Chapter 645: Chapter 644: Saving Face While Suffering the Consequences

"It’s the Yonko... Alucard!!!"

It was unclear who let out that initial scream, but it successfully drew the attention of everyone on the battlefield.

As the crowd caught sight of the figure slowly strolling into the frozen plaza of the crescent bay, a collective lump formed in their throats, leaving them speechless.

Dammit! Why is he here now of all times?

"Why? Wasn’t it reported that the Immortal Pirates were engaged in a large-scale war with the Government’s forces on the Sky Island? Why has he appeared here?"

Momonga, who had just let Zoro go due to Dracule Mihawk’s intervention, muttered in confusion.

"Is his arrival... a good thing or a bad thing?"

This thought echoed through the minds of most members of the Whitebeard Pirates. After all, they were all pirates. If Alucard were to choose a target, he surely wouldn’t pick his own kind over the Marines, right?

Meanwhile, in front of the live broadcast screens at the Sabaody Archipelago, the world had gone mad.

Journalists clutched their Den Den Mushi, frantically calling their newsrooms. "Extra! Extra!"

"It’s another of the Yonko! What is he planning to do here?"

"Doesn’t this mean the Marines’ advantage is about to be completely overturned?"

"What is becoming of this world...?"

Back in the center of the battlefield, an intelligence officer ran up behind Fleet Admiral Sengoku, reporting: "Fleet Admiral! My apologies, due to the chaos of the war, I haven’t had the chance to report sooner—the Government forces have lost! Alucard has seized the Dyna Stones from Firs Island. Furthermore, the unit led by Vice Admiral Yako is currently missing in action!"

"What did you say!?"

Sengoku’s eyes nearly bulged out of his glasses. How long had it been since the war between the Immortals and the Government began? In just a few hours, he had managed to accomplish so much.

Alucard looked at the two sides frozen on the ice and came to a halt. A coffin slowly rose from a pool of blood beneath his feet.

Sitting upon it, Alucard finally spoke. "What’s wrong? Keep fighting."

Everyone stood stunned, unable to grasp his intent.

The silence was shattered by Fujitora, Borsalino, and Whitebeard. With Fujitora unleashing a massive purple crescent-shaped sword ki, the brief stillness caused by Alucard’s arrival was broken.

Whitebeard swung his naginata, parrying Fujitora’s strike, and roared: "My sons!! Cover Ace, get back to the ships, and retreat!!"

Following Whitebeard’s cry, the combatants finally snapped back into action. That’s right, no matter who showed up, the war had to continue.

"Hmm~ The arrival of the Immortal is certainly bad news, but it seems he isn’t standing on your side. That’s a relief."

Borsalino raised a hand to fire a laser, which was promptly blocked by Whitebeard’s shockwave. "Gurararara! Who do you think I am? Do I look like I need that brat’s help?"

With that, Whitebeard’s strength exploded. He used a vibration sphere to trap Borsalino within it, preparing to crush his body from both sides toward the center.

Crackle! Snap!

The sound of shattering bones emanated from Borsalino. His body looked like glass, on the verge of splintering into shards.

"I can’t let you do that, Whitebeard-san."

Fujitora sent a ring of purple light shooting into the sky, and immediately, a gargantuan meteor came hurtling down. To avoid having his head crushed, Whitebeard had no choice but to release one hand and thrust it upward.

Once the meteor was within arm’s reach of his head, Whitebeard gripped it fiercely, shattering the rock into dust.

...

At the edge of the destroyed execution platform, Sengoku turned to Tsuru, who was positioned in the secondary line of battle. "Regarding the Immortal, how do you think we should deal with him?"

Although Fire Fist Ace had been rescued, the Marines originally held the upper hand. However, that advantage had been completely wrecked by Alucard’s sudden appearance. Sengoku feared Alucard would suddenly make a move, and they had to be prepared.

"Don’t act recklessly," Tsuru said with a frown. "We no longer have the strength to deal with the Immortal. Don’t forget, he is currently at full strength, while our highest combat powers, including yourself, have sustained significant injuries."

She added one final note: "If he wants to watch the show, let him watch."

"I’m just worried his intentions are more complicated than just watching a show."

Sengoku gritted his teeth. Ultimately unable to remain at ease, he began walking toward where Alucard sat. "Fine, I will keep watch on him personally!"

...

At that moment, Mr. 3 was holding a massive visual Den Den Mushi, the only tool the outside world had left to observe the battlefield. As Mr. 3 unconsciously panned the camera, he suddenly realized he was facing the man sitting on the coffin.

"Hey, you there, Red Nose."

Buggy, who had been lying on the ground playing dead, jumped up in a rage upon hearing someone call him that. He glared at the speaker and roared, "Who are you calling Red Nose?! I’ll kill you, kid... ah..."

His bravado was sky-high at first, but by the end, his voice caught in his throat, and he turned pale, unable to speak.

Alucard turned his head halfway to look at him, baring his fangs in a grin. "Yo. Weren’t you on Roger’s ship with Red-Haired, too? It’s been twenty years."

Buggy’s mouth hung wide open. He forced a smile that looked more painful than crying and tentatively raised a hand. "Y-y-y-yeah, long time no see, ah-ha... ah-hahahaha!"

"H-he actually got approached by another of the Yonko right after Whitebeard!"

"You really are a legendary figure!"

"Long live Captain Buggy!"

Hearing the prisoners behind him, Buggy nearly blew a gasket, screaming internally: What the hell are you idiots getting emotional for?!

"It seems your relationship with Red-Haired was quite good," Alucard asked with a playful smile. "What? Do you want to take my head here and now to avenge him?"

"H-h-how could that be possible?" Buggy feigned a look of fury, clenching his fists. "I have nothing but hatred for that guy. Honestly, I should thank you."

As soon as he said it, Buggy felt like he was losing face, so he added, "But what a pity! This Great One always planned to kill him with my own hands, but you beat me to it! Hahaha!"

"He actually planned to snatch prey from a Yonko!"

"As expected of Captain Buggy."

"His courage is something we trash could never hope to match!"

Basking in the adoration of the prisoners, Buggy put his hands on his hips and laughed excitedly. But then, Alucard’s next sentence caused his smile to freeze once more.

"Is that so? In that case, do you want to take my life? We can just tell the world you were the one who killed Red-Haired."