Punk Hazard, at the Green Bay Pier.
A large group of people in white uniforms were busy gathering countless crates and loading them onto a large ship marked with the World Government's cross symbol. A closer look would reveal that the materials of these crates were quite expensive and bore various national insignias. They contained the Heavenly Tribute offered to the Celestial Dragons by their respective countries.
The two groups in white were divided into the Marines and the government's direct special agent group, the CP-0.
"Just how much treasure do you think is in all of this?" a man asked Ain. He was wearing a white Marine recruit vest, and his distinctive pink hair looked like it had been fried. He seemed to be between twenty-five and thirty and had a large katana on his back.
This man, named Binz, was also a student of Zephyr's, just like Ain. He was a Marine Academy recruit, not yet a full-fledged Marine. He had to go through years of training before officially enlisting, wearing the Marine uniform, and making a name for himself in the army.
"Combined, it's the tribute from nearly eighty government-affiliated countries from the North Blue, West Blue, and the New World. At the very least, it's over 50 billion Berries," Ain said, a hint of solemnity on her expressionless face.
In fact, she was wrong. If the Celestial Dragons were only given 50 billion Berries, would it be enough for them to live in extravagance? The value of the Heavenly Tribute was far more than that. But even so, the number "50 billion" was enough to shock many of the Marines. Some said with lingering fear, "I pray no pirates find out about this and come to steal it."
"You don't have to worry about that." At that moment, a man wearing a mask and standing over two and a half meters tall walked past Ain and the others. He said flatly, "The Heavenly Tribute's route is absolutely confidential. This island of Punk Hazard has a unique geographical location. It can't be easily located even with the New World's Eternal Poses, which is why it was chosen as the government's secret research facility."
"CP-0…" Ain looked at the man's back with trepidation. Their presence meant nothing good.
Binz looked around and didn't see Zephyr. He asked, "Where's Zephyr-sensei?" "Sensei hates this mission. He's probably drinking somewhere," Ain answered.
"Sensei really hates the government…" many of the Guerrilla Unit members thought to themselves.
"Even if I were to disappear,
The omniscent ocean leads the way.
I must not fear, because you are here.
I must not be timid, because my comrades wait for me. We must advance towards the blue horizon..."
About two nautical miles from the pier, Zephyr sat alone on a reef, drinking his favorite sake called [JEREZ] and humming the "Ocean Guide." This was the first time in his Marine career that he had "neglected his duties."
"..."
The sake was gone, and the song was finished. He gazed at the sunset in the distance, a sight that mirrored his own body, which was now in decline. It was laughable. If it weren't for Alucard's Lineage Factor, he might not even have the right to fight on the front lines of the New World.
While it was driving him insane, it had also given him infinite, terrifying power. Screech, screech, screech!
An extremely sharp sound of bats instantly ruined Zephyr's mood. His eyes narrowed under his glasses, and he looked in the direction of the screaming bats. In the light of the setting sun, countless black bats flew over Zephyr's head and landed behind him. Thousands of them gathered together, forming legs, a body, hands, and a head.
"The sun's last afterglow has faded away, and night descends, to seal your fated end."
Alucard spread his hands. If Zephyr was the setting sun, then Alucard was the nightmare that only existed in the darkness.
"How did you find this place? The government scoundrels may be incompetent, but they're quite good at keeping secrets," Zephyr said with a grim expression.
"Yeah… What do you think?" Alucard's hair fluttered in the sea breeze, his crimson eyes gleaming under his bangs. His Count-like demeanor was on full display.
The last of the sunset finally disappeared as the dark night fell. Zephyr knew that Alucard and his crew couldn't have found this place on their own. The geographical structure of the Punk Hazard sea area was very unique. It was not something that could be found with just any Eternal Pose.
And the sea was infinite, even Viola's clairvoyance ability wasn't invincible. There was only one explanation: there was a mole in the Marines or the government.
Zephyr clenched his right fist, coating his entire arm in black Armament Haki.
"Oh… You can still use Armament Haki?" Alucard's fangs showed. Even a strong man of Whitebeard's age was barely able to use Armament Haki. This was not just due to the physical toll, but also because Armament Haki had extremely high demands on the user's physical strength.
"Is it because of my power?" Alucard's gaze was focused on the crimson markings on Zephyr's body, markings similar to those on Wrecker and Dominator.
"Haaah!" Zephyr roared and threw a punch. BOOM!!!
Alucard dodged to the side, and Zephyr's powerful punch slammed into the ground, instantly causing a massive earthquake. Sand and dust flew into the air, and rocks tumbled.
Two nautical miles away, the government agents and Marines who were tallying the Heavenly Tribute staggered and nearly fell to the ground. Ain immediately looked in Zephyr's direction and said in shock, "Zephyr-sensei!"
"Fuffuffuffu~~"
Suddenly, the unique laugh of the "Heavenly Yaksha" entered everyone's ears. The CP-0 agents were the first to look up. Their masks showed a human-like expression of surprise. "Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo!"
Doflamingo, who was standing in the air, landed on the ground and spread his hands wide. His powerful aura swept through the area, instantly causing over eighty percent of the newly enlisted Marine cadets to faint with their eyes rolled back.
"Doflamingo… He has the 'King's Disposition'!" The CP-0 agent took up a defensive stance with caution.
"Is that Conqueror's Haki?" Binz drew the katana from his back and said to Ain, "Ain, be on guard! He's a notorious pirate!"