The dead man's head, eyes wide open, staring blankly forward, sent shivers down the spines of the surrounding mechanics.
"Th-that, we... we can't take heads for bounties. We'll be... targeted by other pirate hunters." The mechanic who had quoted Alucard a price spoke with a trembling voice. When Alucard's eyes narrowed, the mechanic shuddered and quickly explained, "Th-this Sabaody Archipelago is an island where many pirates, pirate hunters, and even the World Government gather. Everything has its own rules. If we steal a pirate hunter's job, we won't have an easy life later."
"Where is the Marine Branch?" I'll just take the head and exchange it for money myself.
"It's... it's in Grove 66."
After getting his answer, Alucard turned and left, carrying Barud's head. Before Alucard had even walked two meters, the mechanic chased after him, forcing a smile. "Sir, could you please tell us where your ship is first? We'll coat it for you in advance, and you can pay us later. Just later."
"Oh?" Alucard looked at him with amusement, not exposing the mechanic's little scheme. "Pier 23, the steel ship."
"Understood, understood. Please, take your time," the mechanic said, nodding repeatedly.
After Alucard left, the other mechanics came over, asking in disbelief, "Idiot, what are you doing? You want to work for free?"
"You fools, didn't you see him casually killing people on this Sabaody Archipelago? He's a lunatic! I was going to try and extort him earlier, and if he found out, I'd be dead. It's better to finish the job properly before he finds out, lest he comes to kill me later," the mechanic said, still shaken.
...
Sabaody Archipelago Marine Base, Area 66.
"Captain Barud of the Skull Pirates, bounty 22,200,000 Berries. Give me the bounty."
When Alucard placed Barud's head on the pirate bounty counter, even the Marines couldn't help but swallow.
After a response, two Marines quickly turned and entered the building to retrieve the bounty. As the two put the money into a canvas bag, one of the Marines suddenly paused, doubting, "Hey, doesn't that bounty hunter's face look a bit familiar?"
"Familiar?"
"You stay here and handle this; I'll go check." The other Marine left through another door in the treasury. When he flipped through the latest wanted posters, he almost gasped in surprise.
...
ONLY ALIVE
Dracula D. Alucard
Bounty: 200,000,000 Berries
...
'Wait, it says ONLY ALIVE at the very top? Does that mean "capture alive only"?'
'He's a wanted man!'
The Marine was completely dumbfounded. A wanted criminal comes to a Marine base to kill a pirate for a bounty—what kind of play was this? But, since such a high-bounty criminal had appeared, how could they let him escape?
Thinking this, the Marine quickly ran out the door and pressed the alarm.
BEEP BOOP BEEP BOOP—
In an instant, the alarm blared throughout the large Marine base. The surrounding Marines noticed the alarm coming from the bounty counter building and rushed over. In less than a moment, countless Marines swarmed the bounty counter where Alucard was.
At this time, the Marine who was originally preparing to pay Alucard the bounty also emerged from inside with a large contingent of Marines, holding a wanted poster with Alucard's face on it.
"Dracula D. Alucard, with a bounty of 200 million! I never thought you'd walk right into our trap! Soldiers! Seize him!"
Alucard looked at his wanted poster with slight surprise.
'When was I put on a bounty? I haven't been reading the newspaper lately because of the ship trials. Did I miss the news of my bounty just because I didn't read the paper for two days? If so, that would be quite a coincidence.'
"Is this what they call 'truth stranger than fiction'?" Alucard chuckled, looking down.
"Everyone, be careful not to hit his vital points! The wanted poster has orders: he must be captured alive!" The Marine held up the wanted poster, reminding everyone. Indeed, the words "ONLY ALIVE" were clearly written on the poster.
"The World Government, still not giving up?" Alucard also saw the wanted poster commanding his capture alive. He, of course, knew why the Government would issue such an order.
'But, if I want to live, can your forces really kill me?'
"Seriously, I came to this vacation island intending to enjoy myself properly!" Alucard crossed his arms, reaching inside his greatcoat to pull out his black and white guns.
"No choice, then!" Alucard shouted, beginning to spray bullets throughout the not-so-large hall.
"Ahahahahaha!"
Alucard laughed maniacally, gun muzzles flashing, continuously taking the lives of the surrounding Marines.
Many Marines, seeing the unfavorable turn of events, quickly turned and hid in corners or behind cover, thinking, 'What 'capture alive'? It's almost impossible for us to even protect ourselves!'
"Immediately request backup from Headquarters!" a Seaman First Class told the subordinate next to him.
"Yes, sir!"
Alucard had no intention of getting entangled with these Marines. As he said earlier, he truly came to this island for a vacation.
After collecting the bounty, he had planned to roam around Sabaody Archipelago and enjoy himself, but who would have thought he was already wanted? Is this like a lamb walking into a tiger's den?
CLANG!
Alucard condensed a giant sword from his Blacklight Virus, swung it fiercely, cutting down a dozen Marines, then merged his entire body into a shadow filled with eyes, sliding out through a crack that had just appeared.
"Alucard escaped! Chase him!"
"Quickly! Chase him!"
The Marines behind him shouted repeatedly.
——————
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