After agreeing to Dr. Vegapunk's "Sky Island Seizure Plan," the two spent a long time discussing the finer details of the operation.
The struggle for the sky had become the top priority. Establishing a military stronghold ten thousand meters in the air was an immense undertaking. Between transporting materials, handling the protests of local residents, and the logistics of troop allocation, even the World Government, with all its vast resources, wouldn't be able to finish such a project in less than a year or two.
Dr. Vegapunk's initial strategy was simple: harassment and sabotage.
The focus would be on disrupting the construction of military bases and fueling the dissent of the local populace. When necessary, they would engage the Government forces, but the primary objective was property damage, not a fight to the death.
If it turned into a war of attrition, the Navy, despite its current friction with the World Government, would surely unite with them against a common enemy like the Immortal Pirates. That would be troublesome.
The timing for a full-scale seizure had to coincide with a moment when the Navy was too preoccupied to care about the situation in the Sky Islands.
To achieve this, they needed to spark a large-scale conflict between the Navy and the other three Yonko, or perhaps incite an uprising elsewhere, much like the "Slave Liberation" once carried out by Fisher Tiger and Dragon.
Hearing this, Alucard remarked, "Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is dead."
"What?"
Dr. Vegapunk paused, momentarily failing to see the connection, until Alucard explained his recent encounters with Teach and Ace.
At his lab bench, Dr. Vegapunk fell silent for a long while before suddenly bolting upright. He slammed his right hand onto the desk with a heavy thud.
"A god-given opportunity!"
Outside the laboratory, Aranea, who was waiting with Bartholomew Kuma, jumped in surprise. Why was Vegapunk so agitated today?
Is he talking to an old flame or something? Aranea wondered gossiping to herself.
"Captain, I will immediately send someone to meet with Teach and have him capture Ace to turn over to the Navy."
A cunning smile spread across Dr. Vegapunk's face. "The doting Whitebeard will undoubtedly go to total war with the Navy to rescue 'Fire Fist' Ace. At that same moment, we launch our general assault on the Sky Islands. When that time comes... hehehe..."
"So it comes to this path after all? Roger's son."
Alucard looked up at the sky and finished, "From here on, I'll leave it to you."
"It is time to recall the officers wandering the world. Captain, please return immediately as well," Dr. Vegapunk reminded him before hanging up.
"Honestly," Alucard finally took a sip of the Virgin Blood. "I was actually planning on just being a spectator."
Ever since meeting Teach and Ace in succession, Alucard knew the Paramount War was likely inevitable. He had originally intended to just watch the world burn, but it seemed that plan was no longer viable.
Caw! Caw!
Suddenly, the cry of a News Coo echoed from above. When the bird spotted Alucard, it instinctively slowed its flight. Alucard beckoned with a finger; the bird understood, landing by the chair to leave a newspaper in exchange for the berries Alucard produced.
The headline focused on Portgas D. Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, who had for some reason left Whitebeard's territory and appeared in the first half of the New World.
On the very last page, however, a small notice was printed: "A New Top Bounty Emerges from the East Blue."
Poor "Weakest Sea," even when its highest bounty was announced, it only merited a spot on the back page of the global edition.
But as Alucard's eyes scanned the bounty, his gaze froze.
Monkey D. Luffy DEAD OR ALIVE Bounty: 25,000,000 Berries
"This brat..."
Alucard read the snippet on the back page. It detailed a seven-year-old "Brat Pirate" who had defeated the East Blue's heavy hitters, Buggy the Clown and Don Krieg.
After reading it, Alucard tossed the paper into the sea. He closed his eyes and laughed softly. "Is that so? It's already that time. Hehehe... I didn't expect it. I truly didn't expect it... Hahahahaha!"
…
At the same time, across the globe:
South Blue, the Bonney Pirates, subordinates of the Immortal Pirates.
In a restaurant, Jewelry Bonney was ignoring the bewildered stares of other customers. Clad in her signature miniskirt and long boots, her cute appearance stood in stark contrast to the way she was currently gorging herself at the table, surrounded by the hulking men of her crew.
"Pizza! I want more pizza!!" Bonney reached for a plate, but finding it empty, she began to throw a tantrum.
A large pirate in a white t-shirt and freckles tried to soothe her helplessly. "We've already gone to the kitchen to hurry them up, Captain."
"It's not nearly enough!" Bonney shouted, a drumstick in one hand and a steak in the other.
"Captain," another pirate approached, holding a Den Den Mushi with both hands. He whispered, "A message has arrived. We are ordered to rendezvous immediately at Arderay, our headquarters in the New World."
Bonney's chewing slowed. She waved a hand and yelled, "Pack it up! Pack it all up!"
…
The first half of the Grand Line.
Wolf, who was searching for a man named "Weevil" to settle a two-year-old grudge, was squatting on a small island. His massive frame looked like an extra mountain had sprouted on the landscape.
From the Den Den Mushi beneath him, Dr. Vegapunk's voice rang out: "Return at once, Wolf."
"Mmm~ seriously?"
Though he grumbled, Wolf didn't dare disobey. Dr. Vegapunk's first sentence had been: "This is the Captain's order."
Simultaneously, the Kuja of New Amazon Lily, the Golden Hair Pirates cruising the latter half of the New World, and the Black Thorn Pirates vacationing on New Fish-Man Island all received the command:
Assemble at Arderay.
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