"I originally intended for that Nefertari brat to be the scapegoat, but doing this beforehand works just as well," Oseinofica said. He gripped the hilt of Oodenta Mitsuyo in his right hand and tightly grasped the blade with his left. As he drew his hand along the steel, the silver blade was dyed a deep, visceral crimson, a hue far more intense than what he had displayed back in Alabasta.
"Everyone, be careful! He's about to activate the National Treasure!"
Issho, sensing the same ominous fluctuations he had felt in Alabasta, shouted a warning to the crowd.
Even though Alucard was merely observing from the sidelines, he understood the terror of this power. This time, the aura was denser, purer, and naturally, far more potent.
"This is but a mere fraction of the National Treasure's power. It's pathetic to see you so terrified, Fujitora Issho!" Oseinofica declared arrogantly, thrusting the Oodenta Mitsuyo into the ground between his feet.
Instantly, the soul energy buried deep within the earth used the blood as a medium to flood into his body. To the Marines, his presence suddenly shifted; it felt as if Whitebeard himself were standing before them, not the elderly, ailing Whitebeard, but the "Strongest Man in the World" in his absolute prime, possessing a peerless, unstoppable momentum.
This was the very reason the Government had ruled the world for eight hundred years, and why Oseinofica remained so haughty even in the face of large-scale naval defection.
What exactly is that thing... Alucard thought to himself.
The intelligence he and Dr. Vegapunk had gathered regarding the "National Treasure" was based mostly on conjecture. While most of it was likely true, they didn't fully understand its mechanics. Specifically, neither of them had accurately gauged just how high this power could elevate a human being.
The last time Alucard had fought a member of the Gorosei atop Mariejois, the one clad in a robe and wielding a sword, that individual had been slightly above the level of a Yonko. That was the limit of the National Treasure's power Alucard had witnessed until now.
"Yehahaha!"
Oseinofica threw his head back and laughed. The sound waves were so intense that small stones on the ground began to dance frantically before being vibrated into dust.
"Fujitora, Shirokitsune... No! You have been officially stripped of your ranks. You are now just Issho and Aliya!"
He pulled the Supreme Grade Blade, Oodenta Mitsuyo, from the ground and pointed it straight at the two of them in a lunging stance. "I'll start by making examples out of you!"
With that, Oseinofica's massive, ape-like frame transformed into a streak of light. Without any Devil Fruit ability, his raw physical speed had reached a point that even Borsalino found himself narrowing his eyes in reflection.
What a violent style of attack.
Issho understood the National Treasure's power to an extent, but since he had dared to take this path, it meant he had already accepted the consequences.
CLANG!!
In an instant, a fountain of sparks erupted. Issho's gravity blade and the Oodenta Mitsuyo, two swords of completely disproportionate size clashed. Despite Issho's own formidable build, he couldn't hold his ground for even a second before Oseinofica began to force him back step by step.
"Kukk!"
Issho grunted deeply. Suddenly, the area surrounding Oseinofica grew immensely heavy, causing his speed and power to sluggishly falter under the increased gravity.
"Your Devil Fruit power? How annoying!"
BOOM!
The blue light emanating from Oseinofica intensified as he absorbed an even more staggering amount of energy from the National Treasure. He shifted from a one-handed grip to a two-handed one and swung upward in a diagonal slash.
SHRED!
Issho's gravity field was instantly shattered. At the same time, a corner of his kimono collar was sliced away, and a thin trail of blood appeared across his right cheek.
"Fujitora-san..."
Regardless of the "betrayal," Issho's status in the military remained high. Seeing him wounded sent a pang of distress through most of the Marines.
"Yehahaha! Do you see this, Issho?"
Oseinofica clenched his left hand into a fist and then slowly released it. "This is the absolute power that has allowed the Government to rule for eight hundred years. And this is still just a drop in the bucket."
"Do you understand now? Do you see how foolish it is to betray the Government?"
Oseinofica's roar was directed at Issho, but it was also a mockery of Shirokitsune and Momousagi's stupidity, as well as a warning to neutral parties like Sengoku and Garp.
"I truly did not expect the National Treasure to be this potent," Issho said, sheathing his blade before drawing it just a few inches. "But this old man has already resolved to use his life to seize this chance."
"Hey, hey... isn't this power a bit too much?" Doflamingo muttered, his brow furrowing. As someone who knew of the National Treasure's existence, even he was shaken by the display.
"Can you not use that? Donquixote Doflamingo."
Hearing the voice beside him, Doflamingo's eyebrow arched. He turned and spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Immortal-san, it's been a long time."
Addressing Alucard's question, Doflamingo explained, "Before I left the Holy Land, I managed to get a bit of intel from my useless father. Later, after endless investigation, I realized it existed. But as for how to use the thing? I haven't a clue."
Doflamingo wasn't lying. If he knew how to wield that power, there was no way he wouldn't have returned to claim the throne long ago, and he certainly wouldn't have suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Luffy in the original timeline.
"Cloud Fox!"
Suddenly, the sky surged with wind and clouds as a ferocious fox made of white mist lunged between Issho and Oseinofica.
Doflamingo sighed. "Vice Admiral Shirokitsune makes her move. She's part of the rebel faction too."
Shirokitsune's face was filled with apprehension. She had been right that this was the Government's first real opening in eight centuries, but she hadn't anticipated that even with such a flaw exposed, they would remain this powerful.
But even so, there was no turning back!
Steeling her resolve, she directed her attack. The Cloud Fox let out a roar, exploding into a churning sea of clouds that surged forward like a tsunami.
"Parlor tricks unworthy of a grand stage."
Oseinofica gave a contemptuous smirk. With several rapid slashes, he carved the sea of clouds into massive chunks, exposing Shirokitsune behind them.
"As I said, mere child's play."
When Oseinofica began the sentence, he was over half a mile away from Shirokitsune. By the time he finished, he was standing directly in front of her. His blade had already run her through the stomach!