What is an Emperor?
In the future, they would be known as the rulers of the New World, emperors reigning over their domains.
What did an emperor have? Territory and subordinates. Strength was secondary.
But with these two things, it was enough to prove that their strength could not be lacking.
Charlotte Linlin and Kaido had tacitly agreed to Alucard's plan, temporarily giving up their conflicts to fully expand their territories and crews. They would have their pirate flags fly over islands and set their sights on the Marines and other pirates.
Anyone who wasn't with their crew or the crews of the other three monsters would either die or surrender.
But Alucard had no interest in territory. What would he do with land?
He only wanted one thing right now: people.
People for his River of Death.
His battle with the two powerful Celestial Dragons half a year ago had seemed like a complete victory, but the number of souls his River of Death had consumed was exaggerated.
Alucard also knew it would be impossible for him to take down Kaido and Charlotte Linlin in three seconds if they had fought in the palace.
He didn't want territory or subordinates; he only wanted "people."
The quiet banquet hall.
Alucard could clearly sense the situation of the entire Dressrosa city through his Thermal Vision.
After Kaido and Charlotte Linlin left, the Marines hidden among the civilians began to withdraw in large numbers, leaving only a small portion behind to guard against him.
Alucard got up and said, "Let's go."
Hancock looked up, confused. "Master, where are we going?"
"To find war. Honestly, isn't this just like when I first started my journey?" Alucard said, walking toward the exit of the palace, laughing at himself.
This time, Hancock didn't follow. After a moment of hesitation, she summoned her courage and said, "M-Master, I want to go back to Amazon Lily and train with Sandersonia and Marigold."
Alucard stopped and turned around, meeting Hancock's gaze. Though her eyes were a little timid, they were filled with determination.
"I… I know how weak I am right now, so, so I decided to…"
"Then do what you want to do!" Alucard said, not waiting for her to finish. He turned and walked away, a slight smile on his face. "Don't be a half-ass anymore."
It was a simple statement, but it was completely in line with Alucard's style. Hancock understood his meaning and happily called out to his retreating back, "Yes, Master!"
'Is that so? The Pirate Empress is finally awakening a little earlier? That's going to be very, very interesting.'
Alucard gradually disappeared from the Boa sisters' sight.
In the banquet hall, Marigold asked Hancock, "Onee-sama, is this okay?"
She and Sandersonia were "in awe" of Alucard, but Hancock was completely "revering" him. They both knew the difference, as well as Alucard's place in Hancock's heart.
"This is for the best. First, I need to get my revenge! No one can ever humiliate me again!" Hancock said, running a hand through her hair, already showing a third of her future Pirate Empress demeanor.
"But there's still one problem," Sandersonia interjected. "Since Alucard isn't with us, how do we get back to Amazon Lily in the first half of the Grand Line?"
"..."
After a moment of awkward silence, Hancock suddenly remembered the pink-haired woman who had been pestering her master for the past month. She should be able to lend us a ship. After all, she's from a kingdom, right?
But the thought of having to ask that woman for a favor was irritating. 'What should I do….'
Hancock gritted her teeth. Just then, Sandersonia said, "Onee-sama, if you don't want to ask her, Marigold and I will do it."
"Eh?" Hancock was stunned. "Did I just say what I was thinking out loud?"
"Yes," Marie and Sonia nodded in unison.
....
Dressrosa Kingdom, Southwest Coast.
After Alucard summoned his ship with his Hidden Shadow technique, a woman's voice called out from behind him. "Are you leaving?"
Alucard turned and saw Scarlett, King Riku's eldest daughter. Not far behind her, behind a rock, her younger sister Viola was peeking out. When she saw Alucard's gaze seem to shift toward her, she quickly ducked back down.
She was most likely following Scarlett.
"You should be happy, shouldn't you? The pirate is finally leaving your country." Alucard walked up to Scarlett, the girl who was only fifteen or sixteen.
"This… I…" Scarlett was conflicted. Alucard was right. The infamous pirate was leaving. She should be happy, otherwise, she'd be a traitor to her country. But, but…
Suddenly, Alucard placed a hand on Scarlett's collarbone on the left side of her neck. He chuckled. "Heh… Is it that you miss the feeling from back then?"
Scarlett immediately remembered what had happened on that pirate ship when they first met. Her face flushed, and she said in a panic, "N-no, it's not!"
"Haah!"
Suddenly, Alucard opened his mouth, and his fangs pierced the same spot as before.
"Ah… ah… ugh~"
Scarlett let out a slight moan. Viola, who was watching from a distance, was shocked. 'My sister is kissing a pirate!'
She hadn't gotten close because of her fear, and Alucard's bangs had obscured his face, which gave Viola this mistaken impression.
Scarlett clutched Alucard's clothes tightly. Her face was flushed, but it gradually turned pale.
After an unknown amount of time, Alucard finally let go. This time, unlike the last, he didn't drain her completely.
"You're a good woman…" Alucard looked directly into Scarlett's slightly lustful eyes. "But I don't see resolve in your eyes… Lady-chan…"
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