Directly beneath Mariejois lies the cavern now known as the "Third Path to the New World," a passage blasted through the Red Line by Alucard using Dyna Stones.
Normally, the Holy Cross Knights stand guard here, so few pirates dare to take this route, preferring to risk Fish-Man Island instead. However, this arrangement has proven lucrative for the Immortal Pirates, as they treat the passage as their own territory, extorting "toll fees" from those brave enough to pass.
The Holy Cross Knights on duty had just received intelligence that the Immortal Pirates were moving toward them in force. They immediately began manning the artillery batteries, bracing for an interception.
This was no longer a barren, hollowed-out cave. Since being reinforced by the World Government's Science Unit, it had been transformed into a formidable mini-fortress, complete with heavy cannons, defensive bulkheads, and fortified walls.
"The enemy is expected to arrive in a few hours! Everyone, stay sharp!" a squad leader shouted to his men.
SPLASH!!
The moment the words left his mouth, the sea surface at the base of the cavern erupted. Countless fish-men surged from the depths. At their head was Jinbe, who grasped the massive swells with both hands and hurled the ocean itself toward the tunnel in a shoulder-throw motion.
"Fish-Man Karate: Mizukokoro — Kairyu Ipponzei!!" (Ocean's Heart — Current Shoulder Throw)
Startled, the Holy Cross Knights reacted instantly. "We were careless! It's the Sun Pirates! Quick, raise the defensive walls!"
The surface of the massive cavern had been fitted with defensive bulkheads made of the same material used at Marineford, a substance nearly as hard as Seastone, capable of resisting even the tremors of Whitebeard.
Jinbe's powerful strike was a split second too late. Before the torrent of seawater could flood the interior, the bulkheads slammed shut. Though the impact shook the fortress twice, the barrier remained unbroken.
"They deployed those defenses fast. The Government truly spared no expense on this path," Jinbe muttered as he and his crew fell back into the sea. For fish-men, the water was the perfect battlefield.
Inside, one of the Holy Cross Knights looked at the sealed barrier and sneered, "Not even Whitebeard could break through this easily, let alone the likes of you, Jinbe."
The Commander gave the order: "Prepare the batteries! Fire on the Sun Pirates! They are subordinates of the Immortal Pirates, show no mercy!"
WHOOSH!!
In the instant the command was given, a pool of blood suddenly flooded the entire tunnel. Dark red gore coated the walls, but unlike before, there wasn't a single eyeball visible on the surface. This signified that Alucard currently possessed zero additional lives within his body.
"Without a stock of lives, I don't quite feel like myself, do I?"
Alucard rose slowly from the crimson depths, spreading his arms wide in a mockingly warm gesture. "Greetings, gentlemen. How would you like to be the very first batch of lives I reclaim?"
"A-A-Alucard?!"
"He's... he's still alive?!"
"Don't be afraid! If the Government defeated him once, we can do it again! Fire! Fire! We just have to hold out until the Gorosei arrive!"
Following the order, the flintlock rifles integrated into the Holy Cross Knights' spears erupted. Bullets tore through Alucard's body.
Blood splattered everywhere, yet Alucard's expression didn't flicker. He raised his hands and, seconds later, brought them down violently.
In a flash, the pool of blood transformed into countless massive, shadowy arms that lunged at the crusaders, instantly tearing their bodies into mangled heaps of flesh.
"Hahahaha!!"
Alucard let out an ecstatic cry as his shadow-hands attacked with even more frenzied power and speed.
Everywhere one looked, there were the distorted faces of soldiers and the sound of agonized screams.
Half a minute later, every guard had been slaughtered. Their blood and corpses dissolved into the pool, and as his life stock increased, new eyeballs began to surface upon the crimson tide.
Alucard looked on with an expression of pure loathing, muttering to himself, "Government lapdogs... they aren't even fit to be called dogs. They reek of a disgusting stench."
With a thought, the beastly claws of Baskerville lunged from the blood pool, raking across the defensive bulkheads. Cracks spider-webbed through the reinforced metal before a final, brutal palm strike sent the massive steel plates flying. From Jinbe's perspective outside, the giant plates came crashing toward them, forcing him to order his subordinates to dive deep.
BOOM!!
The massive iron plates slammed into the sea, kicking up plumes of water dozens of meters high. Only after the metal sank into the abyss did Jinbe and his crew resurface.
Seeing Alucard standing at the entrance, Jinbe was stunned. "Alucard-sama... when did you get inside?"
"Heh."
Alucard gave a light chuckle but offered no explanation. He issued his orders: "When the others arrive, notify them. Set up a perimeter; don't let a single soul escape."
"Understood," Jinbe bowed. He then hesitated, asking, "So, for this attack on the Government, how many men do you intend to lead in the main assault? Typically, one must take Marineford before ascending to Mariejois, unless, of course, one can fly."
They were currently in the New World, but to reach Mariejois via the traditional route, they would need to pass through the first half of the Grand Line, starting with this tunnel.
"Did I say I wanted you all to attack with me?"
"Eh?"
"I am enough on my own. The rest of you are only needed to catch the rats that try to run."
With that, Alucard dissolved into shadows, vanishing as if scattered by the wind.
Jinbe, Aladdin, and the others stood there dazed, exchanging confused glances.
Going alone? Again?
Had Alucard already forgotten the outcome of the battle at Spring Queen Island?
…
The Summit of the Holy Land, Mariejois.
In the office of the Gorosei, the curly-haired member with the cane hung up the Den Den Mushi. His voice was low and grim. "We've lost contact with the Holy Cross Knights guarding the Third Path."
"So soon? They weren't expected to arrive for at least three hours," the Gorosei in the traditional robes muttered, frowning in confusion.
The blond Gorosei's face turned pale. "Could it really be... Alucard..."
"Exactly right."
Alucard's voice suddenly rang out from the very center of the five men.