The ocean calmed me and made me relax my tensed muscles. I looked around and slowly acknowledged the mess I was standing in. Through the door I could see the worn-out, tattered ship that Don Krieg had been sailing in.
The large vessel was in pieces, torn to shreds. I actually thought it must have been worn out from the long traveling. A large boot can only hold its wood so long before crumbling. That just had to be one of the reasons it must have collapsed, but glancing at it again the craft had been cut with precision.
I bit on my lower lip. This was impossible! No man and no beast could be that powerful with just a plain sword. Maybe Tsuki was right after all. I might not…or rather, will not survive in this world if I keep thinking this to be my own dimension. That incident was a normal situation on the Grand Line, so why not here on the Baratie?
Honor Zeff and everyone else stepped outside the floating Restaurant with me. I glanced at him and looked back. There was someone out there on a boat. I could not see him or her clearly yet, but Honor Zeff could. The older male growled.
"…that man...those eyes..." he whispered, tensing up a bit.
'Who is that?' my thoughts were twisting when I looked back at Zeff
"…is this man the 'Hawk Eyes' person we were talking about?" I question him. He only nodded, keeping silent.
"Who is he exactly? What does he do? " I continued to question Honor Zeff. The rest of the crew were too busy either raising the anchor or too distracted by the person whom I wanted to know more about, none of them dared to speak about him.
"Dracule Mihawk, also known as 'Hawk Eyes'," He said, his gaze averted to mine.
"He is the greatest swordsman in the world and one of the seven main Shichibukai…" Zeff paused, looking towards the pirate. Worry was gleaming in his calm eyes, something that I had never noticed with him before.
"What's a Shichibukai?" I asked again, looking at Honor Zeff with a perched eyebrow. He just looked at me and smiled.
"You don't know?" he questioned, suppressing a laugh. I shook my head immediately and lifted it higher to see more. The pirates were talking to Mihawk, seemingly unaware of us. Now I had a clearer view of him.
Dracule had a short black beard on him. His sideburns pointed upwards. He wore a black, open coat decorated with red flower-patterned sleeves and collar. He had a crucifix necklace and a wide-brimmed hat with a large light teal plume. He reminded me of an old French musketeer without the guns, his looks extremely similar to theirs.
"Is that him?….he doesn't look all that scary... actually, if you ignore the coffin-like boat and the green flames perching on top of his little vessel, he looks kind of…cute..." I announced quietly to Honor Zeff. He chuckled as a responds.
"…..Just wait until you see his eyes...Those can burn through your defenses and pierce right into your soul," Honor Zeff told me. I swallowed, not really wanting to believe what he had just said. Though something else caught my attention, I turned to see Luffy's ship leaving, a little confused as to why. Were they afraid of Don Krieg after all or did something important come up?
"It's him," one of Don Krieg's crew members gasped, falling to his knees.
"…Captain...he chased us down here, trying to kill us all!" the pirate practically screamed, pointing at Mihawk. The area around him becomes dead silent. I tilted my head to the side, a questioning look gracing my features.
"Is he the one who can destroy fifty ships with one single blow?" Patty asked, looking out towards the ocean. I questioned that myself and somewhat agreed with his disbelief, it just seemed impossible. The Shichibukai looked rather normal and very dashing. I hoped he was nice fellow, at least nice enough not to cause any more destruction.
"But he looks like a normal person," the male paused, staring at the formidable opponent.
"And besides, he does not have any weapons how is he supposed to fight?" the sushi chef claimed, looking out to the sea. Every single cook lined up outside in front of me. They stood there; ready to fight with their weapons in hand.
"If you are looking for his sword, it's stripped onto his back," Honor Zeff smiled warily, earning amazed stares and shrieks. I shook a little and looked at Mihawk.
I was able to make out a large handle of a sword, the end glittering in the sun light. Staring a moment longer I then realized how huge it really was...it was just…amazing!
Mihawk looked up as he approached the pirates, his eyes coming into view. They were a vibrant yellow, deep and piercing. They did not look exactly like a hawk's eyes; they were more of candlelight yellow. Even though I was shaking at the sight of what he had just done, another thought raced through my mind, 'he is just so…hot...'
"…..his eyes are more of candlelight yellow or a golden honey than a hawk's eyes," I said out aloud, looking back at Honor Zeff.
"They just do not seem as dull and shallow." I continued. The pirates were in utter shock. He had done what they hadn't expected him to do; he had followed them all the way here. I was wondering why, though. They were just dumb, reckless pirates out on the ocean, chasing their dreams. Then I suddenly remembered that they did possess weapons and that was a scary thought.
I tried to make sure that I didn't look scared on the outside, but inwardly I was shaking. My heart started to beat faster. Beads of sweat dripped down from my face and I hoped that nobody would notice. I could practically hear my own heartbeat in my ears and the blood rushing through my veins was painful. Inside I was secretly praying to the lord above that he would protect everyone on this ship and me from the terrible, well-armed, gruesome pirates.
"Damn you…you don't have anything to do with us. Why are you still following us around?" one of Don Krieg men cursed. The male did not seem overly amused, rather angry and unsettled. Mihawk cutely tilted his head to the pirate's direction.
"..So cute..." I mumbled to myself, cheeks glowing a little.
"I just wanted to kill some time…" Mihawk stated plainly with a light French accent in his voice. My cheeks and ears felt a little bit warm, heat rushing up and down my head. His accent was so hot and exotic. I almost melted despite almost having a heart attack from every second of this situation! The pirates just got even angrier and Don Krieg's face was a picture best not described.
"Stop insulting us!" One of the pirates yelled, rage filling his former panic stricken eyes. He pulled out two old-fashioned guns, pointing them at his opponent. He shot at Mihawk, a sick smile forming on his mouth. Though his plan did not come out just the way he expected it to be.
With the gracefulness of a swan, Mihawk pulled out his large, black sword, which had a golden hand guard with blue-green hilts wrapped in bandages. Then he changed the bullet's path with one movement of his hand.
"Wha?"
How did he do it? Was this the power of the greatest swordsman? Was this something normal on the Grandline? If so, how would anyone be able to survive on those rough seas?
"He missed?" another pirate yelled. I was extremely surprised and scared at the same time.
"No matter the timing or skill, if you shoot at him…you will always miss. He uses his sword to change the bullet's path…" the voice chuckled. Zoro came into view, smiling. The green haired swordsman had appeared out of nowhere and was more than calm, he actually seemed happy.
He must have jumped over there using the floating wooden floorboards as stepping stones. Dark eyes stared at Mihawk with fire burning deep inside of them.
"Oh my…I want those shoes," I ogled at 'The Hawk's' shoes. I told myself quietly, in a trance. I was in a deep thought about how I was going to get some pair of shoes that looked like that, when Honor Zeff kicked me slightly. My knee buckled a bit from the impact. I looked up at him with a stare stating 'what'.
"Do you not listen or pay attention to your surroundings?" Honor Zeff scowled at me. I looked down with embarrassment.
"Sometimes..." I mumbled. Honor Zeff sighed.
"Angelina, get the first-aid from my office. It should be on top of my desk. " his scowl left his face. I looked back to the fight and saw how epic it was. I didn't want to miss it. Mihawk was using a tiny knife while Zoro was using his three swords.
"….but I…." I started to stutter an excuse, hoping for the best, but Honor Zeff just looked at me sternly, annoyance gracing his facade. I sighed heartily, knowing I couldn't talk my way out of this. Maybe if I was quick enough, I would see the rest of the fight before it was over. I quickly ran up the stairs, passing a quiet Gin. I opened the door to his office, and on his desk, was nothing.
I looked around the room for the first-aid kit. The first-aid kit has everything we needed to fix any wounds, paper cuts- to gunshot wounds. Was it in the drawers? Nope. The only things I saw or found were magazines of food, pay checks, pens, and paper. Perhaps it was in the closet? Nope. I saw his nicely ironed clothes and boxes; I looked in the boxes and saw his shoes. I put it back and thought for a bit. Where would that thing be, which would be the most idiotic place to put it?
I couldn't concentrate. The clashing of the swords outside became faster and faster. People screaming "Aniki~" over and over again. I was assuming it was Zoro they were cheering. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I ran to his private bathroom and saw that it was on the counter. Yep, the most idiotic place to put something you always needed.
"Yes…now back to cute shoes," I announced happily, running down the hall as fast as I could. Then I stopped before I reached the door, remembering that we were still fighting the pirates who wanted this ship as their own. I ran to the kitchen and slipped a curved knife under my shirt just in case. It was hooked in front of my bra. It was easily accessible and well hidden. I ran downstairs where the commotion got louder and louder.
"I found the first-aid…" I said, approaching Honor Zeff. He nodded but did not take it.
"Keep it…I think we need it…." Zeff said quietly, looking at the fight intensively. I saw that Luffy was holding back two men. They were about to charge into this fight, but Luffy did not allow them to proceed. The Straw Hat lad started to shake. I looked to where they were fighting and saw Zoro drop to the floor when Mihawk dodged his attack.
"Is Zoro that weak?" I questioned myself. The ocean breeze swept through the area and tore at my strands. It made the fight seem so surreal. I knew that I was against fighting. I hated fighting with a passion, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to.
Though, I did not want to get my hands dirty. I wanted to release this frustration, which was caused due to all the stress lately, such as pirates attacking, the thought of someone getting hurt and getting home, trusting someone I barely knew. Was this okay?
Should I continue this charade? I knew back home, I was the peacemaker. I could solve anyone's problems or give them advice. What about now? Should I be the peacemaker even though I knew they would not listen?
You know what they say, "when in Rome, Do what the Romans do."
"No, Mihawk is that strong," Sanji told me, lighting his cigarette. I tilted my head to the side with a curious expression plastered onto my face. I walked up to the end of the small walkthrough that the customers used to come on to the ship. I forgot that there were pirates in the water. I was just mesmerized by the fight. Zoro slowly stood up. It looked like this was the end.
"Lion…Killing Sword," he yelled, and in a stance. Zoro rushed at Mihawk. 'That is reckless,' I thought to myself. My grip on the first-aid kit tightened a bit. It had seemed that Zoro might hit Mihawk, but he didn't. The slash missed, Zoro's eyes widening a little.
"What?" Mihawk had gracefully evaded the impact and had struck first with his tiny blade. I gasped loudly in shock.
"Aniki~!" the two men yelled, fearing for Zoro's welfare. Blood came out of his wound like a waterfall, the crimson liquid splashing onto the platform the two men had been fighting on. My eyes followed the red substance. It coated the deck, the red sparkling in the sunlight. I started to shake, mouth dropping from horror. I had never seen this much blood before! It scared me.
I started to get nauseous, tears trickling down my face. The sight sickened me as if I had seen the movie Saw again. No one moved. Don Creek and his pirates just watched the two non-moving swordsmen. Honor Zeff, Sanji, Luffy, Usopp, the two men, and the cooks just stood watching a fellow ally lose a lot of blood. For me, I started to shake a bit and stepped back. My frustrations suddenly disappear. Is this what the real world would be? Would I have to hurt someone like this? Would I lose my sanity and humanity?
Zoro started to shake.
"….Do you want this knife to pierce your heart? Why are you not stepping back?" Mihawk questioned unfazed. Did Mihawk want Zoro to die? What had happened while I was getting the first-aid kit?
"If I step back…I'd feel that I had broken my promise, and that is something I wouldn't be able to stand….." Zoro explained under strain, biting down on his sword. Blood dripped down from his grinning mouth. I was taken aback from his words. He would go that far for his dream that he mentioned earlier to me. He would die for it? Was his life that unimportant to him? What couldn't I understand?
"Right and that is 'losing'," Mihawk announced, not moving from his stance. His eyebrows furrowed.
"…hah..hah….That's why I can't step back, even if it costs me my life," Zoro replied, with harshness in his tone, his breathes became more ragged. I stepped back again. My knees buckled and I fell to the floor. These men would die that easily.
"Tell me your name," Mihawk said, taking a step back. Zoro struggled to keep his stance, defending himself.
"Roronoa Zoro," he stated with pride. Mihawk sheathed his tiny knife into the cross necklace that he had. Then the Shichibukai drew his sword.
"I'll remember that… I haven't met someone so strong-willed. To repay that, I will use the 'Black Sword' to end your life," Mihawk's eyes gleamed with pride, his movements settling. He got himself ready to strike once more. Then out of nowhere, it seemed that one of the pirates had a brain and attacked me.
He came up from the water and grabbed the closest thing to him. My hair was in his grasp. It stopped the fight shortly and then they resumed fighting. Zoro stole a glance and turned his head back to Mihawk knowing that Sanji would handle it. Mihawk stole a quick glance from the situation and resumed this battle.
"Gotcha, girly….." the red-headed pirate stated, with a sick smile crossing his lips. I let out a quiet scream and a silent pray. Then I tried to get out of his grasp by swinging my head back and forth.
Honor Zeff just watched as his only waitress made a scene. He sighed. There was a reason why he did not panic like the rest. He knew she had something up her sleeve. She was like a puzzle waiting to be figured out. He held back the rubber boy a bit.
"She can handle this herself..." Honor Zeff said. Luffy just looked at him, blinking a little, with the others standing behind him. Zoro was a bit concerned about his new comrade and Sanji was about to step in as well if it hadn't been for what Angelina would just do.
Angelina took the knife from her shirt slicing his arm and her hair in the process. The cut on the pirate was deep and the muscle was cut. That moment was awesome in everyone's eyes.
"Amazing…" Luffy announced loudly, sparkles swirling in his eyes. The moment she had cut her hair, everyone was aback. The only woman in this all-man fight not only had a knife on her, but outsmarted and punched the pirate straight in the nose. Mihawk couldn't help but look at this woman with interest.
Women always were the damsels in distress, the weak, and the sly, but this woman was different. Something about her made him question his point of view on women. Angelina stood up and ran back to the front of the line with the rest of the cooks, and took a stance with her little kitchen knife. Her eyes had fire in them. Her hair was now shorter. It went to her shoulder. Her brown eyes narrowed to each pirate on the on the water, on the deck, and in the ocean. She was extremely mad.
"Angel-Chan…you look so beautiful…" Sanji said as he had a good look at her, the female's courage impressing him on a new level. Luffy only grinned, his new crew member making him proud.
"That was amazing…" Luffy said, still having a grin. He had a great crew.
"You wrench," the pirate muttered. The male was about to attack her again, but the cooks stepped forward, daring him to try.
I was pissed as hell. Not only had those pirates disturbed our business, they had also threatened us!
I had the first-aid kit in my left hand and the knife in my right. I had to cut my hair to escape that bastard. I was officially going to do damage to the pirates who had knives. If they had a gun, I wouldn't mess with them. The fight with Mihawk and Zoro resumed. Zoro was about to do a secret technique.
"Don't lose focus," Honor Zeff said to me. I concentrated on the pirates around the ship and the fight. My eyes went back and forth.
"Please… Stop, sempai!" the two men called out in unison, gripping onto the rail. Everyone watched the fight quietly. Zoro and Mihawk rushed at each other, both concentrating on their next move.
"Tri elements sword…." Zoro uttered under his short breath, beginning his attack. Mihawk made his move as well. They moved too fast for me to see, but the result was as clear as the day. Zoro's two swords shattered. Zoro then sheathed his last sword and turned around. His arms were spread open, leaving him wide open for an attack.
"What are you doing?" Mihawk asked as he faced his opponent. Zoro lifted his head and smiled. He bled from his nose and his mouth. His main wound seeped out more blood.
"…It's….shameful for a swordsman…..to….to be hit from behind…"Zoro coughed a bit and breathing seemed to get even more difficult for him. I thought that maybe the battle was over, but I was wrong.
"Splendid…" Mihawk stated, a smile crossing his lips. He slashed Zoro's chest, creating a large, deep cut.
"Zoro!" Luffy and Usopp yelled. I gasped loudly and my knees started to shake. All that blood from Zoro splashed against the deck…how could he still be standing so tall?
"It's easy for you to let go of a dream!" Sanji said out of nowhere. I didn't know why he said that, but I was more concerned for Zoro. Did Mihawk kill him? Was he still alive? Mihawk quickly sheathed his sword, and Zoro fell into the deep ocean. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.
'This was not happening' I thought to myself. Then I heard two splashes. I opened my eyes to see Luffy's arm stretch like Mr. Fantastic to the deck where Mihawk was. I was speechless. That was impossible. Wait, this world was impossible. I shouldn't be here, but here I was. Maybe this was normal too?
"That kid ate the devil's fruit…he is a monster!" a pirate announced, stating the answer for me. Then Honor Zeff pushed me a bit, making me step forward.
"Take the kit to them, they will need it," he simply told me. I nodded. I took off my shoes and left my knife. I was about to jump into where there were many pirates in the water, blocking my way to the ship that Usopp was on. 'Damn,' I thought to myself. The only way to get to them was under the debris. The two men came up with Zoro in their hands.
"Zoro?" Luffy questioned worriedly, sitting on the deck. Zoro coughed up blood, the two unknown men freezing in place. I grinded my teeth together, thinking hard. Next, I took a deep breath and dove into the water, ignoring the dangers ahead. I went beneath the pirates and under the ship, into the deepest part of the ocean.
I discovered that I couldn't see the bottom of it, yet there was something moving down there. I gripped the first-aid kit's handle in my mouth. I swam like a fish. I saw the full damage on the ship. I saw molasses on a piece of wood. I saw the sunlight and the surface. I broke the surface next to the ship.
"Usopp!" I yelled. The mentioned male heard me and leaned over the ship to see me. I threw him the kit. He caught it with little difficulty.
"Thank you, Angel..."he called out with a grin. I smiled in return.
"Make sure Zoro is alright…take care of his wounds," I told him. Usopp hurried back to Zoro. I floated there for a bit and I turned around to swim towards Luffy. In a few moments I was near the deck where they had their fight. Then I stopped completely.
"L-Luffy…..can you hear me..." Zoro asked subconsciously. He raised his sword into the air while he tried to say that, informing everyone that he was still alive.
"I'm sorry for making you worry…about me...if can't become the greatest swordsman, you would be worried about me, right?" Zoro eyed the area around him, stopping for a moment.
"From now on…I won't lose ever again…until I become the greatest swordsman and defeat that man!" Zoro yelled out loud, making Mihawk grin at those words. Luffy slowly revealed a smile on his face.
"Do you have a problem with that….Pirate King?" he glared and smiled at the same time. With everyone's attention on Zoro, I carefully swam towards the deck. I placed my arms on top of the deck and held onto it. I was now an arm's length away from Mihawk's boat.
"Hehehe… Nope," Luffy said loud enough for him to hear. Mihawk walked to his boat. From being this close, I thought that Mihawk had freckles on his cheeks. The world would never know. I thought that this would be the end of the show, but Don Krieg had other plans.
"Oi, Hawk Eyes!" Don Krieg said, calling Mihawk out. Mihawk stopped and turned around to face him.
"Don't you want my head now?... The head of Don Krieg, greatest pirate in the East Blue." he asked grinning. I groaned and sighed at the same time. Was he serious about this? Did he want to die so bad?
"Are you flipping serious? …Did you not see Honey Eyes defeat Zoro?" I whispered to myself. I did not know that Mihawk had heard my comment and simply stole a glance at me. I looked down to the deck and spaced out a bit.
"…I'm going back to sleep. I had my fun…" Mihawk replied, turning in his heels and continuing his pace.
"…..Before you go, die!" Don Krieg called out, pulling out his guns. Mihawk drew his sword. I looked up and saw that Don Creek was about to shoot in my direction. I tried to escape. The key word was tried.
"Fool… You haven't learned your lesson…Goodbye…." Mihawk said, slashing the deck before him. I raised my arms in defense, but something out of the water grabbed my shirt's collar and pulled me into the air. I was about to grab that hand, but I landed on the back of Baratie. How the hell did I make it all the way here?