Ice Domain, temporary fortress.
"Looks like I'm not late. Has Koshiro still not arrived?"
The door flew open, letting snow and wind rush in. Mihawk strode into the Living Room, swept his gaze over everyone inside, then asked Simon, who shut the door with a thrown knife.
"Mr. Koshiro and Admiral Fujitora went to Ice Cream Town to keep watch on Mary Geoise. Lord Loa is worried Xin Luo might give up on everything and open the seal."
There was no need to hide Pluton's existence. It would be one of their main weapons in the coming battle. Simon told Mihawk, "You can go over there too, Mr. Mihawk, if you like. I wouldn't recommend it, though."
News of Mihawk's battle with Koshiro had not stayed hidden from the world for long. Yet Koshiro, the victor, refused to accept that he was the new "World's Greatest Swordsman." Mihawk was deeply displeased, and Simon knew the two men practically drew swords every time they met!
It was the very definition of "practice makes perfect!"
"I agree. This isn't the time to waste energy." Mihawk nodded, making his position clear.
On the long sofa, Aokiji had pulled down his Eye Patch and was snoring, seemingly not nervous at all. Kizaru was playing poker with Ryokugyu and Crocodile. Crocodile was currently the biggest winner; the chips in front of him were almost taller than he was.
The poor two had no idea that Crocodile's sand domain was not always so conspicuous. Neither specialized in Observation Haki, so they assumed the fine grains drifting through the air were just power Crocodile had unconsciously let spill out.
After all, who would imagine those grains of sand could see?
Crocodile could fool them, but not Mihawk. Though his standing as the "World's Greatest Swordsman" was precarious,