One Piece: Alucard the Immortal Chapter 511 - 510: Vegapunk’s Proposal

The latter half of Sea Calendar 1517.

Alucard had committed two major consecutive acts: first, the slaying of the Revolutionary Army leader, Dragon; and second, the kidnapping of the genius scientist prized above all else by the World Governnt, Dr. Vegapunk.

However, the latter incident was currently being kept under wraps.

"Tell everyone to co and see. Our new mber has arrived."

After Alucard returned to his stronghold on Arderay, he notified everyone remaining on the island.

Under Alucard’s orders, everyone gathered at the Science and Research Departnt. Dr. Indigo, a scientist himself, rushed out with particular impatience. To him, Dr. Vegapunk was both a target to surpass and an idol-like figure.

Soon, Dr. Vegapunk was surrounded three layers deep by mbers of the Immortal Pirates. Gasps of "Oh, so this is what Vegapunk looks like!" echoed through the crowd.

Vegapunk didn’t seem to mind being stared at like a circus animal. He simply said to Alucard, "You should be well aware of the primary reason I am here."

"Indigo."

At Alucard’s call, Dr. Indigo imdiately approached with his signature walk. "I am Indigo, the head of research here."

"Oh, I know. I’ve seen you on a wanted poster," Dr. Vegapunk replied flatly.

Just as Alucard had initially thought: Dr. Vegapunk was talented, but Alucard had plenty of capable people under his command. Dr. Vegapunk wouldn’t be treated as soone exceptionally special; Alucard needed him to understand exactly who was the superior and who was the subordinate.

"Vegapunk, co see when you’ve settled in," Alucard left those words behind and walked back toward the castle.

Under Dr. Indigo’s guidance, Dr. Vegapunk headed toward the island’s laboratories.

Seeing that the spectacle was over, the others dispersed, though they continued to discuss Dr. Vegapunk. Many shared Benn Beckman’s concern, feeling that the Governnt would never let this go and would try every possible ans to reclaim the doctor.

Outside a sealed chamber in the laboratory, Dr. Vegapunk and Dr. Indigo stood side by side, observing the Blacklight-infected beasts through a reinforced glass panel. Inside were humans, animals, and biological chiras.

Though their visages were hideous, it was interesting to note that while they were ferocious, they did not prey on one another.

"This isn’t exactly a new concept; I started working on things like this twenty years ago," Dr. Vegapunk said calmly.

The incident where Blacklight-infected individuals were used for a sneak attack, with Garp acting as the second line of offense, causing the Roger Pirates to lose nearly a third of their strength, had been engineered by Dr. Vegapunk.

"And? Have you discovered anything better?" Dr. Vegapunk asked.

"Sigh... these infected cannot enter the sea. Much like Alucard-sama, they share a trait of ’disliking’ the ocean. While they don’t lose their strength entirely like Devil Fruit users, they are rendered almost unable to fight. Even infected birds cannot traverse the vast distances of the sea," Dr. Indigo explained.

Dr. Vegapunk narrowed his eyes. "Because your Captain brought here, one of my crucial experints was halted. This is an issue that needs to be addressed."

Dr. Indigo reminded him, "He’s not just our Captain; he is your Captain now, too."

"Tch." Dr. Vegapunk clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. "My loyalty is to science."

After discussing further research matters with Dr. Indigo, Dr. Vegapunk left the lab and entered the castle’s inner hall. In the dim light, Alucard sat upon his throne with a wine glass in hand, having waited for so ti.

"Should I call you ’Captain’?" Dr. Vegapunk asked with a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Boring."

Alucard set his glass down and tilted his head. "Kidnapping you ans I’m destined to face great risks. The Governnt and the Navy might launch a joint assault. Tell ... what should I do?"

"You don’t look particularly afraid," Dr. Vegapunk countered mockingly, but he quickly followed up with a serious answer. "For the ti being, you needn’t worry. The Governnt and the Navy won’t deploy their own forces."

"Oh?" Alucard looked intrigued, gesturing for him to continue.

Dr. Vegapunk’s analysis was thorough. "The rift between the Navy and the Governnt is widening. Many believe the forr Fleet Admiral Kong simply retired, but in reality, he was promoted to Commander-in-Chief."

"Commander-in-Chief?" Alucard crossed his legs. "aning he oversees more than just the Navy?"

"Yes..." Dr. Vegapunk explained. "Those of you who don’t follow internal Marine politics haven’t noticed that when Kong passed the mantle to Sengoku and went to Mariejois, he took several high-ranking officers with him, people like Momousagi, Shirokitsune, Yako, and Chaton. They were used to organize a new force, and they are now the main pillars of the Governnt’s military."

"Don’t deviate from the topic," Alucard said. "I want your prediction on how to deal with the Governnt."

Dr. Vegapunk shrugged helplessly. "It’s simple. Neither the Navy nor the Governnt wants to exhaust their own strength to provoke you. Therefore, they will rely on external ans."

"Two years ago, I completed the Dyna Stones. They are the perfect tool for dealing with you. I used a special biochemical liquid to seal them; once the container breaks and contacts oxygen, the Dyna Stone explodes with enough force to wipe out an island in an instant."

"Heh... not a bad trick," Alucard laughed. "But that’s only if they can even set foot on the island."

"As for getting onto the island... there is one perfect candidate," Dr. Vegapunk said, playing a bit of a guessing ga. "’If you were to go on a trip... where would you like to go?’"

At those words, a brief silence hung in the hall before both n burst into loud laughter.

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