One Piece: Alucard the Immortal

Roger, being the brute he was, wouldn't understand such profound matters; those were usually Rayleigh's responsibility.

As expected, after stroking his golden stubble a few times, Rayleigh's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "Mogukun also said that the damaged entrance was very new, which proves the item was taken recently. In that case, we'll inquire around here, about anyone who landed near this island. Besides archaeologists, I imagine only the World Government would be interested in and aware of such a thing."

Mogukun nodded; Rayleigh was reliable.

If it were the World Government, their presence would surely cause a stir wherever they went, so gathering information near Concordia should yield plenty of useful clues.

Following Rayleigh's method, the Roger Pirates inquired on islands surrounding the Concordia Kingdom ruins about any ships that had landed there recently. Since the Concordia Kingdom was now a ruin, no one would visit unless for a special reason.

On the fourth day, Shanks, Buggy, and Gaban defeated a small group of pirate thugs. From them, they heard that some time ago, a remarkably fast, pointed iron ship was seen near the Concordia Sea. Because it had no sails, it left a strong impression.

After Shanks and the others received this intelligence, they instinctively linked it to Alucard, the central figure in the recent Rulusas massacre. When they reported the intelligence to Roger and the others, they shared the same thought.

"If it were Alucard, I'd have heard rumors already. He's currently battling Whitebeard in the Lubloom Sea." Inside a tavern in the small island town, Rayleigh swirled his drink and asked Roger, "Well? Are we going?"

"Is that even a question?" Roger slapped his knee, spread open his great coat, causing a gust of wind, and walked out of the tavern door laughing, his back to his subordinates. "Men, we're setting sail. And while we're at it, let's go see Whitebeard."

"If we go, Shiki and the World Government won't just stand by, will they?" the navigator Nozdon asked.

"What? Scared?" Gaban asked, chuckling.

"Don't be ridiculous."

...

On the other side of the Red Line, at Mariejois.

Fleet Admiral Kong, the highest authority in Marine Headquarters, had just concluded his meeting with the Five Elders and was returning to Headquarters from Mariejois.

Immediately upon his return, Kong, his face grim, issued a secret order. He knew in his heart what kind of uproar this would cause in the world.

"Where is Garp right now?" Kong asked his aide as he walked back to his office.

"Sir, Vice Admiral Garp has returned to the East Blue, reportedly to visit relatives," a nearby officer immediately replied.

"That man disregards military discipline. Call him back at once. How are things progressing in the New World?"

"All patrol fleets have been recalled and are heading towards the Roger Pirates' location, as per your orders, Fleet Admiral."

As the two talked and walked towards the office, another Marine soldier suddenly hurried over from the opposite direction. After saluting Kong, he lowered his head and relayed the firsthand intelligence he had just received about the Roger Pirates.

"The Roger Pirates are heading to the Lubloom Sea?" The aide who had been speaking with Kong was shocked. He then wiped cold sweat from his chin and speculated, "Could it be that they're trying to deliver a heavy blow to Whitebeard while the Whitebeard Pirates and Alucard are clashing?"

Roger and Whitebeard were also sworn rivals. The act of watching from the sidelines and then striking during chaos was something taught in Marine military texts.

The Roger Pirates heading to the location of Alucard's and the Whitebeard Pirates' battle at this moment made it easy to think so.

But the moment the aide spoke, Kong immediately denied it. "Don't underestimate that man. He would never do such a thing."

"Then, Fleet Admiral, what's our next plan?" the aide cautiously inquired.

Two "Legendary" figures, plus a pirate now called "Beneath the Legends"—such a lineup seemed insufficient for the New World's forces alone. Even with direct reinforcements from Headquarters, it would definitely be an incredibly tough fight.

Kong closed his eyes, pondering for a long time. Then he opened them and chuckled softly. "What's our most basic method for dealing with pirates? Have you forgotten?" The two Marines were stunned, and Kong continued, "Have the New World fleets temporarily hold their positions. Find a way to leak information about Roger to Shiki, and let them tear each other apart."

"Yes, sir!"

...

"GOLD ROGER VIOLATES WORLD GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTION, DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY, CONTROLS ANCIENT WEAPONS; MARINES TO CONDUCT FULL ARREST!"

October 22, 1495, Sea Calendar—also the sixth day of Alucard and Whitebeard's battle on the island in the Lubloom Sea. Such a headline shocked the entire world. The three Ancient Weapons, things that lived only in legend, actually existed! And, what's more, they were in Roger's hands.

While the world was shocked, people didn't forget to immediately scrutinize the publishing department at the bottom of the newspaper. As a result, the line "Certified and Published by the World Government" written at the very end made people completely believe that this matter was true.

The Great Pirate Gold Roger possessed Ancient Weapons. In that case, who else on this sea could stand against him?

As pirates trembled in fear, the world's perception of Roger steadily rose, even temporarily overshadowing Whitebeard and Shiki.

What were fleets compared to this? Ancient Weapons were the most fearsome existence, weren't they?

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