Chapter 2

After Baratie

*bada bada bada kacha*

"Are you there?"

"Yes. What is it?"

"I heard you went to the Baratie and had a bit of a fight. Meet me there."

"You seriously want me to go back there? I just came from there."

"Oh, come on! You're a warlord! I know you have the time to kill, Mihawk."

"...Fine. I'll be there shortly."

X

"Look at this place. What happened?" I asked.

"Wasn't me. It must have been Don Krieg."

"The "Pirate Admiral"? His Bounty's only 17 million."

"Yes, I'm aware. You and I are worlds above him."

"...Have you ever eaten here before?"

"No, you?"

"Once. It's really good."

"I was actually meaning to tell you something. The Templars are attempting to recruit a new member that you are quite familiar with."

"Who?"

"Arlong."

"Wh-What?"

"Apparently, he found a way out of his agreement with that girl you're so fond of. Apparently, she had collected 97 million berries, making her only 3 million short of his promise. However, he had some marines he was working with come and confiscate it and charged her another 100 million, trying to make it look like it wasn't his fault. It was a tactic that the grandmaster respected."

"...Why are you telling me this? You know full well that we're on opposite sides. Your necklace is your official Templar Cross. You're a Templar, and I'm going to be an Assassin."

"We'll always be friends. You should know some of this."

"Come with me and stop Arlong. You owe me a favor from the last time I helped you, you know."

"And you owe me more from your childhood. If I wasn't your friend, if I wasn't there to help you after your parents' deaths, what would you have done? We're friends, and as repayment for feeling weak, I trained you with a sword. Today, I consider your swordsmanship equal to mine. As a small favor, I'd prefer it if you left me to my own business. If I try to stop this, the Order will accuse me of treason and strip me of my title as Warlord. You're on your own this time."

"Hmph. Fine. I'll go by myself. See you later." And with that, I teleported away.

X

"That bastard is going to pay for what he did." I gritted through my teeth, walking towards Arlong Park. Although when I arrived, I saw something I didn't quite expect to see. Most of the park was actually destroyed, some people were battle-worn, scattered here and there, everyone from the village was banded together with weapons, a battle was going on at the top room of the tower, and Nami was wearing a straw hat. What the hell was going on?! Wait, Nami was wearing a straw hat? I took a closer look and recognized it. That's the same damned hat Luffy wears! Did Nami...know him or something? I noticed Nojiko standing towards the front of the crowd and walked towards her. I snuck up behind her and leaned against a wall.

"Nice day, isn't it? What with all hell breaking loose?" She gasped and looked at me.

"W-What are you doing here?!"

"Well, I heard about what happened, and came here to kick the crap out of Arlong, but clearly the job's already taken. Is that Luffy?" I motioned at the boy in the red vest.

"Heh. The one and only."

"Do you really think you could use her better than me?!" yelled Arlong.

"Use her?! What do you think Nami is?! She's not a tool, she's a one of a kind human being! I'll destroy that room if it's the last thing I do!"

"Aw, he cares about you!" I shouted to Nami. She swung her head around, slightly red from what she just heard me say.

"Wh-What did you just say?!" her face flushed.

"Nice to see you too." I responded, arms crossed and focusing on the fight. She hugged me since she hasn't seen me in ten years.

"You've grown up." I said, looking down at her.

"You haven't. You're the same as ever."

"Gee, thanks." I said sarcastically.

"You could still jump in and help him, you know." suggested Nojiko.

"He's got it under control. If he needs help, I'll join, but he doesn't. Besides, this will be good for him. Fighting Arlong is easier for me."

"Because you're stronger?" asked Nami.

"Because I know him better. Remember, I traveled with the Sun Pirates for years, and I know Arlong's every technique. And because I'm stronger." The map room began to get destroyed, and about five minutes later, Luffy had defeated Arlong. Everyone cheered. They all ran to him and began lifting him into the air. Nojiko hung back with me.

"You know, we're probably going to have a big party to celebrate. You should stick around for a while."

"Well, alright- huh? Hold on, my snail phone's ringing." I walked a bit away from everyone.

"Hello?"

"Hey. Recognize the voice?"

"What the hell do you want? I'm busy."

"I think I have a job for you. You do mercenary work, right?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"My organization. I'd like you to temporarily join. I suspect there will be a war starting sooner or later. You'll be our secret weapon, a one-man army."

"A war? You're strong enough, why can't you do it?"

"I'd rather not reveal myself just yet, Aaron. I'll pay you 200 thousand berries to do it."

"Oh? Fine. I'll be there soon enough, Crocodile." I hung up and walked back to Nojiko.

"Bad news. I can't stay for the party tonight. I have to leave soon."

"Ohhhh...but we haven't seen you in forever!"

"I know...but you know I'll come back and visit."

Later that night, while partying...

Nami's house

"So what will you do now? Are you going to stay with Luffy and become a pirate?"

"Yes, I think I am."

"Good for you, then. I'm sure I'll see you around then if you're heading to the Grand Line. Take care, Nami."

"*sob* okay." She almost leaped onto me, crying.

"What's wrong?"

"How do you feel about all this? Your old friend was beaten and is going to jail, and it wasn't even you who did it. Your debt to us wasn't repaid!"

"Don't worry about it. I believe all corrupt people get what's coming to them. Did you know that Arlong was already released from jail once? He deserved to be recaptured."

"Mm." She let go, and we walked outside.

"Have fun with your boyfriend." Her face was steaming.

"He's NOT my boyfriend!"

"He should be. You two are cute together."

"ARGH! Weren't you just leaving?!"

"Hehe. See you later, Nami. Oh, one more thing. I'd appreciate it if you or Nojiko didn't mention me to your friends. It's not my time to see Luffy yet."

"...Okay." I teleported away and left Cocoyashi. Just as quickly, I appeared at Loguetown.

"I'll stay here for the night before heading to Alabasta." I walked into the inn, and paid for a room. At night, I laid in bed.

"Monkey D. Luffy. Hehe...you take after your father, don't you?"

End.

So yes, Mihawk is one of the Templars. I'll tell you what: anyone can leave a review or PM me guessing who the Templars are. There are 7 in all, and that's after the timeskip. Closest one will get a PM from me telling them each and every member of the Templars and Assassins. If you get it, please don't tell anyone else and spoil it. Thanks, and happy guessing!