THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Yamato had always believed herself to be Kozuki Oden. This conviction shaped her every action, even to the point of joining men in their baths, unabashedly proclaiming her Oden-like resolve. For Alastor, it was a bittersweet sight—admirable in her commitment, yet painful in its denial of her true self.

"That damned Oda," Alastor thought bitterly. The world of Wano had already suffered enough, and here was Yamato, trapped in an identity that wasn't hers.

For over three years, Alastor worked to help Yamato see beyond the shadow of Oden. Slowly, she began to embrace her identity as a woman—not in contradiction to her strength, but as part of it. More importantly, her dream evolved. She no longer sought to become Kozuki Oden but instead resolved to carry forward Joy Boy's will of liberation, adapting it to the unique challenges of the world.

But something was still missing. Alastor realized that to complete her transformation, Yamato needed to see herself as fundamentally different—not inferior, but unique from the men she once sought to emulate.

The night was serene, the capital's famous hot springs shrouded in a warm, steamy mist. Alastor entered the spring, savoring the soothing heat. The faint glow of lanterns cast golden reflections on the water.

From across the pool, Yamato's sharp eyes fixed on him. Her pale white hair, tipped with icy blue, clung to her shoulders, and her red horns framed her confident smirk.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to, Alastor," she teased, her voice dripping with playful suspicion.

Alastor met her gaze with an unbothered smile. Before she could react further, his figure blurred, moving with lightning speed.

Yamato's heart skipped a beat as he appeared in front of her, the water barely rippling in his wake.

"When did you get this fast?" she asked, her competitive instincts immediately kicking in. "Are you trying to test me?"

Despite her surprise, Yamato's confidence remained unshaken. Her Observation Haki flared, her instincts honed through battles with Kaido himself. She prepared to counter, her Mythical Zoan form lending her a power she knew few could rival.

But before she could move, Alastor whispered in her ear:

"Don't you want to know the technique I used to subdue Ulti? Let me show you."

The mention of Ulti piqued her curiosity. She remKinged how furious Ulti had been when she stormed into the general's mansion, ranting about some "ridiculous technique." Yamato had always wondered what could have riled her up so much.

That moment of distraction was all Alastor needed. In one swift motion, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her backward into the spring.

Water splashed as the two sank into the warm embrace of the pool. Alastor, cushioned by the smooth stone beneath, bore the brunt of the fall without flinching. His near-impenetrable defense was already well-known among their allies.

Above him, Yamato landed in his lap, her white-haired head resting against his chest. The heat of the water and the proximity of their bodies left her momentarily flustered.

"You're soaked," Alastor remarked casually, his chin brushing one of her horns. "We'll have to hang our clothes out to dry. No point in washing up if there's nothing to wear after."

Yamato glared at him, her usual fiery demeanor softened by the steam and the unexpected intimacy. For a moment, her voice wavered.

"Your sword… it's not here, is it?"

Alastor chuckled. "Relax. My sword's long gone."

She blinked, momentarily dazed by his response. Then, as his face moved closer, her crimson eyes widened in realization.

"This... this isn't some secret technique!" she exclaimed, regaining her composure. With surprising strength, she pushed him off, pinning him to the floor of the spring.

"If there's a first to master this 'technique,' it's me!" she declared, her competitive fire reigniting.

(T/N: I'm jealous 🥲)

As dawn broke over the capital, the golden light spilled into the now-quiet hot spring. Yamato rested her head against Alastor's chest, her energy spent but her mind clearer than ever.

"You're not Kozuki Oden," Alastor murmured, his tone gentle but firm. "You're not Joy Boy, either. You're Yamato. And you'll never be alone again."

Yamato hummed softly in response, the truth of his words settling deep in her heart.

"The Navy and the Whitebeard Pirates are about to clash," Alastor continued, his voice taking on a serious edge. "It's our chance to weaken the world government. I'll need your help to ensure the war lasts long enough to shift the tides."

She was silent for a moment, then nodded. The memories of Wano's liberation were still fresh in her mind—the sacrifices, the bloodshed, and the hard-won peace. She knew change came with a cost, and she was ready to pay it.

"Joy Boy dreamed of freedom," she said quietly, "but freedom without order is chaos. If the world is to change, we have to guide it."

Alastor met her gaze, their shared resolve solidifying the bond between them. Together, they would face the battles ahead—not as Kozuki Oden or Joy Boy, but as themselves, determined to forge a future worthy of their sacrifices.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Yamato, maybe I should ask my father-in-law to act together now."

"Father-in-law?" Yamato snapped back with wide eyes, surprised that she had been promoted to that role without even realizing it.

"Ha?"

Yamato sat up suddenly, looking at Alastor with dissatisfaction.

"If you want me to work together with that smelly old man, what a joke! I'd rather beat him with a stick!" she shouted, clearly irritated by the idea of cooperating with her father, Kaido.

Alastor blinked, taken aback by her outburst, but he wasn't deterred. Yamato had, after all, been a little stubborn since the beginning of their journey.

"You don't need to be so hostile to your father," Alastor said, his tone calm. "Kaido is a good person. You don't know, but there are far worse fathers on this sea..."

"Hmph! I don't care! That smelly old man really wants to kill me!" Yamato crossed her arms defiantly, her eyes full of frustration.

Alastor tried to reason with her again, but Yamato just pouted, her red lips refusing to budge.

Finally, Alastor lost his patience. He swiftly wrapped his arms around Yamato, pulling her close and gently biting her crystal-clear earlobe.

"It's almost dawn. The staff from the hot spring bath will be here soon," he teased. "You wouldn't want the famous General Yamato, the pride of Wano, to be exposed sneaking into other people's bathhouses, would you?"

Yamato's eyes went wide as her body froze, panic setting in as she realized what he meant. She struggled to free herself from his grip, but her body was still recovering from the previous day's exertions.

Seeing the sky start to lighten, Alastor's grip remained firm. Reluctantly, Yamato succumbed to his overwhelming willpower.

With a laugh, Alastor hugged her tightly, quickly wrapping her in a towel and whisking her back to the General's Mansion at lightning speed.

Before leaving, he looked back at her fiery expression.

"Get ready, Yamato. If you're going to work with Kaido, you've got a big battle ahead of you!"

The gurgling sound of water filled the air as Yamato, alone in the hot spring, slowly finished drinking a large bowl of water to soothe her dry throat. She sat back, remKinging the events of the previous night, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

"So... this is what the relationship between a man and a woman is like…" Yamato murmured to herself, finally understanding that no matter how much she had called herself a man, her body was still that of a woman, built differently.

Her superhuman endurance, thanks to her Mythical Zoan powers, had allowed her to survive last night's intense experience with Alastor. If not for her extraordinary recovery ability, she might not have stood up so easily.

She sighed in relief, feeling her strength gradually return. Despite the exhaustion, she couldn't afford to rest for long. As a general, she had responsibilities to tend to. She had to hear the daily reports from her courtiers, manage the affairs of Wano, and prepare for what was to come.

Alastor had mentioned a major battle soon, and although she still had reservations about working with her "smelly old man" Kaido, the prospect of finally leaving Wano and seeing the world beyond was enticing.

---

Meanwhile, on Oni Island, Kaido summoned all the key mKings of the Beast Pirates for a rare meeting. He wasn't drinking today, his usual boisterous nature replaced by a focused intensity. Standing tall, his mace resting on his shoulder, he exuded the power of the world's strongest creature. His long black dragon whiskers floated ominously as he addressed his crew.

"You all know that the Whitebeard Pirates are about to clash with the Navy Headquarters!" Kaido's voice boomed through the room.

King, Queen, and Jack, the three primary executives, stood on his left side, their towering figures casting shadows. On his right stood the Flying Six: Who's-Who, Sasaki, Black Maria, Ulti, and Page One. Beneath them stood a sea of dangerous pirates, their ferocity filling the room.

King spoke first, his deep voice full of interest. "So, we're going to have a major war, Mr. Kaido?"

Kaido threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Of course! How can a war of this scale happen without me?!"

Queen, pinching his mustache, grinned slyly. "Boss, what's your plan?"

Kaido's eyes gleamed with excitement as he outlined his plan in his usual straightforward fashion.

"We'll take Whitebeard's territory first, then go to Marineford to claim his head. Only I am worthy to take that old man down!"

The plan was simple, but it was effective. In Kaido's mind, there was no other course of action.

If the Red-Haired Pirates didn't interfere, this could have been the perfect time for Kaido to strike. But Kaido knew that his plan came with risks—if he attacked Whitebeard's territory before the Navy and Marines clashed, he would give the other Emperors a chance to pick up the scraps.

But now, the situation had changed. A war between the Navy and Whitebeard would disrupt the world's fragile balance, and no matter who emerged victorious, the world would be in chaos.

And in a world of chaos, Kaido could seize the opportunity to claim the power he believed he deserved.

"I'm tired of peace," Kaido growled. "War is what the world needs! Only in battle can you truly feel alive!"

After years of stagnation, Kaido's blood was boiling. He hadn't felt this excited in years. All his muscles rippled with anticipation as he prepared to take the first step in reshaping the world.

But then, Kaido's mood shifted, a shadow falling over his excitement.

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