After two full days of negotiations with the government, a new battleship, its sails emblazoned with the World Government's "cross" symbol, slowly passed through the Gates of Justice and arrived at Enies Lobby.
A host of government agents disembarked first. Among them, several individuals in white lab coats, the standard attire of scientific researchers, walked in the middle, clearly protected by layers of agents.
As they drew closer, Alucard recognized the man in the center of the white coats: Vegapunk.
When they had crossed the sea that Kuzan had frozen and arrived before Kong's group and the Immortal Pirates, the government agents parted their formation, creating a path for Vegapunk and the two other high-ranking individuals from the Science Unit.
On either side of Vegapunk, two researchers, seemingly his assistants, each held a steel briefcase.
"I'll speak with this fellow personally." Alucard signaled to Vegapunk.
"That's impossible!"
The government personnel, who always protected Vegapunk like a precious treasure, were the first to explode. "This is an individual the Government requires high-level protection for! How can he be alone with a dangerous person like you!"
Click! Crack!
A sniper rifle was shoved into the mouth of the protesting agent. It was one of the Immortal Pirates' snipers, who was yawning and looking disdainful. "Do you want to keep running your mouth, or should I put a hole in your face right now?"
"Insolent pirate!"
The government agent in the dark blue, nearly black suit reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a gun, while the Immortal Pirates crew members also brandished their weapons, their intent sharp and threatening.
"Arara, the situation has become a bit unexpected," Kuzan said, watching the standoff. He suddenly felt the Marines were caught between a rock and a hard place.
But just then, Vegapunk, the key figure in the incident, spoke up. "It's fine. I assure you he won't kill me, and I'm not that easy to kill, either. A private talk is fine."
"Clever."
Alucard gave him the same evaluation he always did for Vegapunk. He turned and walked up the gangplank onto the Dragon Ship, the one that should have belonged to Dragon. Vegapunk followed close behind, slowly walking up the gangplank while taking the two briefcases from his assistants.
Upon reaching an inner room of the Dragon Ship, Alucard lightly stamped his foot. The entire ship was immediately enveloped in a dark-red spectacle, with massive, adult-sized red eyes constantly rotating all around them.
The place felt like the inside of a haunted house, enough to send chills down one's spine.
But Vegapunk did not flinch. Instead, the fanaticism in his eyes was barely contained. "Your secrets are truly endless. If I had to choose, I would trade half of my research achievements to date for the opportunity to dissect you."
"Heh, you're bold to say that."
Alucard sat opposite Vegapunk. Vegapunk placed the two briefcases on the table and pushed them toward Alucard. "Take a look."
Alucard flipped the latches open. Inside were rows of new Seastone bullets—specifically, 13mm Armor-Piercing Explosive Rounds for the black gun, Jackal.
"..."
Alucard had only just uttered a single syllable when Vegapunk cut in. "I predicted years ago that you'd eventually run out and come back asking for more, so I prepared these long ago. I just didn't expect you to be quite so economical in their use."
"I simply haven't found many suitable targets to use them on," Alucard replied.
Alucard took six of the bullets and loaded them into Jackal's cylinder, the action punctuated by a "click." He dismissed the shadowy veil and fired at the corner of the room.
BANG!
An explosive sound erupted, tearing several walls to shreds. Alucard looked at the barrel of the gun with deep satisfaction. "It seems different from before."
"I added a new specialized mixture of mercury and Seastone to make them explosive rounds. They'll unleash a much more powerful force upon hitting a target," Vegapunk explained, acting as a commentator.
"Is this alright?"
Alucard teased Vegapunk with a smile. "Isn't it too much to strengthen the Marines' enemy?"
Vegapunk looked contemptuous, waving his hand. "I am loyal only to science, not to the Government."
He then added slyly, "If one day I fall into your hands, or into the hands of anyone outside the Government, I trust you will certainly come to my rescue, won't you?"
Alucard stored the two entire cases of bullets into the pool of blood. "Being too clever can lead to an early grave. You'd best remember that point..."
....
Kong, with Dragon and Ivankov's group secured in Seastone cages behind him, watched the Immortal Pirates' ship slowly sail away. He frowned deeply. After the ship disappeared from view, he turned to Vegapunk. "Alucard just made his request. Why did you immediately bring the weapons out?"
"Oh... those?"
Vegapunk drew out the word, showing no sign of guilt. "Those were originally weapons prepared for Zephyr, but since the encounter with Alucard was unexpected, I simply gave them to him."
At the mention of Zephyr, Kong's face clouded over again. He pressed, "What kind of weapon was it?"
Vegapunk did not conceal the information. "Seastone bullets. Unlike regular slow bullets, these are specialized Seastone explosive rounds. I'd imagine a Devil Fruit user would be instantly killed."
"Arara," Kuzan muttered, clicking his tongue. "Is it alright to give such a terrible weapon to an enemy?"
"Could I have fooled him with anything else?" Vegapunk countered, instantly silencing everyone.
Kong turned his attention to the Revolutionary Army members in the cages. "Send them to Impel Down first. The detailed method of handling them will be decided after consultation between the Marines and the Government."
Meanwhile, on Alucard's ship, Urdaha walked up to Alucard and said respectfully, "Alucard- sama, the matter of the Red-Hair Pirates doesn't seem like something we can ignore."
Alucard, who was currently staring at his black gun Jackal, rested the weapon against his fedora. "Of course. Once we return to the New World, immediately begin preparations. We will completely annihilate the Red-Hair Pirates."