Chapter 180: The Best Bait
February, 1503, Marine Calendar.
The Golden Lion Pirate Fleet and Alucard reunited in the New World after two and a half years. Because they were out of Marine control, and combined with Shiki’s abilities, even the Marines didn’t get intelligence on their meeting immediately.
Inside the Golden Lion’s main hall, Shiki sat on his throne as he had three years ago. His executive-level subordinates, both old comrades from before the Great Pirate Era and new pirates drawn by his "Golden Lion" reputation, filled the red carpet on both sides.
Alucard, using his Hidden Shadow ability, conjured a chair and sat directly opposite Shiki.
"You’ve seen the data Indigo just gave you, right? Now, you just need to use your power to inject the new force into those animals, and our plan will be completely finished," Shiki said, looking at Alucard.
"It’s going to be a grand banquet, isn’t it?" Alucard chuckled, looking down.
Shiki raised a flat, basin-sized sake cup, filled to the brim with white liquor, and shouted to the crowd below, "It’s do or die! Here, I have my old executives, and those who have recently pledged allegiance to me. But because what we’re about to do is something unprecedented in the hundreds of years since the World Government was established, I’ve only called back my most elite subordinates."
Shiki raised his cup above his head. The nearly thirty executives of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet on both sides of the red carpet also raised their cups high. Shiki grinned menacingly, "To forge my legend, the Golden Lion’s! I now declare, the Golden Lion Pirates are officially reborn!"
After everyone drained their cups, at dusk, Alucard, Shiki, and Dr. Indigo went to Miracles Island, which Shiki’s power had moved into the sky.
Just like the scene three years ago, Alucard injected the Blacklight Virus into an animal. This time, it wasn’t a rhinoceros beetle, but three gigantic praying mantises. After about ten seconds of struggle, the mantises, originally emerald green, erupted in blood-red energy waves. Red stripes gradually transformed their bodies like runes. Their size increased significantly, and their temperaments became even more ferocious.
Before the mantises could descend into a state of complete frenzy, Dr. Indigo suddenly stepped forward. His five fingers on his right hand magically produced purple energy spheres the size of ping-pong balls. He threw them at the gigantic enraged mantises, shouting, "Chemical Juggling: Potassium Blast!"
After the five purple energy spheres hit the mantises with extreme speed, Alucard noticed that the rare beasts, previously infected with the Blacklight Virus, gradually calmed down considerably. However, upon seeing a strange bird flying in the sky, they still charged at it with extremely belligerent natures, engaging in a fierce struggle.
Dr. Indigo spread his hands like a comical actor on stage, grinning at Alucard. "According to an inhibitory agent developed from your virus, it can slightly control their berserker genes and extend their lifespan. The longest survival time in experiments so far is twenty-seven minutes and thirty-three seconds; the shortest is twenty seconds."
"Heh, even these beasts have their strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn’t be surprised if one died in a second." Alucard watched the mantis tearing the strange bird to shreds in the sky. When it looked back towards them, Shiki attacked decisively, splitting it in two with a swing of his right leg.
"Tell me the specific plan, Clown," Alucard said.
"Infect all five thousand four hundred and sixty-two rare beasts on the island, then release them into Mariejois. It requires a bit of strategy." Dr. Indigo gesticulated wildly. "First, use most of them to draw the World Government’s firepower. Then, utilizing Boss Shiki’s power, during this time, keep Miracles Island floating above the clouds near Mariejois. At the right time, give the signal to release these animals into Mariejois once their infection is complete. That’s the full plan."
Dr. Indigo’s limit was only to extend the Blacklight Virus tolerance of these animals by a few more minutes. It was impossible to complete the infection beforehand and then just drop the animals into Mariejois. They had to first attract the attention of the Government and Marines, and then complete the transformation of these monsters during that diversion.
After Shiki finished his cigar, he flicked it aside. "So, this means I’m to be the bait?"
Shiki’s tone showed little anger. Since he had agreed to attack the Government, it would be strange for him to care about such a minor detail.
"Well... for now, there truly isn’t anyone more suitable than Boss Shiki," Dr. Indigo said, rubbing his palms together.
"Wait a moment..." Alucard suddenly smiled mysteriously. "I have someone in mind who could try."
"Who?" Shiki turned and asked.
Alucard’s mouth moved, causing Shiki to frown and Indigo to gasp in surprise.
After a long silence, Shiki crossed his arms and spoke flatly, "Him...?"
"You seem to have fought him multiple times," Shiki said. "What’s the success rate?"
"I don’t know. He’s a mad dog; you can’t infer from common sense," Alucard’s smile remained. "Worth a try."
"You’re right, there’s no need to rush." Shiki grabbed Indigo and flew back to the Golden Lion, while Alucard transformed into bats and flew onto the ship.
"Your room is still the side hall; I’ve kept it empty ever since you used it." After leaving this message for Alucard, Shiki departed the main hall and went to the navigation room. He sat in the main seat and told the helmsmen and weather observers below, "Change course, head to Bannila Island!"
The helmsmen and weather observers, more than twenty of them combined, stared at Shiki in disbelief, but they were met with Shiki’s menacing glare. "What are you looking at? Hurry up!"
"Yes, apologies, Boss Shiki." Under Shiki’s pressure, everyone had no choice but to change course.
Bannila Island, an extremely cold island in the New World that experiences perpetual snowfall, is also... the Beasts Pirates’ main base island!
Alucard stood in the side hall, gazing out the window at Miracles Island, which was now accompanying the ship. His eyes revealed anticipation. "It’s only interesting when things get a little chaotic, isn’t it?"
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