THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

"Don't run, I'm your opponent!"

Marco sensed Alastor's movements through his Observation Haki and shouted, his sharp gaze locking onto the enemy.

However, before he could act, a massive kanabo wreathed in Conqueror's Haki and crackling purple lightning descended toward him with terrifying speed.

"How dare you hurt him!" Yamato roared, her voice filled with righteous fury. "Even if you're a character mentioned in Oden's journal, you're unforgivable! Witness the power of my Raimei Hakke!"

The force behind her kanabo increased as Yamato's momentum surged.

Marco's eyes widened in shock. He instantly recognized the Conqueror's Haki infusion—a rare and advanced technique that only a select few, like Whitebeard and Pirate King Roger, could wield. He hadn't expected this formidable woman to possess such mastery. Beckman was right; she's not to be underestimated.

"Undying Thistle!"

Summoning the regenerative flames of the Phoenix, Marco formed a fiery barrier, deflecting Yamato's ferocious attack. Their clash sent violent shockwaves rippling outward, scattering debris and shaking the battlefield.

Sweat trickled down Marco's brow. He thought he could handle two enemies, but this woman alone demands his full attention.

While Marco battled Yamato, Alastor moved swiftly, lightning crackling around him as he slipped past to target Izou.

Izou, the 16th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, was locked in combat with Kaido's forces. Suddenly, his instincts screamed danger. Turning sharply, he spotted Alastor's thunder-imbued blade slicing toward him in a wicked arc.

"You're loyal to Kozuki Oden, aren't you?" Alastor sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Then go join him. Your old friends—Denjiro, Kawamatsu, Shutenmaru—they're all waiting for you in the afterlife."

A surge of rage and panic coursed through Izou. He dodged as best he could, infusing his shoulder with Armament Haki to blunt the blow.

Slash!

The Thunder Blade tore through Izou's defenses, leaving a deep gash on his shoulder. Blood sprayed, but Izou rolled away, gritting his teeth. His eyes burned with fury as he faced Alastor.

"What did you just say? What have you done to Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Shutenmaru?"

Alastor smirked, his blade crackling with residual energy. "Do you want me to repeat myself? Too bad—I don't indulge the weak. Here's something new: not only them but all the nine Red Scabbards will fall. Momonosuke won't escape either. And as for Kozuki Oden's daughter… she's already in my grasp."

With every word, Izou's anger grew. His grip on his pistols tightened, his teeth grinding audibly. "You bastard! You'll pay for this!"

He fired four consecutive shots, each bullet coated in concentrated Armament Haki. These bullets, known to injure even Kaido, zipped toward Alastor with deadly intent.

Bang! Bang!

But when the bullets struck Alastor, sparks flew as they barely pierced his skin. Alastor grinned mockingly, flexing his muscles to force the bullets out. "Is that all? Your strength is disappointing. You can't kill me with such feeble attacks."

Izou's heart sank. He'd seen Alastor's agility and speed before but hadn't realized the enemy's body could withstand Haki-infused bullets. Could his durability rival Big Mom's 'steel balloon' physique?

Though shaken, Izou refused to falter. "No matter how strong your defense is, I'll avenge Oden-sama and my comrades!"

Alastor chuckled darkly, lightning dancing along his blade. "Try all you want. I'll crush your spirit along with your body."

The battlefield crackled with tension as the two prepared for another round of intense combat.

Izou became ruthless and desperate.

He gripped his twin flintlock pistols tightly and fired continuously, each bullet infused with Armament Haki and spinning with a circular slash unique to his style. Snipers in the world of One Piece weren't just marksmen; they often developed innovative techniques to enhance their firepower.

Alastor's expression shifted to one of anticipation. He knew that with each attack he endured, his body's defense could grow stronger.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Every bullet found its mark, slamming into Alastor's body. Yet, he didn't flinch, let alone move a step back. His body absorbed the powerful impacts effortlessly.

[The host receives moderate damage, defense +15]

[The host receives moderate damage, defense +10]

[The host receives slight damage, defense +5]

The sound of the system notification echoed in Alastor's mind.

Izou, meanwhile, emptied his entire magazine, his breathing ragged as he leaned forward, hands on his knees. His body trembled, and sweat dripped down his face. He had poured every ounce of strength into his assault, but it had achieved so little.

"It seems this is your limit," Alastor remarked, stretching leisurely.

Though his chest was riddled with shallow bullet wounds, each surrounded by scorch marks, they were superficial at best. For someone like Alastor, it was hardly more than an annoyance.

Izou raised his head, eyes wide with disbelief. How is this possible? He had gone all out, every shot enhanced by Haki, yet the man before him remained unscathed. The sense of powerlessness reminded Izou of facing Kaido years ago.

"You should be on your way."

Electricity crackled around Alastor's feet as he drew the cursed blade Nidai Kitetsu. Lightning wreathed the blade as he brought it down toward Izou in a devastating strike.

"One Sword Style: Thunder Blade Strike – Thunderbolt!"

Clang!

For the first time, the Thunder Blade met resistance. Two swords crossed to block the attack, halting its deadly descent. Alastor blinked in surprise, then his lips curled into an eager grin.

Before him stood a tall man with sharp eyes that exuded the confidence of a master swordsman. It was none other than Flower Sword Vista, the strongest swordsman of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Vista's dual swords gleamed, their edges coated in potent Armament Haki that even Alastor's Thunder Blade couldn't penetrate.

With a smirk, Vista said, "When I dueled Mihawk, he mentioned wanting to face the swordsmanship of the Thunder Calamity. It seems I'm the lucky one to test it first."

Vista pushed Alastor back with a powerful shove, then leapt into the air, his twin blades cutting through the wind.

"Rose Rondo!"

A flurry of crimson rose petals, imbued with sharp sword intent and Armament Haki, surged toward Alastor.

Alastor's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've always wanted to see the swordsmanship of the Flower Sword!"

The petals danced through the air, slicing through his skin and leaving thin, bloodied cuts. Despite his Life Return ability, the sheer precision of Vista's sword intent prevented his body from fully controlling the bleeding.

"It's the first time I've faced swordsmanship like this," Alastor admitted, licking the blood off his lips. "Impressive."

Vista frowned. "If you're so impressed, why not resist? Arrogance and recklessness are a swordsman's greatest flaws—they lead only to death."

"Then kill me, if you can!" Alastor roared, launching forward.

Their blades clashed in a violent storm of steel, lightning, and Haki. Each collision sent shockwaves across the battlefield, destroying everything in their vicinity.

Vista analyzed Alastor's swordsmanship as they fought. "Your technique is crude. It lacks refinement. You rely too much on brute strength and speed. True swordsmanship requires focus, precision, and mastery."

Alastor laughed. "You're not wrong. I'm not a pure swordsman. My goal isn't to perfect one art—it's to become the strongest creature, invincible in every way!"

Vista's eyes narrowed. "To replace Kaido, is that it? Ambitious, but foolish." He stepped back, raising his swords. "Let's see how long your body lasts. Sakura Senbon!"

A cascade of pink cherry blossom petals swirled through the air, each petal charged with Armament Haki. The petals targeted Alastor's internal defenses, bypassing his tough exterior to strike at his body's vulnerabilities.

The petals cut deeply into Alastor, drawing more blood than before.

"A sword style designed to pierce even the toughest hides. Not bad." Alastor grinned despite the pain, his battle spirit unyielding.

Vista's voice was cold. "Your arrogance ends here."

The two clashed again, their duel illuminating the battlefield with sparks of steel and Haki-infused strikes. It was a fight of pure determination, a swordsman's precision against raw power.

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