After two long days of waiting, the Golden Hair Pirates received approval from the World Government. The hidden intelligence was handed over without reservation; it seemed the Government wanted Dragon dead just as badly as anyone.
Perhaps the reason they had never acted before was not only because Dragon hid himself so well, but also due to the presence of Garp, the Hero of the Marines. They likely feared a rebellion from Garp, leading them to let opportunities to capture Dragon slip through their fingers in the past.
However, the Immortal Pirates wanting to target the Revolutionary Army was, for the Government, a "gift from the heavens." Not only could they eliminate the Revolutionaries without lifting a finger, but they could also redirect Garp's inevitable hatred toward the Immortal Pirates. This way, he would have no reason to despise the Government.
As for the intelligence... if Dragon was dead, that information would be worthless anyway.
When he saw the large crate of documents delivered by CP agents, Beckman's eyelid twitched. He flicked his cigarette butt into the sea and pulled out the first file to begin his analysis. "I didn't expect the Government to hide so much regarding the Revolutionary Army," he muttered to himself. "This is going to take some time..."
Beckman spread out the map he had previously shown Alucard and took out a red pen, constantly marking and circling various points.
"This is the first mission the Captain gave you. Do it right, Beckman," Ivalis said, walking up to where Beckman sat on the floor.
Beckman didn't look up, offering only a simple reply: "I know."
During the Golden Hair Pirates' voyage back to Arderay, Beckman analyzed the Revolutionary Army data provided by the Government, predicting their next moves. Two days later, the Golden Hair Pirates officially re-entered the New World.
Today, Beckman was still in his room, surrounded by Revolutionary Army documents scattered across the floor.
"The most recent liberation was the Balun Kingdom, a subsidiary of the Government. In that case, their intersecting sea route is here..."
Beckman drew another line with his red pen. By now, the once-clear map looked like a mess of red scribbles. To anyone else, it would look like a child's mindless doodling; no one would suspect that the secrets of the Revolutionary Army were hidden within those lines.
"If the analysis is correct, his next target should be..."
Beckman drew the final diagonal line, pointing directly to a specific kingdom.
"Here!"
Beckman stood up abruptly and shouted, "Get me a Den Den Mushi!"
Despite the command, no one brought it to him. It was then that Beckman snapped back to reality—he was no longer the Vice Captain of the Golden Hair Pirates, but a mere low-level crewman. While his strength meant no one oppressed him, no one was obligated to follow his orders either.
Just as Beckman prepared to get it himself, Ivalis entered wearing his sunglasses, carrying a Den Den Mushi. He tossed it to him. "Finished the analysis?"
"Having the Captain personally deliver things to me... I suppose I still have some face left."
Beckman made a half-joke as he dialed. After a moment, the Den Den Mushi connected.
Beckman's voice dropped an octave. "It's me. I've... predicted the next country Dragon intends to move against."
"Oh...?"
The Den Den Mushi's half-lidded eyes suddenly widened slightly, and Alucard's voice drifted through. "Are you certain?"
"No."
Beckman was blunt, telling the direct truth. "Dragon's movements are erratic. I can only predict his likely landing point; I cannot be positive."
"Hey..." Ivalis stood nearby with a flat expression, thinking to himself that this bastard really didn't know how to sugarcoat things.
"Heh... hehehe..."
Alucard chuckled softly, his fangs glinting. "Fine. I hope for your sake that you are correct."
"The location is the Ilisia Kingdom. They are currently in a sensitive political transition between the old and new kings. As a government-affiliated nation, they've suffered from chronic civil unrest," Beckman analyzed while glancing at a newspaper. "Based on the Revolutionary Army's movement patterns... I'd say there's a seventy percent chance."
"Good work. Return to Marineford," Alucard said.
"Huh?"
Both Beckman and Ivalis were startled by the command. They had just come from Marineford; why return so soon?
"Block any Marines who attempt to leave and assist Dragon."
With that, Alucard hung up.
Looking at the Den Den Mushi, which had closed its eyes to signal the end of the call, the two were baffled for a long time. Eventually, Ivalis left the room and shouted to the helmsman, "Change course! We're heading back to 'Paradise'!"
"Would the Marines actually stop Dragon from dying?" Beckman muttered to himself.
Not knowing Dragon's lineage, they naturally couldn't understand that Alucard wanted them to block the "Tiger" that was Garp.
Out at sea, Wolf, who was treading water, saw Alucard approaching on a small sailing vessel. He rolled his massive body over and asked dopily, "Captain, are we setting sail?"
"You aren't needed for this one. Take Fallon and rendezvous with Ivalis. I'm going alone." Alucard had no intention of bringing Wolf; the target was too conspicuous.
Dragon was like a mouse, he'd bolt at the first sign of a commotion. This time, Alucard needed to keep a low profile to prevent the man from slipping away.
"It's been a long time since I've seen the Captain head out on a solo mission..." Wolf said, scratching his thick beard.
"Hehehe... I'm looking forward to it myself."
Alucard looked up with a wicked smile. Indeed, as a transmigrator, wasn't the prospect of killing the protagonist's father something truly... exciting?