Mihawk's Interlude Part 2

As they arrived at Drum, he woke Perona and Lucky up, both of them upset, all three of them did not like being woken up from sleep. He chuckled, something he only did with them and told them to grab their winter clothes and prepare to see which they both groaned at. They were well used to her unusual care and general grouchiness. She performed their annual check ups and made sure they stayed generally healthy. She was particularly helpful while Luffy was an infant, her information and resources proved invaluable, as frankly put, he was out of his depth with a baby, he nearly gave her a heart attack when he showed up with him, "Wahahaha, that was a sight to see," he laughed thinking about it.

As they prepared to disembark, the stoic persona returned in its place of Dracule Mihawk, World's Strongest Swordsman, and Warlord of the Sea.

The residents of Drum were well used to seeing the Warlord and his two charges. Most of the time they just waved and watched them walk towards the forest to the witch's hut.

"Did we have to come here," whined Perona, "I feel fine," she said. "Yeah and nothing really happened to me," piped up Luffy. "Just keep walking, Dr. Kureha might even be gentle if you tell her what happened," he smirked. "Aww, you take secret pleasure in this, don't you Dracule?" whined Perona. "Wahahaha, you were both due a visit, anyhow, think of it as a form of training," he laughed. Luffy groaned next to him, " can we at least stop by Nanohana on the way back, puh-lease, Dad,"

"Oi, ya shitty, ungrateful bastards, am I that bad?" yelled Kureha, coming from behind us riding on her polar bear.

"What do you want, Hawk Eyes? It's a bit early for their check-ups,though they do seem a bit peaky heehaha" Kureha said nodding to Lucky and Perona.

"These two got themselves in a spot of trouble, a slaver crew thought they could run off with Perona and Lucky gave chase. Perona was most likely drugged and handcuffed with seastone as for Lucky, some minor cuts and bruises." he finished

"Ehhh, 'a spot of trouble' you say, gah!, I'm charging double because you didn't call ahead, don't think just cuz you're regulars you'll get a discount from me," she said wagging her finger at me.

"Of course," I said. She bundled the two up on her bear and rode off to her cabin leaving me to walk there. She yelled, "I'm charging for the ride too," I shook my head and I could hear Perona calling her a 'hag.'

It was a good thing he was a shichibukai, her prices were outrageous.

After she looked over them and fixed them up she told me she didn't want to see us until next year. Then she haggled with me in exchange for some of the wine I always carried with me. I also made sure to bring umeboshi as well, which always softened her somewhat.

They bid farewell to her and spent the night at an inn in the town. They all went to sleep almost immediately after the past events though Mihawk was always alert.

As a consolation prize, the next day, I directed the ship towards Nanohana like Lu requested, it was a well-known port city in the Kingdom of Alabasta. They could stop at the bazaar for wares and perfumes for Perona. Luffy also enjoyed the food. The wine in Alabasta was delicious and since it was a port city, there were also wines from all over Paradise and sometimes further. Perhaps he could find wine from the South Blue, wine from Baterilla Island was exquisite and the most imported drink from the South Blue along with rum. Though all the South Blue had a wretched history because of the late Pirate King, he thought.

"Luffy, as you desired, we are to go to Nanohana," he told Lu and Perona.

"Yess, thanks Hawky!" Luffy exclaimed. "This means I can get more clothes and some new scents, perhaps some new knives as well, oh I need a new lock set," Perona rambled.

He allowed himself a small smile and gave Lucky some food he purchased in Drum when he heard his stomach rumbling almost on cue. Lu snickered and accepted the warm buns as Mihawk also passed one to Perona.

Yoru stayed mostly silent now that his charges were safe in his hands, though it still posed an intimidating figure because of its mere size and presence. He rarely pulled it out nowadays, preferring to use his other swords or knives against lesser opponents. He usually used it while sparring with Shanks or a few of Big Mom's children. Though, perhaps he could spar against a few of White Beard's children now that there was a reason to connect.

They finally arrived at the city and before they left the ship he told them to each take a mini transponder snail. They were sticking together but just in case they got separated he wanted them to call him first.

"I know you want to try to figure things out on your own but Lucky, you are only a child, barely 8 and Perona, while under my care, you are my responsibility as well. I teach each of you to be independent but also know when to use your resources. Now, let us visit a restaurant. I know both of you must be hungry by now," I told them.

Since I am easily identifiable, we heard the whispers of 'warlord,' 'greatest swordsman,' as we walked down the street looking for a restaurant. It seemed people were fearful but today was particularly loud. Lucky ran ahead and sniffed out a restaurant it seemed so Perona and I followed after him.

"Lucky is such a black hole," chuckled Perona, "I'm not sure where he puts it all away, horo-horo-horo-horo," she continued.

"Yes, it seems it's a trademark for those with the initial D. in their names, one of the ocean's mysteries," he added. They heard a commotion insiden the restaurant and sped up to see what happened.

"Mihawk! Perona! Guess, who's here? Look at Ace, he fell asleep in his food, shishishishishi," Lucky exclaimed. As we turned to look we saw what excited Lucky- Marco the Phoenix, one of the division commanders and the two boys he befriended on White Beard's ship were eating at a nearby table inside the restaurant.

"Oh, what a surprise," I murmured while Perona was at a loss for words.

"Heh, I didn't think you'd want a rematch so soon Ghost Princess Perona?" said Marco the Phoenix

Perona huffed next to me and said, " Oh good thing you're here, you owe me a lock set since it's partly your fault I lost it on the ship," she told him.

"Ehhh, send the bill to Harlan, hahaha, I think he's at the bottom of the sea," Marco laughed. The reminder of the slaver incensed me and I quickly shifted the topic of conversation.

"What brings White Beard's crew to the Kingdom of Alabasta?" I asked Marco. He looked at me and said, "I have nothing to say to a shichibukai," I smirked and responded, "Fair enough. However, I'd rather speak with your Captain. It seems like my son Lucky made fast friends with some of your ship brothers and I'd like to see the friendship continue regardless of my affiliations as I can maintain neutrality when it comes to Family matters as I'm sure your 'Oyaji' can appreciate." The 1st Division Commander seemed a little too cocky to Mihawk but perhaps in time he would learn some humility, he inwardly thought.

Marco turned over to look at Lucky along with his brothers, one of whom was completely awake now and no longer causing an uproar because the residents thought he ate a poisonous strawberry. The three of them were laughing and smiling as if knowing each other for years and not showing that they had only spent a day in each other's company.

Marco laughed and responded, "Yeah, it'd be a shame to keep those three apart. We were stopping to resupply before heading out. Oyaji wanted a vacation so we're sticking around Paradise and maybe visiting some of the Blues. Pops loves company so I'm sure he won't mind a few more people on the journey."

"Ah, I see, it seems our plans coincide. I believe the boys might want to spend time together in town before we leave. I can leave Lucky with Perona while I go visit your Captain." I answered

"Haruta, the 12th Division Commander can accompany you to the ship. I think it's best if I stay with Ace and Sabo. I also already know Perona and I'm sure we have some things to discuss," Marco said.

"Horo-horo-horo, Marco can be my servant for the day Mihawk, thank you," Perona laughed mischievously.

"Oi, I'm not your servant, I'm not carrying any bags, ya hear," Marco exclaimed. Perona just laughed.

The waiter came and ordered our food, which was a lot since Lucky was with me. I rarely stopped to eat while out on errands and preferred eating at home or at more upscale dining. Though that isn't to say he never hunted his own food or taught Lucky & Perona, it's just that he preferred fine dining and was particular about his meals, which is why he cooked more often than Perona or Lucky. Places like these were interesting not because the food was noteworthy but because it was centrally located and information from all over flowed through this tavern since it was the first decent food stop once you stepped off the pier. So while he only ordered wine along with cheese and bread, thank Enel for small mercies since the place carried South Blue wine, he kept an ear out for information using his haki.

He noticed Marco and Perona talking with Hart-something interjecting. Lucky was going a mile a minute, he had never seen him so animated. It made him feel better about his decision to reach out to White Beard, it seemed these two boys were bringing Lucky out of his shell. Ace and Sabo also seemed excited so it seemed like all three boys were up to mischief, he chuckled internally.

He saw the boys and Perona off. "Lucky please behave yourself as a proper swordsman and Perona try not to overspend, we do plan on visiting other islands" he looked at his charges firmly.

"Of course Hawky!" yelled Lucky "Oi, Mihawk, it's not my fault all cute things call to me!" responded Perona

He smirked and handed each of them a pouch of money, " Ok, spend it wisely," he nodded to Lucky and Perona. They both yelled 'thanks' and Perona had to run off since the three boys disappeared as soon as Lucky was handed his money pouch. Marco just waved them off & gave chase as well, the audacity he thought, he turned to Har-something waiting for the boy-man to direct him.

"Um, Well, My name is Haruta of the 12th Division, as I'm sure you know," he didn't he thought to himself as the boy continued, "We're docked on the East side, I'll direct you to Pops so the two of you can talk. He is an Emperor of the Sea, I wonder what the marines will say about a shichibukai meeting the Strongest Man in the World," he said. The boasting and underlying threats weren't lost to Mihawk and it amused him that Haru-something thought that just because he carried a sword and was a division commander, he'd know who he was and these threats would mean anything to him. 'Ahh youth,' he chuckled darkly amused to himself. He adjusted his hat, as his golden eyes were sensitive to the sun, and pretended to follow the division commander- he knew exactly where White Beard was and didn't need a guide. But courtesy and all that, of course.

A/N: Ha, I made up for the last chapter, I thought it best to end part 1 there so that's why it was short. What did you think of part 2? Next chapter will start the new ASL arc so we will see more of Lucky and co. fr this time lol. Who saw what I did there with the location lol in pt 2? So I don't think I'll have ASL meet Princess Vivi, I think I'll save that as a Strawhat adventure, they also won't be meeting Chopper anytime soon. Though Nanohana will be one of the cities the boys frequent because of its accessibility along the Grand Line.