FindersKeepers (Dracule Mihawk x OC)

Truth Hurts

|The Dining Hall|

"Why was I suddenly able to move?" Mihawk inquires plainly. He had been immobilized, feeling an invisible force binding him, and then, just as suddenly, freedom.

"You can do anything you want," Rayleigh informs him, his tone carrying an air of nonchalance that belied the gravity of their situation. He pauses for a moment, casting a glance toward Mihawk, before adding, "... except follow Astera."

Mihawk's eyebrow arches in intrigue, the mystery deepening. "So, she possesses some form of command ability?" he speculates, trying to piece together the puzzle.

"More or less," Rayleigh responds, his gaze drifting off as if lost in thought. "The details remain unknown. Ianuaria never divulged the full extent of it. We've speculated, theorized even, that it might be a superior form of Haki. But not just any Haki—something unprecedented, a powerful exertion of the spirit that transcends conventional understanding."

Mihawk nods slowly, absorbing the weight of Rayleigh's words. The concept of a power so unique and unfathomable stirred a blend of fascination and unease within him. "And this power," he muses aloud, "it does what exactly?"

"Well," Rayleigh begins, "Ianuaria could bend people to her will with the simple inflection of her voice. She could bring calm to someone with a mere hum, and she could remove entire islands off the face of the earth with an outcry. I assume Astera can do the same."

"And this is all Chimera?" Mihawk asks

"Based on my experience... No." Rayleigh responds.

"Experience?" Mihawk probes.

"Shakky and I have a young Chimeran woman living with us. She is a master of shapeshifting and can create latent red energy that destroys a person from the inside out. She can do shield work, and I'm sure other things that I am unaware of." Rayleigh explains.

Mihawk pauses, his thoughts deepening as he ponders the potential repercussions for Astera. The presence of additional Chimera signals formidable challenges on the horizon. He gazes at Rayleigh with a calculated, intense expression, recognizing the deliberate omission of information—a strategy he knows all too well. As a wave of frustrating empathy for Astera washes over him, he reflects on her prior accusation against him.

His patience wears thin with the evasive narratives surrounding Chimera. Mihawk decides to confront the issue directly. "Although our conversation so far has been intriguing, I must insist on the direct approach now. The veiled stories and personal secrets that have been shared offer little interest to me. My only encounters with the notion of Chimera were through the vague stories of my childhood. Clearly, you possess more profound insights. I implore you to share them. What exactly are Chimera, and why are they of such critical importance to the World Government?"

With a hearty laugh, Rayleigh leans back in his chair and remarks, "I was on a mission to gain information, Hawkeye. Though... I suppose sometimes you have to give a little to get a little." He adds thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "As for the individual power of the Chimera, I can't say for certain, but they belong to an ancient race—likely the same caliber as the Lunarians, if I had to make a guess."

An imperceptible twitch flickers across Mihawk's cheek as Rayleigh mentions the Lunarians. Maintaining his stoic expression, Mihawk leans back in his chair, gracefully crosses one leg over the other, and casually rests his arms on the armrests, giving Rayleigh a silent nod to continue.

Rayleigh sighs and takes a thoughtful sip of his sake. Setting the cup down, he resumes, "Ianuaria once shared a bit about her people—there are several tribes, each possessing unique skills. Long ago, they lived together in their homeland until a tragic event dispersed them across the globe, forcing them to hide. Sorna, a young Chimera living under my care, told me many were enslaved. Some even betrayed their kin to serve as hunters for the World Government."