CP0 was shocked when the God's Knights revealed the Four Soul Divine Blood as their trump card. Unlike the Marines, CP0 was completely tied to the Celestial Dragons.
The Marines possessed their own sense of justice and operated with a high degree of independence. Their greatest reliance on the World Government was military funding. Even if the World Government were to fall, as long as the Emperors Alliance and the Revolutionary Army could provide enough financial support, the Marines could easily shift their allegiance.
CP0 was different. Their very existence depended on the Celestial Dragons. They were nothing more than tools raised by the World Nobles, making it impossible for them to defect to another faction. Because of this, they desperately wanted the World Government to win more than anyone else on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the expressions of the Emperors Alliance became grim.
When Red-Haired Shanks had appeared earlier, they had already guessed this possibility. Still, seeing it happen with their own eyes placed tremendous pressure on them.
Every member of the God's Knights radiated a terrifying aura after activating the Four Soul Divine Blood. No one in the alliance dared to hesitate.
One after another, the commanders reached into their pockets and pulled out a small red pill.
Vista lowered his gaze to the pill in his hand. This was the medicine Vegapunk had developed specifically for them, a drug capable of stimulating the hidden potential within the human body.
After discovering that Red-Haired Shanks could also use the Four Soul Divine Blood, the Emperors Alliance became completely certain that the God's Knights possessed the same ability.
Although they had suspected it for a long time, the God's Knights had never used it during previous battles against the alliance, causing some doubt to linger in their minds.
After all, such a terrifying power had previously only been displayed by the Gorosei. The fact that the God's Knights had hidden it for so long felt unnatural no matter how they looked at it.
Vista recalled Vegapunk's explanation from several days earlier.
"Marco, this is the medicine developed according to your request. I named it Shunmaru. It can temporarily stimulate the body's potential and greatly increase a person's combat strength."
Vegapunk handed the large bottle of Shunmaru to Marco, who then passed it to Vista.
Vegapunk continued seriously, "There are many drugs in this world capable of stimulating human potential, but nearly all of them come with severe side effects. Although I reduced the side effects as much as possible, Shunmaru still has its risks."
"You can only take one pill at a time. After consuming it, the effects will last roughly ten minutes. During that period, your body's potential will be stimulated to its maximum state, allowing you to unleash the full extent of your current strength."
"However, once those ten minutes end, your body will immediately enter a state of exhaustion. That exhaustion will last several days before you fully recover."
"But don't worry. As long as the battle ends within those ten minutes, the side effects will only be temporary fatigue. It will not damage your body's foundation or reduce your lifespan."
Vegapunk adjusted his glasses and added proudly, "The reason is simple. Shunmaru does not forcefully break the body's natural limits. It only allows the body to fully utilize the strength it already possesses."
Yamato frowned slightly after hearing that.
"If that's the case, then why doesn't it make us even stronger? Training is supposed to help us surpass our limits. This medicine doesn't even let us break through them, and it only lasts ten minutes. That sounds disappointing."
Vegapunk immediately shook his head.
"In ordinary combat, people believe they are already using one hundred percent of their strength. In reality, because of the body's self-preservation instincts, most people can only utilize around eighty percent of their true physical capability."
"Pushing beyond those natural restrictions is extremely dangerous. One mistake can easily lead to death."
Vegapunk's expression turned unusually serious.
"The human body has limits for a reason. Many scientists became obsessed with surpassing those limits and paid horrifying prices for it."
"The body's restrictions do not only suppress power, they also protect the user."
He raised a finger as he explained.
"Take an ordinary person as an example. Under normal conditions, he might only be capable of lifting eighty kilograms. But after taking certain dangerous drugs, the body's restraints are forcefully removed, allowing him to lift eight hundred kilograms or even eight thousand kilograms."
"That sounds impressive, but the body itself cannot withstand such power. It is merely temporary strength gained by burning away one's own vitality. Once the effects disappear, death is usually inevitable."
Vegapunk then smiled proudly again.
"But Shunmaru is different. It simply allows you to draw out one hundred percent of your existing strength, and its side effects are non-lethal. As long as you defeat the enemy within ten minutes, everything will be fine."
Katakuri crossed his arms and asked bluntly, "And what if we fail to defeat the enemy within ten minutes?"
The question instantly caused cold sweat to form on Vegapunk's forehead.
"In that situation... retreating would probably be the only option."
The room immediately fell silent.
Kaido looked extremely dissatisfied.
"Vegapunk, this isn't some children's game. This is war."
Hearing Kaido's criticism, Vegapunk finally sighed helplessly.
"Fine. I understand. I'll continue researching an improved version of Shunmaru as quickly as possible."
Back on the battlefield, Vista stared at the pill in his hand and muttered quietly,
"Then let's end this within ten minutes."
After developing Shunmaru, Vegapunk had also created another drug capable of stimulating human potential even further. However, the side effects were far more severe, to the point where nobody was willing to use it unless they had absolutely no other choice.
Soon, the commanders swallowed their Shunmaru pills one after another. The remaining members of the alliance followed immediately after.
This was the trump card Vegapunk had prepared for them.
Since the God's Knights and the Gorosei could enhance themselves with the Four Soul Divine Blood, the Emperors Alliance had no choice but to respond with their own method.
The effects of Shunmaru activated almost instantly.
The moment the medicine entered their bodies, the commanders felt a tremendous surge of power erupt from within.
Vista gripped his twin swords tightly and shouted,
"Brothers, bring them down!"
" Worororo! Looks like Vegapunk actually made something useful for once!"
Kaido laughed loudly while pulling another small bottle from his pocket, a red pill resting inside.
Saint Nusjuro, who was currently fighting Kaido, narrowed his eyes after noticing the medicine the alliance and the Giants had consumed.
"So this is your trump card."
" Worororo! If you monsters can use the Four Soul Divine Blood to strengthen yourselves, then why can't we?"
Kaido crushed the bottle in his hand before sneering fiercely.
"Sure, this stuff comes with side effects, but if it means conquering this world, then it's a small price to pay."
With that, Kaido tossed the Shunmaru pill into his mouth.
===
Get access to the entire catalog on Patreon, where all chapters are conveniently organized into collections.
If you prefer not to pay for a monthly membership, this is a more affordable option that gives you access to the content you want.
(Buying the collection gives you access to all chapters in it.)
Search for "_Zeph" on P@treon to get started.