"The World Government really has to be this way, don't they? It just wouldn't do otherwise, would it?" Alucard held his hands out flat, his words causing everyone present to change their expressions. Though he spoke somewhat indirectly, who couldn't tell he was mocking the government?
Maswick gave a cold laugh and quickly walked in front of Alucard. Although Alucard's body was still young, he already possessed a surprisingly tall stature. However, in the bizarre world of One Piece, where people commonly stood two or three meters tall, Alucard's height was only slightly remarkable.
"Dare to slander the World Government? Do you know what crime you've committed?" Maswick stood barely a meter from Alucard, staring directly into his eyes as he spoke.
"I hope you'll enlighten me," Alucard said with a smile.
Maswick snapped his fingers, and his subordinates, from the same department, pulled rifles hidden in their suits. These weapons were several grades higher than the Marine rifles seen earlier at the dock.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out, countless bullets striking Alucard's body. Maswick, standing only a meter away, remained perfectly calm, even smiling at the sight. This showed he was well accustomed to such events.
"Ah..."
The firing continued for over ten seconds, until Alucard's body was riddled with holes. The miners, witnessing this, gaped in shock, unable to speak. After a long moment, one miner, a towel wrapped around his head, turned and knelt, unable to stop himself from vomiting.
"BLEUAGH!"
One, two, three... over half of the miners couldn't bear the sight and turned to retch. This death was too chilling; the entire body was full of holes, not a single piece of intact skin remaining.
"This is the consequence of defying the government! This person just now severely slandered the government and has been executed!" Maswick shouted, making many miners frown internally. Regardless of the specifics, was a single sentence really enough to warrant this?
Maswick turned and waved his hand, "Bury the trash."
Suddenly, the government agents all showed shocked expressions. One of them yelled, "Officer Maswick! Behind you!"
"Hmm?"
Maswick heard this and instinctively turned to look. The moment he turned, something cold pressed against his forehead. The "corpse" held a large white gun in its hand, its muzzle aimed directly at his forehead.
The man whose entire body had been ripped apart was actually still able to raise a gun! No, was he even alive?!
"Maswick, farewell." Alucard bared a fanged grin. Just as he was about to pull the trigger under Maswick's shocked gaze, he suddenly felt a huge force push his arm away.
Alucard used this immense force to spin, regain his balance, and circle back to his original position.
Standing before him was a colossal figure, about three meters tall. Though he didn't know who this person was, they had certainly interrupted his shot.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Alucard fired without hesitation, but the opponent simply extended an arm. In an instant, that arm turned completely black, blocking the bullets that could easily pierce even an elephant.
"Impressive!"
Alucard couldn't help but praise him. Until now, whether animal or human, this was the first being capable of blocking Casull's bullets head-on.
At the same time, both men clearly saw each other's appearance. The one who stopped Alucard's attack was a powerfully built man, with a purple buzz cut and a massive, three-meter tall physique, appearing to be around fifty years old, with bulging muscles indicating explosive power.
He wore... a Marine coat!
A Marine!
So strong!
Even without using Thermal Vision, Alucard could feel it: this guy was truly powerful! Completely different from the low-level opponents he'd faced before.
Alucard formed his left hand into a "hand blade" and powerfully chopped downwards at the opponent, who met him with a punch. A brutal fighting style!
A hand blade and a fist. The two collided, creating a massive concussive force that sent those around them staggering backward. Maswick was already on the ground, paralyzed with fear.
Crack, crack, crack!
Alucard's left hand began to make bone-shattering sounds. However, he didn't fear pain. Instead, he put his full strength into attacking his opponent.
'What a crazed fighting style! Was he willing to lose that hand?'
The Marine across from him was startled by Alucard's frantic behavior, but then Armament Haki enveloped his fist, overpowering Alucard.
BOOM!
Alucard was struck by the Haki-enhanced punch, slamming into the stone wall of the quarry behind him, deeply embedding himself in the rock. The shattered rock and resulting dust momentarily obscured everyone's vision.
About five seconds later, the large man suddenly felt a sense of danger. He looked down and saw Alucard appear from his own shadow, a head and a gun emerging.
Alucard grinned, baring his fangs, "Checkmate!"