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[Silent_stiele]
*****
Shimotsuki Village, East Blue
A massive Marine ship lay anchored near the shores, casting a long shadow over the island. The villagers, along with the usually elusive mountain bandits, had gathered in droves to witness the colossal sight.
The sheer size of the ship was enough to draw attention, but it wasn't the ship alone that had captured the curiosity of the island's inhabitantsâit was the presence of Dora, a giant from Elbaf, standing tall and imposing on the island.
For many of the villagers, it was their first time seeing a giant. At first, they couldn't believe their eyes, unsure if what they were witnessing was real or some trick of the mind. Children clung to their parents' legs, eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe, while the older villagers whispered amongst themselves, exchanging tales they'd heard of giants from distant lands. Even the mountain bandits, usually hardened and unshakable, found themselves gawking at the sight before them.
I, however, was enjoying every moment of it. The looks of sheer disbelief on the faces of Dora, Mansherry, and Leo were priceless. The disparity in size between Dora and the two smaller members of our crew was almost comicalâLeo, no bigger than a toddler's toy compared to Dora, stood with his mouth agape, while Mansherry jumped around Dora's head like a tiny, curious bird.
"Ross! Is Dora really going to be part of our crew?" Robin stepped up curiously, her eyes shining with a mixture of hope and nostalgia. She was instinctively drawn toward Dora, as memories of Ohara and her bond with Saulâthe giant who had risked his life to protect herâresurfaced.
"Yes, Robin," I replied with a reassuring smile. "Dora is now a part of our family."
Robin's face lit up at the confirmation. Without hesitation, she let out a soft, warm laugh, imitating Saul's distinctive chuckleâ"Dereshishishi!" Dora's eyes widened in recognition of the sound. The deep, booming laughter echoed memories long buried, and in that instant, she realized Robin must have known Saul well. It was as if a bridge had been built between them, one made of shared histories and unspoken understanding.
As the two began to bond, their conversation turned into a quiet exchange of stories, both filled with laughter and bittersweet recollections. The connection between Robin and Dora became evident to everyone around, deepening with each passing moment.
It was clear that Robin had found in Dora a reminder of the kindness she had once known, and Dora, in turn, found solace in Robin's presence.
Meanwhile, standing by the side with his arms crossed and a snow-white pigeon perched on his shoulder, Lucci observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and something elseâan eagerness. "Master," he spoke up, his voice tinged with the excitement of a new challenge. "Do you think I can beat a giant?"
I couldn't help but recall how he had come to acquire the bird. It all began when Mihawk brought back a rare bird of prey's nest during one of his training sessions. Robin, Mansherry, and Lucci had each taken a hatchling to raise. As fate would have it, while Robin's and Mansherry's hatchlings turned out to be formidable raptors, Lucci's bird ended up being a snow-white pigeon.
I smiled at Lucci's question, knowing the fire that burned within him. "Why don't you give it a try, Lucci? I'm sure you'll have your answer after you trade blows with Dora. Just make sure to have your bout away from the island; we don't want to accidentally level the place. And remember, Dora may look innocent, but she's much stronger than the average giant. She's proficient in haki, so she'll be a good sparring partner for you."
Lucci's eyes gleamed with anticipation at the prospect. He had always been a fierce fighter, and the chance to test his skills against someone of Dora's caliber was an opportunity he relished.
"Oh, and Lucci," I added, my tone shifting slightly, "remember, we're heading back to the New World soon."
Lucci, who had been lost in thoughts of his upcoming fight, turned his attention back to me. "Are we leaving East Blue, Master?"
"Not exactly," I said, with a hint of mystery in my voice. "It's just going to be you and me this time. Now that you're proficient in haki, it's time we find you a devil fruit, don't you think?"
"Devil fruit... Devil fruit..." the pigeon on Lucci's shoulder echoed, mimicking the words in a surprisingly clear voice.
Lucci's stoic demeanor cracked for a moment, revealing a glimmer of excitement. His progress in Haki had been steady, but he'd felt his growth slowing recently. The idea of gaining a devil fruitâsomething that could elevate his abilities to the next levelâhad been on his mind for a while.
Although the Donquixote family had access to a decent collection of devil fruits, I had always been cautious, forbidding him from consuming one until he was truly ready, and I had a specific devil fruit for Lucci in mind; anything less would be wasting his talent. Because even among the family, if there was anyone who could truly catch up to me in the future, it was Lucci.
Now, hearing that his time had come, Lucci couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. His thoughts raced, pondering what kind of devil fruit he might receive. Gladius had the Crystal Logia, and Smoker possessed the Smoke Logiaâboth formidable powers. But Lucci craved something more, something that could make him stand out even among his powerful peers.
He recalled the times I had mentioned that Mythical Zoans were the rarest and most powerful of the devil fruits, granting their users abilities far beyond the norm. The idea of possessing such a fruit intrigued him deeply, but he knew how rare they were. The family had yet to acquire a Mythical Zoan user, and even within the vast seas, they were spoken of more in legend than in reality.
Still, as Lucci mulled over the possibilities, a determined glint flashed in his eyes. Whatever devil fruit he ended up with, he was resolved to master it completely, just as he had done with haki. The thought of the power that awaited him, combined with the thrill of the unknown, set his heart racing.
"Whatever fruit I get, Master," Lucci finally spoke, his voice firm with resolve, "I will make sure to become even stronger. I won't let you down."
I nodded, pleased with his determination.
"So, you're heading back to the New World, are you?" Mihawk, standing beside me with his usual calm demeanor, broke the silence. His keen eyes were fixed on the distant horizon, but I could sense the underlying curiosity in his voice. He had chosen to ignore the summons of the World Government for the Native Hunting Competition, opting instead to remain in East Blue at my request.
"Yes, just a short trip," I replied, my gaze drifting toward Dora, who was playing with the other kids on the shore. The ground trembled slightly as she ran around, her massive form causing ripples of excitement among the children. "In the meantime, I'll have to trouble you to look after the little ones."
Mihawk's lips curled into a faint, amused smile. "Little ones," he mused, his gaze now following mine. The contrast between Dora and the other children was almost comical, yet endearing in a way. Despite her size and strength, Dora's innocence shone through, making her a natural guardian and playmate for the others.
But Mihawk's mind was elsewhere. Though he had made significant progress during his time in Shimotsuki Village, he had not yet achieved his ultimate goalâtransforming Yoru into a black blade. My teachings on Conqueror's Haki infusion had only added fuel to his fire, driving him to push his limits even further.
"Well then," he began, his voice taking on a casual tone that belied the intensity behind it. "Why don't we have a spar? I believe I'm close to achieving Conqueror's Haki infusion."
I couldn't help but give him a dumbfounded look since I had told him about the Conqueror Haki Infusion only recently, and he was saying that he was already close to achieving it. That aside, I had barely returned, and already he was itching for a fight. But Mihawk's idea of a 'spar' was far from a simple exchange of blows. Our last few encounters had stretched on for hours, sometimes even more than a day. They were grueling tests of endurance and skill, pushing both of us to the brink.
Yet, I had promised him. After he had lent his support to Doffy in North Blue, I owed him this. I sighed, resigning myself to the inevitable. "Sigh! Fine, fine... Let's just get it over with. I hope you're ready for a good beating," I added with a chuckle, though the light-heartedness in my voice was laced with a competitive edge.
"Say, Mihawk, which island would you like to sink today?" I asked, while stretching my observation haki, to find a suitable island nearby..
Mihawk flinched ever so slightly, the briefest flicker of apprehension crossing his usually stoic face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the same calm resolve that had made him the world's greatest swordsman. He nodded, the challenge accepted without a word, as we both knew what was comingâa clash of wills and power that would echo through the island.
Soon we found ourselves on a rocky, lush green island a few dozen miles away from Shimotsuki village. "Are you ready?" Mihawk asked, his voice low but firm, as we finally took our stances. His gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us and the silent promise of a battle that would push us both to our limits.
"Always," I replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
Mihawk unsheathed Yoru, the supreme grade blade gleaming menacingly under the midday sun. Its semi dark surface seemed to drink in the light, exuding a quiet but overwhelming power. In response, I drew Shusui, its legendary black steel shimmering with an ancient aura. Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing his usually stoic face.
"Just Shusui?" he asked, his voice laced with challenge, as if daring me to take this duel more seriously.
I couldn't help but smirk at his words. "You're still too weak for her," I replied, my hand lightly brushing against the second blade strapped to my side, Akatsuki. "When you can truly reach the level of an Emperor, I'll show you Akatsuki's might." My tone was teasing, but there was a firm undertone of truth that Mihawk couldn't ignore.
He frowned harder; his pride clearly stung, but he didn't argue. Deep down, Mihawk knew that the current him wasn't ready to face Akatsuki, a blade that seemed to have a life of its own.
Out of curiosity, the last time he tried to handle the blade, it felt as if the blade wanted to devour his soul. Ross wasn't joking when he said that the blade would devour anyone other than himself that tried to handle it.
Knowing that his friend was trying to help him work harder, he took the jab in stride, focusing instead on the task at hand. After all, he had his own ambitions, and he was determined to catch up sooner or later.
Unbeknownst to me, Mihawk had been harboring a secret, a hidden power that he had only recently begun to understand. It wasn't just Hakiâat least, not in the way he had always known it.
This mysterious force had stirred within him during his most intense battles, and he believed it to be something different, something that could change the course of his destiny. Mihawk had decided to keep this hidden power to himself until he could fully grasp it and understand it, intending to reveal it only when the time was rightâperhaps even to me, his own blood brother.
For now, however, he set aside those distracting thoughts. His focus sharpened as he let his Conqueror's Haki burst forth, the sheer force of his willpower rolling out like a tidal wave. The air around us thickened, the ground beneath our feet trembled heavily under the weight of our clashing spirits.
"Ittou Shura!!!" Mihawk intoned, his voice low and deadly, signaling the beginning of our duel.
And with that, the world erupted into motion.
Our blades met with a deafening clash, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The force of our strikes cracked the earth beneath us and sent gusts of wind tearing through the surrounding trees.
Every swing of Yoru was precise and deadly, a testament to Mihawk's unparalleled skill as the world's greatest swordsman. But Shusui was no ordinary blade, and in my hands, it became a force of nature, responding to each of Mihawk's strikes with equal ferocity.
Our movements blurred as we pushed each other to the limit, neither of us holding back. Mihawk's Conqueror's Haki infused his blade, creating a vortex of power with each strike. But I matched him blow for blow, my own Haki wrapping around Shusui like a shroud of darkness, amplifying its destructive potential.
"Not bad, Mihawk!" I called out over the roar of our battle, genuinely impressed by his progress. "You've come a long way." I had to admit that, when it came to pure swordsmanship, Mihawk could give me a run for my money.
Mihawk's eyes burned with determination. "I'm far from done, Ross!" he retorted, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve. With a fierce swing, he unleashed a powerful slash, the air around Yoru humming with energy as the blade cut through the space between us.
I parried the attack with a deft movement of Shusui, the impact sending a shockwave that tore through the ground, leaving a deep gash in its wake. The sheer force of our clash sent nearby boulders stumbling back; nature itself seemed in awe and fear as they witnessed the destructive power of our duel.
Despite the intensity of our battle, there was a mutual respect that lingered in the air between us. Mihawk was relentless, pushing forward with everything he had, but I could sense that he was holding something backâa reserve of strength that he hadn't yet tapped into.
"Is this all you've got?" I taunted, pushing him to reveal his full potential. "If you want to ever truly take the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman, you'll have to do better than that!"
Mihawk gritted his teeth, his frustration evident. "I'm just getting started!" he shouted, channeling even more of his Haki into Yoru. The blade glowed with a fierce intensity as his will pushed it towards complete blackening, and for a moment, it seemed as though the very air around us was about to ignite from the sheer power of his will.
Our duel raged on, the sound of clashing steel echoing across the island. The ground beneath us was torn asunder, trees were uprooted, and the very air seemed to tremble with the force of our battle. Each strike, each parry, each movement was a testament to our skill and strengthâa dance of death that neither of us intended to lose.
But even as we clashed, there was something in Mihawk's eyes that caught my attentionâa spark of something more, something that went beyond the mere desire to win. It wasn't just ambition or the hunger for power; it was a deeper, almost primal energy, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
As our battle raged, that mysterious force within Mihawk seemed to grow stronger, more pronounced. Whatever this power was, it was unlike anything I had ever encountered, a power that was fundamentally different from anything I had ever known.
I could sense Mihawk was aware of this new power, too. He hadn't fully grasped it yet, which is why he kept it hidden, even from me. He was waiting, biding his time, determined to understand it completely before revealing it.
But I could see it in his eyes, in the way he foughtâMihawk was on the cusp of something extraordinary. My curiosity was piqued. In my previous life, I had scoured every inch of the One Piece canon, and yet I had never come across anything like this.
It made me wonder if this was something that had simply been overlooked, something hidden within the story that I never got the chance to uncover before my untimely death, or if it was something entirely new, unique to this real world I now inhabit.
Either way, I knew one thing for certain: whatever this power was, it was growing within Mihawk, and it wouldn't be long before he unleashed it in full. And when that day came, I would be ready. Whether as a rival, a mentor, or a brother, I would stand by his side.