Mihawk arrived on the Island of Kuraigana, his home of many years. This time, however he did not greet the humandrills in battle, he stared them down until they scattered. He would play with them once Luffy was settled. Luffy was enraptured with the island and fun looking monkeys he saw earlier, everything was new so everything was amazing to young baby Lu.
Had you asked anyone else, they would have told you it was the gloomiest island they ever did see. The island was covered in darkness, ruins lay scattered around, and the humandrills were fearsome creatures that laid waste to many a pirate or marine or merchant that thought they could land safely. A deep fog would roll in every morning, blanketing the area, leaving zero visibility. Odd shaped hills covered the land, they were curled like a witch's finger beckoning you forward as if to eat you for dessert.
Young Luffy was not scared, he got even more hyper the further inland they went. He was smiling and giggling at Mihawk who had been perpetually confused by his young charge. Usually people trembled in fear of him even kids yet Luffy seemed to find great joy curling up with Mihawk. Mihawk would forever question how he was ever so lucky to have a son like Luffy.
Time Skip ~
Mihawk continued to gain notoriety. He soon became the world's best, a few years after adopting Luffy. While Luffy was still in his baby stages, Mihawk took a break from pirating which many saw his absence as a sign that death had finally claimed him and his ambitions. His competitors grew lax and overconfident when the level of swordplay went down. Yet, they were sadly mistaken when he came back with a vengeance 3 years later destroying dreams and lives with each slash of his sword. Mihawk did not grow complacent, he trained even harder since now he had something, or rather someone to live for.
When Luffy turned 3, Mihawk deemed him old enough to carry a small practice sword. "Now Luffy, before you are allowed a real blade , you must first become in tune with the voice of your blade, " Mihawk calmly explained to Luffy.
"The voice of my blade?", questioned Luffy, his head tilted to the side in confusion.
Bending down to eye level, Mihawk responded, "Yes, from now on, you will carry your blade wherever you go, and meditate 3 times a day with it. Along with your daily exercises, your blade should become an extension of your very soul. You'll understand, the more you practice."
It was at this age, Mihawk also deemed him old enough to know of his origins. After Mihawk had explained, Luffy with eyes wide and teary asked, "Will you still be my Hawky?"
"Of Course!", exclaimed Mihawk, picking up Luffy, holding him close, "I will always be your Hawky, Luffy, no matter what," he smiled warmly, a sight only reserved for Lu. He would curse the day Shanks heard Luffy yell for "Hawky" , that damn red-haired bastard just didn't understand that only Luffy could call him that. At least he was the only fool, fool enough to dare call him that. Ah, the things he did to have a competent sparring partner.
Author's Note: Would you prefer shorter or longer chapters? It may affect the timing in between updates.
