Kaido naturally couldn't tolerate Alucard and the Golden Lion using him in such a manner. Unfortunately, he was already on the ship, and facing two pirates whose strength was entirely on par with his own, he could only grudgingly accept his fate.
Ordinary methods, of course, couldn't bind Kaido. So, during the few days en route to Marineford, Alucard personally guarded Kaido on one of Miracles Island's floating landmasses.
Speaking of which, being able to fly was truly convenient. Normally, traveling from Bannila Island to Marineford, no matter how fast a ship, would take at least two weeks. But under Shiki's control, it would take less than five days to arrive.
Shiki used his ability to specifically separate one of Miracles Island's landmasses as Kaido's prison, and Alucard spent these five days there as well.
"You should be happy. You're about to accomplish something no one has ever done: challenging the entire Marine Headquarters alone," Alucard said with a light chuckle, sitting before Kaido, who was bound to a mountain peak by Seastone chains. If Kaido showed even the slightest sign of trying to break free, Alucard would reward him with a bullet.
"I don't have to follow your orders!" Kaido roared, struggling against the chains. Seeing the mountain peak behind him show signs of crumbling, Alucard immediately pulled out his black gun, Jackal, and fired at Kaido's cheek.
Bang!
A streak of blood appeared below Kaido's right eye. Alucard rested Jackal against his own temple and said indifferently, "Can you calm down? I don't want to chat with you, you mad dog. After the plan is over, feel free to take your revenge on me however you like."
A few seconds after he finished speaking, Alucard suddenly smiled eerily, "Well, the prerequisite is that you survive your battle with Headquarters."
"Immortal! You bastard!" Kaido cursed again, but Alucard simply closed his eyes and slept.
Four days later, Shiki landed on a small island. He first glanced at Kaido, who had cursed himself hoarse, then turned to Alucard. "I plan to gather a group of reporters and inform the world that I'm going to attack the Government. How about it?"
"Do you really have to be so flashy?" Under a polite demeanor, Alucard's sunglasses flashed with a reflection towards Shiki. "We could just sneak attack Mariejois in one go."
No matter the Marines or the Government, the number of capable individuals was incomparable to the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet. Even with a toe, one could figure out that a surprise attack, catching the Marines and Government off guard, would be the best strategy.
"Jihahahaha! I am the Golden Lion! I want the whole world to see clearly! I'm going to do something even Roger never did!" Shiki exclaimed, spreading his arms wide.
"Suit yourself." Alucard withdrew his gaze.
He had originally intended to overthrow the Government, but with the Government's 800 years of foundation, could it be overthrown so easily?
Perhaps Shiki's approach could make things more interesting.
...
Sea Circle Calendar, April 1st, 1503.
Alucard didn't know if April Fool's Day existed in this world, but he found it strangely coincidental that the plan to attack the Government was scheduled for this particular date.
Sabaody Archipelago.
The colossal Golden Lion descended upon this large island, the closest to Marine Headquarters and the World Government.
In the area ruled by the ominous number thirteen, numerous pirates, tattooed with the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet's emblem on various parts of their bodies, cackled as they seized countless reporters and brought them aboard the Golden Lion.
A subordinate activated a visual Den Den Mushi. Instantly, the Den Den Mushi's eyes emitted camera flashes, shining directly on Shiki.
Simultaneously, the public large screens across the Sabaody Archipelago, previously turned off, flickered to life after a flash, revealing a burly man seated on a high chair. He was past fifty, but still untamed, with flowing golden hair, swords for legs, and eyes narrowed yet sharp as he chewed on a cigar.
This place, originally a gathering point for pirates and pirate hunters, erupted in screams the moment people saw the man on the screen.
Golden Lion!
"That's... Golden Lion Shiki!"
"Wh-what's going on? Has the public visual Den Den Mushi been hijacked?"
"What's he planning to do? Is he going to announce something?"
"Could he be on Sabaody Archipelago too? Damn it! We need to escape quickly!"
"Marine forces, search the entire island for the Golden Lion! Report to Headquarters immediately!"
At this moment, Shiki lowered his head. After exhaling a thick plume of smoke, the corners of his mouth curled into a grin, revealing his teeth. "Yo! All you low-level star-struck pirates chasing Roger's treasure around the world~~"
"The time is set for one month from now! I will attack Marine Headquarters, Marineford! You fools who don't understand what a true pirate is, engrave the terror of a real pirate into your hearts! Jihahaha! Jihahahahaha!"
After his wild laughter, the visual Den Den Mushi was abruptly cut off. On the Golden Lion, with a wave of Shiki's hand, the captured news reporters were kicked off the ship by Shiki's crew.
Pere pere pere~~
Just then, the Den Den Mushi beside Shiki rang. Instantly, the Den Den Mushi transformed into the appearance of one wearing circular, reddish glasses, and Alucard's impatient voice came through. "Is the boring press conference over?"
A thousand meters above Sabaody Archipelago, a small Den Den Mushi rested on the armrest of Alucard's chair. Opposite him, Kaido, like a sealed beast, was still bound to the cliff.
"I can't wait, but I still want to defeat the Marines at their full strength. Winning when Garp and Sengoku aren't present just isn't exciting enough," Shiki laughed incessantly.
"My original target was the Government, not the Marines. You seem to be confused now," Alucard said coldly, then added, "Well, never mind, it's not important. Now, take Kaido. Throwing him into Marineford will be a nice surprise to start with."
"Throwing him down from several thousand meters up, is that okay?" Shiki asked casually.
"Heh... what do you think?"
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