"Sir, we've arrived at Water 7." A former grunt of the Hart Pirates bowed respectfully next to Alucard, who was lounging in a deck chair.
The Hart Pirates originally numbered over one hundred and fifty, but after Alucard's sudden invasion, only thirty-odd remained. After a week-long journey, by the time they reached Water 7, only twelve were left.
The reason was simple: throughout that week, some had attempted to assassinate Alucard, only to be swiftly eliminated themselves. In the end, only this handful remained.
...
Ability Development Progress
Vampire Physique Complete Form: 9%
Bat Transformation Complete Form: 9%
Weapon - Casull LV4: 91%
Weapon - Jackal LV1: 74%
Blacklight Virus LV3: 44%
Hidden Shadow LV2: 36%
...
Alucard first checked his ability development progress.
Ever since his Vampire Physique reached its complete form, its development had become exceptionally slow.
This was understandable; the further one progressed, the slower the growth. It was like in an exam: improving from 60 to 80 points was a completely different level of difficulty than improving from 95 to 100 points.
Hearing the grunt's voice, Alucard, who had been feigning sleep with his eyes closed, looked out to sea. A familiar island came into view in the distance. He had finally arrived.
After Alucard disembarked, the remaining twelve Hart Pirates began discussing their next move. With their Captain dead, the Hart Pirates were essentially defunct. They either had to choose a new captain or disband directly.
However, Alucard no longer cared about them. Or rather, there wasn't anything in the world that truly occupied his thoughts at the moment, at least, not yet.
"Hmm?"
As Alucard entered the inner alleys of Water 7, he suddenly noticed Marine patrol units roaming about. The security was significantly tighter compared to before. It seemed the Marines had either sent reinforcements or dispatched personnel to investigate the previous incident.
"There's no need for a fight right now," Alucard murmured to himself. His body abruptly transformed into countless bats, flying into the sky and heading towards Tom's Workers on the west coast.
"Long time no see, Tom." Alucard greeted Tom, who was standing on the unfinished steel battleship on the west coast.
Tom, who was hammering at the ship with his tools, looked down. Waving a tool, he said, "Oh! It's been nearly half a month. It truly has been a long time."
With that, Tom jumped down from the bow of the ship, stretched his shoulders, then looked up at the ship behind him. "Most ships, I can build in a week. You're in luck this time, but whether it can sail is the most important question. Oh, of course, I haven't built a mast."
Tom was smart enough not to ask Alucard what he had been doing for the past half-month, as it wasn't something he could meddle with.
"No matter. How much longer until it's finished?"
"It's going well. It should be fully completed the day after tomorrow," Tom said, hands on his hips.
"Oh, right, one more thing." Tom slapped his forehead. "The last bit of the construction fee for this ship, the Roger Pirates paid it for you..."
Alucard's eyes narrowed slightly. "What?"
"Roger said it was in return for a 'good thing' he saw earlier. Well, what it was, I don't know," Tom said, his face showing his own disbelief.
"That guy..."
...
Three days later.
"Alright, now it's time to wait for the new ship to set sail."
Alucard and Tom stood on the north coast of Water 7. The ship was completely shrouded in a large brown canvas. Tom held a corner of the canvas and extended his hand to Alucard. "Here, as its master, be the first to witness the birth of this ship!"
Alucard took the corner of the canvas from Tom's hand and pulled it sharply. As the canvas fell away, the ship's true form was revealed to everyone.
It was a sleek, pointed, steel giant, comparable in size to the future Thousand Sunny, equipped with gunboats, individual cabins, and a propulsion system. However, it lacked sails, which were the primary means of propulsion for ships in this world.
"Have you thought of a name for this ship?" Tom inquired.
"Hmm, when it becomes famous across the Four Seas, you can name it for me," Alucard said, taking out his sunglasses from inside his coat and putting them on. Suddenly, a briefcase emerged from the shadow beneath his feet.
"Here's the last of the shipbuilding fee I owe. Take it," Alucard said as he walked towards the ship.
"Didn't I say Roger paid for it?"
"Then consider it a tip."
Alucard boarded the warship. At the bow, a stone throne had been placed as per Alucard's request. Sitting there, he could enjoy an unobstructed view of the sea ahead.
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