"I agree."
"I don't agree!"
Two completely opposite answers came from two different Marine warships in the New World. The voices belonged to Sakazuki and Zephyr.
Their responses were to a strategy proposed by the World Government's higher-ups: abandon Laguna and other small kingdoms once ruled by Alucard and concentrate forces on the larger nation of Arderay.
According to Kuzan's intel, after Alucard's revenge in Orunidia, his next target, based on geographic proximity, was Laguna, the very country Sakazuki was patrolling. However, both the Marines and the World Government knew that Sakazuki was no match for Alucard, and they couldn't afford to let a future Admiral be killed in vain.
Coincidentally, Zephyr's New Marine training unit was in the New World for a live combat exercise, and their location was very close to another nation once controlled by Alucard: Arderay.
The government's idea was to "abandon Laguna, have Sakazuki and Zephyr rendezvous at Arderay, and wait for Alucard to come to them."
With Zephyr added to the mix, the chances of victory were much higher than with Sakazuki alone.
When the government passed this strategy down to the Marines, and Kong relayed it to Zephyr and Sakazuki, the teacher and student gave two completely different answers.
Zephyr was against it, while Sakazuki was for it.
Although Sakazuki took a radical stance against pirates, he was also intelligent. He reasoned that since the plan increased their chances of victory, why not? He readily agreed. At Ohara, he had once ordered the lifeboat of the refugees to be destroyed to prevent any future trouble.
On the other hand, as "Zephyr the Black Arm," he was known for his motto of "No Killing." He would never agree to a plan that abandoned civilians just to capture a pirate.
In an instant, the opinions of the former Admiral and the Admiral candidate were in serious disagreement.
Near the seas of Laguna, shortly after Sakazuki agreed to the "sacrifice the knight to save the king" strategy and hung up the Den Den Mushi, a subordinate hurried over. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the forces stationed in Laguna have reported that Alucard's ship has landed on the island's shore! They are requesting reinforcements!"
Sakazuki stared at him for a moment and said slowly, "Tell them to retreat."
"Huh?"
The subordinate was stunned and stammered, "V-Vice Admiral Sakazuki, aren't you going to send reinforcements?"
"What reinforcements? The plan is clear. We are abandoning this country. Turn the ships around and head for Arderay." Sakazuki's response confirmed his previous statement.
He was abandoning Laguna.
One of the Marines standing by couldn't bear it and stepped forward, reaching out to stop him. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, there are still half a million people on that island..."
Sakazuki turned his head sharply, his eyes glaring, causing the man to stumble back and fall to the ground.
"The total number of people in all the remaining countries adds up to over six million. Do you think we should abandon them for the sake of a mere five hundred thousand? Are you willing to take responsibility for that?!"
Sakazuki's commanding presence silenced everyone, and the soldiers immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Laguna was the first island Alucard had formally ruled.
In the city, the Marines hiding in the corners of buildings, disguised as civilians, received Sakazuki's order to immediately retreat and leave Laguna. They understood at once that he intended to abandon the island.
As for the reason, they didn't know.
"Are they just going to abandon us..."
One officer put his Den Den Mushi in his pocket and looked around with a bitter smile. Countless citizens had already turned into ghouls, hunting for new prey.
Everything was eerily similar to what had happened in Orunidia, only this time, it was daytime instead of night.
Another difference was that Alucard hadn't gone straight to the palace to kill the king. After turning countless people into ghouls, he sat on top of a clock tower, watching the carnage like a spectator.
"How... how could this be?"
The King of Laguna, Avien Gyneas, surrounded by his royal subjects, walked to the main gate of the palace. From his high vantage point, he saw the exact same scene Alucard was witnessing, but their expressions were polar opposites.
Alucard was ecstatic. The king was furious.
"Your Majesty, please return to the palace! It's too dangerous!"
Walder Sabaku grabbed Gyneas's arm, trying to persuade him. He was the same minister who had suggested submitting to Alucard. Although he was resourceful, he never could have foreseen this outcome.
"Report!"
Just then, a soldier in armor hurried up the steps and reported to the king, "Your Majesty, our forces have collapsed! All the bitten soldiers have turned into zombies, and the survivors are too scared to fight. They've all fled!"
Gyneas nearly fainted upon hearing this. He managed to steady himself and desperately asked the others, "What about the Marines?! What about the Marine reinforcements?! Didn't they say Vice Admiral Sakazuki, an Admiral candidate, was patrolling our seas? Where are they?!"
"..."
"They left. It seems they've abandoned you."
The ministers choked back their words. Suddenly, a voice came from behind them. They turned and saw Alucard standing there. Under their terrified gazes, he walked to Gyneas. "How does it feel? This scene is quite fitting... for how to handle a rebellious slave, don't you think?"
"You... you..." Gyneas was a mix of fear, anger, and other negative emotions. But for some reason, the words were stuck in his throat. He wanted to speak, but couldn't.
"It would be a shame to miss this. Watch it carefully." Alucard turned and walked into the palace. With his back to them, he raised one hand and smirked. "Amen."
On the warship, a Marine reported to Sakazuki, "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the unit sent to investigate Laguna has completely lost contact. It seems they have..."
"Never mind. You don't need to report such things."
Sakazuki raised a hand to stop him and scoffed, "Let him kill!"