His first attempt to venture into the New World had been halted by the bounty on his head, forcing Alucard to spend two weeks sailing around the waters near Sabaody Archipelago, occasionally docking to enjoy himself.
During these two weeks, Alucard hadn't used his own face, but instead infiltrated the island disguised as a Marine soldier he had absorbed. From this, he gathered significant intelligence, such as Borsalino being temporarily stationed on Sabaody Archipelago.
Alucard suspected this was very likely a measure targeting him.
Furthermore, many new wanted posters of him had been put up on Sabaody Archipelago recently, deepening the impression he made on people and allowing civilians to provide information more readily.
It seemed the Marines were convinced he was still on the island.
Alucard hadn't found an opportunity to coat his ship these past two weeks. The Marines had significantly ramped up security to capture him. However, while they hadn't caught him, many other pirates had suffered the consequences.
Who could have imagined Sabaody Archipelago's security suddenly becoming so tight? But this heightened security was only aimed at him.
Presumably, it wouldn't be long before the Marines recalled Borsalino, as he was a high-tier combatant and couldn't be left guarding a single island indefinitely.
As for Alucard, although he was eager to find the island Dr. Vegapunk had mentioned, he could afford to spend a little more time.
It was important to remember that even by the time of Roger's death, Seastone handcuffs hadn't been fully perfected, let alone bullets. So, for the short term, Seastone bullets wouldn't be easily developed.
These two weeks, Alucard treated as a vacation.
This day, Alucard was sailing his ship in the waters near Grove 50, in the southeast of Sabaody Archipelago, when he suddenly looked to his right.
A human presence emanated from there. Was it pirates?
Alucard sensed carefully, his expression slightly firming, then he let out a chuckle.
'It's them! The Roger Pirates!'
Using Hidden Shadow control, Alucard turned his ship's bow towards the Roger Pirates' vessel. Twenty minutes later, a ship slightly larger than Alucard's steel vessel, also built by the world's greatest shipwright, met his.
Nozdon, the navigator of the Roger Pirates, stood on the crow's nest's lookout platform, looking through his telescope into the distance. When he spotted Alucard sitting at the bow of the opposing steel ship, he braced his hands on the platform's edge and shouted down to Roger: "Captain! It's Alucard! Dracula D. Alucard is on that ship opposite us!"
Roger, Rayleigh, and the others, who had been enjoying a drink, immediately stood up and looked into the distance. Sure enough, a uniquely designed steel ship was approaching them.
Ten minutes later, both sides clearly saw each other's faces.
Roger was the type of person who couldn't hide his inner thoughts. Upon seeing Alucard, he stood at the bow and couldn't help but shout, "Alucard, haven't you entered the New World yet?"
Roger's words echoed the thoughts of most of his crew. They had thought Alucard had long since left the first half of the Grand Line and entered the New World. They hadn't expected to meet him on Sabaody Archipelago. Had something happened?
"If you want to know, go to the island and you'll find out," Alucard said with a light chuckle, still seated in the chair at the ship's bow.
"How about it? Care for a drink together?" Roger raised his beloved rum, inviting Alucard.
"Maybe next time. Right now, you should probably be heading into the New World soon, right?" Alucard controlled his ship to shift course, clearing a path for the Roger Pirates' vessel.
Roger and Rayleigh exchanged glances, and finally, the helmsman steered the ship away. As they passed Alucard's side, Roger even waved.
"Something might have happened on the island," Shanks speculated.
"Idiot, even I figured that out! Otherwise, why wouldn't that guy go ashore?" Buggy scoffed.
"Alright, stop bickering," Rayleigh interjected, stopping their argument. "Once we reach Sabaody Archipelago, we still need to coat the ship. From our past experience entering the New World, this will take almost a week. And this place is also the closest to Marine Headquarters. If we draw the attention of the Marines, entering the New World will become extremely difficult. Everyone, remember to keep a low profile on the island."
"I know, I know, don't worry, partner," Roger laughed, revealing his white teeth.
Rayleigh winced. "Roger, have you forgotten what happened a few years ago when you caused such a commotion on the island and ended up drawing Garp's attention?"
...
Only after the Roger Pirates had completely disappeared from sight did Alucard control his ship to follow them.
Using his Thermal Vision, Alucard already knew the Roger Pirates' landing spot was the southwest dock of Grove 55.
Rayleigh and the others had traveled between the New World and Sabaody Archipelago many times and knew that Grove 55 was where the coating mechanics were concentrated, allowing them to find workers most quickly. That's why they chose to land there.
After confirming the Roger Pirates' location, Alucard chuckled softly, adjusting his ship's bow. He chose to sail his ship to the northeast dock of Grove 27, the farthest point from the Roger Pirates' current location.
"King of the Pirates, it's great you've arrived. This way, I can easily enter the New World."
Alucard smiled as he disembarked. The moment he landed on the island, blood plasma filled with the Blacklight Virus enveloped his body.
Five seconds later, the plasma receded, and the person who reappeared was an ordinary, slightly plump man.
This time, there would be no vacationing.
He would first observe the Roger Pirates' situation.
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