Maelstrom

Chapter 43

Ruse's POV

After conversing with Mihawk about your fabricated alias you had both come to the tentative conclusion that you had two choices.

Choice A: You were a distant relative of Mihawk's that had been living with him due to family circumstances.

Choice B: You were his lover, having been newly engaged, unable to live alone due to the danger on the seas, firmly attached to his side until otherwise. Both options were equally terrible. You had stared at your teacher intently, golden eyes meeting amber ombre ones in a disapproving gaze.

"Honestly Shishō, those were the only two options you could muster? Unholy hell, you're hopeless." You sigh tiredly, rubbing your hands against your face in agitation. Mihawk groans, doing the same as you, looking just as exasperated.

"Well I don't hear you pitching in any ideas Argenti, are you telling me you have something else in mind already? By all means, if so then I'm listening." His low timbre rumbles from his chest, hands resting under his chin in a mocking manner.

You glare but he was right, as much as you hate to admit it.

There really wasn't any other liable excuse you could come up with, leaving you to either be his cousin or his lover, neither sitting well with you. You weren't particularly thrown off by either option, just more or less agitated that you were forced to actually only have these options. It's a rather vexing deal.

You weren't a warlord, yet here you were, already being wrapped up in governmental conflicts. You'd normally have no qualms about such an ordeal if it was anyone but the government dogs, this was one way to live to your namesake, having to change your whole persona in a logical and dangerous ruse- ha, a ruse- you chuckle at your pun before shaking your head. No! Now was not the time for your clever humor! You had to settle the matter at hand first before you could even dream of adding to your long list of cynical jokes.

"Fine then, we'll have to go with the most believable route." You pause, narrowing your eyes at Mihawk, before asking him what had briefly crossed your mind.

"Do you even have any distant family? I thought everyone was informed you were a lone wolf, no emotional ties and all that jazz." Flickering your gaze back up to golden eyes you sweat drop slightly.

Mihawk was frowning, his once languid posture now gone, a concerned look on his handsome face. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before he nodded, seeming to come to his answer.

"You're correct Argenti, I have no living blood relatives that I am aware of. I suppose we have our answer then."

No way, you swallow thickly. A nervous laugh bubbles out from your mouth as you realize what he was saying. No way. Absolutely no way in seven hells. Was he serious right now?

Another thoughtful nod, his once frowning lips now curved upward in a smug grin, amber eyes glittering with mischief.

"It'll be a pleasure to work with you, Miss Dracule."

You were right, this man was absolutely one hundred percent insane.

Full bonkers.

Your groan follows his statement, slumping against the dining table in defeat. Wonderful, just wonderful. On top of giving you a crash course in Haki and your newfound devil fruit powers, you now had to add 'fabricated engagement' to the list the swords-master would be providing you with.

How truly delightful.

If you were able to make it back in one piece from the upcoming shibaku meeting, you 're going to make it your life's mission to terrorize this man.

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