find the room where Vegapunk is keeping that fruit, right? Heh, go fetch it for me. I need to prove that it's a complete failure!"

The woman he referred to as Violet was actually Viola, who had secretly come to Punk Hazard under Alastor's orders to find Trafalgar D. Water Law.

Currently, her position was that of Caesar's secretary. In the original story, Monet would take this role years later, but here, it was Viola who was stuck with the unpleasant task.

Although Viola deeply despised Caesar Clown for his many twisted deeds, she was forced to comply with his orders. Nodding, she said, "I understand."

That night...

Viola activated her clairvoyance, using her power to view the entire research base. It didn't take long for her to spot the Devil Fruit Caesar had mentioned. Fortunately, it wasn't hidden in the highly guarded Vegapunk laboratory, but in an unmonitored secret room. As long as they were careful not to be seen, they should be able to retrieve it.

"Rebecca, keep watch. You go and get it," Viola said.

Standing behind her was Rebecca, a young girl with pink hair, who had also followed Viola to Punk Hazard. Rebecca had insisted on coming after hearing that her aunt would be working for Master Alastor, and she was eager to contribute.

Rebecca had never forgotten the moment she met Alastor. The memory of him draping a warm coat over her shoulders when she was at her lowest made her heart swell. And she would forever remember the night Alastor personally taught her swordsmanship, an experience that filled her with happiness and determination. She was now one of Alastor's most loyal supporters.

Though Rebecca wasn't particularly gifted in combat, she was known for her hard work and relentless spirit. In contrast to Viola, who was burdened with a thirst for revenge and personal demons, Rebecca had cultivated her inner strength through her own struggles, from gladiatorial pits to standing up to those who mocked her.

Viola, deeply moved by her niece's resolve, had reluctantly agreed to let Rebecca accompany her, despite the dangers. The two worked in tandem, with Rebecca, smaller and harder to notice, sneaking into the secret room to retrieve the Devil Fruit.

Viola stood guard at the door, using her ability to detect any approaching threats.

It was Rebecca's first time sneaking around like this, and she was nervous—her heart raced, but she didn't show it. She was determined not to let her aunt or Alastor down. Rebecca was no fragile girl—she could do this!

After a tense few moments, Rebecca successfully retrieved the fruit, and the two of them quickly left the research facility. They were both out of breath, sweaty from the close call. Rebecca's face was flushed with excitement.

Viola, noticing the girl's excitement, laughed. "Rebecca, you really are something. When I was your age, I was still naive and didn't understand a thing."

Rebecca lowered her head, slightly embarrassed.

Viola immediately realized her mistake. After all, their childhoods had been completely different. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of affection for her niece and pulled her into a warm hug.

The two women, one older and one younger, embraced quietly for a while.

Eventually, Rebecca pulled away and asked, "Aunt, you mentioned this Devil Fruit was a man-made one, an imitation of Kaido's powers, right?"

Viola nodded, "Yes, but why do you ask? You shouldn't eat it. Caesar claimed it's a failure, and it's likely toxic."

Rebecca shook her head. "Before I met Alastor, I would've eaten any Devil Fruit that could make me stronger—even if it was poisonous."

This reminded Viola of Rebecca's unyielding spirit. Rebecca had once entered gladiator matches just to prove she could defeat Donquixote Doflamingo and was willing to endure the jeers of men many times her size.

Viola was deeply moved by her niece's unwavering determination. In many ways, Rebecca's courage and self-reliance far outshone her own.

Viola's expression softened, "Then what do you think we should do with the fruit?"

Rebecca paused thoughtfully. "Well, since the fruit is linked to Kaido, who is Alastor's superior, shouldn't we ask him for his opinion before giving it to Caesar?"

Viola nodded in agreement, impressed by Rebecca's practical thinking. It was indeed a good idea. She almost forgot that Kaido was Alastor's boss and should be very interested in this Devil Fruit. But they couldn't waste time; Caesar was waiting.

She quickly pulled out Alastor's Den Den Mushi and made the call.

At that moment, Alastor was on Onigashima, having recently been named the Thunder Calamity by Kaido and officially recognized as one of the Four Calamities of the Beast Pirates. The island was alive with revelry as the crew celebrated, most of them drunkenly enjoying the festivities.

Although Alastor had been drinking as well, his enhanced body could metabolize alcohol with ease, and he was not fully intoxicated. When Viola's call came through, he immediately excused himself from the party and found a quiet spot to take the call.

"Did you find Trafalgar D. Law?" he asked.

"Not yet," Viola replied, "but there's something else. It's about the man-made Devil Fruit. Vegapunk created a fruit said to be an imitation of Kaido's powers."

Alastor's expression shifted in surprise. "What?" he said, his voice laced with shock. "Has the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit already been produced? I thought that would be years away. After all, Momonosuke ate it two years later."

Viola quickly explained the details of the fruit—how Vegapunk had created it in an attempt to replicate Kaido's Mythical Zoan power, the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Azure Dragon. According to Caesar, however, it was considered a failure.

Alastor immediately began processing the information. The artificial fruit, while a failure in Vegapunk's eyes, still had value. Kaido's connection to the fruit was undeniable, and this could be the key to his greater plans.

Judging from Momonosuke's progress, it seems that he will soon be able to replicate Kaido's dragon form abilities. For this reason alone, regardless of whether the fruit is a failure, it could still be considered one of the top Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits.

"Master Alastor," came Rebecca's voice through the Den Den Mushi. "My aunt and I have already obtained the fruit. If it's useful to you, we can send it to you right away."

Alastor immediately frowned. "How did you get the fruit?"

Viola quickly explained how they had obtained it.

Before she could finish, Caesar Clown's voice echoed from outside. "Violet, did you get the fruit? Hehehe, give it to me quickly so I can prove that Vegapunk is a failure!"

The situation was urgent, and a decision needed to be made fast.

Although Alastor was somewhat curious about the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, he had no real desire to eat it. After all, it was artificial, not a natural creation, so there were likely hidden defects. Plus, Devil Fruits came with inherent weaknesses, such as being vulnerable to water. Alastor had learned to rely on the sea in times of danger, and he wasn't eager to become a "landlubber."

Additionally, the fruit was a pink dragon type, which did not suit his image of wisdom and power. Most importantly, Alastor had his own unique abilities and system, meaning he didn't need to take on an unnecessary weakness for a temporary boost.

In summary, this man-made Azure Dragon Fruit wasn't of much use to him.

However, just because Alastor wasn't going to eat it didn't mean he was going to waste it. This was a rare top-tier fruit delivered right to his door.

A smile spread across Alastor's face. "Rebecca, do you want to defeat Doflamingo one day?"

Alastor had seen Rebecca's efforts. Compared to Momonosuke, who had been overly sheltered and burdened with the expectations of those around him, Rebecca was a thousand times stronger.

Momonosuke was only eight years old, but Rebecca was much younger when she lost her parents. She had only a toy soldier for comfort, living under the nose of Donquixote Doflamingo in the oppressive Dressrosa. Despite the harsh conditions, she never gave up.

In contrast, Momonosuke had a group of loyal retainers, like Kin'emon and Kanjuro, serving him like cattle. He was pampered and protected, granted top-level resources, and had inherited Oden's bloodline and Kaido's Mythical Zoan fruit. Yet, he lacked the drive and determination to become a leader. The true potential of a warrior could not be forged by wealth, protection, and endless praise.

Momonosuke's destiny was one of weak leadership. Alastor intended to cut off this ridiculous fate, and the deaths of Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Shutenmaru were only the beginning. The artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was the second step in this plan.

"Rebecca," Alastor's voice on the Den Den Mushi continued, "you eat a piece, and leave the rest for Caesar."

In the One Piece world, only the first person who eats a Devil Fruit gains its power. Rebecca hesitated for a moment but was soon reassured by Viola, who was anxious about the potential risks. "Caesar says the fruit is a failure, there might be something wrong with it."

Sighing, Alastor replied with a calm tone. "If you want strength beyond your limits, you must be prepared to take risks. There are always consequences, even the risk of death. The decision is yours, Rebecca."

"I'll eat it!" Rebecca answered, her voice unwavering.

From the moment she stepped into the gladiator arena, Rebecca had resolved to sacrifice whatever it took to get stronger—ridicule, pain, and even death itself, as long as it led to power.

Now, under Alastor's guidance, she was determined not to hesitate. She took a small piece of the artificial fruit and ate it. The taste was bitter, but Rebecca had experienced far worse during her childhood, so the sensation hardly bothered her.

Sighing gently, Alastor spoke with encouragement: "One day, Rebecca, you'll gain the strength that matches your hard work. Keep going."

Porphyrin—the phone call ended.

Rebecca, with a strange warmth in her heart, felt something different within her. The fruit, despite its artificial nature, was giving her a power unlike anything she had experienced.

Viola, looking concerned, asked, "How do you feel, Rebecca?"

"I feel... stronger than ever," Rebecca said, standing up with a new aura surrounding her. Viola could sense that something had changed. It was as if Rebecca had transformed completely, influenced by Alastor's presence in her life. Her destiny had taken a different path—one that now seemed impossible to predict.

"Let's go," Rebecca said quietly. "Caesar's here."

The two women walked outside just as Caesar Clown arrived. Viola handed him the Devil Fruit, which he received eagerly. After inspecting it for a moment, he suddenly frowned and asked, "Hey, why is there a corner missing here?"

Viola quickly responded, "I accidentally knocked it off the table when I was carrying it. A small piece came off."

Caesar sneered. "Sure enough, it's a failure. It's so fragile. It's not even as durable as my Smile fruits. Vegapunk will be ashamed!"

Caesar immediately rushed to his laboratory with the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, excited to analyze it and prove Vegapunk's incompetence. But as he began using his instruments to examine the fruit, something unexpected happened: the fruit began to turn transparent and vanish into thin air.

"What's going on?" Caesar was stunned as the fruit slowly disintegrated into dust in less than a minute.

For more chapters visit my patreon shirokendama.