Alucard left Arderay and headed toward the latter half of the New World. Based on a rough estimation of the timeline, the Paramount War should occur in about half a year. However, with the deliberate interference of himself and Dr. Vegapunk, he wasn't sure if it would be moved forward or delayed. Regardless, before it all began, he wanted to see that person.
As usual, Alucard took no one with him, not even Hancock or Scarlett, who were closest to him. This was simply how he operated.
Possessing near-infinite life, the vampires Scarlett and Hancock said nothing further. On the other hand, Alucard wondered if he was imagining things, but he felt like Viola, the mind-reader, had been finding every possible excuse to lean on him lately.
"Captain..."
On the mast of a pirate ship several nautical miles away, the navigator of the Sabre-tooth spotted Alucard through a telescope and rushed below deck to report.
At that moment, Queen was sitting in the main seat, resting his face on one hand while taking an afternoon nap. The person responsible for managing the daily affairs of the group was the Sabre-tooth's ace, Elburn.
"Ignore him," Elburn said with a wave of his hand. "We can't stop Alucard anyway. Our priority is heading to Gran Tesoro to secure this batch of SMILEs. I hope nobody dies this time."
Although the mortality rate of consuming a SMILE had gradually decreased over time, it still caused widespread panic within the Beasts Pirates. Many were terrified to eat the Artificial Devil Fruits, fearing that the second they swallowed, they would lose their lives.
Even so, they couldn't withstand Kaido's dream of an "Ability User Army" and were forced to eat them.
Elburn himself was not an ability user, but due to his immense strength, Kaido hadn't used him as an experimental subject.
Just then, another pirate from the Sabre-tooth reported to Elburn, "Elburn-sama! The crew on the Mammoth just called. They said Boss Kaido is preparing to attack Wano Country again. Jack-sama barely managed to stop him."
"Good grief, does it ever end?" Elburn shook his head. Following a captain like this was exhausting.
Ever since Kaido suffered a minor setback in Wano two years ago, he had been brooding over it. On average, he planned to attack Wano twice a month, but fortunately, his subordinates usually managed to talk him down with great effort.
Suddenly, Elburn remembered the navigator's report and turned to ask, "Wait, which direction is Alucard sailing?"
The navigator of the Sabre-tooth paused, raised his telescope again to look in the direction Alucard had passed, and replied a few seconds later, "If he maintains this course, he's heading for the latter half of the New World, Whitebeard's territory."
"Is it another trip? Or does it have to do with Whitebeard?" Elburn rested his chin on his hand, eyes closed in thought. After a moment, he slapped the table and declared, "Notify Boss Kaido. Lead the Artificial Ability User Army, we're attacking Wano!"
Everyone's face turned pale at Elburn's words.
Weren't they just saying they should stop Kaido from biting that hard bone known as Wano? Why was Elburn, one of the few level-headed people in the Beasts Pirates, suddenly advocating for an attack?
"Oh, and add a sentence for Boss Kaido: If he can't take it within three days, please return immediately."
Elburn had calculated the timing perfectly.
Whether Alucard was going to find Whitebeard or had some other purpose, even if he turned around right now to head for the Beasts Pirates' headquarters on Bannila Island, it would take a significant amount of time.
If Kaido attacked Wano now, Alucard wouldn't be able to make it back in time even if he heard the news within three days. This was why Elburn specified the three-day limit.
It must be said that every pirate crew needs an intellectual heavyweight capable of strategy.
The Big Mom Pirates might currently rank the lowest in certain aspects, but their comprehensive strength is balanced. Whitebeard, of course, has a group of veterans who have faced life and death with him, and Marco is a brilliant strategist. Even among the muscle-brained Beasts Pirates, Elburn stands as the resident genius.
Kid of the Kid Pirates is a hothead, but his first mate Killer is very sharp. Not to mention the Immortal Pirates with Dr. Vegapunk and Benn Beckman.
What about the Straw Hat Pirates? Robin counts, right? She... probably counts.
…
Bannila Island, Headquarters of the Beasts Pirates.
Jack, who had just talked Kaido down, turned pale when he heard Elburn's message through the Den Den Mushi saying Kaido could attack Wano.
However, after hearing the rest, specifically that "Alucard cannot return within three days," his confidence surged.
Kaido remained silent for a long while before suddenly grabbing his spiked club, Hassaikai, and walking toward the shore. No explosion of rage meant he agreed. Seeing this, Jack hurriedly signaled his subordinates to follow.
Kozuki Oden and the others likely never imagined Kaido would play the "settling old scores" card now, still fuming over a grudge from two years ago.
Kaido led a fleet spearheaded by the All-Stars toward Wano, while Alucard delved deep into Whitebeard's territory alone.
Due to the distance, Kaido reached his destination, Wano, two days faster than Alucard. The moment he stepped onto Wano's soil, he swung his club and charged forward.
Two days later, Alucard entered Whitebeard's territory. He was spotted by the A.O Pirates, who served under Whitebeard, and they reported the sighting to Whitebeard at the heart of the sea.
In less than half a day, the two met. A face-to-face confrontation like this... it had been so many years that no one could remember the last time it happened.