Impossible
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Impossible! We are now at Mihawk's backstory! This backstory is a lot darker than it was within They Don't Know About Us and Fight Together! I hope you enjoy! On with the fic!
Just note: I do take your thoughts into account of what you might want to see. If you have something you would want to see, comment down below and let me know!
Chapter Warnings: Sexual Assault, Violence, Non-Canon Character Death
Chapter Seven: The Beginning of the World's Strongest: Dracule Mihawk
Chapter Summary: Mihawk's life was changed forever the second that he lost both of his parents. Leaving home, he decides to live the life of a pirate. Along the way, he didn't expect to meet Red-Haired Shanks, an apprentice aboard the Oro Jackson.
If there was one thing that Mihawk wanted to be in his life, it was to be strong. To be the protector. He had always had dreams of traveling the world and finding people stronger than him and defeating them. Climbing the top of the ladder until he was the lone survivor. His life had never been easy. Full of hatred and disgust. Anger at the world.
His mother was sweet. Amazing and kind. She was always the person that he relied on when he needed someone. There was always this subtle pain in her eyes. Despite the smile on her face. The bruises that would litter her pale skin. Her beautiful golden eyes shining within the hurt and pain that she felt. Dracule Ann was her name. Mihawk always loved her name. He loved his mother. She was exactly the person who drove him to wanting to protect those he loved and cared about. Those he treasured. She was the first person to ever tell him that he could do it.
He wanted to be the strongest. In one thing specifically. Swordsmanship. He wanted to be the World's Strongest. That even the mere mention of his name would have people quaking in their boots. Frozen in fear.
His mother was an Omega, which put her right at the bottom of the ladder of the supposed hierarchy. A hierarchy that Mihawk despised. He hated the differences. He had supposedly been born lucky. He was an Alpha. He was meant to be strong and protecting. Though, that wasn't always the case. True Alphas were nurturing. Kind. Leading their pack and families into being strong. To be able to fend and protect themselves. Nurture them until they could get to that point. That's what he wanted to be. Not like his father.
He had learned at a young age just how vile his father truly was. That man didn't deserve that title. He didn't deserve someone like his mother. He was weak. Taking advantage of those around him. No one dared to try and stop him. Mihawk could only sit by and watch it. His mother tried everything to hide it from him. Hiding behind a smile. Mihawk knew better. He wasn't stupid. It was clear as day to him exactly what his father was doing to her. He was a Marine. Within the higher ranks. Cipher Pol to be specific. He felt like he could do anything just because he worked for the World Government. He used that power to abuse his mother. Blackmailing her every single day because her father was a pirate. Because she had been one. She was a strong swordsman that had been turned into nothing but a battered wife.
Finally, he had enough and had started standing up for his mother. Then his father turned on him. He had been his golden boy. His Alpha first born son. Being groomed to some day lead a pack. Have children and make them strong. He had walked in on his father swinging on his mother. Backhanding her across the mouth. Mihawk had gotten immediately lost in his instincts. Seeing the blood that trailed down her chin.
Mihawk had been beaten within an inch of his life that night. He was just four years old when it happened. It was that night he had learned everything. What kind of man that his father truly was. The horrors that his mother faced. What Mihawk was a product of. Yet, his mother was still able to love him. As if he had been conceived out of love. He had felt sick of his stomach. He had been the one to ask the question. His mother had answered him honestly. Told him everything.
It only made his drive to protect his mother that much more. Each time from there on out, Mihawk would get between his parents. Glaring at his father. Snarling. Each time, he would get beaten. Black and blue bruises across his own pale skin. Cuts and broken open skin. His father never held back. Mihawk could take it. He was strong. He would protect his mother. His mother would beg and plead with his father to stop. It never did.
X
It had came to a head one night just after he turned eight when his father came stumbling into their home drunk. His mother had immediately ushered him away, hiding him into a closet. "It's okay, baby." His mother had whispered, reaching up and tucking some of her black hair behind her ear. "It'll all be okay." He didn't believe her. She looked at him with those beautiful golden eyes. Shining with just as much love as they always did, despite the fear that was there. "I love you, my sweet boy." She leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead before she was closing the closet door.
Everything in him told him to leave. Run out because he knew what was about to come next. He could hear the scuffling next. His father screaming at his mother. Calling her despicable names. Degrading her with each passing second. It only built the anger. He could hear everything. Her cries. His moans. Everything.
He was weak.
He was just sitting here while his mother was being violated in every way possible. He could hear his father hitting her which each insult that came from his lips.
You are so strong, Mihawk. You will be the strongest. I believe in you.
His mother's voice rang through his head. Giving him all that he needed as he reached for a disregarded knife. One that was in the shape of a cross. It was a Kogatana type if he remembered what his mother said it was. It was apparently a family heirloom that she kept hidden from his father. He pulled it from its confines, growling as all his instincts started to take over. He was seeing red.
He threw open the door. Seeing his mother's tear-stricken face looking right back at him. Her pants around her ankles. His father right behind her. Mihawk let out a growl as he hissed, "Let her go."
His father had smirked, pulling away and fixing himself. "Mihawk, son, there you are."
"I'm not your son." Mihawk growled, curling his head tighter around the Kogatana. "Don't think I don't know what you did to my mother." His mother was fixing her own clothes, the sobs still leaving her as she tried to hold him back.
"Really now?" His father questioned.
"You raped my mother." Mihawk hissed. His mother had explained to him what sexual assault was. What it meant. It was probably the most heinous act he could imagine ever happening to someone. Their dignity getting ripped away. Having to live with the pain of what had happened to them. Sometimes even gaining something from it. His mother had gained him. At what price?
His father laughed. What he said next pissed Mihawk off even more. "The bitch wanted it. She even got you out of it, brat."
He had lunged, only to be stopped at his mother wrapped her arm around his midsection. Pulling him away. Her sangria and orchid scent immediately hitting his nose. Trying to sooth him. "Mihawk, don't."
"Listen to your mother, brat." His father stated, cracking his knuckles. "You wouldn't want to get hurt."
"I would die for her!" Mihawk screamed.
His father chuckled again. "Prove it. Try and hit me."
His mother's arm had wrapped tighter around him, trying everything to keep him in place. Mihawk was bubbling in fury. After seeing what was happening to his mother. What she was going through. What he had been through. He had had enough. He wanted this to end. He wanted to kill the man responsible for all this pain.
Nothing was going to stop him.
He would end this.
His mother had moved before he could even blink. He was shoved behind her. His mother using her own body as a shield. He froze at the way she made a choking sound. Wheezing for a second as he fell down onto his back.
He looked up into his mother's golden eyes, seeing the soft smile on her face. "I couldn't let him touch you, Mihawk." She whispered.
"Momma…" He whispered, his eyes widening and the air catching in his throat as he realized what had happened. Feeling the drops of blood hitting his face.
It was like time had stopped seeing the knife sticking out of his mother's back. The blood dripping from her mouth. There were tears pooling in her eyes as she wheezed again, coughing as more blood came out of the corners of her mouth. "I had no regrets." Before he could open his mouth to speak, she continued, "I never regretted giving birth to you. You are the single most important thing in my life. The reason that I could push through. Even though your conception wasn't… ideal… it gave me you. I took one look at you when you were born and just knew. Even if I felt that pain, I couldn't bring myself to ever depart with my baby. I have no regrets other than I couldn't protect you more. I love you, my son." She leaned down, placing a kiss to his forehead.
He felt the tears prickle his eyes as he watched the light leave hers. She fell over onto her side. Eyes closing. He couldn't even take the second to comprehend what had happened before he heard his father cackling, muttering out, "Stupid bitch."
He growled, pushing himself up again, tightening his grip on the Kogatana. "Take that back."
His father smirked, "What are you going to do about it?"
Mihawk gripped hard, standing at his full height. Feeling the sting in his eye to signify that he was entering into a rage. His teeth sharpening and nails following quickly. "Kill you." He jumped before he had a second to think, the knife plunging into his father's throat. The Alpha man not even having a moment to react as Mihawk used his weight to knock him over, pushing it deeper. Feeling satisfaction as the blood splashed against his hands.
He felt absolutely nothing as he heard the choking sounds. The wheeze of his father's lungs as he struggled to breathe. He pulled the knife away standing back up as he glared down at the other Alpha.
For once in his life, it felt like karma had finally came. Even if it was by his hand.
X
The death of his parents had been discovered quickly. It never mattered what he said, since his father was Cipher Pol, he was immediately targeted by the Marines. He had no choice as he packed up everything that he had, hanging Kogatana around his neck and getting ahold of a sword.
He had escaped the island with a small boat that his mother had. A small boat that was given to her by her father and eventually was going to be passed down on to Mihawk.
He had just barely gotten out of the house in time before the Marines were showing up. He could hear the screams for his name as he loaded everything he could into his small boat and pushed away from the dock. He didn't know where he was going or what he was doing but he had to get out of there.
He would keep the promise to his mother.
He would be who he wanted to be in this world, and that was to be the strongest.
He would become the Strongest in the World in swordsmanship.
If he ever ended up with a family, he promised himself that they would never have to feel this pain.
This was his new start. He would do it. Even if he was completely on his own.
X
He had been on his own for a while. Going from island to island. Fighting anyone who dared to step into his path. He was covered in cuts and bruises, but he was getting stronger. He could feel it. A bounty had been placed on his head after his last encounter with the Marines on a previous island. Recognizing him as the son of the deceased Cipher Pol agent.
It wasn't necessarily a high bounty by any means, but he now had a bounty on his head. People would be coming after him now. He had no choice but to continually get stronger.
He never expected to run into the famed Commander Rouge of the Whitebeard Pirates. Running straight into the Omega woman one day on a supply island while he was gathering what he needed to get back out on the sea. The woman had smiled at him. A large grin on her freckled face as her scent made it to his nose. She was incredibly strong, but she posed no malicious intent.
"What is someone as young as you doing running around these parts?" Rouge questioned.
"Just stopping by." Mihawk merely replied.
The Omega woman smiled at him, giving him a look that he recognized that his mother would have as she kneeled down and looked over the various scratches and bruises on his body. "Take care of yourself."
"Always will." Mihawk immediately replied.
"So, what will you be?" Rouge questioned.
"The strongest."
X
As the time started to pass, the more Mihawk started to realize how much he enjoyed finding and defeating people who were stronger than him. Gaining more strength as he went. More experience. Gaining life lessons as he fought to stay alive on the harsh seas of the Grand Line. His bounty was getting higher and higher which each victory that he put underneath his belt.
He had discovered many things about the world throughout his travels. He found the beauty and the light within the world. Seeing just how amazing the world truly could be. But with everything beautiful thing, there seemed to be the darkness that lurked in the shadows. Creeping up on people and ruining lives.
When if he was labeled as a pirate, and he was now proud to have that title, he would do good for the world. Being a pirate meant being free. Everyone deserved that. They didn't deserve to be scared of what the next day would be.
Part of him had wished he was this strong back when his mother was being threatened, but he knew that if it never happened, he wouldn't be where he was today.
With each clash of his sword, he was getting better. Stronger. He had discovered something he had never known before in the form of haki. Armament and Observation. He had discovered he had been using Observation haki without realizing it and had been training it at any chance he could get. Armament had been harder to learn since he needed something to fight against to use it. He had also discovered he could transfer that same haki into his sword to make it stronger. To keep his blade from getting knicks and to strengthen the blade.
Once he had started learning haki, he had seen the difference within his fights. How it seemed like he was winning his fights quicker.
It hadn't been long before he was gaining more infamy and people on the seas knew his name before he ever said it. Just by his eyes did they know who he was. The teenager with the eyes of a hawk. With the addition of his Observation haki, his skills were even better with tracking than they were before. He had always had a sharp gaze, but now it was better. He had gained the nickname of Hawkeyes.
Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, Male, Female, and okama alike would shake at the mention of his name. It didn't matter. It was thrilling and fulfilling. It would bring a smirk to his face. The pride directly to his face. He wasn't going to stop until he got to the top. Nothing could stop him now.
X
When he was sixteen, his life had changed forever. Even if he didn't notice it at first. It had been within this last year that he had set his eyes on going after the notorious Gold Roger. Rumor had it that Roger was one of, if not, the strongest currently on the sea. Mihawk was ready to test his power and see how far he had come within the eight years he had already been out on the sea.
He had been trying to track down the Roger Pirates for a while, running into them completely by accident. Well, more like one of them had fallen right into him. As he was heading into the bar, it was like the center of gravity changed. The second he looked into stormy colored eyes. The bright red hair framing their face. Just by their pheromones, Mihawk could tell they were an Omega.
Standing directly behind him had been exactly who he was looking for in the form of Gold Roger, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the Omega.
He never wanted to ever believe in fate, but something about this just seemed right.
The Omega's face was flushed over from what he could only guess was embarrassment. He had only said something long enough to tell him thank you. The Omega's body was warm underneath his palms from where they were settled on his hips. He looked young. Probably twelve or thirteen. But what really got his attention was the feel of his haki. This Omega was surrounded by Alphas and Betas that clearly seemed comfortable around him but also ready to fight for him. Yet, he kept his guard up.
It struck something in him.
It was something he had noticed with his mother. With people he came across whenever they had been on the receiving of an attack. Yet, he was there with a smile on his face. He wasn't tense. It was intriguing. Something happened to this kid and Mihawk was sure of it, but whatever it was he had overcome it in some way.
He had only stayed with them long enough to exchange pleasantries, but at least he know knew where the location of Gold Roger was. He just had to make sure he would catch them before they left.
His mother had raised him to be what he called a gentleman. How he was supposed to be and act towards others. Women and Omegas specifically. How he was supposed to treat them. Talk to them. What their roles were truly within society. He made sure to follow that every single day. After watching what his mother went through and countless others every single day.
His mother had also taught him to read body language. Watch for cues to tell him if he needed to back off. He didn't really care for those kind of relationships, but he wanted to be respectful to those around him. He had given his final pleasantry, leaving a kiss on the back of the Omega's hand. He was sure that he would meet him again. Just a gut feeling that he had.
Once he departed, he went into the bar like he had originally planned. He needed his energy for the fight he had ahead of him.
X
He had found the Roger Pirates on the edge of the town at the docks. Right next to their ship as it appeared to be preparing for departure. He had immediately issued his challenge to Roger. What he didn't expect was to be turned down. Instead, Roger had offered up the same Omega he had ran at the outside of the bar. A smile on the man's face as he said his name.
Shanks.
It was an odd and unique name. At the same time, it felt fitting for the red-haired Omega. Shanks had stepped forward with a smile. Within that moment, Mihawk had felt his full power when they did clash. This Omega had to be younger than him and he wasn't even able to break through those defenses.
If this was just Gold Roger's apprentice, it only drove for him to want to actually fight Roger that much more.
Though, fighting Shanks was a feeling he never before. It was something he couldn't even put into words.
Normally he could get through a fight in no time at all, but this time around it lasted a long time. The duel had to be called off before he was invited to party with the Roger Pirates. Roger and the rest of his nakama had began to ask him questions about his life. What he wanted in life.
Shanks had sat by him the entire night. Interested in everything that he was saying. Throughout the entire duel and even now, Mihawk's interested was piqued. His haki was incredibly strong. Calculated and trained. His guard was constantly up the entire time. It never seemed to waver. A smile always gracing his face. Rather it was a large grin or just a soft smile.
It was something that he had seen before. A few times.
Shanks was a survivor of something.
What that was? Mihawk didn't know.
Another thing he noticed almost immediately was how Roger seemed to always drift around them. Silvers Rayleigh as well. While they were very welcoming, they were keeping a close eye on him. Especially if he was speaking to Shanks. Like they were watching for something. It only started to confirm more that something had happened to the Omega.
Shanks was strong. Mihawk knew that much. His spirit wasn't broken. He wasn't tense around an unknown Alpha.
This was absolutely someone that Mihawk knew that he wanted to face again. He wanted to see how strong this Omega was going to get.
X
He never did face off against the Roger Pirates, instead heading off again to find his next challenge. He arrived at the next island in the middle of the night. Initially, he was just going to get some sleep until a chill had gone down his spine. A scream that erupted through the air following seconds later.
His feet had carried before he could even think. Following after the sound. He could hear the crunching first. The breaking sticks. Crunching leaves. The next thing he heard were the screams. The begging.
It was like the adrenaline was pumping through his veins as he broke through the tree line. His eyes falling onto the scene before him that had his mind flashing back to his mother. He picked up the pheromones of a Beta man and an Omega woman. The woman was on her back, her wrists being captured within much larger hands. Her dress was torn. Her face covered in tear tracks. Dirt covering her arms. Underneath her fingernails. Blood on her busted lip. Cuts on her body.
"Someone help me!"
Mihawk could smell her fear. It was the first thing that he noticed based off of her pheromones. Her black curly hair being full of leaves and sticks. Her blue eyes were blood shot and bright red. Bruises underneath her eyes.
The Alpha had rushed forward, hauling the Beta up by the back of his jacket. Tossing him off to the side. He could smell the alcohol on him. The Beta had yelled out in shock as he turned to look up at Mihawk. Stopping just short as he realized who was standing before him. "It's… you."
"I suggest you get out of here before I cut you down." Mihawk growled.
The woman was whimpering behind him, more crunching sounds to tell him that she had moved. The Beta man didn't even say a word before he was scrambling to get off and run. Mihawk stayed between the two until he couldn't smell the man's pheromones anymore.
Once he was out of sight, Mihawk turned, kneeling down next to the woman, and pulling off his coat. "Thank you." The woman whispered through her cries. Her voice cracking each time that she tried to speak.
"I would like to walk you home." Mihawk stated. "Make sure you get there."
The woman nodded as the Alpha threw his coat over her shoulders. She gripped onto the fabric much like a lifeline, pulling it around her tattered clothes. "I was heading home, and he just ambushed me."
Mihawk hummed as he helped her up, being careful with the injuries that she did have. "How old are you? It's late."
The Omega sniffled, using Mihawk as a way to stay standing. Leaning against his arm as he assisted in keeping her balanced. "Fifteen." She replied. "My father is sick, so I went out to get him some medicine from the doctor."
"Do you know that piece of shit?" Mihawk questioned on as they started towards where Mihawk would guess the town was.
The woman – well, he guessed, teenager – hummed. "He's just some guy that's been interested in me for a while. Has been propositioning my father for my hand in marriage."
Mihawk snorted. Of course. There were always people like that out in this world. "What is your name?"
"Siarra." She muttered, wincing slightly as she grabbed at her ribs. "My father is the mayor here."
The Alpha shook his head. "That revolting creature won't realize what hit him."
"No, he won't." Siarra replied. "My father doesn't take kindly to acts of violence. Well, any really. Our small village is under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates. Soon enough, they will show up if the villagers don't take care of him."
That piqued Mihawk's interest. This place was protected by the Whitebeard Pirates?
X
Mihawk had gotten Siarra home, the Omega immediately running into the arms of her concerned father. The mayor had noticed him after a moment, motioning for him to come inside. "Please, be my guest. You have my gratitude, young man." The mayor stated.
Mihawk shook his head. "I'm just glad that your daughter is okay. I should be going."
The mayor smiled. "I insist. I have an extra room you can sleep in for the night and we can get you some dinner. The least we can do for what you have done for my Siarra."
Siarra was looking at him, giving him a nod and smiling. "It would be honor if you allow us to repay you."
Mihawk sighed. He wasn't getting out of this. He was interested in how this island was protected by the Whitebeard Pirates and he never even knew about it. "Thank you for your hospitality." He stated, giving a slight bow as he followed them in. The mayor had immediately moved to take care of his daughter's injuries as they walked inside, settling at a small kitchen table. With the Omega girl completely patched up, she moved off and disappeared from sight.
"I can't even express how much gratitude I feel right now, Hawkeyes." The mayor stated.
Mihawk hummed. "I don't take kindly to such heinous acts."
"Most pirates would just walk in the other direction." The mayor continued.
"Not me." Mihawk instantly said, not even a thought going through his head. His mother had flashed before his eyes and for some reason… Shanks did. "I might be a pirate, but that is just… wrong."
The mayor smiled as he leaned forward, coughing into a handkerchief for a moment. Grabbing a nearby glass of water to take a sip before he was saying, "My daughter must have told you this island is under protection."
"The Whitebeard Pirates." Mihawk said.
The mayor nodded. "Hibiscus Rouge… just before she joined their ranks, she saved this entire village by herself. Whitebeard-san found her here in this very house." He muttered, "They turned this island around. Made it… better. I thought my daughter was safe here, but I need to find the man that did this to her."
"If I see him again… I will end him."
X
Life had gone on. He had continued his path of becoming the greatest in the world. He had discovered that his favorite person to fight against was Shanks. They had multiple encounters over the years that followed.
As he got stronger, so did Shanks.
He had discovered that Shanks was exactly four years younger than he was. Which made the Omega even more intriguing that he would be as strong as he was. It was clear Shanks worked just as hard as he did. Maybe even harder. It was hard to tell sometimes. Though, Shanks had guidance while Mihawk was completely alone. Figuring out and calculating the moves of others to put into his own arsenal.
He had become an infamous name. His bounty already reaching into the billions. People around the world knew his name. Knew him strictly from his eyes before they even heard him or someone else address him. He was even more infamous for traveling completely alone. He had gotten to the point that he was just killing time. Getting involved with duels for fun. Waiting for the moment that he came across someone stronger. Seeking them out for a duel that he would come out victorious.
When he was nineteen, he had read in the paper that the Roger Pirates had made it to the final island of the Grand Line. Completely dominating the sea. Gold Roger had been named the Pirate King by the world. It was fitting. The only pirate to ever make it to every island on the Grand Line, get to the mysterious final island that was what Roger named Laugh Tale.
He had taken to seeking out Shanks for duels. The most current had been finding Roger and Shanks together. It shocked him even more to discover Second Division Commander Rouge of the Whitebeard Pirates with them. While he didn't question why they were all together, he had finally gotten a chance to fight them all. He had managed to defeat Rouge once, but he never was able to defeat Roger.
What could he expect? He couldn't expect anything less. Roger was the strongest pirate on the sea. Held the highest bounty on all the seas. The man who had discovered everything that the world had to offer. The Will of D. The Void Century. The Poneglyphs. Everything. Roger and all of his nakama and pack had information that the world didn't want to let out.
When he read in the paper that Gold Roger was captured, it had stunned him. Roger wouldn't be someone that the Marines would be able to capture. It didn't seem plausible. It almost frightened him to think that the World Government had gotten ahold of Shanks. The world announcing that Roger and his crew had been captured. He could only hold onto the fact that Roger would never allow anything to his apprentice. There hadn't been an announcement that Hibiscus Rouge had been captured so it had been soothing to know there wasn't a chance that Shanks had been taken.
Then he had heard of the mothers and children of the South Blue. Rumors that Gold Roger had sired a child. It was disgusting to think that the World Government feared Roger so much that they would go after an innocent life. A baby who did not bear the sins of their father.
It wasn't long before Roger's public execution was announced.
Roger's scheduled execution in his homeland of Loguetown.
Mihawk knew he had only one option but to go to the East Blue and be in Loguetown that day. It was a historic moment for the entire world. A moment that would change everything.
It was like every step that Gold Roger took towards his impending demise that time seemed to slow down. Even though his full attention was on Roger, he had picked up a familiar scent within the crowd. Normally, scents weren't strong enough to reach across dozens of people, especially within the mixture of a large crowd and different scents. It was much stronger than it normally would be, but he knew exactly who it belonged to. Shanks.
For the moment he put it into the back of his mind. It was obvious why Shanks was here. He was Roger's apprentice and practically lived on the ship his entire life. He had learned a lot about the Omega over the years. He could even call him a friend. Rival. Anything that they wanted to put on that title.
He kept his eyes directly on Roger as he got to the top of the scaffold. The Alpha man twisting and sitting down with a smile on his face. A large toothy grin plastered on his face as he looked ahead of him before his gaze fell onto the crowd.
He could feel the change coming. Already moving slowly throughout the people within the crowd. It was like there was a silence in his ears, but he could hear the talking and murmurs around him. The only thing that he did hear was Roger himself, "If you want my treasure, you can have it. I left everything I gathered together all in one place. Now, you just have to find it."
It was that moment it felt like everything shifted. He could feel it. The weapons came down on Roger, cutting through his body and effectively ending his life. Still, he smiled even in death.
The cheers came next as the thunder clapped and the rain started.
Roger had started an era with just words alone. Mihawk knew that much.
X
Mihawk had decided to stay in Loguetown. He was positive that Shanks had too. The first thing he had done was get a room at the local inn. The feeling that he was going to need one. He wasn't sure how long he would be staying. It was almost an instinctual feeling that he was having. One that was telling him exactly what to do and exactly where to go.
He had found himself at the Gold Roger Bar, finding Shanks sitting at the bar. The Omega being wasted almost felt like an understatement. It seemed almost accurate that with the town crawling with people that one of them would be harassing Shanks the second he laid eyes on him.
Mihawk couldn't even think or hear through the white noise in his head as he had slammed the Alpha's head onto the bar and told him to get lost. The Alpha could only think about getting Shanks out of there and into a safer environment. Shanks could clearly take care of himself, but in the middle of grief and a drunken state, it would be hard to tell exactly what could happen. It was better to be safe.
He had managed to get Shanks back to his room without issue, letting the Omega crash out in his bed and get as much rest as he could. Mihawk didn't bother catching in sleep. It felt like every time he tried, he couldn't. Each time he felt comfortable, a small sound would leave Shanks. A small whimper, a contorted face as the Omega curled in on himself. Like he was trying to shield himself subconsciously.
Mihawk put his book down, shifting enough to be able to reach over and run his fingers through locks of red hair. His mind flashing to his mother doing the same to him as a child. It seemed to work as Shanks leaned into the touch, seeking it out. The Alpha let a small smile come to his face.
He wasn't leaving Loguetown until Shanks was. That much he knew.
X
He had spent a lot of time getting to know Shanks throughout their time in Loguetown. It was like an instinct going through him to make sure that Shanks was taking care of himself and getting back into the correct headspace to be back on the sea. Never once did they draw a blade on each other, but this felt better.
It was like a whole different perspective actually learning more about him through mere conversation compared to feeling his strength. It was something he never actually sought out before. This was new territory to him, and Mihawk actually wanted to do it. He wanted to go down this path and see where it led him.
He had never met someone so intriguing before.
They had split their time between exploring Loguetown, going to the bar, and heading back to the inn. One thing he learned was how quiet Shanks could be. He had nightmares at night, but during the day he was wearing a smile on his face. Another thing that Mihawk learned quickly was that Shanks showed his emotions with his eyes. He could hide just about anything with his body language, but it was always within his eyes. Shining brightly despite how much he tried.
Currently, they were sitting on the floor of Mihawk's room with a bottle of tequila sitting on the floor. Shanks' face was flushed over already from how much of the bottle he had already drank down. He was leaning back against the bed, one arm propped up on his knee, head lulling slightly.
Mihawk was almost just as drunk as Shanks was, leaning back next to the Omega. They were in a mostly comfortable conversation. Not exactly staying on a specific topic. Just jumping from one to the other. Shanks was laughing. A twist coming to Mihawk's stomach as the Omega ended up leaning against his side, his free hand settling on his upper chest.
It was like that flare of instinct. At least, that's what he thought it was.
The Omega turned his head, stopping just short of his face. The puffs of air blowing against his face. Mihawk couldn't even move for the second. They had been up in each other's faces before, but this felt intimate.
They sat like that for a second before Shanks' face flared. Heating up for the moment before he was surging backwards. "Sorry." He mumbled.
Mihawk snorted, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it."
Mihawk actually missed the warmth of the Omega leaning against him as Shanks turned to lean back against the rail, taking another drink. "I don't get it." Mihawk hummed, looking at the red head through the corner of his eye. "How am I so comfortable with you?"
The Alpha actually wasn't surprised by the words leaving Shanks' mouth. He had always had suspicions that something had happened.
"I never thought I would be comfortable with people outside of my nakama… but I dunno, I guess you give me hope that I can form a crew. Find reliable people that I can be around." Shanks continued.
Mihawk hummed, "What happened to you?"
Shanks peeked through his bangs, underneath the brim of his hat as he twirled the liquid in his cup. "When I got my first heat…" He muttered, "Me and Buggy were on this island, and we ran into a group of teenagers."
Mihawk felt the understanding immediately. At the same time, he felt anger.
"You know it's not your fault." Mihawk said, taking a drink from his glass to keep himself from lashing out just like he wanted to.
Shanks ended up with a soft smile on his face. "I know." He whispered, "Took me a long time to figure that one out."
The Alpha sighed, "What did they do to you?"
The Omega looked nervous as he curled in on himself, bringing his legs up like a shield. "It had happened so quickly… They blitz attacked us. Surrounded me and Buggy before we even had a chance to do anything. All that training… for nothing."
Mihawk curled his fingers around his glass. His knuckles during even whiter compared to his normal pale skin. He couldn't even say how many times he had heard something similar to that within his time on the seas. Even his mother had said something similar. It made him angry. "No amount of training matters when someone decides they are going to cheap shot."
Shanks snorted, downing the rest of his glass before he was placing it down. "They had grabbed Buggy and separated the two of us. I was so… off. I didn't feel good. I was exhausted. I should have been able to fight back."
"Did they rape you?" Mihawk questioned. It was as blunt as he could make it. He felt like there was no way around it. With all the implications that Shanks was making, it seemed like the only heinous act that it could be.
Shanks shook his head. "No… but one of them tried." The Omega took in a shaky breath as he reached forward and grabbed the tequila bottle. The red head poured more into his glass before setting it back down. "I haven't trusted an Alpha outside of my nakama since."
Mihawk froze as Shanks raised his head slightly, showing the gloss in his eyes. The tears welling up in his eyes as he shook his head again, laughing as he reached up and wiped at his face. The Alpha reached forward, careful in his movements as he stopped on of the tears that fell from Shanks' eyes that the red head didn't get to first. "That's alright."
Shanks let out a laugh of disbelief. "How am I supposed to gain a crew if I can't even trust people around me?"
Mihawk hummed, bringing his hand back to himself. "Do you trust me?" The Omega froze, eyes going wide as Mihawk heard the sharp inhale come next. The Alpha let the smile slip onto his face. "Red-Hair, do you trust me?" He tried again.
"Of course." Shanks whispered.
"If you can trust me, you can find people you can trust to be your nakama."
Shanks gave a soft smile, leaning forward and letting his forehead fall against Mihawk's shoulder. "How can you be so sure of that?"
The Alpha made a small noise in his throat, lifting his arm and wrapping it around Shanks' shoulders. Shanks' scent was soft. His pheromones lingering up to his nose. Cherry Blossoms and strawberries. "You've shown enough, and if you can't see that… are you really my rival?"
The Omega sighed, curling up a bit closer to Mihawk's side. "You're different."
"Am I?" Mihawk shot back.
Shanks hummed, nodding his head for a second. "You'll always be different, Hawkeyes."
X
Their relationship had only seemed to get closer after that moment. Shanks had opened up to him more after revealing that snippet about his past to him. It was like a new part of the Omega had been revealed to him. It only seemed like the world was speeding up around them. Before he knew it, Shanks had gone into heat, and everything seemed to shift after that.
The Omega had opened up to him in every way possible. Giving himself completely to the Alpha. It even felt like his center of gravity had changed. That Shanks had become a part of his world without even trying. Mihawk had tried to be as gentle as possible. Especially after everything that Shanks had told him. He wanted Shanks to be as comfortable as possible. Wanted him to know that Mihawk would never lay a hand on him in a harmful way.
The Omega had given him every part of him. Trusted him completely within those moments. Mihawk wanted nothing more than to respect any and all boundaries that Shanks could have. Letting the Omega continually lead the way. If he said anything different, Mihawk would honor that. He never did.
Mihawk had stayed within Loguetown for the entirety of the time that Shanks was. Only departing when Shanks did as well. The Omega had handed him a piece of his vivre card, telling him to use it to find him. Mihawk knew that he would never actually need it to find Shanks. He didn't need it before; he didn't need it now. However, having his vivre card would allow him to know if Shanks was ever injured or in a life-threatening situation. It was almost comforting to have. At the same time, he didn't know what he would do if he ever saw it start to burn.
All he knew was he would rather watch the world burn instead of that vivre card.
X
The next time he heard anything about Shanks had been a few months later within a bar on an island on the Grand Line. He was just going to make a quick stop, but a conversation that was being held had caught his attention. He sat at the bar, a wine glass in hand as he kept his eyes concealed as he eavesdropped.
The men speaking were Alphas judging by their pheromones. They were plastered from what he could tell. They were loud and obnoxious. The exact opposite of any sort of company that Mihawk liked to keep.
Normally, he would just tune them out, but the second he had heard the vulgar things they were saying, his attention had been grabbed. They were supposedly Marines. They couldn't be very high ranked ones. Their strength didn't feel higher than a common soldier would have.
"Did you hear about this beauty?" One of them questioned.
The other laughed. A deep belly laugh as the chair squeaked under his weight. "Oh, I have." He exclaimed, "A pretty one."
"I can't believe that some Alphas and Betas are actually allowing this Omega whore to be their Captain." Mihawk's hand tightened around his glass as he gritted his teeth. He really hated the standards that were placed on this world. Like Omegas were the bottom of the totem pole. Not once would people ever realize this world couldn't operate properly without an Omega. In Mihawk's opinion, an Omega was far more terrifying than an Alpha was. Especially if they had something to fight for.
"He sure does have a pretty face." The other hummed. "I do wonder what it would look like pinned underneath someone."
"Do you think that crew of his is just a cover?"
"As if." The one who had originally brought up the Omega stated. "I hear he's powerful. Only fifteen and already has formed a decently powered crew. Even got the likes of Benn Beckman on his side. Reports say Beckman is the smartest man in the entire East Blue. Add that to this… that is just asking for disaster. Headquarters wants this one caught and sent to Impel Down."
The other cackled. "His pretty face wouldn't last a day there. There is no way he's that powerful. It's probably those whipped Alpha wannabes saying that to get a piece of ass." The man paused, which Mihawk believed was long enough to take another drink. "I could swear I've seen someone with that bright red hair before."
That completely caught Mihawk's attention. He tilted his head just enough to be able to look at the men. He couldn't be certain they were talking about Shanks, but he was the only one he knew that would fit that description perfectly.
"I heard that Gold Roger had an apprentice with bright red hair and guess what the kid supposedly wore." The other said. The other Alpha hummed for his reply, not giving a verbal reply. "A straw hat. Just like this Omega does."
"Gold Roger had no known Omegas on his ship." The Alpha replied.
The other smirked. "Unless the Pirate King himself was hiding his dear apprentice's true nature. It's dangerous to be an Omega on the sea. There are so few who have successfully done it. Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Hibiscus Rouge is one of them. Most Omegas are smart. They conceal themselves. This one does not."
The man's pal laughed, shaking his head, "No way." He paused, chugging down the rest of his glass. "This one… there is something special about this one. Say… what about we go find him? Show him what it really means to be on these seas?"
The other shook his head, snorting as he reached for his glass. "You are out of your mind. If he really is just the pretty face of this crew, you will never get to him. Especially with the likes of Benn Beckman on the crew."
"Rumor has it that he enjoys to party." The other muttered, leaning against the table, "Just slip something into his drink. Our superiors will never know. Have our fun then we can hand him over. If he really is supposed to be as dangerous as they say, they won't care what kind of condition he comes to them in."
The other Alpha smiled, "How rough are we talking?"
"Rough." He laughed, "I want him to beg us to stop. It only makes the experience better. We would go beyond just physical torture. We would have all the time in the world to do anything."
"Do you even know his name?" The Alpha hummed.
"It's an odd one." The other mused. "Shanks."
Mihawk felt the glass in his hand completely break underneath his grip. He couldn't even hear through the noise in his ears now as he stood up. The two Alphas only looked up momentarily before Mihawk was slamming his fist into the offending Alpha's jaw.
"Stay away from him." Mihawk growled.
The Alpha cradled his jaw, groaning as he looked back up, "Hawkeyes Mihawk. Whom do I owe the pleasure?"
Mihawk let out a low growl in his chest, feeling the rage starting to go through his veins. It was like a complete blackout. He barely felt his claws stretching out of the bed of his nails, slashing forward without a thought.
When his memory started to return, he was out of the bar and back at the shoreline with no true recollection of what happened.
All except the blood on his hand.
He had someone he had to visit.
X
He had gone straight to Shanks. It felt like a routine at that point. Encountering each other into a duel and ending up in the bedroom by the end of it. Shanks felt more powerful than he did before. He also had a decent sized crew alongside him. The Red Hair Pirates.
It felt comforting to see that Shanks was completely unharmed, but also placing trust within his new nakama. Just like he had told him back at Loguetown. He had done it, just like Mihawk thought he would.
He had spent longer with him than originally planned. Shanks had gone into another heat, sparking Mihawk's rut. If there was one thing that he had figured out, it was that he had genuine feelings for Shanks. More than that of a rival. More than a friend. He had fallen for the Omega. It was clear by his own actions even when he was away from him.
There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for him.
One thing that he was happy about was seeing how Shanks' nakama reacted to him. Benn Beckman was the highest that was known for this behavior. Caring and nurturing. Protective but keeping a boundary with his Captain. It was good to see. His nakama knew their Captain's strength but were willing to face even Mihawk to defend him if they needed to.
Mihawk had been raising through the ranks. Getting closer and closer to holding that title of the World's Greatest. The strongest. He was taking down any and everyone he challenged. Not one person had beat him. He knew there was a handful of people out there that could defeat him, but he couldn't find them. Aside from them, the only one who could defeat him, but Mihawk could also do the same in return, was Shanks.
One thing he knew was, he would have to be the strongest in the world.
Words that his mother had told him continued to ring through his head. Telling him that whenever he cared for someone, he needed to be as the strong as he could be. Be the Alpha that they needed him to be. One that wasn't like his father, but one like the many Alphas and Betas he had met over the years. Like Gold Roger. Silvers Rayleigh. A person like Whitebeard. He still held his own ambition. Still wanted his own separate life, but he wanted Shanks to be a part of that life. Rather it was his rival or as a lover.
He knew Shanks didn't need a protector, but he wanted to be the person that Shanks could rely on whenever he needed it. He would be everything that his father never was.
X
It had only been a month after he had departed from Shanks that he had started to get the instinct to seek out Shanks again. It wasn't for an intimate connection, but it was like a scream in the back of his mind telling him that he needed to get to the Omega's side.
He had gotten close to Reverse Mountain when he had run into the last person he expected to see. The Hero of the Navy himself, Monkey D. Garp.
The Vice Admiral had stopped him on the island right before when he was preparing for his departure, a smile on his face that was odd for someone who was supposed to be his enemy. It was almost reminiscent of seeing Shanks before him.
"Hawkeyes." Garp stated.
"What is the Hero of the Navy seeking me out?" Mihawk questioned, narrowing his gaze on the elder Alpha.
"I have a proposition for you." Garp replied.
Mihawk kept his arms crossed, ready to reach up for his sword. Garp was not someone that Mihawk wanted to face. Garp fought men like Gold Roger on a daily basis. Took down Rocks D. Xebec of the Rocks Pirates, the infamous event that made Garp who he was. What could Garp possibly want with him?
"And that would be?" The Swordsman questioned.
Garp hummed, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked around the shoreline, side eyeing Mihawk as he moved along. He was calculating as he walked forward. Mihawk kept his guard up the entire time. Refusing to back down despite Garp not showing a sign that he was actually going to advance on him. Garp was not a person that he would allow his guard to drop around in the slightest.
"The World Government has decided to implement a new organization within their ranks. It's a group of seven known as the Seven Warlords of the Sea." Garp stated, "A select group of pirates would be given Government Sanctions as well as frozen bounties for themselves and any subordinates. In exchange for these sanctions, the pirate must work for the Marines in catching fellow pirates as well as give part of your loot to the Government. Warlords also will report to any and all summons made by the World Government. This includes if the Warlord is needed within a fight. Essentially, Warlords are allies of the Marines."
The Alpha made a noise in his throat as he started to take in the information. "What does that have to do with me?"
Garp smirked. "The World Government has decided that they want the man known as Hawkeyes needs to be among these pirates." The Vice Admiral pulled his hands from his pockets, pulling out a newspaper alongside it. Mihawk blanched. What did Garp just say? Mihawk reached out just as Garp threw the paper at him. Within the folded contents was a bounty poster. Not just any bounty poster. Mihawk's. His bounty has raised into the billions now.
"The papers and people of the world have deemed you one of the strongest. That strength that caught the attention of my superiors. The Five Elders want you as one of the Warlords." Garp stated, "They sent me personally to come and get you."
Mihawk snorted, turning on his heel and moving to walk away. "I'm not going to be a lapdog of those bastards."
"You might want to rethink that, Hawkeyes." Garp stated. "They know who your father is. Cipher Pol has been wanting to get their hands on you."
Mihawk stopped, the anger flaring through him. "Don't you dare talk about that bastard to me. I can take on anyone they throw at me. I don't need some hand given charity."
Garp cleared his throat. "They also have their eyes on a certain red-haired Captain that you like to fight against."
The Swordsman growled as he turned to face Garp. There still wasn't malicious intent within his voice. "What does Red-Hair have to do with me? We are just rivals."
"You would be surprised what Cipher Pol can find out."
Mihawk dug his nails into his palms as he gritted his teeth. "Leave him out of this. This is nothing short of blackmail."
Garp tilted his head, a flash within his eyes before he was straightening his back again. "I'm just giving you the facts, Hawkeyes."
Mihawk exhaled sharply. There were plenty of pros that outweighed the cons if he accepted this. This sounded almost too good to be true. "Alright. I'll accept your offer. Only on one condition." He paused for the moment as he turned his gaze back to Garp. "Stay away from Red-Haired Shanks."
Garp had a small twitch of a smile, but there was still a mask on his face. "I can't make no promises. He is not your subordinate. He is a rival." He muttered, taking a few steps forward until he was standing next Mihawk, leaning by his ear. "Though, being a Warlord gives a lot of benefits to whoever accepts it."
Mihawk hummed. "What do I have to do?"
"You will report to Mariejois to complete the official registration to become a Warlord. Go straight there." Garp stated, turning to walk away. "Remember what I said, Hawkeyes. This will work more to your benefit than you may think."
"What is the Hero of the Navy doing saying that to a pirate?" Mihawk questioned.
Garp paused, turning his head just enough for him to see the smile on his face. "Despite this system, once a criminal, always a criminal. All pirates are the same. The World Government believes that it will be useful to have people who think like the enemy. Know how they work. Any crimes will be pardoned during the time that one is a Warlord. Once that title drops, so do the benefits. Remember that, Hawkeyes. You will need that information in the future."
Garp didn't say another word to him as he walked away, leaving Mihawk where he was standing. He sighed. He guessed he had a stop to make before he would be making his way to where Shanks was. Wherever the Omega was currently at.
There was a hidden message within Garp's words. He knew it. He just had to find that answer.
Mihawk moved back towards his boat. He would get this done and over with so he could get back to what he had originally planned. There was still that instinct within the back of his mind screaming at him to find Shanks. He would. There was something more going on that he didn't quite understand. He had not heard a word about Shanks' whereabouts within the last month. Like he had vanished. He had spent time looking at his vivre card just to make sure that he was alright. He was, which was a relief all in its own.
For now, he had to head to Mariejois. Next, he would seek out Shanks and find him.
Maybe being a so-called Warlord would work in his favor. He would have a frozen bounty. He could sail the seas without the Marines attacking him. He could continue his work at climbing to the top. He had many promises to keep, and this title could help him along the way.
He was going to be the strongest in the world.
He would keep that very promise that he made to his mother.
He would be exactly what he said he would be, even if he had to essentially sell his soul to do so.