Chapter 72: Shadows of God — The Gathering Storm
Jessie stood at the kingdom's towering shoreline, the clash between Kuina and Dracule Mihawk finally concluded. Beside him, Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, maintained his stoic posture. His arms were crossed, one hand resting on the hilt of Yoru, his black blade that gleamed like night itself. Crocodile leaned lazily against a nearby stone pillar, puffing on a cigar with a smirk playing at his lips.
Jessie broke the silence first, his eyes sharp as blades yet carrying a faint amusement.
"Mihawk," he said casually, "do you want to fight me too?"
Mihawk's golden eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of a smirk appearing at the corner of his lips.
"No," he replied, glancing down at the unconscious Kuina lying beside them. "I came here for this girl."
As Mihawk spoke, his attention shifted — catching sight of a figure in the distance. A man who looked almost identical to himself, though with a colder, expressionless face. It was none other than Seraphim Mihawk, the Pacifista clone crafted by the genius of Vegapunk using his DNA long ago, before the Shichibukai system's dissolution.
Crocodile burst out laughing at the sight.
"Oi, Mihawk — is that your twin brother?" he mocked, smoke curling from his cigar.
Mihawk snorted, his voice carrying a note of disdain.
"I never imagined Vegapunk would use our DNA before we even officially joined the Shichibukai. To make weapons clones that would eventually replace us."
Jessie's smile slowly faded, and his face turned serious. Something in the air made him feel uneasy.