"Extreme Collapse Shigan!"
In the nick of time, Zephyr launched an enhanced Shigan. Though it was called a "pistol," it was more like a "cannon."
The immense force struck Sakazuki's right shoulder, causing his body to momentarily lose balance.
Meanwhile, Alucard had originally aimed for Sakazuki's left back, which would have allowed him to go straight for the heart. But Zephyr's move had distorted Sakazuki's body, causing the attack, which should have been a direct hit to the heart, to strike his left shoulder instead.
Now, both of Sakazuki's shoulders had been hit.
"That was a nasty move, wasn't it?" Alucard said in a strange voice. He thought that if one move wasn't enough, he'd just try a second.
He changed his stance, ready to finish Sakazuki, but at that moment, Zephyr charged in. He delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, but instead of hitting Alucard, he hit his apprentice, Sakazuki.
The kick sent Sakazuki flying, where he crashed into a three-story building, causing it to collapse instantly. Alucard's second move, naturally, was thwarted by Zephyr's unpredictable tactic.
"What a shame… I was so close to getting the Magma-Magma Fruit…"
Alucard feigned regret, but he didn't really care. He straightened his back and said, "The way you teach your students is surprisingly unique."
"He was too impatient just now, which is why you were able to land that sneak attack. This is a lesson for him," Zephyr said righteously.
Alucard glanced over at Sakazuki, who was buried in the rubble. "From the looks of him, he can't fight anymore…"
Alucard then looked back at Zephyr. "You're not my match alone. Why don't you retreat now?" "Even if I have to fight until my last breath, I will stop you!"
Zephyr said sternly.
Although he was seriously dissatisfied with the government's preferential treatment of Arderay due to the "Heavenly Tribute," the residents living here were innocent. If he were to withdraw
now, the people of Arderay would surely be burnt to nothingness, just like the people in those other countries Alucard had dealt with in some unknown way.
Zephyr had almost given up on the idea of capturing Alucard. But at the very least, he had to find a way to drive him back and ensure the safety of the residents here.
"Can you protect them for a lifetime?"
Alucard tilted his head slightly and suddenly asked, "Isn't it strange… your family was
supposedly under Marine Headquarters' protection, yet they were still killed by a pirate. Doesn't that seem odd to you?"
The old scar was laid bare, and Zephyr's expression changed slightly, then became much darker. "You don't need to worry about those people."
"Hehe, I'm not interested in your past at all. I'm just curious about the way Headquarters operates. An Admiral's wife and child were killed, it's very interesting." Alucard's shoulders twitched slightly as he chuckled sinisterly.
Ever since he'd found out about this, he'd been curious. As a former Admiral, Zephyr had undoubtedly made countless enemies. His family, even if they didn't live in Marineford, should have been under the strict protection of Headquarters, right? Unless it was a pirate who could fly and disappear like Shiki the Golden Lion, he couldn't imagine a pirate being able to kill his wife and child.
That said, everything could be explained: there was something hidden behind the deaths of Zephyr's family.
"Shut up! Alucard!"
The upper half of Zephyr's body was completely covered in Armament Haki, and his face became much more ferocious.
Was it because his wound had been exposed, and he was now lashing out in anger?
No, it was more likely that he was afraid to let Alucard continue speaking, because if he did, his sense of justice might waver.
It had been decades, and Zephyr wasn't an idiot; he couldn't bring himself to think about such a thing. Or rather, he didn't dare to think about it. He lied to himself, using "executing justice" to numb himself—that was the current Zephyr.
Alucard narrowed his eyes, a slight smile on his lips. "You won't be able to defeat me like this." A disturbed mind is destined to lose!
To be honest, Alucard hadn't intended to use a psychological attack to affect Zephyr's state. He was simply voicing his curiosity.
And by a stroke of coincidence, it happened to be the one thing Zephyr never wanted to talk about.
Therefore, he had his way. "AARRRGGHH!!!"
Zephyr's fighting style became wild and unhinged, like a gigantic club being swung. He swept his arm through the air, bringing it down from above.
In their previous fight, he had chosen a solid, steady style, but after Alucard's words, he was no longer calm and had reverted to his usual fighting style, now on the verge of losing control.
"What a wavering man."
Alucard raised a single hand, blocking Zephyr's downward kick. The ground couldn't withstand the force, and two shattered craters formed around Alucard's feet.
"Releasing Restriction System..."
Alucard's body began to lose its human form, turning into a strange, dark red mass. His entire body barely held a humanoid silhouette, with only his right eye remaining.
Seeing this, Zephyr quickly backed away, keeping a certain distance from Alucard.
He was a seasoned veteran, after all. In just one move, he regained his composure, reflecting on his immaturity. He had just reprimanded Sakazuki, and now he had made the same mistake.
THUMP…
A bizarre, grotesque sound. Suddenly, in Zephyr's vision, everything turned dark. Countless blood-red eyes passed through the space around him like a corridor, staring at him.
"Is this an illusion?"
Zephyr didn't panic. He closed his eyes, deciding to avoid being captivated by the strange eyes, and fought solely with his Observation Haki.
"No. And I advise you to open your eyes and take a good look… at what a vampire's true fight is like!"
Alucard's body began to completely transform. It was barely possible to make out a humanoid shape.
Even though he wasn't using the River of Death, his appearance was exactly the same as when he was in his "Count" form.
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