In the first half of the New World, the Marines still held the upper hand, with G-5 and G-1 acting as the main pillars of their strength alongside countless patrol fleets.
When the distress signals were received, the nearby G-1 branch and patrol units in the vicinity of Dr. Vegapunk's warship scrambled to provide support.
However, no matter how fast these units moved, they never laid eyes on the target vessel. The reason was simple: they had been intercepted.
The reinforcements from Headquarters and G-1 were blocked by three of the Immortal Pirates' subordinate fleets: the Golden Hair Pirates, the Black Thorn Pirates, and the Iron Arm Pirates. Their captains were all elite, Vice Admiral-level combatants who couldn't be dealt with quickly, to say nothing of the fact that Ivalis and Benn Beckman were main-force fighters capable of holding back even an Admiral.
Back in the room below the warship's deck, the researchers weren't surprised to see the defeat of Gilbert and Vergo. What made them collapse in despair was their normally brilliant superior's refusal to leave.
Was Dr. Vegapunk actually waiting for Alucard to find him?
That suspicion proved correct. Dr. Vegapunk remained in his seat, not moving an inch until Alucard tracked his presence and kicked the door open.
"It's been a long time... several years now," Dr. Vegapunk said. He didn't act like a captive at all; instead, he spoke with the casual air of an old friend.
Alucard's lips twitched, a flash of genuine surprise crossing his face.
While he hadn't expected Vegapunk to wail and scream like an ordinary person, he hadn't expected the man to be this composed, or to greet him first.
Alucard uttered the phrase he often said whenever he met the doctor: "It really is easier to communicate with smart people."
Dr. Vegapunk patted his knees, stood up from his chair, and grabbed a steel briefcase from the counter in the corner. "Let's go."
"Dr. Vegapunk!"
"Sir! What are you thinking?!"
The other researchers were aghast, left utterly helpless by Vegapunk's compliance.
"My boat can't fit that many people," Alucard remarked, glancing at the panicked crowd with a pointed look.
"I understand."
Dr. Vegapunk naturally knew exactly what Alucard meant.
As the two left, no one dared to pursue them. The researchers felt as if the sky was falling; everything they knew was over.
When Dr. Vegapunk stepped onto Alucard's small boat, he took out a remote control and pressed a grey button at the top.
BOOM!!!
The massive warship was blown over ten meters into the air, a testament to the explosive's power. From beneath the airborne hull, Alucard finally saw the specialized submarine attached to the bottom.
Before Alucard could ask, Dr. Vegapunk explained: "That was a specialized Seastone-reinforced submarine designed for emergency escapes."
"Oh? Then why didn't you use it on me?" Alucard sat in the boat, letting Dr. Vegapunk stand.
Even though Alucard had come all this way specifically for him, it had to be clear who the superior was and who the subordinate was.
"Well... there were many factors. Listing them all would take quite some time. Are you interested in listening?"
Dr. Vegapunk shifted his gaze, and indifferent to the lack of seating, he simply sat cross-legged on the small boat's deck.
"Forget it. I've got what I came for. I'm going back to sleep," Alucard shrugged, appearing completely unconcerned.
After a long silence, Dr. Vegapunk rested his chin on his hand. "The team you just blew up followed me for a long time. If you don't have an elite research group at your disposal, the progress of my work will be very slow."
"Heh heh... I have a group of interesting fellows back home. But even if I didn't, it wouldn't matter. I have plenty of time," Alucard laughed.
It is said that every top-tier pirate crew has an exceptional doctor or researcher: Roger had Crocus, and the Golden Lion Shiki had Dr. Indigo (though after Shiki's capture, he had begun working for Alucard).
But now, Alucard had a "Military Surgeon" who surpassed them all, a man with a mind 500 years ahead of the rest of the world.
Even if this was all just something Alucard did out of a whim...
…
On the sea routes leading to Punk Hazard, the reinforcements from Headquarters and G-1 were still being held at bay.
Once word reached them that Alucard had made a move on the covertly traveling Dr. Vegapunk, the Navy immediately dispatched the highest combat powers currently stationed at Marineford: Aokiji and Kizaru.
Tasked with stopping this powerhouse duo were the Golden Hair Pirates and the Black Thorn Pirates. Aokiji and Kizaru were intercepted by the three main combatants: Ivalis, Benn Beckman, and Keith Fallon.
Meanwhile, the G-1 reinforcements were being held back by Urdaha, Captain of the Iron Arm Pirates.
"Ama no Murakumo!"
Kizaru manifested a sword of light using his ability, engaging in a fierce duel with Ivalis. Their blades collided repeatedly, sending shockwaves across the surface of the ocean.
"Ah!"
Cavendish shrieked as a stray flash of light nearly struck him. He quickly repositioned, glancing toward the clash between Ivalis and Kizaru. One was the Navy's ultimate weapon, the other a top combatant of a Yonko; the level of combat was staggering.
"Damn it! At this rate, how long will it take for me to become a superstar?!" Cavendish gritted his teeth in frustration, taking out his anger on the surrounding Marines. For the first time since setting sail, he felt a sense of powerlessness.
"It's Kamaitachi of Rommel, Cavendish!"
"To think he actually joined the Immortal Pirates! Arrest him!" the Marines surrounding him shouted.
"Shut up, you small-time trash!"
Irritated, Cavendish leaped gracefully into the air, dancing with Durandal in a flurry of strikes. "Biken: Swan Lake!"
On the other side, the intense battle raged on. Kizaru, that "old monkey," was known for only putting in seventy percent effort. Thus, even if his strength might have been superior, Ivalis remained relatively composed.
"Mmmm Ivalis... as the former top swordsman of the Red Hair Pirates, isn't it a bit heartless to swear loyalty to the man who killed your Captain? So cold" Kizaru provoked him, his wrinkled face twisted into a mocking grin.