Two years of training begins.
It was noon and Mihawk had just finished lunch. It had took all his patience to get through this meal with this ghost girl and he high pitched voice. Zoro had ignored her at first, but soon they had broken into and argument and Mihawk wondered if he could stay sane through those two years. He laid down the fork and took his wine glass. His yellow eyes darted to the door. Someone was coming.
Zoro got a glimpse of Mihawk's eyes resting at the door and he too felt something, but he wasn't sure what. With a hand on his Wado Ichimonji he gazed at the door, feeling the tense air. Perona wasn't ignorant to the sudden change in Zoro's demeanor and looked annoyed at him, before letting some ghost search the castle for intruders.
"Cute ghosts," they heard a woman's voice just outside the door.
Mihawk turned his head to his wine once more as he recognized the voice.
"What do you mean cute? Those are ghost," a male voice sounded.
"Do you think it's some of the pirates that were killed in the war? That they are hunting Mihawk-sama?" the woman chuckled.
"No ghost would be that insane," said the male.
Perona was getting pale, as she saw what her ghost saw and heard the voices. Zoro was on his feet, facing the door, which were now opened and in walked a young red-haired woman he recognized from the wanted poster Mihawk had shown him. Akagami no Lianne and behind her Akagami no Shanks, her father.
"So you've come to end your training Lia?" asked Mihawk casually.
"Yep. You got around two years to shape my skills," she grinned at the swordsman.
Zoro gulped and stared at those two. The woman turned her head and smiled to him. It was so warm and friendly that he relaxed, understanding she was no enemy or danger.
"You have an apprentice? How did that happened?" asked Lianne teasing.
"Ask Kuma," said Mihawk.
"Can't do that. Shakky told me he is now a pacifista. I wonder what that is about though," she said.
"Is it a request?" Mihawk looked at her.
"It's up to you. I'm here for the training," she shrugged.
Shanks looked at Zoro and thought about what Shakky had told. That Kuma had used his ability to send the Straw hats on a journey where they could become stronger if they could get away from the Islands. To see Roronoa Zoro here, told him that Kuma had a weird sense of humor. Lianne however seemed just to shrug it off.
"I'll make sure she'll be there in two years, Akagami. Just like before the war, leave her training and safety to me," said Mihawk.
"Sengoku would kill you if he finds out you're hiding not only my daughter, but Roronoa Zoro too," said Shanks with a smirk.
"And who would tell him?" asked Mihawk.
"I don't know. Well, I guess she's safe here for now. I'll leave her with you," said Shanks and turned around.
"Not so fast, Akagami. You'll stay here for a week. Tell Benn that," said Mihawk.
"A week? Are you sure?" Shanks looked at Mihawk.
"Lianne. Do you remember where your training stopped before the war?" asked Mihawk.
"Yes Mihawk-sama," she smiled.
"Then go on and take Roronoa with you. Ghost girl can also learn a thing or two too," stated Mihawk.
"Sure thing. Enjoy talking about me," she grinned and took the hands of Zoro and Perona.
She dragged them along with her, ignoring the protest from both. With concern, Zoro saw she was talking them to the ruins, were those damn Baboons were. Perona also realized this, as she stopped to struggle and gazed nervously around. Suddenly the two felt a slight wave of energy and the Baboons were now way to be found.
"Don't worry. They won't attack just yet. I'm holding them away," she smiled.
"But how?" asked Perona.
"Conquers Haki. Inherited from daddy. I'm here to learn how to use and control my Haki better. Mihawk is a great teacher. One day I will help my childhood friend to the top," she smiled.
"Who is he?" asked Perona, curious about the Yonkou's daughter.
"Monkey D. Luffy also known as Straw Hat Luffy. Did you know the Straw Hat actually doesn't belong to him? It's daddy's. 10 years ago daddy gave it to Luffy as a promise reminder. And I gave him the necklace," she said.
Zoro blinked, remembering that Luffy often had stared at the necklace and he had never taken it off. Not even when he was taking a shower. Zoro knew it meant as much to Luffy as the Hat, but this was surprising. The necklace came from a girl. This would kill the cook.
"Why?" asked Perona.
"He saved my soul. It was the least I could do," she shrugged.
"So you want to meet up with him in two years too," said Zoro.
"Yes. Ah we are here," she said and stopped.
Zoro and Perona looked around. They had left the ruins and walked into the forest and was now standing in an open space. In the middle there was a stone table and around it a circle. Three large slim stone stood just outside the circle. She let go of Perona and Zoro, before she unsheathed her sword.
"What's this?" asked Perona.
"A holy sacrifice place. A long time ago they sacrificed the blood of female virgins here to make the Gods bless them. And then they raped the poor innocent girls on the table. There is a lot of angry and evil energy here and it gives the animals here tremendous power. Only raw physical power, not mental. Right now my Conquers Haki holds them away, but they will attack as soon as I stop using it. Are you ready to fight them? They are not as strong as the baboons, but they are more blood thirsty," she said.
"Blood thirsty animals? Not cute at all. I don't want to be here," said Perona.
"Feel free to leave, but as soon as you leave the safety zone of my Conquers Haki, you'll get attacked," shrugged Lianne, while Zoro smirked.
"Are you sure I can handle them?" Perona looked uneasy.
"Sure. I have faith in you. Besides, I'll protect you," she said.
"Let's get on with it," said Zoro impatient.
"Not cute," mumbled Perona, but nodded as Lianne looked at her.
And then Lianne stopped using her Conquers Haki. It didn't take more than 10 seconds for the animals to attack which told Zoro that Lianne just barely had hold them away. She was strong and more in control than he had thought. He smirked and attacked the animals and had to admit she was right about those animals. Lianne was fast and agile, her swordsman skills great and it was clear to him that she had done this before.
Perona gave her best, using her skills and ability. She hated those un-cute animals that attacked her, but Lianne had been right. They were blood thirsty, but weaker than the Baboons. And so Perona could take most of them down on her own and those she couldn't, Lianne took care off. The three of them trained until it almost was dinner time. That's when Lianne used her Conquers Haki and they went back to the castle.
Lianne smiled. She had been eager to start her training and she had been ready to do so right away. But to have some training partners, were unexpected. However she didn't mind. Zoro was strong, but he lacked Haki training. He could use Observation Haki unconsciously. That much she had observed.
Lianne trains with Zoro. Will he like her? And will she tell him that she actually is his nakama in some way?
