Sorry for the wait. Real life is annoying. I've got a couple more chapters to completely rewrite before I can put out chapters more regularly.

Mihawk and Akainu have questions and they're prepared to take them. Hawk tells the crew his story and his desire for revenge.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece

Hawk's Story: One Piece

Chapter 22

Akainu and Mihawk stomped angrily down the hallway, side by side, on their way to speak with the Five Elders. "This doesn't concern you 'Hawk-Eye'!" Akainu shouted.

"The hell it doesn't! I don't what this monster wants but it clearly involves my Idiot Apprentice!" Mihawk shouted back. The pair glared at each other as they continued down the hallway.

When they arrived, they both reached for the door, moving each other's hands in the process. They glared at each other one more time before Mihawk allowed Akainu to swing the door open. "Sakazuki, Juracule? What do you think you're doing?" One of the Elders questioned.

"You know damn well why I'm here!" Akainu shouted. "Why wasn't I informed of Ghiller and the rest of the Court's escape?"

The Elder let out a sigh. "Ghiller's escape was kept a secret because you would have sent your forces after him, resulting in the loss of too many Marines."

"Why is he after the Boy?" Mihawk chimed in angrily.

"He possesses the Conqueror's Haki correct?" The Elder asked rhetorically.

"There are plenty of people who possess it! What makes him different?"

"He not a Shichibuki or a Yonko so there will be much less collateral damage."

"That and his revenge on losing a member of the Court." Another Elder interjected.

"Which member?" Mihawk asked in confusion.

…

The Shadowhawk Pirates began their descent towards Fishman Island. The crew was gathered on the deck to discuss jobs and living arrangements. "Okay let's get started." Hawk said with a grin before pulling a stack of flashcards. "Hello, my name is Wander E. Hawk. Please to make your acquaintance."

"Are you serious right now?" Marcus questioned.

"What do you mean?" He questioned back.

"The flashcards."

Hawk looked at them for a moment. "I guess I should be more casual." He let out a sigh and started again. "I'll just cut to the chase. I started this crew because I need your help."

"Help with what? To find One Piece? Kill a Yonko?" Beatle asked, clearly not worried about Hawk's plan.

"To kill Davy Jones." He answered sternly.

There was a nervous silence amongst the crew. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" Beatle questioned.

"Captain, I don't mean to break it to you but Davy Jones is a myth." Mara said, trying her best to smile.

Hawk was quiet for a moment. "You're wrong. He's real and he took everything from me."

"Wait, he was the one?" Marcus asked him vaguely.

Hawk nodded.

"What are you two talking about?" Mara asked nervously.

Hawk sighed again. "You all know I was part of 'Hawk-Eye's' Crew. It was him, me and his daughter. She was the woman I loved more than anything in the world. And Davy Jones took her from me."

Hawk went on to tell the story. The story about his world, his passion and his love leaving this world. By the time he was finished a calm stream of tears were pouring down his face. The crew was in disbelief. A man thought to be a fairy tale was real and he'd hurt the man that gave them a second chance at freedom.

Marcus put his hand on Hawk's shoulder. "Captain. I-I don't know what…"

He was interrupted when crying Mara pulled him in a hug. "Captain! That's the saddest thing I've ever heard! I don't care how long it takes, I'll help you!" She cried.

Hawk place a hand on her back to comfort her. "Thank you." It took a few moments for Mara to calm down. "So, what of the rest of you? Will you help me?"

Beatle was surprisingly the first to speak up. "God damn. I thought I had it rough. Look I have no problem going on a revenge mission. I don't even have a problem fighting Davy Jones. All I want is to fight 'Hawk-Eye' for his title. If that means sticking with you on this crazy mission, then I'm game." He told him with a confident smirk. Hawk smirked back. He felt a weight lift off him.

"Marcus?" He questioned.

"You already know I'm in this for the long haul." He chuckled.

"That's three of you."

"I'm in debt to you. Your revenge is now my priority." Snow told him.

"I told you, you don't owe me anything." He told her.

"Assassin's code. I must oblige."

"Captain." Toboe spoke up. "I want to help anyway I can. So please, take me with you." He pleaded, bowing his head.

Hawk looked to Marcus who nodded his approval. "You got it Kid." Toboe smiled from ear to ear. "Pandaman?"

"Of course. Your story has moved me. I can't leave until I know I've helped you in some way!" He cried, tears steaming down his face.

Hawk chuckled a bit. "Thank you."

"That just leaves me." Kuroobi spoke up.

"That's right. What do you say?" Hawk smiled, extending his hand.

Kuroobi glared at him for a moment before shaking his hand. "Captain Arlong always said you were interesting."

"I'll take that as a compliment." He smiled. "We'll go over the plan after we get to Fishman Island. Now I think we should eat."

"I'll start the cooking then!" Pandaman cheered.

Everyone headed into the dinner hall but Kuroobi stopped Hawk at the door. "I need to speak with you."

"Sure thing."

"When we get to Fishman Island, I need a day to get my affairs in order."

"Yeah no problem."

"Really?"

"Kuroobi, I know this is hard to believe but you can trust me. You don't have to view the world with hate in your eyes."

Kuroobi was quiet. His life to this point was all hatred for humans. But this human, the one Jimbe spoke highly of and the only one Arlong respected, spoke to him with dignity and respect. "I cannot get rid of my hatred so easily, but I will trust you. Please, don't let me down."

Hawk smiled at him. "You have my word."

…

Akainu had taken his leave from the Elders with strict orders not to pursue Ghiller or the other escapees. Mihawk stayed behind only to be informed that Hawk was planning to fight Davy Jones. "That Stupid Boy. You're telling me he's going after Davy Jones?" Mihawk questioned the Elders.

"He wouldn't have formed a crew otherwise. We've kept plenty of tabs on him to know." This earned a sigh of frustration from Mihawk.

There was suddenly knock at the door. "Send him in."

The door opened and in walked Doflamingo. Mihawk glared at him as he walked in. "I'll take my leave then." He told the Elders.

"This concerns you Swordsman. Or at least that brat of an apprentice." Doflamingo smirked.