Maelstrom

Chapter 31

Ruse's POV

Hearing Mihawk ask you if you wanted to spend a couple months training with him was both good and bad news.

Good, since it was Mihawk Dracule of all people, but also bad, because it was fucking Mihawk Dracule teaching you. You had heard of his harsh and rather unorthodox teaching requirements, and were both excited and dreading the news. Apparently the swordsman was interested in teaching you for furthering his knowledge of your devil fruit, which you didn't quite understand, but you weren't about to complain. If he was offering to teach you and help train you up to tier to sail the sea, then you were more than willing to give him any information he needed on your devil fruit.

The Okami Okami no Mi, it was something that sparked even one of the seven warlords, maybe it was something you needed to learn more about too, after all, you only knew that you had somehow managed to turn into a wolf or canine of some sorts, but weren't too sure of anything else the fruit offered. Maybe you'd learn something that would help you in the future, it would be stupid to not accept Mihawk's help, though you still were somewhat suspicious of why a great swordsman like himself needed information on a devil fruit, you were thankful for his offer.

"So, when do we start? I'd imagine Red probably wants to keep me on a tight leash, so I'll go ahead and suggest we just book it as soon as we can before he finds out. It'll be fun!" You cheekily grin up at your new sensei, as he shakes his head, already regretting his decisions.

"No Argenti, Red-Hair has to be informed first, after all, he is your keeper, right Red-Hair?" Mihawk throws a smirk towards the redhead pirate and his crewmate coming closer to the two of you. Uh-oh. You really hoped Shanks didn't hear what you said.

"Oi, kid. Heard you were trying to leave without saying goodbye huh? How cold." Shanks voice is light and carefree but has an undertone in it. You swallow nervously. That's not the light and carefree voice of the redhead, that's the callously sarcastic one that he uses on unruly crewmates, you included.

"Ohhhhh for fuck's sake." You murmur before turning towards your companion, a huge grin on your face as you sweat nervously. "Heya Red! What a coincidence seeing you here huh? Imagine that! Ha, ha." Shanks levels you with an unimpressed glare. Yeah, he totally didn't buy that. You curse softly, as Mihawk watches the exchange, his lips upturned in a smirk, that smug bastard. He totally knew Shanks was there the whole time! Curse his stupid keen eyes and his stoic expressions.

"Well, Mihawk here was just telling me about how he wanted to take me under his wing for a bit, get that damn devil fruit under control, sounds like a good idea to me, right Red?" You continue, grinning at him, adamantly ignoring Yassop's slack jaw, steering your attention directly at Shanks instead.

The redhead pirate shakes his head, letting out a long groan of exasperation, muttering something inaudible, before he claps a hand on the small of your back, a smirk suddenly replacing the grimace on his ruggedly handsome face, damn him. That sudden attitude change did not sit well with you. The warmth of his hand on your back was pleasant, but in the warm gesture you could feel a warning. As if he was trying to let you know that no matter where you went, he would always be there for you, even if you didn't think you would need his help.

You weren't sure if you were flattered, offended or a mixture of both.

"Ya know what, kid? I think that sounds like a swell idea, in fact, why don't you get packed up now so I can talk to Mihawk here about what he should help you focus on huh?" Shanks seems oddly cheerful for someone who you thought wouldn't let you go unsupervised for a single minute.

You frown, but decide to think about that later, shrugging your shoulders as you nod towards the two men, Yassop still watching the scene unfold with the same slack expression on his face.

You chuckle, but after seeing two pairs of eyes lock on to you, one gold and impassive, the other a steely grey with mirth and something else you couldn't make out. You straighten, saluting Red and begin heading back to Party's Bar to grab your belongings.

Looks like you were about to set off on your own adventure, away from Foosha, away from Shanks, away from home.

You smiled softly, sure you would miss this town and the people here that you grew to love, but you were ready to start the next step on your journey.

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