Swordtism 005

After the fight against the blue-clad ninja, Mihawk and Alex had searched the premises of the manor, and they freed several people who were locked up, sending them on their way. 

Whilst Alex was having his lovey-dovey time with his girlfriend, Mihawk had stuffed anything he found of value into a large treasure chest. Amongst the items he found were a few gold ingots, some pure silver tableware, and perhaps most importantly, a seachart. 

However, despite the size of the manor premises, there wasn't anything that really stood out in terms of loot. Something was itching at the back of his head, and a sort of sixth sense activated. 

Treasure Seeking

A faint vibration in the air nudged him towards a certain direction. Moving down some stairs and into a dark, dank, cellar full of miscellaneous supplies, he came across an unassuming wall. Seeing that there was an unlit torch nearby, he raised an eyebrow. 

Really? 

Having watched Scooby Doo plenty of times as a kid, he knew what was to come next. When his hand drew near the scone in the wall, the vibration picked up in intensity as if to say ‘there it is!’ Pulling down on it, a mechanism started to crank. 

Before long, the wall opened up, revealing a simple chest on the floor. Flicking his sword, Mihawk cut off the lock, and cautiously peeked inside. Instead of some trap, what awaited him was indeed something precious. 

It was a Devil Fruit. Colored & shaped like nothing he had seen before, there was no mistaking it. For a second, he was tempted. Afterall, who wouldn't want to be like Luffy, Kaido, Big Mom, or literally 90% of the other top tiers? 

However, with his System, and love of the sword, he disdained to eat the thing. Perhaps Alex would like it? If not, he could just sell it, or gift it to someone.

Right when he was about to turn around, he heard the exaggerated anime sound effect of a stomach grumbling. Vigilantly looking all around, he didn't see anything. Feeling suspicious, he glanced straight up. 

There, hanging spread eagle was a beautiful dark-skinned woman with toned skin, large thighs & feet, silver-white tomboyish short hair, wearing a form fitting white loin cloth, and a tight wrap around her chest. Festooned with all sorts of colorful bracelets, the barefoot woman was wrapped from head to toe in chains, and had her mouth covered. 

However, despite this grim scene behind a hidden door within the manor's cellar, her bright blue eyes were full of life and good cheer. As if this place couldn't dampen her spirit one little bit. 

Sword in hand, Mihawk diced at her restraints, and just as he weakened one, the woman flexed her muscular legs, and broke them with her own strength. As the iron shattered, she landed on the cold damp floor with a roll, directly into Mihawk's path. Stumbling so as not to accidentally stab her, he was surprised when she picked him up off the floor, and gave him a bone crushing hug. 

Taking a step back, she flashed him a big bright smile, and a thumbs up. Standing more than a whole head taller than him-which was kind of crazy because he was 6’6-Mihawk at first thought she must be part of the Long Leg Tribe, but then his eyes went wide as he recognized her as yet another character from the Street Fighter franchise. 

“Hi, I'm Elena! Thanks for helping me out there, Mr. Hawkman.” She said, backflipping out of nowhere and performing a bow as if she were full of energy. 

However, as she stuck the landing, her stomach grumbled again, and a desolate look spread across her face. Glancing at the Devil Fruit in his hands, Elena couldn't help but have her mouth water, and her stomach grumble twice as loud as before. 

Mihawk felt the corner of his mouth twitch. ‘Mr…Mr Hawkman?!’ 

 “Ahem. The name's Mihawk. And I wouldn't advise eating this, it tastes horrible.” Mihawk shook his head. 

“Oh-okay.” Elena bowed her head like a kicked puppy. 

Mihawk scratched the back of his head, feeling bad for the girl. 

“Well…if you truly want, you can eat it, but-” He got out, when Elena's hand snuck forward lightning quick, like a child snatching a sweet from a cookie jar. 

The fruit was in her mouth, and being eaten whole within seconds. 

“-but you'll never be able to swim again, and might get some strange pow-huh. She ate it just like that.” Mihawk finished his sentence, and then looked at the retching girl as she licked the dank dusty wall in the cellar trying to get the nasty flavor out of her mouth. 

“Y-you, what did you feed me?” Elena rapidly jabbed her finger at him, poking him on the chest. 

Each one of her pokes carried with it a kinetic force, and a green trail came out, hitting Mihawk with enough power that it knocked him back several steps, and made his chest sore. At the same time, the sound like a snare drum on an electric keyboard came out. 

Her big blue eyes widened in further surprise, and her mouth opened in a wide O. Then, as if inspired by something, she broke out into a wild, joyful dance, going through a kata of her fighting style, capoeira. 

Wide energy waves of green flowed out of her, and a cacophony of noise, and power flowed along with her rhythm. The lower level of the manor shook like a rave was going down, and the smile on her face was infectious. A spring-like energy filled the air, and Mihawk was internally surprised as he noticed his mood improving, thinking it was a byproduct of her music. 

Elena then began to sing a soft tune jamming out to her own theme song: “beat, beat in my beats in my head

beat beat in my beat beat in my beats

in my~” 

By the end of the performance, the dark-skinned beauty was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, but was radiant as the sun. Although that green aura had faded from the room, the darkness of the cellar could not cover up her brightness. 

“My apologies, madam for the foul flavor. That said, congratulations on your freedom.” Mihawk said, tilting his hat, and then turned around to go. 

“Where to, Hawkguy?” Elena asked, catching up to him in one single stride, she placed her elbow on his shoulders and asked enthusiastically. 

“You wish to travel with me? Be warned, what awaits us are tough fights and the rough open seas.” Mihawk stated in a serious tone. 

“Sounds fun to me.” Elena clapped him on the back of the shoulder like any bro would, then playfully tipped up his hat. “Besides, it looks like you could use a musician to brighten things up, thanks for having me along for the ride.” 

Mihawk stopped in place, then turned to look at her. It appeared Elena had invited herself. 

“Very well. Welcome to the crew.” Mihawk said, readjusting his hat, he then took the lead, and returned to the surface with Elena cartwheeling about. 

Once they emerged from the cellar, Elena took a look at the destruction, and knocked out guys, then shook her head. “I heard the commotion from downstairs. That rope guy is tricky, did you defeat him?” 

“Unfortunately, he ran away.” Mihawk scowled. 

“Then I can't wait for our rematch.” Elena replied with a mouthful of glistening white teeth. 

“Yo, Mihawk, let's go back to my place. Old Tom will have something for you.” Alex said with a bright smile. “Oh, and you saved someone else, nice!” 

“Thank you again, Mihawk.” Patricia added on. 

Mihawk tipped his hat, and gestured with his hand at the large chest of gold & other valuables. “Please, go ahead.” 

“Hi, I'm Elena, please take care of me.” Elena ran up to Alex, each step of hers making a different sound, and offered a friendly bow. 

“A Devil Fruit user, huh? From the looks of it, some sort of sound-based Paramecia? Cool. Name's Alex.” Alex held out a fist, to which Elena bumped it back with a fist of her own. 

Elena put a finger on her chin as if she were deep in thought. “It's the Beat-Beat Fruit, I can generate power through rhythm.” 

“Alex~” Patricia complained softly.

Alex-perhaps eager to show off to his girlfriend-picked up the chest full of gold onto one shoulder, and then his girlfriend onto the other. “Come on, let's go!” 

Mihawk merely shook his head. The big blonde hulk was actually sort of taciturn, and only typically got fired up in combat. They were both a lot alike in that regard. However, when around his lover, Alex was a big softie. 

Running after Alex, they eventually reached a beachside house just outside of town. It was surrounded by a tropical forest, and was in a beautiful location. The seabreeze was cool, and the sun warm, creating a peaceful balance. 

 “Thank the seas, you two are back.” A tall thin guy with big biceps, dark sunglasses, and short black hair said. 

“Papa!” Patricia cried, running into the man's arms. 

“Sensei. I did not fail you.” Alex solemnly stated, sharing a brief look of seriousness with Tom. 

The two men shared a moment as Tom soothed his daughter, then he turned to Mihawk. “Doubtlessly you helped with this reunion. I can tell by how you carry yourself that you are a warrior of many talents. Thank you.” 

“Names Mihawk. A pleasure to help.” Mihawk inclined his head, not saying much as he was eager to end this family drama, and get back to honing his blade. 

“I have agreed to sail with him. To search and destroy the organization that abducted Patricia.” Alex seriously added on. 

“Alex, no, it's too dangerous-” Patricia cried, but was held tight by her father. 

“Enough. A man must do everything in his power to protect that which he loves. Ever since Alex has lost his father, he has been burning to explore the world, to challenge those he finds worthy. Your time has come, my student. You have my blessing.” Tom said. 

“Thank you Master, and about that thing…”

“Hmm. Yes. Mihawk, was it? Have you heard of Vivre Cards?” Tom asked. 

Mihawk wordlessly cut off a fingernail, and held it out in his hand. 

“So cool~ me too, me too.” Elena hurriedly followed in his footsteps, and held out a hand for a nail to be clipped. 

“Hahaha, I see you have! I'll make you kids a big sheet each.” Tom took the material needed to make the Vivre Card, then entered a shed on the side of the house. 

“I'll get started on dinner.” Patricia smiled, leaving Mihawk & Alex together. 

“Then let's spar.” Alex grinned. 

Mihawk shook his head, then sat down on the beach under the shade of some tree. “We might be at sea for a year, even longer. Spend as much time with her as you can, we shall spar later.”

Alex lost the grin on his face, then nodded along. “You're right…I guess that's why you're the Captain.” 

Watching Alex depart, Mihawk sighed. He had no family or lover in this world, but he did have a friend, two friends now, it seemed like. And, of course, there was the sword. 

Sitting at a shaded spot on the beach, he silently looked out towards the ocean waves, enjoying the peace. Nearby, Elena was dancing in the sand, practicing both her combat moves & Devil Fruit as well as just genuinely having fun moving around. 

Sometime later, Mihawk ate a small feast with the family of three, watched Alex make a fool of himself, and Tom tell embarrassing stories about the big hulk. Elena, meanwhile told anecdotes from her homeland, and used the table to play the drums, entertaining everyone with an inspiring melody. 

Drinking something alcoholic from a large stein, Mihawk felt warm on the inside. He was never much one to go wild at parties, but always enjoyed the ambience. Although he never had much of an ambition to make a crew, a small part of him didn't think it would be so bad. To surround yourself with good people…that sounded like a good idea to him.