The sun sank low over the south beach of Amazon Lily, painting the horizon in an orange glow. Waves lapped gently against the sand, and the air carried a briny scent mixed with freshly cut wood. Boa Hancock strode ahead on a rocky path, her heels clicking sharply. Mihawk followed, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings without a word.
Boa halted abruptly, pivoting on her heels. "Here's the dock," she snapped, one arm gesturing toward the wharf where sleek-hulled ships swayed gently. Amazons bustled about, ropes in hand, while stacks of wooden planks piled up near an open workshop. "Take a ship, Mihawk, and get out of here."
Mihawk tilted his head, his golden eyes meeting hers unflinchingly. "Any ship won't do, Hancock. I need one that suits me."
Boa crossed her arms, her lips pursing, eyes flashing. "Suits you?" She stepped forward, heels clicking louder. "And why here, Mihawk? There are dozens of islands better equipped for shipbuilding. Why Amazon Lily?"
Mihawk's lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile. "I'm no longer a Warlord, Hancock." He paused, his gaze piercing. "Nor are you. It seemed… logical to come here."
Boa gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her arms. She glared at him, her Conqueror's Haki pulsing faintly, making the air shimmer. "Logical?" she hissed. "You dare invade my island, threaten my warriors, and talk about logic?"
Mihawk raised an eyebrow, his coat rippling in a sudden gust. "Your island's intact. Your warriors are alive. Consider that proof of my… restraint."
Boa shot him a venomous look, her lips curling. She spun again, her hair sweeping the air, and pointed to a figure near the workshop. "This is Kiku, our master shipwright. If you want your precious ship, talk to her. But don't linger."
A sturdy woman stepped forward, her brown hair tied in a messy bun, a tool belt clinking at her waist. Kiku wiped her hands on a rag, her hazel eyes sizing up Mihawk with curiosity. "Dracule Mihawk," she said, her voice clear but tinged with wariness. "An honor… or a problem. What exactly do you want?"
Mihawk tilted his head slightly, a near-courteous gesture. "A ship," he replied, his low voice resonating like a drawn blade. "But not just any ship. I want a hull made from the strongest wood you can source, reinforced for speed and maneuverability. A sharp prow, a single mast with a square sail for power, and a minimalist but functional cabin. Clean lines, black, with a deck wide enough for a duel."
Kiku blinked, her hands pausing on the rag. She tilted her head, lips parting slightly. "That's… specific." She crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised. "Have you built ships before, Mihawk?"
Mihawk's lips curved into an enigmatic smile, his golden eyes glinting under his hat. "Let's say I have a certain… vision."
Boa, a few steps away, tapped her foot, arms crossing tighter. "Vision or not, you don't give orders here." She pointed a finger at him, her polished nails gleaming in the sun. "Kiku works for me. If she says it's doable, you'll get your ship. If not, take a rowboat and vanish."
Kiku raised a hand, her gaze shifting from Boa to Mihawk. "Easy, Empress." She turned to Mihawk, eyes narrowing. "Strong wood, huh? That's expensive. Got the funds?"
Mihawk slipped a hand into his coat, pulling out a leather pouch and tossing it to Kiku. She caught it one-handed, opening it to reveal gold coins glinting in the sunlight. Kiku whistled softly, weighing the pouch in her palm. "This'll cover the wood. But the rest…" She gestured to the workshop behind her, where tools lay stacked near piles of planks. "It'll take time. Three months, minimum."
Mihawk nodded, fingers tapping Yoru's hilt. "Two months."
Kiku's eyes widened, then she burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Two months? You're optimistic." She waved him toward the workshop. "Come. Let's talk over tea. I want more details on this… ship that suits you."
Inside the workshop, the scent of freshly sawn wood filled the air. Sawdust littered the floor, and tools clinked softly under the hands of Amazon apprentices. Kiku sat at a rough wooden table, setting down two steaming bowls of tea. Mihawk took a seat across from her, his golden eyes studying the pale green liquid. Boa remained standing, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, her gaze piercing Mihawk.
Kiku took a sip of tea, her eyes never leaving Mihawk. "So, swordsman. Tell me about this ship." She set her bowl down, fingers tapping the table. "You mentioned a sharp prow. Why?"
Mihawk lifted his bowl, sipping slowly before answering. "To cut through waves." His voice was low, precise. "A wide prow slows you down. A sharp one, angled at 15 degrees, maximizes speed without sacrificing stability."
Kiku tilted her head, lips parting again. "15 degrees?" She grabbed a piece of parchment and charcoal, sketching quickly. "And the single mast? Why not two for more power?"
Mihawk set his bowl down, fingers lacing in front of him. "A single mast cuts weight. A square sail, tightly rigged, catches enough wind for a small crew. Two masts overcomplicate handling for one man."
Kiku scribbled more, her eyes gleaming with interest. "You talk like someone who's sailed this kind of ship before." She looked up, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Or spent too much time thinking about it."
Mihawk's lips twitched into a smile, his golden eyes glinting. "Let's say I've… studied the matter."
In his mind, Léo was jubilant.
'I'm basically rebuilding a solo Thriller Bark, lady.'
He chuckled, memories of hours spent analyzing One Piece ships and modern sailboat designs flashing through Mihawk's mind.
'Good thing I memorized my notes on aerodynamics and material strength!'
Mihawk continued. "The deck needs to be dark wood, varnished to resist saltwater. Ten meters wide, with a clear space at the stern for… training."
Kiku raised an eyebrow, setting down her charcoal. "Training?" She glanced at Yoru. "You want a deck for duels, don't you?"
Mihawk nodded, fingers tapping his bowl. "A swordsman needs room to move."
Boa, still leaning against the wall, hissed through her teeth.
Mihawk turned his head slowly toward her, his golden eyes unflinching. "Your island builds sturdy ships, Hancock." He paused, his tone softening slightly. "I respect your shipwrights' work. That's why I'm here."
Kiku chuckled, picking up her charcoal. "He knows how to talk to shipwrights, at least." She sketched a quick outline, showing a sleek hull with a pointed prow. "Like this?"
Mihawk leaned forward, eyes scanning the parchment. "Add iron reinforcements along the sides, below the waterline. And a reinforced rudder, built for sharp turns."
Kiku whistled again, her charcoal pausing. "You're not messing around." She set the parchment down, eyes narrowing. "This ship… it could sail the Calm Belt without flinching. What are you aiming for, exactly?"
Mihawk sipped his tea, lips curling into an enigmatic smile.
'I've got memories of my modern life—high-tech sailboats, engineering calculations… This ship's gonna be a beast!'
Kiku scribbled again, fingers swift. "Strong wood, sharp prow, wide deck…" She looked up, a smirk on her lips. "This ship's gonna be a work of art. But two months is tight. My apprentices will have to work day and night."
Mihawk nodded, fingers tapping the table. "They'll have my respect. And my gratitude."
Kiku burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Your gratitude? That doesn't pay overtime." She sipped her tea, eyes twinkling. "But I'll build it. This ship… it's gonna turn heads."
Boa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Finish it fast," she muttered, her heels clicking as she headed for the exit. "And you, Mihawk, keep your promises. No chaos on my island."
Mihawk tilted his head. "No chaos, Empress."
Kiku set down her charcoal, crossing her arms. "Come back tomorrow. I'll have a detailed plan." She gestured to the parchment, her smile widening.
Mihawk stood, turning to follow Boa out of the workshop, his steps silent.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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