Alucard's immortality.
The ability to store the lives of those he has killed within his own body as substitutes. He can only truly be killed once his heart is destroyed; currently, the number of lives stored within him has reached an immeasurable scale.
The ability to release those he has killed as his own combat force, manifesting them with all the powers they possessed in life. He currently commands the Float-Float Fruit of "Golden Lion" Shiki, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit of Whitebeard, and the Titan-Titan Fruit of former Admiral Zephyr...
His primary weapons are a pair of pistols, one white and one black. The black gun utilizes specialized ammunition manufactured by the nefarious scientist, Dr. Vegapunk, Seastone bullets, the ultimate bane of all ability users.
…
The newspaper listed the secrets of Alucard's powers. Although there were slight inaccuracies, it was remarkably close to the truth.
The article concluded by fiercely denouncing Alucard's abilities and actions as an unforgivable desecration of departed souls. It had taken the Government nearly twenty years and an untold amount of military resources to finally grasp the nature of Alucard's power; no one expected them to announce it to the world now, and with such accuracy.
"Um, excuse me..."
The bound Kuzan broke the silence, addressing the group. "Sorry, but could someone spare a copy of the paper for me? I'm the only one on this ship who doesn't know what's going on. It's a bit awkward."
Aranea shot him a sidelong glance and tossed her newspaper to him.
"You have to wonder just how much the World Government hates you," Dr. Vegapunk remarked, clicking his tongue. "Publishing such precious intelligence in an official government bulletin... they're trying to mobilize the entire world to hunt you down together."
"Alucard-sama, what do we do now?" Aranea asked, stepping to Alucard's side.
"What do you mean, 'what do we do'?" Alucard set the paper down and picked up his wine glass.
Aranea blinked in confusion. "The exposure of your abilities, how should we handle it?"
"Hmph. Why be surprised by such a trivial matter?" Alucard let out a cold snort.
If he truly feared his abilities being exposed, he wouldn't have unleashed the full power of the River of Death before the eyes of the world during the Summit War.
"Don't worry your head over nothing, Aranea," Dr. Vegapunk added nonchalantly. "Even with his abilities exposed, our Captain won't lose."
Midway through his sentence, Dr. Vegapunk paused, his expression shifting to one of intense scientific curiosity. "However, the Captain's power is neither a Devil Fruit nor a result of cyborg modification. I find it fascinating... if only I could perform a dissection and study it..."
Dr. Vegapunk's words sent a cold sweat down the backs of many on board. There were very few people in the world who dared to speak to Alucard that way.
"It isn't time for a total, public break with the Government yet," Alucard said, pulling the glass away from his lips. "But I don't intend to let them enjoy themselves for long."
"Alucard-sama, what does that mean?" Aranea asked curiously.
"Hmph."
Alucard jerked his head toward the back. In that direction, Kuzan looked up blankly, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him.
…
The entire world was shaken by the official news released by the Government.
Many pirates and other factions cheered loudly; like the Government, they all wanted Alucard dead. It couldn't be helped, he had made far too many enemies.
"So that's the secret of Alucard the Immortal... Hahaha! Doesn't that mean even I have a chance to take him down?"
"Hurry! To the New World!"
"Kill the Immortal and become famous in one shot! Hahaha!"
Setting aside the self-important fools, the truly clever players remained largely unmoved.
On a deserted island near the Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh looked away from Luffy, who was currently training his Haki, and picked up the day's paper. He set it down half an hour later.
"Just what did you do to make the Government hate you this much? Still... a trick like this is useless against that man."
Rayleigh dismissed the thought and returned to Luffy's training.
In the Grand Line, on Kuraigana Island, the residence of Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea:
After checking on Zoro's training progress by a ruined wall, Mihawk tossed the newspaper aside with zero interest. "Knowing this is meaningless toward defeating that man. Unless one reaches a higher realm of mastery, he cannot be conquered."
It wasn't just those two. The Revolutionary Army and the Big Mom Pirates, who both shared the Government's desperate desire to eliminate Alucard, responded to the news with similar indifference.
Even knowing the mechanics of his power, the gap in sheer level remained. Without a real plan, they were still helpless against him. However, they all made a mental note, each beginning to formulate their own unique ideas on how to deal with Alucard.
…
Two days after the initial report, another massive headline rocked the seas.
It wasn't issued by the Government, but by a private news agency. Nevertheless, it caused a titanic sensation.
"MARINE ADMIRAL AND FLEET ADMIRAL CANDIDATE AOKIJI BETRAYS NAVY, JOINS IMMORTAL PIRATES AS CORE COMBATANT."
That was the headline. Below it was a photograph.
Having shed his Admiral's uniform, Kuzan was dressed like a vagrant, utilizing his Ice-Ice Fruit powers against an unseen target. Most strikingly, the mark of the Immortal Pirates was clearly visible on the back of his hand.
…
At the Immortal Pirates' headquarters, Arderay.
Alucard held the newspaper in his hand, nodding as if impressed. He glanced forward. "The photo turned out quite well."
In the direction of Alucard's gaze, Kuzan stood with a dark, brooding face. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it, and then tried again. After several failed attempts, only two words managed to escape his lips:
"You're... ruthless."
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