The battlefield had turned into a chaotic mosaic of smoke, fire, and echoing cries. The once lush Amazon Lily was caught in a clash of titans. Jessie stood atop a shattered pillar, arms crossed, watching with unreadable calm. Despite the war erupting around him, he didn't move. His eyes tracked the battlefield like a king surveying a chessboard.
His crew was already in motion.
Kuina vs. Seraphim Mihawk
Steel clashed against steel as Kuina stood face to face with Seraphim Mihawk, the genetically enhanced clone of the world's greatest swordsman. Her breathing was steady, her heart calm. This wasn't a match driven by anger. It was a test of skill—an inheritance of blades.
Seraphim Mihawk lunged, his smaller Yoru blade slashing in an arc so fast it created a sonic boom. Kuina parried it with her sword, her wrists twisting with practiced grace. Her blade sang, vibrating with raw Haki.
"I don't need rage to win," she said quietly, eyes locked on her opponent. "Just clarity."
She launched forward with a technique she hadn't used in years.
"Breathless Moon: Form II - Water Cut."
Her blade sliced through air with such precision it cut the very moisture, creating a vacuum that sucked in Seraphim Mihawk. But the clone reacted instantly, deflecting with a spiraling black slash that destroyed several trees behind them.
Kuina landed on one knee and smiled.
"So this is the level I must surpass... good."
She activated her advanced Haki, coating her sword with glimmering silver.
"Inherited Flow: Thousand Petal Dance."
Her movements blurred into a flurry of slashes, each one echoing a lesson from the swordmasters she had studied. She moved with elegance, power, and surgical precision—a candidate for admiral strength indeed.
Seraphim Mihawk held his ground, slashing to counter, yet his cloned mind showed signs of hesitation. He wasn't evolving fast enough. Kuina smiled faintly.
"You're not the man I want to surpass. But you'll do for today."
Vash the Stampede vs. Van Augur
In the shadowed jungle ruins to the north, Vash the Stampede grinned under his red coat. A bullet grazed his cheek, and he laughed.
"You almost got me that time!" he said, spinning his revolver.
Van Augur crouched atop a shattered stone lion, sniper rifle cocked. With the power of the Teleport-Teleport Fruit, he could vanish and reappear in any direction. And he did, constantly shifting through the void, firing bullets that bent the laws of physics.
Vash didn't flinch.
He flicked a bullet from his belt, spun it, then shot it upward. Augur reappeared behind him.
"Too slow."
Vash spun, firing three shots in the blink of an eye. Augur teleported again, but a fourth shot ricocheted and hit his shoulder.
"Guh!" he hissed.
"Oops!" Vash said playfully. "That one was supposed to miss."
The jungle exploded in a ring of bullets. Vash calmly reloaded, a grin still on his face.
"You know," he mused, "I'm not even trying yet. I'm just here to keep you entertained. If I went full power... this fight would be over."
He spun in the air, flipping upside down and firing one-handed, the bullets arcing with precision.
"Crimson Mirage: Echo Shot."
Each bullet split into three, curving like serpents. Augur dodged, teleporting in rapid succession, but his breathing grew ragged.
Vash exhaled slowly. "Let's dance a little more."
Elsewhere on the Battlefield
Uta had entered the fray like a whirlwind. Her voice carried on the wind as musical notes transformed into physical attacks. She had already brought down a dozen Marines and pirates alike.
"La La Lullaby: Harmonic Burst!"
A wave of sound pulsed outward, sending enemies crashing through walls. Her eyes flared. "You want chaos? I'll give you a concert you won't forget."
Bodies fell around her as she moved, her voice growing louder.
Blackbeard vs. Boa Hancock
Blackbeard's hand tightened around Boa Hancock's throat, his devilish grin splitting his scarred face. Her hands clawed at his arm, trying to pry him off. Her eyes burned with fury, but she was choking.
"Your fruit... it's mine now!" Blackbeard declared.
Suddenly—
WHOOSH!
Time slowed. A sudden wind rushed between them. Blackbeard's eyes widened.
"What the—?!"
Jessie had appeared between them like a storm, his body glowing with flickers of red lightning. He didn't punch. He didn't shout. He simply looked at Blackbeard.
The Yonko flew backward, crashing into a boulder, groaning in shock.
Hancock collapsed into Jessie's arms, gasping for breath. Her eyes fluttered open.
"You... saved me..."
Jessie nodded once, his voice soft. "You're welcome."
She coughed, still recovering, but held onto his sleeve. "Thank you... truly."
Jessie laid her gently on a stone slab out of the combat zone and turned his gaze to the battlefield.
Blackbeard groaned, rising slowly. "What... was that...?!"
Jessie didn't answer. His eyes told the story. He wasn't angry. He was calculating.
He stepped forward.
Behind him, his crew continued their battles.
The Ground Trembles
Marine forces and pirates alike began to notice. The fighting slowed.
From Jessie, a pressure began to leak.
Subtle at first, like a breeze. Then stronger. The air grew thick.
Marines clutched their heads. Pirates stumbled.
Even the Seraphim halted for a breath.
"Is that... Haki?!" one Marine screamed.
Jessie closed his eyes.
A blast of Conqueror's Haki exploded from him like a tidal wave, sweeping across Amazon Lily.
Soldiers dropped like puppets. Pirates screamed and passed out. Even high-ranking officers fell to one knee.
Only the strongest remained conscious—Kuina, Vash, Uta, Hancock, Blackbeard.
Jessie's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"This ends now."
Everyone looked toward him.
A king had spoken.