Boa clenched her teeth, her lips trembling with impotent rage. She glared at Mihawk, her Haki clashing with his in an invisible shockwave that made the air creak. Then, finally, she raised a hand.
"…Build him his damn ship."
The Amazons murmured, shocked, but obeyed, stepping back. Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a resigned glance, lowering their weapons.
Mihawk sheathed Yoru with a fluid motion. "Wise choice."
Perona burst into laughter, breaking the silence. "Heehee! So we're getting a real ship? Finally!" She spun joyfully, ignoring Korran's venomous glare.
Hancock spun around, her voice sharp: "Follow me. I'll have you escorted to the south beach. You'll stay there until it's done. Then you leave."
Mihawk sheathed Yoru. "That'll do."
Perona sighed loudly, floating above the raft. "Heehee… Couldn't we have just asked nicely?"
Korran raised an eyebrow. "You think he knows how to ask?"
Rayleigh approached him. "You know what you're doing here… it's more than a change of course."
Mihawk nodded slowly. "It's a gamble."
Rayleigh chuckled. "The lone swordsman betting on a pirate's treasure… the world's gone mad."
"It always was," Mihawk replied. He looked at the island—the towering trees, the cliffs, the clear sky. Then his gaze returned to Rayleigh. "And you, what are you doing here?"
Rayleigh shrugged. "My race is run. I'm just watching those starting theirs."
The waves lapped against the south beach of Amazon Lily, where Mihawk, Korran, and Perona's raft had just been moored. Sand crunched under Korran's heavy steps as he tugged the ropes to secure the craft. Perona floated beside him, arms crossed, a smug smile on her lips. "Heehee! Finally, some rest!" she chirped, throwing Korran a mocking glance. "You can stop playing tough guy now."
Korran grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Speak for yourself, princess. You barely touched an oar."
Mihawk stood still, gazing at the horizon, his black coat rippling faintly in the breeze. Boa Hancock strode ahead, her sisters Sandersonia and Marigold close behind, their wary eyes fixed on the swordsman. The Amazons, bows still in hand, formed a tense escort, their nervous whispers filling the air.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps broke the silence. A figure burst from the bushes, a black blindfold over their eyes.
"Rayleigh!" a familiar, raw-energy voice shouted. "You ditched me again, you old geezer! I've been running all over looking for you!"
Luffy skidded to a halt, tilting his head, nostrils flaring as if sniffing the air. "Wait…" he muttered, hands grabbing the blindfold. With a sharp tug, he ripped it off, revealing round eyes that narrowed instantly upon spotting Mihawk. His fists clenched, legs bent, ready to lunge. "You!" he growled, teeth gritted. "What're you doing here?!"
Rayleigh raised a hand, his amused smile cutting through the tension. "Easy, Luffy," he said, his deep voice calming. "Mihawk's not an enemy today. He's here… let's say, as a friend."
Luffy blinked, his mouth dropping into a loud "Huh?" He straightened, his gaze darting from Rayleigh to Mihawk. "A friend? Him?" He jabbed an accusing finger at the swordsman. "This guy nearly sliced me in half at Marineford!"
Mihawk tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes studying Luffy without flinching. "You're improving, Straw Hat," he said. "Your Haki's sharper."
Luffy clenched his fists, a fierce grin spreading across his lips. "Yeah, and just wait till I'm back with my crew!" He smacked his fist into his palm. "I'm gonna crush you and everyone else!"
Mihawk's lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile. "I'd like to see that," he replied, his tone neutral but tinged with faint approval. Then his gaze slid to Rayleigh. "I have a young sprout of my own," he said, nodding toward Korran, who was finishing tying up the raft. "It might interest you."
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, his eyes sizing up Korran. The young man, sensing the scrutiny, straightened, one eyebrow raised. "What?" he growled, his hoarse voice laced with suspicion.
Rayleigh chuckled, rubbing his beard. "Interesting," he murmured. Then, to Mihawk: "But aren't you the best one to train your nakama?"
Mihawk shrugged, his coat brushing the sand. "Korran's no swordsman," he replied. "I'm not asking you to train him, Rayleigh. Just let him observe your sessions while we're here."
Luffy, fists still clenched, cut in, waving his arms. "Hold on, hold on, hold on!" he shouted. "You're saying this guy"—he pointed at Korran—"is gonna train with us?" He turned to Rayleigh, eyes narrowed. "You're cool with that, old man?"
Rayleigh shrugged, a sly smile on his lips. "Why not?" he said. "Could be fun. Besides, Mihawk's not one to ask favors often."
Boa Hancock, who had paused to watch the exchange, crossed her arms, lips pursed. "You're talking like my island's a public training ground," she hissed. "I haven't agreed to any of this."
Mihawk turned his head slowly toward her, his golden eyes piercing. "Your island's building my ship," he said, his low voice humming with restrained menace. "Consider this an extension of our deal."
Boa gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her arms. "You're pushing my patience, Mihawk," she muttered. Then she turned to Rayleigh, her eyes flashing. "And you're encouraging this chaos?"
Rayleigh raised his hands, a light laugh escaping his lips. "Me? I'm just enjoying the show, Hancock." He glanced at Luffy. "Besides, Luffy could learn a thing or two watching a man like Mihawk."
Luffy grunted, crossing his arms. "I don't need to learn anything from him!" he snapped, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. He turned to Korran, sizing him up. "And who're you, anyway? One of Mihawk's goons?"
Korran raised an eyebrow. "Goon?" he repeated, his hoarse voice dripping with irony. "I'm Korran. And I'm just… here."
Perona, floating nearby, burst into laughter. "Heehee! 'Just here,' he says!" She pointed at Korran, her ghosts swirling around her. "You're just his rowing lackey, admit it!"
Korran shot her a dark look. "Shut it, princess, or I'll make you float to the bottom of the ocean."
Perona giggled, covering her mouth. "Heehee! Try it, tough guy!"
Luffy, ignoring the banter, turned to Mihawk, eyes narrowed. "Why're you really here?" he asked, his voice suddenly serious.
Mihawk met his gaze, his golden eyes unflinching. "A ship," he replied simply. "And a challenge."
Luffy frowned, chewing on his straw. "A challenge? Against who? Me?"
Mihawk's lips curled into a faint smile. "Not yet, Straw Hat." He turned his head toward Rayleigh. "But someday, perhaps."
Rayleigh chuckled, adjusting his glasses. He turned to Luffy, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, kid. We've got work to do. If Mihawk's friend wants to watch, let him. It won't change your training."
Luffy grunted but nodded. "Fine!"
Boa Hancock sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Follow me," she said to Mihawk. "You'll stay on the south beach. Not one step further without my permission." She turned sharply, her hair flowing behind her, and the Amazons parted to let her pass.
Mihawk tilted his head, almost respectfully. "Thank you, Empress."
Perona floated toward Luffy, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Heehee! Long time no see, you!" she chirped, her ghosts dancing around him. "Remember me?"
Luffy blinked, then burst into laughter. "Huh? Who're you?" He turned to Korran, a wide grin on his face. "And you sure you're not a goon?"
Korran grunted, looking away. "You're as loud as the kid," he muttered, hands tightening on the raft's ropes.
Rayleigh approached Mihawk, his voice low. "Dracule," he murmured, his glasses glinting in the sun. "Coming here, chasing the One Piece… you're drawing attention."
Mihawk met his gaze, his lips curving into an enigmatic smile. "Attention's inevitable, Rayleigh," he replied. "The question is: who'll dare answer?"
Rayleigh shrugged, a light laugh escaping him. "Can't wait to see what this generation pulls off."
Luffy, catching the tail end of the exchange, pointed at Mihawk. "I'm gonna be the Pirate King!" he declared, his eyes blazing with fierce determination.
Mihawk tilted his head, his golden eyes glinting. "We'll see, Straw Hat."
Boa Hancock, already walking away, turned back one last time, lips pursed. "Are you coming or not?" she hissed.
The Amazons stepped aside, letting Mihawk and Perona follow. Luffy walked beside Rayleigh.
Korran, trailing behind, met Luffy's gaze. "You're not that impressive, Straw Hat," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Let's see if you live up to your big reputation."
Luffy bared his teeth, but a fierce grin spread across his face. "We can fight if you want!" he shot back, smacking his fist into his palm.
Perona floated between them, laughing hysterically. "Heehee! This is gonna be a mess!" she crowed, her ghosts swirling gleefully.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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