Zephyr was starting to feel that something was off. Not only did Sengoku and Garp act evasively, clearly hiding something, but what was even stranger was that his physical examinations had been taking longer and longer recently. And every time, they would inject him with tranquilizers and sedatives. Although Zephyr himself didn't understand medicine, he felt that something was wrong. Why did they need to inject him with so much of it when he hadn't gone berserk?
"You need to come in more frequently from now on. The deterioration must be brought under control as soon as possible," Zephyr recalled Vegapunk's words as he clenched the newly acquired tranquilizer in his hand.
"Cheif Inspector Zephyr!" A Marine Captain walked over, saluted, and said, "The Fleet Admiral has requested to see you. It seems he has a new mission for you."
Zephyr put the tranquilizer in his coat pocket, nodded, and quickly headed toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
Meanwhile, in Alucard's territory, inside the Dracula Castle in the ruins of the Arderay Kingdom. "Captain, Doflamingo is here," Urdaha reported from below.
"He's got the nerve to come see me, huh?" Alucard said, resting his face on one hand. He had been interested in Doflamingo when they first met, but now he only felt bored.
Urdaha hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "So… should I send him away?" "No, let's hear what this defeated general has to say," Alucard said, a smirk on his lips.
"Yes." Urdaha quickly left. Not long after, Doflamingo, with his unique crab-like walk, entered the dark hall.
"What does a defeated general want to say?"
Alucard's first words wiped the smug look off Doflamingo's face. Doflamingo knew that Alucard was referring to when he promised to give the Gold-Gold Fruit to the Alucard Pirates, but during the auction, a mole had taken advantage of their situation and stolen the Devil Fruit and three large shipments of treasure.
It was a major blow to the Donquixote Family right after they entered the New World. Doflamingo had already put out a black market warrant to have the person responsible torn to shreds.
Still, reason prevailed over anger. Doflamingo put a finger to his sunglasses and chuckled. "Fuffuffuffu… Well, I admit my disappointment, and I won't make any excuses, but this time I've come for a big deal."
"A big deal?" Alucard asked with a mocking laugh.
"Ah~ A portion of the national treasuries of over 170 countries that are members of the World Government is given to the Celestial Dragons. It's a treasure worth hundreds of billions of Berries. The Heavenly Tribute." Doflamingo grinned and held out his hand in a "take" gesture. "We'll take this."
"This is classified information. How did you get it?" Alucard asked, a smirk on his face.
"Fuffuffuffu… Of course, I have an informant. You know, there are plenty of reckless people on the sea, and the route for the Heavenly Tribute has always been of utmost importance," Doflamingo said as he walked to a window on the side of the hall.
"So, how are we going to split the money we get?" Alucard asked, looking up.
"Well, I want to keep a portion for a certain plan. I originally planned to split it 50/50, but to make up for the disappointment with the Gold-Gold Fruit, I'll take 45 percent. How about that?" Doflamingo said, turning around.
Although it seemed like a small amount, even half a percent of the Heavenly Tribute's value would be enough for a person to spend for their entire life. Doflamingo was going all-in.
"Interesting," Alucard said with a simple word, which was his answer.
"Fuffuffuffu, then the deal is done. I'll tell you the Heavenly Tribute's route…" Doflamingo let out his unique laugh and told him the route.
After Doflamingo finished, Alucard asked, "And the timing?"
"I have to keep some things to myself when dealing with guys as terrifying as you," Doflamingo said, backing away a bit. "When the time gets closer, I'll let you know. That'll prevent you from swallowing me whole, fuffuffuffu…"
As an infamous leader, Doflamingo also knew how to protect himself. If he had told Alucard everything without holding anything back, Alucard would likely kill him and take all of the Heavenly Tribute for himself. In that case, Doflamingo would be completely wiped out, let alone get 45 percent. He had kept one last line of defense, not offending Alucard but also giving himself a trump card.
"Also, I'll give you one last piece of information," Doflamingo said with a smirk. "According to internal Marine information, the Marines escorting the Heavenly Tribute are sending… Black Arm Zephyr."
With that, Doflamingo turned and left.
Alucard sat on his throne, thinking about Doflamingo's last words. The Marines were sending Zephyr to escort it. Connecting this with Doflamingo's plan to steal the Heavenly Tribute, get a Warlord position, and take control of Dressrosa, a new plan formed in Alucard's mind.
A few minutes later, Iron Mask Matthew walked in with a bitter expression. "A-Alucard-sama, two of our battleships were… sunk by Zephyr."
"Zephyr again?" Alucard frowned.
"He seemed furious and almost killed them, which would have ruined his title as the 'Admiral who never kills'," Matthew explained.
Alucard was silent, and Matthew, seeing the tense atmosphere, spoke up again. "There's something else that's concerning. Someone said they saw Zephyr's silhouette in the Marine Base G-2's sea area in Paradise, but Zephyr's Guerrilla Unit usually operates in the New World. It feels strange, like he's in two places at once."
"What…" Alucard narrowed his eyes, though the sunglasses hid his expression.