Chapter 4
Character Appearances: Zoro, Mihawk, Shanks, Perona
Words: 634
Rating: K+
Warning: None.
Disclaimers: Am I a millionaire? No? Then I don't own One Piece.
In this chapter, Shanks has yet to lose his arm and straw hat, since him and Luffy's fateful encounter will only happen a year later. The ages are as following:
Dracule Mihawk: 30
Zoro: 8
Shanks: 26
Perona: 3
"I am glad we have come to an agreement. I shall see you at the meeting then."
Click.
Dracule Mihawk gritted his teeth, clenching the receiver in his right hand so hard it shattered. It took every ounce of his self control not to stomp out of the castle and flatten everything in his path. It had been a long time since he felt anger of this ferocity, and even longer since he last had the urge to take out his rage on the Humandrills. Normally Zoro and Perona's presence kept him grounded.
Mihwak knew what the other pirates viewed the Warlords as World Government Dogs. He knew what they whispered behind their backs whenever the seven passed by, though they were quick to shut their mouths when one of his colleagues turned their attention on them. Mihawk had never troubled himself with their opinions before, they were annoying pests but nothing that couldn't be handled with a single swipe of his sword. But those lowlifes had a point, though he loathe to admit it. He was, in a way, one.
Being a Shichibukai had it's perks and most of the time the good outweighed the bad, but sometimes he was reminded of just how little freedom he had now. He should have known that the Marines would have eventually wisened up and realize he had been avoiding the shichibukai mandatory annual meeting. Mihawk had managed to make himself scarce with the grudging help of Kuma and Garp, but apparently his luck ended today. Sengoku had just ordered, no, more like demanded him to come or else his status would be revoked. That was something he could not afford happening. It would put Zoro and Perona into danger, having to continuously dodge arrest left and right.
But this was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The main problem was this: Who would take care of his children while he was gone? The last time he left them unattended, the humandrills kidnapped them. He couldn't exactly phone a babysitting agency and ask for their services. As much as the world was concerned, he was a cold, ruthless man who had nothing to tie him down. And he prefered it to stay that way. There was a reason why pirates normally do not start families.
Still, he wouldn't trade zoro and perona for anything in the world.
Now back to the original problem. He would be leaving in a few hours, as it would take half a day alone to get to his destination (And they wondered why he was always in a foul mood in the meetings), 2 hours for the meeting, and the trip back would take another twelve hours. That meant he needed someone who was free for a whole day, and who he could trust explicitly. The latter was the problem.
There was one person, the only candidate, but Mihawk hesistated. Calling that person over might do more harm then good. But he had no choice. Slowly, he picked up the receiver of another den den mushi. (The first had oozed away while he was preoccupied.)
The click as someone picked up felt like a death kneel. Mihawk forced his voice to remain impassive as he spoke.
"Red Hair? I need a favor."
Criticsm and reviews are welcome! Flames will be ignored! Part 2 will be updated next week!