Alucard and Dr. Vegapunk finally reached an agreement, with the most fundamental condition being a quid pro quo: a direct exchange of money for goods.
The location for this exchange was Baizinbur Island, one of the research facilities Dr. Vegapunk used before the World Government recruited him to the scientific laboratory at Marine Headquarters.
Once the Seastone bullets were complete, he would find a way to place them there, and Alucard would also need to prepare what he wanted to complete the transaction.
Baizinbur Island was located in the New World. It was once part of the territory of a dominant family but was eradicated by the Marines several years ago. Due to its abundance of rare animals, it was temporarily being used as a Marine training base.
"When will you be able to complete what I want?" Alucard, still in his CP0 disguise, asked.
"Well... fashioning Seastone into weapons like swords already requires immense effort, let alone developing higher-difficulty, higher-quantity bullets. It's impossible in a short amount of time. How about this: the moment the news of Seastone is disseminated worldwide will be your signal. You can come retrieve them then," Dr. Vegapunk replied.
"It's a deal." Alucard turned to leave, placing the bullets used by Jackal on the laboratory table in front of Dr. Vegapunk. "These are the bullet samples required for the Seastone bullets. Make them according to this."
"I understand. Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Dr. Vegapunk waved.
"Heh..." Alucard chuckled softly, leaving the research lab.
Dr. Vegapunk, meanwhile, quickly hid the bullets. This was, after all, illegal, but with his capabilities, it was a minor matter.
Meanwhile, Alucard, still disguised as a CP0 agent, entered the residential streets of Marineford.
This area was primarily inhabited by the families of high-ranking Marine officials. Because they were so famous, they made many enemies, leading many families to reside here, behind the Marine Headquarters building.
Alucard walked along, finding few people around, but he could tell that there were surveillance Den Den Mushi positioned throughout the area.
If he returned to the ship in this disguise, he would undoubtedly be taken back to Mariejois as a genuine CP0 agent.
He had to make his escape here.
However, the nearby surveillance Den Den Mushi had to be dealt with first.
With that thought, several bats suddenly flew out from Alucard's wide sleeves, soaring forward.
In the Marine surveillance room, a Marine monitoring personnel, who was slacking off, suddenly saw one of the countless surveillance screens go black. He couldn't help but wonder, "What's going on? Is the Den Den Mushi sick?"
Den Den Mushi were living creatures; if they lost their life or were killed, they naturally wouldn't display a picture.
"Immediately investigate and see what the problem is." In other branches, such a matter might not be taken so seriously, but this was Marine Headquarters, Marineford; everything had to be held to the strictest standards.
Meanwhile, Alucard walked beneath the surveillance Den Den Mushi that his bats had killed.
Soon, two soldiers approached. Upon seeing Alucard, they immediately saluted. Alucard gestured to them, signaling them to come closer. The two exchanged confused glances and stood before him. They heard Alucard say, "I have something I need you to report to Marine superiors, and that is..."
BANG!
As the two soldiers focused, preparing to hear what he wanted to say, Alucard's left and right fists suddenly pierced their abdomens. Before they could even utter a sound, the Blacklight Virus consumed them. And in that very instant, Alucard transformed from his CP0 disguise into the appearance of an ordinary Marine soldier.
On the other side, at the Marine Plaza dock, the agents on the government ship had been waiting for over four hours, but there was still no sign of the CP0 Chief Officer, causing them to grow anxious. Although they knew this was Marine Headquarters, it was impossible for anything to happen there.
Currently, the Marines were increasingly disregarding the government's directives, and the two sides' interactions were far less harmonious than outsiders imagined.
The government agents didn't want to cause trouble in Marine territory, while the Marines, upon seeing government ships, would avoid them if possible, not wanting to proactively engage with them.
On the other side of the plaza, Alucard, now in the guise of one of the soldiers he had just consumed, walked along and spotted a Marine warship docked at the shore.
Its sails were raised, indicating it was preparing for deployment. If it were merely docked and unused, its sails would be furled. Since they were raised, it meant it was about to set sail.
"Where is this warship headed?" Alucard asked a passing Marine, from an inconspicuous position.
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