Just as the sword pressure was about to strike Issho's back and cleave him in two, a figure boldly stepped forward to intercept it. It was none other than Mihawk!
The Black Blade met the massive, hundred-meter-long arc of sword energy. Beneath his wide-brimmed hat, the "Hawk-Eyes" betrayed a flash of surprise, which quickly turned into a faint, indifferent smirk as he parried the strike upward toward the clouds.
The sword pressure soared into the sky with a thunderous boom, scattering the cloud layer. For a long time after, a massive rift remained in the sky, unable to close.
"To think the Government still possessed such a swordsman."
A spark of battle lust flickered in Mihawk's eyes. "It would truly be a pity not to challenge you."
"I have no time for you right now, Hawk-Eyes."
Suddenly, a figure even more imposing than Doflamingo descended from the sky. He held a massive sword, entirely gold and accented with bronze engravings.
The sight of the blade made Mihawk's expression stiffen once more. "One of the Supreme Grade Blades... Oodenta Mitsuyo? No wonder..."
It was an offensive greatsword rumored to push a swordsman's strength to its absolute limit. Unlike the flexible Black Blade, it was a weapon of pure, unadulterated power designed to suppress all opposition through brute force.
"Fuffuffu~"
Doflamingo licked his lips. "Has Oseinofica of the three great Celestial Dragon families made his move? Just what has Fujitora done?"
Using the opening provided by Mihawk's interference, Issho steered the stone slab to the ground, landing amidst the layers of surrounding Marines.
"Fujitora, what is the meaning of this?" Sengoku asked urgently, completely unable to grasp the situation.
"This old man... has merely rescued an innocent..."
Issho coughed violently, clearly severely injured. He managed to grit out, "Please, take King Cobra to a safe place and protect him. He is innocent."
"That is out of the question!"
Oseinofica leapt over the city wall and landed at the gate. He extended a hand and raised an eyebrow. "Hand that man over. He is the key to this war."
Issho struggled to his feet. "The Government has already killed so many. Do you intend to continue?"
A murderous glint flared in Oseinofica's eyes, but he barely managed to restrain himself. "Is the future of this world not more important than the life of a single civilian?"
"That is the Government's future, not the world's. Spare us your righteous indignation, Celestial Dragon."
At that moment, Shirokitsune raised her hand. The clouds that had been scattered by the sword pressure began to reform, slowly shaping into the kanji for "Justice," the same symbol found on the back of Marine greatcoats.
Suddenly, the gates of St. Poplar swung open. Nearly a thousand soldiers in World Government uniforms surrounded Oseinofica, drawing their blades against him.
Watching the soldiers surround him, Oseinofica's face registered surprise, but no fear. He scanned the perimeter before settling his gaze back on Shirokitsune. "It seems you've been quite busy since you were transferred from the Marines to the Government."
"We can deal with Alucard later. For now, the era of the Celestial Dragons and Government rule is over," Shirokitsune said coldly, her raised arm snapping down.
Instantly, the soldiers surrounding Oseinofica received their signal and attacked from all directions, leaving no opening.
Oseinofica's eyes narrowed as he gave a contemptuous sneer. "A swarm of ants... do you truly believe you can bite a dragon to death?"
With that, Oseinofica hoisted the Oodenta Mitsuyo above his head like a staff. He began to spin the massive blade like a helicopter rotor, generating countless whirlwind-like arcs of sword energy that spiraled outward.
Not only did the barrage prevent any soldier from coming within an inch of him, but the casualties on Shirokitsune's side began to mount rapidly.
Mihawk's palms began to itch. Such a wide-sweeping, purely offensive style of swordsmanship, especially from an opponent he had never fought, held immense value as a challenge.
However, the opponent was a Celestial Dragon. Despite Mihawk's aloof personality, a status like that required at least a moment of deliberation.
In an instant, over a hundred men were wounded or killed, illustrating the staggering gap in power.
"Yehahaha!"
Oseinofica gradually slowed his movements and laughed maniacally. "Did you think I was like those Celestial Dragons who wear bubbles on their heads?"
Oseinofica took a heavy step forward, leaving a massive footprint in the earth. He sheathed the Oodenta Mitsuyo, assuming a high-speed iaido stance. "Damned traitors... Fujitora Issho, Shirokitsune Aliya. You are hereby sentenced to death!"
"Wait! Those two are vital combat assets right now! You can't just—"
Sengoku reached out to stop him, but the Celestial Dragons never cared for anyone in the Marines, not even the Fleet Admiral.
Sengoku's words fell on deaf ears. Everyone watched as Oseinofica's blade cleared its scabbard in a vicious upward slash.
BOOM!!
A massive arc of sword energy, over five meters wide and dozens of meters high, roared toward them. Sengoku could not stand by and watch his Admiral be killed. He immediately entered his Mythical Zoan Buddha form, standing before the two like a sumo wrestler with arms spread wide.
However, someone else was faster. It was Garp.
"Iron Fist..."
Garp's uninjured left fist slammed into the sword energy. The two forces stalemated for several seconds; stray arcs of sword pressure sliced through the surroundings, instantly cleaving several nearby Marines in half.
Five seconds later, under Garp's iron fist, the sword energy finally shattered. Issho and Shirokitsune remained unharmed. Oseinofica's face was a mask of cold fury. "You Marines are becoming more disobedient by the second. Once this war is over, the military branch will be thoroughly purged."
"Don't speak as if you've already won."
Baskerville took a heavy step forward. From atop its head, Alucard looked down with pure disdain. "The one who is going to die is you."
"Hmph."
Oseinofica let out a derisive snort. At that moment, a massive surge of troops began pouring out from within the city.