Thud!
From the outside, it was clear something was striking Baskerville's insides. One hit, then a second, and a third.
Finally, the giant body couldn't handle the internal impacts anymore and collapsed to the ground. A hole was broken in the back of its head, and Garp emerged, covered in blood.
"OHHH!!!!"
"As expected of Garp-san!!"
The Marines all cheered. If Garp, the hero of the Marines, had failed or died, it would have undoubtedly brought a devastating blow to their morale. But his victory brought overwhelming confidence. That's the power of a leader.
"Ahhh..."
Garp ran a hand through the blood covering his body, but it was impossible to clean. He just managed to flick the blood off and then touched his head. "I used to beat dogs all the time as a kid, but this is the first time I've ever been eaten by one..."
BANG!
Garp heard a sound and slowly turned around. He saw Kuzan holding an ice sword with a bullet embedded in the blade. It was clear that Kuzan had used his sword to block a bullet for him.
Of course, Garp could have dodged it himself.
"Kuzan-kun," Garp said with a strange look. "I don't remember you ever being so respectful to your elders."
"Garp-san, would you mind staying back?" Kuzan glanced back with a serious look. "The commander is the heart of the operation. It's not a good idea to expose the heart to the enemy. Don't forget your status and position."
While Kuzan had the utmost respect for Garp's strength, what had just happened showed a lot. Garp had only been in a slight disadvantageous position, and the morale of the entire army had been shaken. If Alucard had taken that opportunity to attack the regular soldiers, who knew how many would have died?
That's why Garp couldn't be allowed to fight on the front lines so recklessly. He was a double-edged sword, and his power shouldn't be used until the very end.
"Oh... Without me, how far do you think you can go, Kuzan?"
Alucard kicked Kuzan's ice sword, splitting it in two. In the nick of time, Kuzan grabbed Alucard's legs with both hands. His thick lips turned up slightly. "Arara, don't underestimate the new generation of Marines, Alucard-san~ Did you think we wasted our time in the three years after you and Shiki attacked Marine Headquarters?"
Just as Kuzan finished, a roar sounded from the sky. Alucard looked up and saw a red dot breaking through the black clouds, falling toward them.
Ten seconds later, Alucard saw it clearly. It wasn't a red dot—it was a meteorite! A blazing, fiery meteorite!
"A meteorite-summoning move, I remember that one..."
Alucard's eyes narrowed. The meteorite grew larger and larger in his sight. Kuzan took the chance to freeze Alucard's legs, and he and Garp retreated a few hundred meters.
In an instant, only Alucard was left in the middle of a large area, the size of a soccer field.
BOOM!
The meteorite slammed into the ground, a dual attack of fire and rock. Debris and sparks flew in every direction. Even Doberman and Momonga frowned, thinking to themselves, The recent conscription really did bring in some valuable talent...
"Amazing..."
"That's Zephyr's newest student, a monster who graduated from Zephyr's training in just one year..." The Marines watched the attack in awe.
Thump... thump... thump...
At that moment, the sound of something striking the ground echoed.
The other Marines quickly cleared a path, and in the middle of it, a stout, blind man wearing a simple, light purple kimono slowly walked toward them. The man was between forty and fifty years old. He had a crew cut, black hair, and the most noticeable features were the scars over his eyes, which were tightly shut. He was blind!
"My apologies, everyone. Is everyone alright?" The stout man also wore a Marine coat with the word "Justice" on his back. Looking at his rank, he was a Captain. But this was a Captain who made even Momonga, Doberman, and Strawberry, as well as the other Vice Admirals, straighten up with respect.
"Well, well, the reinforcements Zephyr-sensei brought in are terrifying. What a monster." Kuzan said with exaggerated enthusiasm.
The stout man smiled slightly. "I am just a recruit who officially joined the Marines a year ago, Vice Admiral Kuzan. You flatter me."
Marine Headquarters Captain, Issho!
The new generation of Marine recruits that Zephyr had scouted, a man called a "monster" who graduated from Zephyr's training in just one year.
"Well, well, you little brats are celebrating a bit too early." Garp stuck a finger in his nostril, motioning for everyone to look toward the meteorite. Of course, Issho couldn't "see" it.
Everyone turned their attention from Issho to the battlefield. Below the meteorite, a pool of blood was spreading like a river. Alucard's body emerged from it, looking up at the one who had brought the meteorite down—Issho.
"I didn't expect even you to show up," Alucard said to Issho.
"Oh... I am just a new recruit. Is it possible that the great 'Three Monsters' knows of me?" Issho's face, with his closed eyes, showed a hint of curiosity.
Swoosh!
A flash of golden light landed in front of Issho and Kuzan. It was Borsalino.
"Garp-san is our ace in the hole, a double-edged sword we can't use unless it's absolutely necessary. Now, let's have the three of us go in as the main force, ne~~"
Borsalino grinned, then turned to the Marines standing in various directions. "Everyone else, be ready for backup."
"Yes!!!"
Issho and Kuzan walked up to stand on either side of Borsalino, forming a three-on-one lineup against Alucard.
"I hope I don't hold the two of you back. Let's make this a gamble, win or lose!" Issho drew his sword a few centimeters from his cane. His humble smile was gone, replaced by an endless fighting spirit.
"The future three Admirals? So much has already changed." Alucard said something that left all three of them confused. Suddenly, a physicalized pool of blood rose behind him. "So, what are you waiting for? Come on! Do whatever you can to stab your sword into my heart!"
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