midnightscar17: He just wants to meet the two Shanks told him about, that's all. Not necessarily. He's around, watching from the shadows.
Lightningblade49: Actually, he didn't. No civilians were killed. Only Alliance grunts and marines. The civilians were long gone by the time the Buggy Balls were fired. Yep, it's awakening. And he noticed it this time to, so that's some progress for ya.
Tonlor: Thank you! Happy you enjoyed it. Mihawk indeed. Yeah, I bet just about everyone feels similar.
Lobisomen616: Cool, I am glad for that. You have no idea. I wouldn't say that, we'll be reaching the Grand Line in just a few short chapters after all. This one here, two more, one of them a movie, and then wala, Reverse Mountain! So...yeah, not gonna take years before we get into the Grand Line. Don't worry.
Jash814: Thanks! Uh, I'm afraid you read it wrong. As it was actually Usopp who thought that to himself, not Luffy. I double and triple checked just to make sure, and it's clear that the sniper is the one who is thinking that. Or at least I think it's clear. Regardless, it does literally say Usopp lamented right after that line of thought, so...yeah. Usopp thought that, not Luffy. Come on, who wasn't happy to see Krieg get his other arm broken? That guy is just an asshole, plain and simple. They're up against East Blue grunts, of course they can handle themselves. They aren't children. And no one should treat them as such in their writing, in my opinion.
Avo385: Good to know. Agreed. No problem. To answer your question, Mihawk arrived a few minutes before Zoro used his thirty six caliber phoenix, he was just sitting there and watching the whole debacle unfold. No interest in interfering, of course.
Ranger Station Charlie: Yeah, regarding a lot of that, I was half asleep when I wrote the chapter. So...yeah, that alone accounts for like eighty percent of all that. XD And half of the other twenty percent was on purpose, such as swordswoman, for example. I can and will, have done so often, referred to a character with a descriptor rather than their name. Anyway, do I need a beta? Probably. Do I want one? Eh, kinda. Am I going to get one? Probably not. Why? Not sure how the whole document trading thing works, not to mention I don't like the idea of handing my stuff off to someone else to scan over. I just don't. That said, I am considering it. I have a list of like seven betas I'm considering. One of them actually reads this story, believe it or not, so that's cool. Again though, I'm hesitant to really commit to having a beta. So it's unlikely. I will keep it in the back of my mind though.
Johnny Spectre: That's a pretty good way to put it. And yeah, you're just about right on the money.
HP-DG-SB: Indeed. Thank you very much. That's true, fight scenes are in no way easy to write. Fun? Most of the time, yeah. Easy? Never. Thanks again, I appreciate it. :) I'll do my best! He just wants to meet the two, assess them, if you will. Just read on, you'll see.
LordVishnu: Thanks so much! :) I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I have said many, many times in my author's notes, in just about all of my stories, and even in private messages to some of my readers...I will never, ever abandon a story. That is a solemn promise. The absolutely only way I would stop updating any story permanently, is if I died. In which case I would be unable to update any of my stories anyway. When I don't feel like writing for something, I switch moods and wish to write for something else. That is one of the main reasons my updates are so sporadic and random. But I always come back to whatever it is I decide to step away from for awhile, because I don't write stories just for my readers, but also for myself. I write stories that I would want to read. I also try to make them good, of course. Well written and able to flow as well as I can make them.
But anyway, what I'm saying is, I don't abandon stuff. I might take a break for awhile, could be a long while, could be a short while, could be a month, could be a few years, however, I always come back. I will always come back, assuming I don't kick the bucket, of course. So yeah, no real need to worry, I won't abandon this story. You have my word.
I intend to prove you wrong. :D
The Keeper of Worlds: Yep, pretty much. That's the kind of shit that happens to them. They have the best of luck, then they have the worst of luck. It's very finicky that way. Yes, yes they are. Read on to find out how it plays out. ;)
Rumrunnerjames: That's very kind of you to say, thank you. Yeah, no worries, I'm not gonna lose interest in this story, I guarantee you that. I'd have to die to indefinitely stop writing this story. Yeah, I love the LuNa too. It's why I included it. I haven't heard many people complain about it either, so that's good.
DragonKingDragneel25: Yeah, no, Arlong is the kind of guy who's corpse deserves to be spit on, not told to rest in peace. It does? Cool. Glad you feel that way. Thank you. Mihawk can be quite the character, in spite of the fact that he doesn't employ the crazy tactics so many others use, so, we're agreed on that. Again, thank you. I will do my best. :)0
KuramFTW: Glad you think so. Yeah, that's what I had intended though. This is my rendition of One Piece, after all. And even more will change in the future, just you watch. I'm happy you're so interested in my story. Thank you, and I'll do all that I can.
Halfrican18: Thanks. Yeah, I figured that would do. What does he want? To meet them, of course! Curious huh? Good. You'll get your answer soon though.
Exiled Soul Nomad: Yep, and yep.
Moving on...
So, yeah, it's been awhile. No excuses, you all know how this works by now. Real life, mood-based writing, other stories, don't have internet at home so I can't write when I want, etcetera, etcetera. Also, I've been in a real slump lately, not in the kind like I can't figure out where to go, but one where I can't decide what to write. It's another drawback to my mood-based writing thing, where I immerse myself in something completely and shut everything else out when I'm writing about that. Don't worry, I don't mean in real life, I just mean keeping other fandoms from encroaching upon the one I'm writing for at that moment in time.
Since that's the case, I'm kind of stuck in writing limbo, where I try and write for something and I burn out before I get very far. For the first time in a long time, I have no mood to encompass my writing. And that makes things...difficult, to say the least. You might be wondering how I managed to get this out then, well, it took...unorthodox, for me, measures. The main of which is something I've never tried before recently, and that is writing more than one chapter for one story at a time. I am currently working on two other chapters for two different stories, it was originally three but then I finished this so now it's two, and it's...weird, to say the least.
However, it's the only thing working for me at the moment. I can't seem to focus on one fandom/mood long enough with my current state of mind to write more than a few hundred, or a thousand or two words, at most, before just sputtering to a stop. So I decided fuck it, and started jumping around and writing whatever my muse/mind/whatever you wanna call what inspires people to write, allowed me to, without forcing it and dragging down the quality. I know, I know, I sound nuts as all hell don't I? Well, believe it or not, I don't possess any mental issues. I'm just a real weird fucking guy is all.
So in short, I ask you to bear with me as I attempt to accustom myself to writing in such a manner, until one day, hopefully, I can return to form and begin grinding out chapters for whatever I'm in the mood to write. I know it left other stories out in the cold for awhile, but it allowed me to passionately send my fingers flying across the keyboard and really, really enjoy the hell out of myself, as a carved out the story. Plus, in the grand scheme of things, it was faster. As this way, it'll take me a bit to write chapters, while previously, while only working on one story at a time, I could get chapters out like that.
I mean, you guys know what I'm talking about, I put out like four or five good length chapters in a single month before, and then I put out a over fourty thousand word movie in just two months time, and it would have only been one month if not for complications during a move I was going through at the time.
Anyway, I digress. If I've confused you or you have no idea what I'm talking about, sorry bout that. I have a hardcore tendency to ramble, and unless you've followed me for a long time, or know me personally, you probably don't really get what I'm saying. Or, maybe you do. Which if that's the case, great! If you don't though, whatever. What I mean to say is-okay, nope, that's enough. Stopping now.
I will bring one last thing up though, eight days from now, on Sept. 9, not only will it be my birthday, but also the three-year anniversary of this story. So...let's celebrate, I guess? I don't know, I'll get back to you on that when this has been around for five years, as that's at least half a decade. Still, I would like to genuinely thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your support. So, thank you very much. :)
Let's get on with it.
Mihawk is here. Best watch your tongues...XP. Please read, review and enjoy.
All within the town square of Loguetown watched, paying rapt attention to the man with the large sword on his back. Most of those present, who recognized him, were rendered speechless at the appearance of the warlord.
Luffy glued his eyes to the imposing figure, able to immediately tell just how much his strength and skill dwarfed not only his own, but everyone else's around him. Even combined, all the people here couldn't make up half of this man's sheer power. The rubber-man couldn't truly sense him, however, he didn't need to. Having had a taste of true power at a young age, multitudes of times, he could recognize someone of this man's caliber instantly. In short, his instincts were screaming at him to be on guard, to run away, even. Not that he had any intention of listening.
Nami, no longer hindered by Alvida, was able to get off the ground and to her feet. Wiping away the bit of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth, her pink-tinted brown orbs located her friends one by one, before locking onto the man everyone else was staring at. "Mihawk?" She repeated the name to herself. "So that's the guy who Zoro dreams of defeating..."
Usopp struggled with all he had to get off of the ground, his battered form shaking with pain as he did. Grunting in effort, he forced himself up onto his knees, before raising his right leg and planting the foot attached to it firmly onto the destroyed stone, body still trembling. Pushing with one foot and both hands, he managed to get his other foot on the ground, quickly returning to an erect position afterwards. Clearing the blood from his face, his hazel eyes wandered, taking in the scene around him, before he stopped at the newcomer.
Buggy had been sweating before, but now, oh now, it took every ounce of his being not to bolt. 'First these punks foil my revenge plan, then that Straw Hat brat gives out a blast of haki, and now the greatest freaking swordsman in the world, one of the only few actually capable of cutting me, is here!? Could this day get any fucking worse!?' He wondered to himself mentally. 'And to top it off, I'm the only one still conscious!' Which was accurate, as every other member of the Buggy alliance was out like a light.
Smoker's body had tensed, eyes narrowing at the appearance of the 'legal' pirate. Grip tightening on his jitte, he prepared to combat the man, if the need arose.
Tashigi felt herself waver, knees wobbling under the sheer weight of the presence of the world's greatest swordsman. If she could truly feel his aura, then she would be crushed.
Sanji, immobilized and on the ground, held there by the jitte digging into his back, could do little more than stare at the newcomer.
Zoro's eyes had widened considerably at the swordsman's appearance, the adrenaline pumping through his body nearly doubling as he registered the man's presence. He would have shot to his feet, if only he weren't pinned to the ground by Smoker, the marine captain's right knee firmly planted in the small of the green-haired teen's back. "Hawkeye..." He whispered the man's name beneath his breath.
Mihawk's striking golden eyes scanned the immediate area, taking in all that he saw before him, the silence that filled the air as he did this was tense, to say the least. "All this wanton destruction...for what?" He queried, eyes targeting the clown pirate in particular.
"Uh...um, are you...talking to me?" The blue-haired man questioned, eyes darting back and forth as he quickly realized that it was indeed him the warlord was talking to.
"This entire debacle has served little purpose. What has been accomplished? Nothing. All that has taken place here is the desecration of the site of a great man's death." Mihawk stated. "You've besmirched the name of Gold Roger with your actions here today." The golden-eyed man continued. "You are a disgrace." He disparaged the red-nosed buffoon, his tone ever calm. Even still, his distaste for the slightly younger man was clear.
Buggy held his tongue, suppressing his automatic response to such a thing, that being to rebuke it and curse the sunuva bitch out. He knew far better than to do something as foolish as that, however. He knew all too well how powerful Mihawk was, and though he may belittle the clown's efforts and disparage him as a person, it wasn't worth dying over just to argue with him.
"Dracule Mihawk, one of the seven warlords. What brings you to the East Blue, to my neck of the woods?" Smoker inquired then, getting the imposing man's attention on him. "This is my turf. What possible reason could you have for being here?"
"Did you not hear me? I am looking for a pair of certain young pirates." Dracule told the white-haired marine, repeating his purpose.
"And just who might these pirates be?" Smoker questioned, eyes narrowing as he did.
"As far as I'm aware, you're holding one of them face-first against the ground as we speak." The world's greatest swordsman informed the raven-eyed man.
"Him?" Smoker's eyes moved down to the green-haired pirate in question, before returning to the infamous man, not twenty feet in front of him.
Mihawk nodded in confirmation at this, before gesturing to the straw hat wearing teen to his side with a flick of his eyes.
"What!? Him as well!?" The marine captain verbalized his shock and confusion at this, eyes shooting to the form of the rubber-man as he did. 'To think that Hawkeye would come all the way out here to the East Blue, just to meet these two upstarts!?' His bewilderment certainly wasn't unwarranted, that's for sure. 'Between everything else and now this...just what is so special about this band of pirates? What is it about that straw hat...?' Unfortunately, the white-haired man could not come up with any answers to his questions.
"Indeed." Hawkeye affirmed. "Now, if you would allow that one to get to his feet, I would appreciate it."
If it had been any other pirate that had said this, even one of the other warlords, Smoker wouldn't hesitate for a moment before telling them to fuck off. However, this was the strongest of them, not to mention the most honorable. He certainly didn't trust the swordsman, but he couldn't think of any reason to outright refuse. 'After all, technically, we're both on the same side.' That fact left a bitter taste in his mouth.
On top of that, as confident as Smoker was in his abilities, he was no fool. He knew he was, by and far, outclassed here. If Hawkeye wanted him to back off the green-haired pirate, he needn't ask. He could more than easily force him to comply. So, this approach was completely unnecessary. Which made it clear the warlord had no intention of fighting the marine captain.
"Tashigi." Smoker spoke his only standing subordinate's name, getting her attention.
"Sir?"
"Round up the wounded and administer emergency first aid. You're far better at it than I am." He ordered the female swordsman.
"But Sir!" She began to protest, only to be shut down before she could even give her reasoning.
"We don't know how badly wounded they are! If we don't assess their injuries and at least bandage the worst of them up, then we'll end up losing all of our men!" The white-haired barked. "You joined the marines with a purpose in mind, didn't you!? Well you can't fulfill that goal if you can't even save a few men! So hop to it soldier!"
Not even bothering to snap to a salute, Tashigi shouted back, "Sir!", before doing as she was told. Her first priority had been the safety of the soldiers, the reason she had begun to protest, as Smoker very well knew, was that he was effectively getting rid of her, forcing her into a position that she would have to remove herself from this rapidly spiraling out of control situation. Because she would have to do so, if not to get the remaining men to a doctor, then to at least get them out of the line of fire, after wrapping them up. In other words, he was going to see this fiasco through to the end, on his own. And the Master Chief Petty Officer didn't wish to allow him to do so, intent to stand by his side. 'He's leaving me no choice!' She thought to herself, as she grit her teeth and proceeded to follow her orders.
As Tashigi rushed over to the remaining ten breathing marines, Smoker, against his better judgement, removed his knee from Zoro's back, allowing the eighteen year old to climb to his feet. Yet, he kept his jitte right where it was, holding Sanji in place, against the ground. He wasn't about to let both of them up.
"You have my gratitude." Mihawk spoke to the jitte-wielding marine, conveying his thanks with a nod of his head.
Not that it meant much to the marine.
Zoro, back on his feet, began to slowly move forward, step by step, inching ever closer to the older swordsman. His eyes began to hyper-focus on the ornately dressed man, almost as if he was all the teen could even see. And considering he wasn't questioning this whole thing, and that he didn't bother try and assist Sanji, there was a very good chance that was the case.
"You...you're it. My goal. You are the strongest." Zoro stated, more to himself than anyone else. "To think you'd come to me...it's too good to be true. And yet, here you are..." The whiskey-hound of a swordsman was seemingly entranced by the sight of the golden-eyed warlord, like he could no longer see the world around him, let alone the people. "Now is my chance...to surpass him...I can do it, right now." It had quickly become evident that the green-haired teen had thrown everything, except his desire to become the greatest, right out the window. "No more waiting-"
Suddenly, Zoro was stopped in his tracks, prevented from taking another step forward. Turning to face the person who would dare stop him, the eighteen year old came face to face with none other than Luffy, who had ahold of him by his right shoulder. "Luffy?" He questioned.
Rather than speaking, the rubber-man simply began to slowly shake his head. A vague gesture, for sure, but to Zoro, it was worth a thousand words. A thousand, dagger-like words, digging into his sides. Eyes widening to the max, Zoro felt like he had just been slapped in the face. 'He doesn't want me to fight him.' He thought to himself. "My captain doesn't think I can beat him...Luffy doesn't think I'm strong enough to win.' At this realization, forget a slap to the face, it was as if he had just been punched in the stomach.
Burying the hurt this caused, Zoro's eyes hardened, as he became stone-faced. "Is that an order, Captain?" His tone was downright bordering on hostile, something that the younger teen had never heard directed at him before, not from his brother at least.
Luffy's eyes widened ever so slightly, clearly taken off guard by his best friend's tone. Hurt flashed in his dark orbs, the sight of it nearly causing the swordsman to wince.
Eyes softening some, Zoro whispered beneath his breath, low enough to where only his sworn-brother could hear him. "Sorry, Captain." He apologized. "I didn't mean it like that." He assured the rubber-man. "I just...I promised her that I would become the greatest, no matter the cost." He explained himself. "I have to do this. Let me show you I can do this."
This gave the young pirate pause, not only because of his first mate's determination, but also the mention of 'her'. The Straw Hat pirate knew all too well the 'her' Zoro was referring to, and that was a sensitive subject, to say the least. To uphold a promise to a fallen friend and rival, as well as to reach out and attempt to grab his dream, that was what Zoro intended to do. 'How could I possibly deny him that?' Luffy cogitated for a moment.
"Please, I have to at least try." Zoro implored his captain, his dark green eyes swimming with emotion.
Unable to stop himself, Luffy proceeded to give in with a sigh. "Fine. Go ahead, Zoro. Give him all you've got."
"Thank you, Luffy." Zoro voiced his gratitude to his best friend, giving him a heartfelt, rather rare for the stoic teen, smile.
Mihawk, who felt no compulsion to break up this exchange between captain and first mate, simply watched with a quirked brow, his curiosity worn out on his sleeve.
As Zoro stepped away from Luffy, and began to approach Hawkeye, it became crystal clear to almost everyone present what he intended to do.
"Zoro?" Usopp spoke his friend's name with confusion, having never seen him act like this before.
"Now? Of all times?" Nami asked no one in particular. "What is he thinking!?" She wondered aloud to herself. "We don't have time for this right now!" She shouted at him, not that he was listening.
"Is he insane!?" Sanji exclaimed with shock. 'Trying to reach for his dream this soon!? That's suicide! He's not even close to ready!' The blonde thought to himself frantically.
"What does he think he's doing?" Smoker wondered aloud. "He must know he doesn't stand a chance."
'What is going on inside his head!?' Tashigi pondered to herself. 'To challenge the world's greatest swordsman...how could he even think he'll survive such a thing!?' Her mind raced with these thoughts, as she reached the first of the downed marines, and prepared to administer first aid.
"Dead man walking." Buggy snorted, having realized the three sword style swordsman's intentions.
"Hawkeye Mihawk." Zoro spoke the man's name with authority, as he came to a stop about ten feet from him.
"Yes?" Mihawk responded, having failed to read the situation, more intentionally than not.
"I challenge you." Zoro proclaimed, as he pulled his black bandanna from his arm and proceeded to don it on his head, tying it to the point where it couldn't possibly fall off on it's own.
And just like that, the pleasant mood Dracule arrived in had died. The ghost of a smile he had been wearing for a bit faded, as did the amusement that had been evident in his eyes the whole time. 'I merely came to feel them out and give my regards. But now I have to deal with this...'
"How foolish." He regarded his fellow swordsman coldly, golden irises boring into dark green. "A fight? You are a weak, pitiful creature." He candidly enlightened him,
The green-haired pirate bit his tongue on that one, refusing to give in to, what he thought was, a taunt. Instead, he opted to unsheathe his swords.
"If you are, in fact, a competent swordsman, you should see the disparity in our abilities, even before we cross swords." Mihawk apprised him matter-of-factly.
Once more, the eighteen year old swordsman chose not to respond, doing his best to not let the older man's words get to him, as he placed the Wado Ichimonji between his teeth, and tightened his grip on Yubashiri and Kitetsu the III.
"I must ask you, why have you challenged me? Could it be your courage, or is it simply your ignorance?" Hawkeye queried almost casually.
"My ambition drives me." Zoro answered without a second's hesitation, his eyes burning with determination. "Also, I made some promises I intend to keep."
Mihawk merely sighed at this, before taking hold of his golden crucifix pendant, revealing it as another weapon, as he drew a small knife from it. To say it was underwhelming, when compared to his actual weapon of choice worn on his back, would be quite the understatement. The tiny blade looked as if it couldn't even cut through bread, let alone be used as a weapon.
Feeling like he was being mocked, Zoro's eyes narrowed. "Funny. What do you think you're going to do with that?" He demanded.
"It'll be more than adequate. After all, you wouldn't kill a fly with a cannon, would you?" The warlord questioned him cooly. "I'm aware that you have quite the reputation here in the East Blue, but that doesn't mean much to me. This sea is by far the weakest of the four."
"Oh, I'll show you weak." The stoic teen growled.
Apparently ignoring that remark, the world's greatest swordsman continued to speak. "Unfortunately, I don't carry any blades smaller than this one." He passive-aggressively apologized.
"I have had just about enough of your attitude!" Zoro snarled, before taking his signature stance.
"You have no idea how big the world really is." Dracule told him, his tone dangerous and foreboding.
"Oni Giri!" Zoro cried as he lunged forward, striking at the man with all three blades.
Only, his steel never touched flesh, as Hawkeye didn't just catch the attack, but stopped all three swords dead in their tracks, mid-strike, right at the exact moment where all the blades crossed. All with the little knife he had been carrying around his neck the whole time.
Both Nami and Usopp nearly choked on their own breath at the sight, so completely flummoxed by it that their minds couldn't even fully comprehend it. Zoro was a monster, one that no one they had come across had a chance in hell of being able to stop, let alone beat. The only person they could think of who could possibly defeat someone as ridiculously as strong as Zoro, was their even more ridiculous captain. So to see someone just stop him like that, and with such ease, it left them in a state of complete disbelief.
Sanji knew Zoro couldn't beat this guy. He wasn't known as the best in the world without reason. Even still, to see someone defend against him so nonchalantly, with such ease, it sent a chill down his spine. 'Just how strong is this guy?'
Luffy, unlike the rest of the crew, felt no shock, disbelief or chilling realization. No, he saw this coming. There was only one way this battle could end. And yet, he continued to stand and passively watch, face completely blank.
'I can't move my swords, what has he done!?' Zoro's mind raced, as he continued to push against the small knife with all his might, and it failed to budge or falter in the slightest. 'No one has ever been able to defend against this technique, and he stopped it with a pocket knife!' The sheer amount of aggravation and incredulity he felt as this went through his mind was incredible.
Quickly growing sick of being held at bay by a mere butter knife, Zoro broke off with a grunt of effort, before going back in for another attack.
Unbeknownst to everyone below, a certain man cloaked in green watched from afar, able to perceive all that occurred despite his great distance from them. "Things rapidly spiral out of control whenever you're involved...I suppose you get that from your mother." The cloaked man off-handedly remarked to himself. "My son, your path certainly won't be an easy one. You're getting a taste of one of the heaviest roadblocks you'll encounter, how will you react? Will you overcome through sheer strength and will? The help of your crew? Or will unseen forces lend you a hand from the shadows?" The man contemplated to himself. "In the end, it doesn't matter. Just as long as you do overcome them. That is all that I care about."
The cloaked man went silent then, content to watch as the rookie swordsman and the greatest veteran battled.
The younger, much more inexperienced swordsman gave it all he got, busting out his best techniques to try and defeat the master he was facing.
"Dragon Twister!"
But no matter how much strength he mustered, no matter the speed he summoned, no matter the technique he attempted, he proved to be not so much as a threat to the one he had dared to challenge.
"The First Mate is stubborn." The shrouded man observed. "Good. He'll need that."
"This is ridiculous! He's floundering out there!" Usopp voiced his abundance of worry and anxiousness.
"At this rate, he'll be killed!" Nami yelled with fright and some worry of her own.
"We have to help him!" The long-nosed sniper decided then.
"What we need to do is grab his ass, drag him back to the ship, and hightail it out of here!" The orange-haired cartographer amended her crewmate's statement.
Just as the two moved to do just that, to keep their friend from being killed and getting him and everyone else out of danger, Luffy intercepted them, cutting them off.
"Luffy, what are you doing!?" They demanded of their captain in tandem.
"We have to help Zoro!" Usopp squawked with urgency.
"That dumb-ass is gonna get himself killed if we don't stop him!" Nami pointed out to her boyfriend frantically.
"Zoro wanted it this way." Luffy stated simply. "We have no right to interfere in his fight."
"What!? Why the hell not?!" The once petty thief demanded.
"It's a matter of honor." The rubber-man explained simply.
"That's stupid!" Nami derided. "What kind of moron would get himself killed over something like that!?"
"I understand where you're coming from Luffy, but if we don't help him-" Usopp started in an attempt to convince his captain, only to be interrupted.
"It's not your decision to make." Luffy reminded them bluntly. "This is Zoro's fight, he decides. Not anyone else." He dictated. "You will not interfere. That's an order."
Both teens opened their mouths to argue further, but quickly realized the futility of it, as they recognized the look of grim seriousness in their captain's eyes. And they weren't about to go against his orders, either.
"The only thing we can do now, is watch." The straw hat pirate told them, before turning around to continue observing the battle.
...
"N-No, thi-this can't be happening. He can't be this much better than me!" Zoro tried to convince himself, after having been fended off by Mihawk and his pocket knife yet again, with no less ease than before.
"I am not that far behind the world's strongest!" Zoro exclaimed with anger and aggravation, as he charged back in and began to violently lash out with his blades, over and over again, in an attempt to overwhelm his fellow swordsman.
It didn't work any better than before, neither his usual style, or this cheap amateur tactic he had resorted to, proved to be of any use against the imposing man that was his self-proclaimed rival.
He was getting nowhere fast in this fight, and he was all too aware of it.
"You cannot be that MUCH better than me!" Zoro vociferated, clearly in denial. Said denial was fueled by his incredulousness that someone could outstrip him in power and skill to such a terrifying degree.
All traces of elegance, poise and control Zoro had been holding onto became lost in that moment, as he began literally flailing about with his blades, in a last ditch attempt to try and land a hit on the warlord.
The whole time Dracule maintained complete indifference to his opponent, using his knife to fend him off effortlessly, not so much as even coming close to breaking a sweat. This was child's play to the man, anyone could see that. It only became easier as his fellow combatant began swinging his weapons around like a little kid having a temper-tantrum. "Such ferocious swordplay." He remarked condescendingly.
These words only caused Zoro to redouble his desperate efforts. 'I did not devote my entire life to swordsmanship, to be dispatched by a toy like this!' The green-haired pirate thought frantically to himself, becoming irate beyond reason. 'I'm supposed to win, I am supposed to surpass this man! I swore that I would! How could I possibly be the first mate of the Pirate King if I can't even overcome a little switchblade!?' He furiously lambasted himself mentally.
Lunging forward, Zoro attempted to skewer his enemy, only be sidestepped. Mihawk flowed gracefully around the other swordsman, before using the glaring opening he was provided, to quickly and forcefully chop the back of the younger man's neck with his free hand. It was swift, it was subtle, yet it packed so much power that the force of it nearly broke the teenager's neck, the sound echoing from the impact of the attack causing nearly all present in the immediate area to wince.
Zoro was knocked to the ground from the blow, his body's attempt to vocalize his pain failing, as he went down with a muted cry, breath hitching as spittle and a bit of blood escaped his mouth and splattered onto the destroyed ground. Catching himself with his hands, the swordsman prevented himself from slamming face first into the ground, putting him on all fours.
His brain and body addled, vision blurry, desperation overflowing, images of the last night Kuina was alive began to flood his mind.
"You finally managed to beat me. I guess you're not so weak, after all. Good job, Zoro." Her smile had been so genuine and sincere, she was so happy to see him win. Even if it meant that she had lost.
If only that had been his last memory of her...
"You were lucky to be born a man Zoro..." Her eyes were filled with sadness and unshed tears.
"As a girl, I will grow weaker with age, while you will only grow stronger." Her voice started to tremble and shake, as the tears finally broke free and began streaming down her face.
"My breasts have already begun to bud...it won't be long now..." He could still hear her sobs, they were crystal clear, ringing in his ears, as if she was still crying to this day. He could never forget the sound, it would remain etched into his brain for his entire life. "If only I had been born a man, then...then I could-"
He had rebuked her then, anger filling his tiny form that she would dare think such things, let alone say them. He told her that line of reasoning was bullshit and refuted her statements, and confessed that she had always been his goal. He asked her then how she thought that made him feel when she said such things. More emotional and honest than he had been in a long time, he made her promise him that one day, one of them would become the world's greatest swordsman.
She had smiled again, tears slowing to a stop as she got ahold of herself, took his hand with her uninjured arm and agreed. "You're right. It's a promise." She swore to him with conviction.
She died the next day.
The flashes came to a stop, as his vision began to clear. Panting, the green-haired swordsman forced himself back onto his feet 'I will defeat this man, for her!' Zoro resolved to win, as he turned around to face Mihawk once more. 'And...for my captain!'
Rushing Hawkeye once again, the younger swordsman threw himself forward, only to be evaded yet again, causing him to hit the ground near face first, sprawling out as his body smacked against the wrecked stone. Said smack was made clearly audible by the fact that everything was wet from the rain.
"What is it then? What weight do you carry upon your shoulders?" Dracule inquired, curious. "Speak up weakling!" He barked harshly.
"I made a promise to a fallen friend...as well as a promise to the man I consider my brother, to become the world's greatest swordsman." Zoro answered honestly, as he began climbing to his feet. "So, I won't lose." He added, now fully upright. "I refuse to be defeated!" He declared with conviction, as he turned around and entered another attack stance, this one putting his two hand-held blades behind the one in his mouth.
"Tiger Trap!" Pivoting forward, the eighteen year old brought down both blades simultaneously, intent on slicing the other man up. However, it was to no avail, as before he could finish the move, Mihawk struck, thrusting his knife forward and burying it hilt deep into the teenager's chest.
The moment the little blade punctured his flesh, Zoro's momentum and movement died, ceasing immediately, and three gasps rang out, one from Nami, one from Usopp and one from Tashigi.
The pain was great, but he did not flinch. The danger was even worse, as the tiny weapon had been stabbed into him right where his heart was, only the near pathetic size of the sharp object keeping it from piercing his heart and killing him. Even aware of this fact, Zoro does not falter, simply allowing his arms to return to his sides, grip on his swords tight as he entered a neutral stance.
"You are defeated, yet you won't step back. Why not?" The warlord queried.
"I don't know...but, I will not run. Even if I retreat a single step, I will be shattering the promises I've made." Zoro replied, blood beginning to soak through his white shirt. "No, I take that back, I do know. I can't run, because I will lose my honor. You see, without that, I would no longer be able to look my captain in the eyes. Then, I would have nothing." He informed the older man, his dark green eyes never breaking contact with the golden ones adjacent to him.
"That's what defeat is." Hawkeye explained.
"Heh. Then I won't accept defeat." Zoro responded simply, a bit of a grin creeping up on his face.
"Then you'll die." The world's greatest swordsman elucidated to him bluntly.
"I'd rather die than give up!" Zoro declared, flames smoldering in his eyes.
'A strong heart indeed. He chooses death before defeat.' With that thought, Mihawk pulled the knife back, removing it from his challenger's flesh. Backing away several steps, he proceeded to sheathe the small blade, putting it back where it belonged inside his crucifix pendant. "Sir, your name is Roronoa Zoro, is it not?"
"It is." Zoro confirmed, as he lifted his arms, turned his left blade upside down, held his right sword right side up, and pressed the grips against one and other, the bottom of the right one mostly touching the hilt of the left.
"I will make sure to remember it. No one as strong as you has come around in quite some time." Dracule drew his large sword as he continued speaking. "So as a swordsman's courtesy, I'll use the world's strongest black blade to finish you."
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Zoro voiced his genuine, if a bit snarky, gratitude. 'So, this is it. Will it be the world's strongest, or death?'
Holding his swords at an angle against each other, Zoro began to rapidly rotate them as fast as he possibly could. "Three Sword Style Secret Technique:-"
"Fall!" Mihawk cried as he lunged forward, bringing his black blade down with both hands in a strong slash.
"-Three Thousand Worlds!" Dashing forward, Zoro attempted to use the momentum he built up to carve his opponent up with his maximum speed and power.
The combatants passed by each other in this instant, seemingly neither harmed by the other's attack, the two swordsmen coming to a stop barely five feet from each other. A silent moment passed, before blood spurt from Zoro's chest, a slash mark visible across his torso. While Mihawk remained completely untouched, the blades not even having grazed his skin.
Refusing to vocalize his pain, Zoro stood there, still holding his blades up, as he came to grips with the fact that he had just been handily defeated. 'I've lost. Never in my life did I imagine I'd lose.' He admitted to himself, as he straightened his posture and proceeded to sheath his swords, one by one, starting with Yubashiri, ending with the Wado after he removed it from his mouth. 'So...this is the power of the greatest in the world...' He was left simply awestruck by the man's sheer might, it went far beyond anything he had ever dared to imagine.
Turning around to face the man that was his life's goal, Zoro stretched his arms out to his sides, clearly awaiting the finishing blow.
Mihawk, who had also turned around at this point, was visibly surprised by his fellow swordsman's actions. "But why?"
"Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame." Zoro stated proudly with a bloody grin, revealing the wound that he'd been inflicted with did even more damage than it appeared.
"Fine." Hawkeye replied with a grin of his own, before bringing the big black blade down across the teen's torso with a large swing.
This slash carved a deep, diagonal gash into Zoro's abdomen, running from his left shoulder all the way down to his right hip. A great deal of blood sprayed from this wound upon it's infliction, a dangerous amount, in fact.
"ZORO!" Luffy cried, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates, as his stomach dropped, and horror and rage began to course through his veins.
"No, ZORO!" Nami screamed, her concern and fear for her crewmate abundant.
"ZORO?!" Usopp shrieked in shock, terror and disbelief. He could hardly believe his eyes, to see someone as strong as Zoro cut down like that...it was nearly unfathomable.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!?" Sanji shouted at the top of his lungs, anger flowing through him. "YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU WEREN'T READY FOR THIS!" The blonde castigated the boozehound of a swordsman.
"Fool." Smoker watched, stone-faced, as this transpired.
"Holy shit!" Buggy exclaimed, shocked by the sheer amount of blood that came out of the green-haired pirate.
"Dear god!" Tashigi gasped, taken back by the burst of blood and the intensity of the wound inflicted to the teenager. She was bandaging up the last of the ten marines when she got caught up in the fight, said men surprisingly free of any serious injuries, completely unable to tear her eyes away from the skirmish.
"You shouldn't rush these things, young man." Dracule advised the younger man, as said eighteen year old fell backwards and proceeded to collapse onto the ground, mouth open in a silent scream.
Nami and Usopp were nearly knocked off their feet, as their captain rushed past them, sprinting toward Mihawk at top speed, clearly gunning for him judging by the expression of pure fury on his face. "HAAAWWWKKKEEEEEYYYYYEEEEE!" Luffy cried with pure rage, closing the distance between him and the world's greatest swordsman in a matter of only moments by bounding over to him with a leap, throwing his arm forward for a strong right straight as he did.
Displaying his superhuman reflexes, Mihawk whirled to face his attacker and waved his sword in front of him with a single hand, intercepting the punch with the black blade, the weapon absorbing the impact for him completely. In doing this, he blocked the rubber-man's attack with very little, if any, effort. Even still, as fist met steel, something incredible occurred, as another blast of red aura radiated from the straw hat pirate, washing over the area.
Nami was brought to her knees from the blast of pure will, Usopp much the same, only falling onto all fours, struggling to keep from faceplanting.
Sanji, still held to the ground, felt a little queasy but that was about it.
Smoker was once more mostly unaffected, only a bit of a tickle on the back of his neck alerting him to the fact that he felt this...whatever it was, more keenly than before. 'There it is again!' He thought to himself.
Tashigi, who had just gotten back to her feet, felt her legs give out, causing her to fall forward onto the ruined ground, nearly breaking her glasses as she slapped against it with a gasp. Still, she retained consciousness, beginning to force herself back to her feet shortly afterward.
Buggy began to sweat even more, bullets of the body produced liquid running down his face like rain in a storm. 'You have got to be kidding me...this is just bullshit! How could some no name brat like him possess such an ability!? I mean, I don't have it, why the hell does he!? I am Buggy the Clown, greatest pirate in all of the East Blue! I'M BETTER THAN HIM GODDAMMIT!' He raged mentally, his outside appearance giving nothing away except for his anxiousness.
Zoro, too consumed by agony, failed to even notice the power given out by his captain in that instant.
All the unconscious pirates and marines were, of course, unaffected.
"Calm yourself, young warrior. I did not kill him." Dracule reassured the dark-eyed teen, as his feet hit the ground, eyes still wide with the beginnings of hate present within them.
Those words registered in Luffy's brain, causing him to momentarily let go of the rage he possessed. Moving his head to the side, he looked passed Mihawk, to see that Zoro's chest, while very faintly, was indeed rising and falling. He really was still alive.
His best friend's survival confirmed, all the anger drained from his body, as relief overcame him. Luffy's eyes brightened and his face softened, as almost the entirety of his ill-will toward the warlord dissipated into nonexistence.
'He isn't even aware he possesses such an amazing ability. How strange.' Dracule noted to himself.
The power that had been emitted from Luffy's form had begun to fade almost as soon as it had been put out, allowing those affected to recover rather quickly. Since this was the case, Nami and Usopp were able to right themselves, before rushing to Zoro's side, as the fact that he was basically bleeding out in front of them reestablished itself as a fact in their heads.
As the two teens tried to make sure Zoro was still...well, alive, because they weren't so sure, he struggled to catch his breath. Once he managed to do so, still panting heavily regardless, they realized he was indeed still among the living, causing them to exclaim with relief that he was alive.
"It's still far too early for you to die." The world's greatest swordsman dictated to the one hoping to surpass him, turning to face his downed form as he did. "My name is Hawkeye Mihawk!" He stated his name with authority. "You're strong, but there is much for you to learn. No matter how many years it takes, I will hold this title as the greatest in the world, and wait for you. Until that day, you must hone your skills. Then...SEEK ME OUT, RORONOA ZORO!" Dracule Mihawk decreed.
Turning to face the captain of this band of pirates he had come to see, the warlord met his eyes as he said, "That young man has quite the lofty goal. And you, boy, have one even loftier."
"How do you-" Luffy started to question, only for Hawkeye to preemptively answer.
"Red-Hair told me."
"Shanks? You know Shanks?" Luffy questioned the older man.
"Know him? I'd say we're more acquainted than that. After all, we've crossed blades more times than I can count." He explained to the younger pirate.
"Wait, you're the guy! You're the swordsman Shanks always talked about, the guy who was always following him around like a lost puppy!" Luffy exclaimed in realization then. "He never said the guy he fought over and over again was the world's greatest swordsman." The teen added as an afterthought.
Scowl emerging on his face, it was clear Mihawk was not amused. "I did not follow him around like a lost puppy." He corrected then, tone even harsher than it had been with Zoro. 'I'll make sure to take that remark up with him myself.'
"Regardless..." Hawkeye continued. "I'll be sure to tell him that you're doing well."
"Thanks." Luffy chirped with a smile, now in a much cheerier mood.
Unable to help himself, a ghost of a smile crossed the golden-eyed man's face. "I have no doubt you will make things interesting in the years to come."
Before Luffy could reply to that, the sound of Nami and Usopp barking at Zoro to stop talking reached his ears, getting his attention on the three.
Ignoring the nagging, that's what Zoro'd call it, most others would call it worry for their friend, Nami and Usopp were doing, the green-haired teen unsheathed his most precious sword, the Wado Ichimonji. In too much pain to try and stand at the moment, or to crane his neck and try and meet his best friend's gaze, he lifted his treasured blade into the air, holding it up for all to see. "Luffy, can you hear me?" The dark green-eyed eighteen year old inquired, struggling to speak through all the pain that was plaguing his body, only asking in the first place because he could only raise the volume of his voice so high at the current point in time.
"Yeah, I hear you." Luffy confirmed for the swordsman.
All eyes on the pair of pirates, including Tashigi's as she dragged the unconscious marines to a safe distance from all the choas, caused the fact that the other leaders of the Buggy alliance began to stir and wake to go unnoticed.
Using his free hand to remove his bandanna, Zoro gripped it tight between his fingers as he continued to speak. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, I know that you need nothing less than the greatest swordsman in the world. I've let you down. Please forgive me." No sobs escaped the monster of a man, yet, tears started streaming down his face, revealing his shame and regret and sorrow. Even worse, he was pushing himself to talk before he was ready, causing him to cough up blood, much to Usopp and Nami's horror.
"Stop talking!" Usopp shouted at his friend.
"Just stop! You're wounded idiot! Save your strength so you don't die!" Nami berated the swordsman.
Needless to say, he refused to heed their words, even as blood continued to pool beneath him. "I solemnly swear, from this moment forward, that I will never lose again! Until the day comes when I defeat him and take his title, I will never, ever be defeated! Is that okay, King of the Pirates!?" Zoro poured his heart out to his captain in the only way he knew how, in the form of an oath, one to never lose again, no matter what.
Luffy understood how his brother felt all too well, he had been there himself. He could sympathize with every emotion he felt on the deepest level. But then, Zoro already knew that. So nothing more need be said between them than...
"Yeah." Was Luffy's simple response, accentuated with a nod of his head.
In spite of herself and her thoughts on the green-haired man, Tashigi was left in awe at Zoro's strong conviction. So much so, that she stood and continued to watch, able to forget her duty momentarily, as somehow, thankfully, none of the ten unconscious marines were in any serious or life-threatening danger.
Sanji felt his respect for his alcoholic crewmate deepen exponentially in this instant, though he would never admit to it.
Smoker, who had been given plenty of time to calm down and read the situation and rationalize everything that had occurred today, felt no urgency to intervene and arrest this crew of pirates. Not that he intended to let them leave here alive without wearing cuffs or chains, of course. Only that he now knew it wasn't the Straw Hats that had caused the carnage that surrounded him.
The rain may have washed away or watered down the lion's share of the blood covering the ground, but that didn't do anything for the dismembered corpses strewn about the place. Anger rising once more, the white-haired marine shifted focus to the ones he understood to be responsible, the one's who had the men and the most to gain from this stunt, the Buggy alliance. Having taken a bit to think clearly, the rational conclusion was that the alliance of pirates had come up with the plan in order to eliminate the Straw Hats. "All these lives lost over some kind of petty grudge. Despicable." Smoker spat.
He would arrest them first and foremost. But before he could move to do this, he noticed something. The leaders were all on their feet once more. His eyes narrowed at this sight.
"You're a good team. I hope to see you again someday." Dracule said to the aspiring swordsman and pirate captain, placing his sword on his back once more, as he turned to take his leave of them. Only to stop, as a voice shouted at him.
"Who in the hell are you!?" Morgan demanded, having noticed the newcomer. His ire was great, even as his legs wobbled and he righted himself, so as to keep on his feet.
Krieg, who's windpipe was nearly crushed in the last blow he sustained, was unable to communicate verbally. Even still, it wasn't hard to notice his rage, what with the bloodshot eyes and whatnot, though Morgan and Kuro had these as well to be fair. That said, with one arm in a sling, and the other hanging limply at his side, he was far from a threat to anyone, at all.
"What happened?" Alvida wondered aloud, as she got to her feet, wiping the left over drool from her chin. "Who is that?" She questioned, confused and disoriented.
"I don't know, and quite frankly, I don't care." Kuro growled, anger burning within him, even as he straightened his clothes. "What I do know is that if he gets in our way, he'll die like the others."
Buggy's jaw dropped at the gall of his fellow alliance members. They, clearly, had no idea who they were talking to.
"I've had enough fun for today, so I'm going home to get some rest." Mihawk informed the heads of the alliance, not even bothering to look back at them as he addressed them.
"Fun? What is he talking about?" Alvida questioned further, as her disorientation began to fade.
"You don't leave unless we say so!" Morgan attempted to menace. "Now answer me, who are you and what are you doing here!?"
"Are you nuts!?" Buggy exclaimed. "Unless you want to die, shut up!" He warned harshly.
"Shove it, Clown!" Morgan bit back. "I will not take orders from you!"
Alerted to the fact that the alliance leaders were back up, the Straw Hats turned their attention to them.
Luffy popped his knuckles in preparation for the next round.
Zoro, who had resheathed the Wado and stuffed his bandanna in one of his pants pockets, just eyed them. He was in no condition to fight at the moment.
Sanji could do nothing but grit his teeth from where he was.
"Oh come on, they had to wake up now!?" Usopp exclaimed with exasperation. "Just how bad is our freaking luck!?"
"Screw fighting them again. Like I said before, we should leave, now!" Nami opined. "Come on Luffy, you already know you're stronger than them! There's no reason to keep fighting!" She attempted to convince her boyfriend.
Kuro, rather than speaking or questioning the newcomer, or getting involved in the idiotic squabble of the metal-jawed moron and the clown, focused in on the Straw Hats, Luffy and Usopp in particular. Taking note of Sanji's incapacitation, and Zoro's serious injury as he did. 'Now is my chance.'
Wobbling back and forth, the former faux butler prepared to use the last of the strength he possessed to perform his deadliest technique one last time. "Outta The Bag Attack!"
Hawkeye cut the bespectacled man's attempt short, as he spun around, redrawing his black sword in an instant, giving a mighty swing of his blade. If the Alliance thought they were safe with him being at such a distance, they were quickly proven wrong, as a large blast of neon green energy manifested and was unleashed from the stroke of the master swordsman's blade, which came barreling at them at high-speed.
The devastating blast of energy carved through the ground with ease, knocking Kuro out of his high-speed based technique, a large gash inflicted on his person, as it raced toward the rest of the Buggy Alliance.
So utterly shocked and fear instilled, the remaining leaders were unable to move, rooted to the ground in sheer stupefaction. Well, all except for Buggy, as he dived to safety, all-too eager to get out of harms way.
To be hit dead on by such an incredible force meant certain death. That was why, luckily for them, extremely lucky, Mihawk never intended to kill them.
Just as the slash-based wave of energy was to reach the alliance, it split into two, veering off at two separate angles, going onto cleave two of the three buildings that remained standing completely down the middle, into two perfect halves each.
Not a moment after the energy destroyed the two buildings in their entirety, wreckage blasted in all directions, they faded from existence, leaving only massive gouges in the already destroyed ground and the debris of the two constructs they wiped from existence behind. The third building, the one Mihawk had been perched upon earlier, was conspicuously untouched by this attack.
All present, pirate and marine alike, could do nothing but gape, slack-jawed at the feat of power the warlord had just displayed. It was out of this world, far beyond anything any of them were capable of. And for some, it was light years ahead of anything they had dared to imagine a person could possibly do with a sword.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Luffy exclaimed with stars in his eyes.
'One day, I'll have to be capable of performing feats even more impressive than that if I hope to become the best.' Zoro thought to himself. 'I can't wait.' With that, a shark-like grin crossed his face.
"HOLY CRAP!" Usopp squawked at the top of his lungs, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
"He did all that with just a sword!? WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS HE!?" Nami exclaimed in sheer terror and astoundment.
"NO FUCKING WAY!" Morgan shouted in extreme disbelief.
Krieg had gone bug eyed, in shock at what had just happened.
"Dear lord..." Alivda breathed, chest tight with fear even as the attack that promised death was long gone. She felt feint, as while she did have her devil fruit ability, she had absolutely no idea if such a technique such as that would follow the same rules as everything else, and slip right off her. This man struck terror into her heart. For the first time in a long time, she was afraid of someone.
"Is it over?" Buggy questioned, poking his head up from the spot he had hit the deck, looking about for any sign of the attack or a follow up.
'How is that jackass swordsman ever supposed to match that!?' Sanji wondered with incredulity.
"So that's the might of the greatest swordsman in the world..." Smoker said dispassionately. He had been greatly surprised, of that there was no doubt, but that didn't change anything regarding the current situation. At least, not in his mind.
Tashigi's eyes were as wide as dinner plates, words failed her, she just couldn't process the sight of what had just occurred. At least, not for a few moments. "What power..." She breathed those words to herself, completely overwhelmed and shellshocked by the display of power and skill from the warlord. It was then she realized truly just how weak she was.
"There has been enough fighting for today." Dracule stated, apparently in agreement with the orange-haired cartographer's opinion that she had voiced just a minute prior. "Have I made myself clear?"
Silence. No objections were raised from anyone.
"Good." The world's greatest swordsman merely said with a faint nod of his head. "With that, I shall take my leave." He informed them all, turning around once more and beginning to walk away
"Hawkeye." Smoker called the legal pirate's name, in an attempt to get his attention.
Stopping for a moment, the imposing man showed he was listening, though he didn't bother to turn around.
"Government approved or not, I don't take kindly to pirates in my town. Don't come back." The white-haired marine balefully dictated.
"Duly noted." Mihawk acknowledged, before continuing on his way.
Holed up inside the last building still standing, were a dozen or so citizens and passerbys that had been unable to escape with everyone else when the cannons had been rolled out. Most of them were men and women who had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and were currently cowering in different corners, anxiously waiting for the whole crisis outside to end.
There were three individuals among them, however, that stood out. As not only were they not curled up in one corner or the other, they were actively spectating the debacle outside, never once looking away, soaking it all in.
The first of the three was a man, who appeared to be in his early thirties. He stood about five ten, had an average build and tanned skin, as well as short orange hair in a buzzcut and blue eyes. As for the clothes he wore, some black running shoes, a pair of black slacks, a short-sleeved white shirt, and waist length orange jacket with the number twelve emblazoned in black on the back to finish the ensemble.
The second was a woman, clearly in her late thirties, who stood about five foot eight, had a slim build and light skin. Her hair was chestnut brown and reached down to her mid-back, her eyes were of a similar color. She also had a tattoo, a simple little thing, just the word Saturday on the back of her right hand. Her attire consisted of a pair of black jeans, an orange blouse, and some plain brown sandals.
The third was a lean yet muscular man of average height, who was in his early twenties, and possessed fair skin, raven-colored eyes and light green hair slicked back in a pompadour style. Interestingly enough, he lacked eyebrows and sported two sharp, apparently natural, fangs. He had a nose piercing and a pierced left ear, and two black lines tattooed under his right eye that curved toward his ear. Bearing two tattoos, the second was located on his chest, and was of a thick ring with an opening at the top, wings on the sides and long fangs at the bottom. Apparel wise, this man sported a yellow and red vertically striped coat, with tan fur around the neck. As well as a pair of brown pants, a black belt, and nondescript black boots.
"Mr. Twelve, I've never seen anything like that. I didn't think human beings were even capable of such things!" The woman confessed to the man with the twelve on his jacket, her voice shaking with fear, with awe, and with just plain shock.
"You're not alone Mrs. Saturday. I find myself unable to stop trembling." The man, apparently known as Mr. 12, admitted. And he wasn't lying, as his body kept shaking, clearly instilled with fear and amazement alike. "Besides dear, we're not the only ones." He pointed out to the woman, Mrs. Saturday as he had called her, while gesturing to the man beside them.
Over to their left was the other man, who's mouth was hanging open so wide his jaw was literally touching the floor, eyes as wide as can be, quite obviously awestruck and dumbfounded. He was clearly shellshocked beyond belief, and for good reason. That spectacle was unlike anything any normal person ever got to see in their lifetime.
"That scary lookin' fella has been like that forever now. I'd say it's fair to say he's dumbstruck." Mr. 12 said to the woman.
"I can't blame the guy, that was...just out of this world." Mrs. Saturday replied, struggling to find the words to describe it.
"Indeed." Mr. 12 affirmed with a nod of his head. "And that's exactly why, once we get out of here, I think we should report this to the boss."
To Be Continued...