His Shadow (One Piece | Reverse Harem)

Chapter 10 | "What the hell is this, Hawk-Eyes!!"

Chapter 10 | "What the hell is this, Hawk-Eyes!!"

At a faraway island in Grand Line, where there were more trees than men, resided a group of diverse individuals. Though despite their numbers, they were so silent that if you ask anyone, they wouldn't have thought that those people were a group of one of the strongest crews in the seas — one of the four Emperors of the Sea, to be exact. Furthermore, they didn't look like much as they're currently recuperating from a hangover as a result of drinking all night long just the day before.

The silence didn't last long, however, as a loud shout echoed throughout the land — worsening the insistent poundings in their heads, much to their misery.

"BOSS!!!"

One of the newer recruits, Niles, ran deeper into the forest and landed heavily on his knees. He huffed heavily to cater for his need of air and was grateful when a glass of water was placed in front of him, which he guzzled down in a blink.

"I–I–It's!" Niles stuttered, oblivious to the approaching swordsman behind him, "It's Hawk-Eyes!" It was only then that the man noticed the shadow to his right. Turning around, he yelped in fear when said man had appeared right after his shout.

His captain, Red-Haired Shanks, looked up from his slouch and grinned tightly at their sudden guest. "Yo, Hawk-Eyes. What a rare visitor." He commented, his cheery tone falling a little flat due to the headache he's sporting, "I'm not feeling good at the moment. Have you come to fight me?"

Mihawk looked down at his friend's state, not at all hiding his judgement-filled gaze as he could easily deduce what had the man indisposed at the moment. "I don't have any intention of settling things with you now that you've lost your left arm."

"I came here because I found an interesting pirate. He reminded me of a story you used to tell." Mihawk then took out a flyer out of his coat and unfurled it for Shanks to see, "A story about an interesting boy from a certain small village."

All of the Red Hair Pirates inner circle seemed to be more alert when they realized just who he was talking about.

"No way!"

"Is it him?"

"Luffy!"

It was obvious from their reactions that they hadn't had the chance to see it themselves as they were probably too busy drowning themselves in liquor.

"So, you've made it, Luffy." Shanks grinned as he took in the wanted poster for the Anchor. The sentimentality brought out a rare moment of Shanks looking sombre. However, it was a quick little thing before the man went back into his happy-go-lucky front.

"Well, in that case, Hawk-Eyes, I can't just let you leave now." Shanks grinned at his long-time rival, "LET'S PARTY!!"

"WHOOO!!!"

"PARTYYYY!!!"

"YEAHH!!"

"Drink up, Mihawk! Come on, today's a celebration!!" Shanks cheered. Yet Mihawk merely sipped his beer, despite Shank's insistent goading to chug it down rang loudly by his ear.

The party was back on high gear. All of the Red Hair Pirates were laughing left and right, somehow recovered out of their headaches at the prospect of having another party. Sometimes, Mihawk wondered if the requirements for one to join the ranks of Red Hair Pirates included for them to be an alcoholic.

"Say, what happened to your hat, Mihawk?" Shanks asked curiously, taking notice of the cut slitting its edge. He whistled when he realized how clean the cut was, "That could only be done by a blade— Don't tell me someone managed to get the jump on you, Hawk-Eyes! Tell me, tell me, who's it?" The man pestered tactlessly, unbothered to the possibility that he'd picked on a sore spot of the proclaimed unbeatable swordsmaster.