"Aaargh!!"
"Jump overboard quickly!"
"Save the Devil Fruit users! Save the Devil Fruit users!"
"Roux, are you alright?"
The ship, which had suffered a violent impact, instantly burst into fierce flames due to the generated heat and friction. Staying on board was impossible, so everyone jumped into the water, and those who could swim immediately rushed to rescue the Devil Fruit users.
The perpetrator of this devastation gradually revealed its true form.
The entirely pitch-black ship gradually shed its shadowy exterior, revealing the underlying golden giant ship, which was now contorted into a mass of scrap metal. Only barely could one discern the outline of a ship.
"Alucard-sama..."
The rebels, including Exdeath, trembled. Viola's words were no joke, they were true! Furthermore, she had even stretched the time limit; five hours? He arrived in less than four!
They had been instigated to rebel, largely influenced by the Revolutionary Army, and now Alucard's arrival struck them like a physical blow, waking them all up.
But the question was: would waking up save them?
Cold sweat dripped down Exdeath's temples. The sensation of death felt like a pair of dark hands firmly squeezing his throat.
In contrast to the rebels' panic, the loyalist faction, led by Urdaha, saw their morale skyrocket, and they cheered Alucard's name.
"Hiss hoo~"
Alucard took a deep breath, then exhaled, looking at the distant, fiercely burning pirate ship. With a whale head similar to Whitebeard's Moby Dick, it was about 70% similar but two sizes smaller, and still flew the Whitebeard Pirates' flag.
"The smell of war, the scent of rebellion, and... the aroma of fresh blood." The symbol on the back of Alucard's white-gloved hand, identical to his pirate crew's emblem, began to turn red, signifying the escalation of his power.
"Captain."
Ivalis had climbed out of the ship's bottom, but he was currently being supported by his crew, one arm draped over a subordinate's shoulder, looking extremely battered.
Alucard glanced over his shoulder at Ivalis. "Ivalis? Didn't the report say you rebelled?" Alucard recalled the earlier Den Den Mushi transmission, which had reported that the Golden Hair Pirates were attacking.
"It was a misunderstanding, Captain Alucard!" The Golden Hair Pirate crew member supporting Ivalis hastily explained. "It was definitely a false report! A false report! Our Captain fought desperately the whole time!"
"Well, forget it," Alucard retracted his head, smiling. "Stand down."
As he left, Ivalis quickly glanced at Beckman, who was supporting a soaking wet Lucky Roux, that bastard First Mate who had shown him mercy.
"Captain, someone must be manipulating this from behind the scenes; you can't kill everyone," Ivalis said before being helped away.
His subordinates breathed a sigh of relief for Ivalis, marveling that he would even speak out in favor of clemency for the enemies.
Whoosh…
A breeze blew, drying the cold sweat on the surviving 17th Division pirates and the various rebels, but in less than two seconds, the sweat started pouring again.
"The 'Pirate with the Most Kills in History' who massacred the Twelve Kingdoms! If you don't attack now, are you waiting to die?!" The first to shout was Exdeath, who had failed to obtain the Titan Fruit six months prior.
Everyone was startled, their eyes fixed on Alucard, nodding inwardly. He's right. The man before them was a terrifying pirate who massacred twelve kingdoms. Was there any need to speculate on the methods he would use against traitors?
"Hraaaahhhh!!!"
Exdeath roared, pulling a small kodachi-style tachi from his coat. Coating it with Armament Haki, he threw it toward Alucard.
Crash!
Less than a second after the kodachi stabbed into Alucard's body, countless bullets followed, succeeded by the abilities of various Devil Fruit users.
Alucard's physical outline was completely lost under such a fierce attack. All that could be seen was his body transforming into an irregular mass of blood and shadow, letting his attackers continue their assault.
In the deepest part of the blood-mist, Alucard suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze half-focused, recalling the voice of the Undying, Unkillable System from a short time ago.
[Ability Development Progress]
Vampire Physique Ultimate Form: LV-max
Bat Transformation Ultimate Form: LV-max
Weapon: Casull LV9: 77%
Weapon: Jackal LV8: 45%
Blacklight Virus LV7: 36%
Hidden Shadow Blood Pool: LV-max
Black Dog Baskerville LV9: 13%
Level Zero: River of Death: LV4
Extra Awakening Skill: Vlad the Impaler.
"…"
Alucard sighed deeply. Within the blood pool, he recited the incantation for his new ultimate move:
"I am the blood that runs through your veins. I am the dark shadow that chills the hearts of men as you pass. I am the fury... your hate and your vengeance. I am... your destiny."
BOOOOM!!!
Accompanying the end of Alucard's incantation, the blood pool violently receded, yet it didn't vanish. Instead, it coated the sea with a thick, scarlet surface of blood.
A heavy footsteps echoed from the blood pool, and Alucard's body walked out.
He was different from his previous form with the red greatcoat, black shirt, and red fedora, and also unlike his full-body pin-covered he once was.
The Alucard now did not look like his usual mid-twenties self, but rather appeared to be in his forties. His hair was more disheveled, his eyes were deep-set, his philtrum and chin were covered in dark stubble. He wore a cloak that was black on the outside and red on the inside, heavy bronze armor, and a greatsword at his waist.
Compared to his former demonic charm, he now exuded more gravity and composure. This was likely his true appearance, given his age was approaching forty.
His new form: Dracula the Third, Vlad the Impaler, Alucard.