ALL NOVEL Chapter 92: CHAPTER 92
Alastor's response met Trafalgar Law's expectations perfectly.
After all, anyone who had risen to the rank of a supernova captain would never willingly submit to another. Law himself had always operated as an equal in alliances, just like with the Straw Hat Pirates. The concept of inferiority simply didn't exist for someone like him.
"That's a pity," Alastor said, narrowing his eyes as electric arcs danced around his fingertips.
The Heart Pirates' crew tensed visibly, swallowing nervously.
They had witnessed Alastor's overwhelming power firsthand during the chaos at the Sabaody Archipelago. With a single strike, he had sliced through a Celestial Dragon's opulent ship, cleaving the dragon itself in half. The repercussions of such an act had sent shockwaves through the world.
When the Navy descended in fury—unleashing two Buster Calls to ensure his capture—Alastor not only survived but escaped completely unharmed. The experience had cemented his status as a monster in the eyes of the Heart Pirates, and now, standing before them, he seemed even more terrifying than ever.
Some of the crew, trembling in fear, couldn't hold back.
"Cap... Captain, we can't beat him!" one stammered. "That's Alastor—the Thunder Calamity! He's got a bounty of 880 million! We're no match for him..."
Even Bepo, usually steadfast, was trembling as he clung to Law's side. "He controls lightning, Captain! We should retreat while we can!"
Law's expression remained stoic, though his mind raced. Escape wasn't an option—not against someone with speed amplified by lightning itself.
While the Ope Ope no Mi could theoretically allow Law to teleport himself or a few others to safety, moving his entire crew in succession would be impossible. Each additional transfer drained his stamina exponentially, and Alastor wouldn't allow him the time to act.
Abandoning his crew was equally out of the question. Law had learned the value of comradeship from Rosinante—Corazon—and would rather die than betray those who trusted him.
Calculating his next move, Law finally spoke:
"You killed a Celestial Dragon, making yourself a world-class criminal. This island is under the World Government's jurisdiction, and their warships can't be far away. Aren't you worried they'll find you?"
Alastor crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Law was a strategist through and through—one of the few among the eleven supernovas who could formulate intricate, executable plans. His tactical brilliance, evident in the alliance against Doflamingo and later Kaido, set him apart from the reckless Luffy and Kid.
But Alastor wasn't easily baited.
"Afraid?" Alastor scoffed. "I killed a Celestial Dragon. Do you think I'd fear their lackeys? Trafalgar Law, save your schemes. In this world, only strength matters. Without strength, your plans are nothing but dreams."
Before Alastor could finish, Law made his move.
"Room," he muttered.
A translucent dome enveloped the battlefield as Law drew his cursed blade, Kikoku, and darted to Alastor's left.
"Amputate!"
Law's speed and precision were unmatched. Most enemies wouldn't have even realized what had happened before it was too late.
The Heart Pirates' morale surged as they watched the attack land.
"Captain, you did it!" one of them cheered.
But their hope evaporated almost immediately.
Though Kikoku struck Alastor's abdomen, the blade didn't penetrate. It stopped cold, unable to even scratch his skin.
Law's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What... impossible..."
Alastor, unfazed, gazed at Law indifferently. "Is that all?"
He reached for Law's throat, but the latter teleported again, reappearing to Alastor's lower right. This time, Kikoku was aimed directly at his chest.
"Scalpel!"
The technique was flawless, targeting Alastor's heart. Yet nothing happened.
Law froze.
"No effect? That's impossible. My scalpel has never failed!"
Alastor chuckled. "Surprised? My defenses are flawless—inside and out. Your abilities can't harm me."
Law staggered backward, visibly shaken.
Alastor stretched lazily, cracking his neck as he surveyed the terrified Heart Pirates. "In terms of strength, defense, and haki, I'm leagues ahead of you, Trafalgar Law. You're a clever kid, but cleverness alone won't save you."
Law clenched his fists, his mind racing for alternatives. He had just learned the basics of haki after entering the New World, but his proficiency couldn't compare to someone like Alastor, who had clearly mastered it.
Alastor smiled. "To be honest, I value your abilities. The Ope Ope no Mi could be very useful for my plans. So I'll make you a deal."
He let the tension hang for a moment before continuing.
"I'll stand here and let you hit me with everything you've got. If you can kill me, you're free to go. But if you fail..." His grin widened. "You'll serve me for five years. What do you say?"
The Heart Pirates exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether Alastor was serious or insane.
Bepo stepped forward hesitantly, whispering in Law's ear, "Captain, this might be our only chance. He might actually be crazy, hahaha..."
Law remained silent, his mind calculating. The odds were slim, but one thing was certain—this battle was far from over.
Law glanced at Bepo, who had calmed down slightly from the initial shock but still looked unnerved.
"It's too early to celebrate, Bepo," Law muttered. "That man's defense is bizarre—it's as if even his internal organs are reinforced."
"Huh?" Bepo blinked in confusion. "If even the captain's powers don't work, what are we supposed to do?"
Law sighed, brushing his hand through his hair. "What else can we do? This deal is his final offer. If we refuse, none of us will leave here alive. Our only option is to attack with everything we've got. I don't believe his defense is truly impenetrable!"
Eventually, Law agreed to Alastor's terms.
Alastor chuckled, a smirk spreading across his face. "Good. But let me add one more condition. Once your five years of service to me are complete, you'll be free to leave. However..." He paused, his tone turning icy. "If you decide to go, I might kill you—or I might offer another deal. It depends on my mood."
Law's expression hardened. "If you survive this fight, we'll talk about your so-called next deal." He turned to his crew and shouted, "Everyone, attack together!"
Following their captain's command, the Heart Pirates opened fire. Pistols and artillery roared as they aimed at Alastor's vital areas—his throat, eyes, and chest.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The battlefield was engulfed in smoke and flame.
But when the smoke cleared, Alastor remained standing, completely unscathed. Not a single bullet had pierced his skin—not even those aimed at his most vulnerable areas.
The Heart Pirates were stunned.
"This... this isn't possible!" one of them whispered, trembling.
Bepo's jaw dropped as he muttered, "Is he even human?"
Law's brow furrowed as dread crept into his heart. He had only heard of such durability in the likes of Kaido, whose near-invulnerable body was legendary.
"An external attack won't work on him," Law said, gritting his teeth. "But if his internal defense is even slightly weaker, there's still a chance."
Taking a deep breath, Law focused all his energy into his Ope Ope no Mi ability. He channeled the concentrated power of high-frequency currents and gamma rays to the tip of Kikoku, preparing his ultimate move.
This technique, Gamma Knife, targeted the inside of the human body. It was designed to shock the heart and destroy internal cells.
"If this doesn't work..." Law muttered, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Room!"
Law teleported, appearing right in front of Alastor. With all his strength, he thrust Kikoku toward Alastor's chest.
"Gamma Knife!"
Under the tense gazes of the Heart Pirates, the blade struck true. High-intensity currents and gamma rays surged into Alastor's chest, bypassing his seemingly indestructible exterior.
For the first time, Alastor's body wavered. The Heart Pirates erupted into cheers.
"It worked!"
"The captain did it!"
"That monster's heart must be going into shock now! There's no way he'll recover from this!"
But while his crew celebrated, Law remained quiet. He could sense something strange—only the gamma rays seemed to have any effect. The electric current, which should have devastated Alastor's heart, had dissipated instantly upon entering his body.
Alastor's voice broke through the commotion, calm and composed. "You've forgotten my epithet, haven't you?" he said, smirking. "I'm the Thunderstorm. Your electricity only fuels me. As for your gamma rays..." He paused, his grin widening. "They're effective—but barely. Your strength is still far too lacking to do me any real harm."
Law's face darkened. His strongest technique, a move capable of crippling even formidable foes, had barely scratched Alastor.
Alastor chuckled. "You've got potential, Trafalgar Law, I'll give you that. But as you are now, you're nothing more than a child playing in the New World. In a few years, you might stand a chance. But today? You lose."
Alastor raised a finger, crackling with concentrated lightning, and aimed it at Law's throat.
This was his Lightning Finger Gun—a technique that could pierce steel with ease.
Law's instincts screamed at him to dodge, but he realized with a sinking heart that it was too late. His teleportation required a split-second to activate, and that was a split-second he didn't have.
"Am I... going to die here?" Law thought, his mind flashing to Corazon's smiling face. "I haven't even avenged you yet, Cora-san..."
But just as the lightning-clad finger grazed his throat, it stopped. Alastor withdrew his hand, leaving only a thin, bleeding scratch.
Law staggered back, gasping for air. His body trembled, drenched in cold sweat. He had stared death in the face—and survived by the slimmest of margins.
"Do you yield?" Alastor asked, his tone neutral.
Law closed his eyes, clenching his fists before exhaling deeply. "I lost," he admitted.
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