The afterglow of sunset painted the whole villa in a warm layer of gold. Compared to the barren training grounds on the nearby island, this place felt full of life.
The moment Kael and the others stepped through the door, a sweet smell of black tea and freshly baked cookies washed over them.
"Welcome back, Lord Kael."
The suited guard at the entrance bowed, but there was a faint heaviness in his expression that was hard to miss.
"Oh? What has you looking so serious?" Kael carefully passed the dozing Perona from his shoulder into Sakura's arms as he asked casually.
Sakura and Rin moved in perfect sync. One took the little girl, the other knelt to gently pull off the sand covered shoes from her feet.
"It is like this, Lord Kael." The guard straightened up and reported succinctly. "For the past few days, there has been a strange young swordsman lingering around the villa."
"A swordsman?" Kael raised an eyebrow and took the towel Rin offered, wiping his hands. "This is the Sabaody Archipelago. Those types show up every day. Just shoo him away."
"No, this one is different." The guard's expression grew a shade more solemn. "He called you out by name. I stalled him by saying you were not home, but it seems he has no intention of leaving."
He paused, then added, "Also, he is carrying a very large black blade on his back."
Kael's hand stopped.
Young swordsman. A sharp aura. A massive black blade. A few key phrases snapped together in his mind.
No way.
They said that when Dracule Mihawk was young, he was like Roronoa Zoro, roaming the seas in search of swordsmen to challenge, bent on becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman.
"Interesting." A playful grin tugged at Kael's lips. "I will go take a look."
"Lord Kael, should I…"
"No need. Just get afternoon tea ready." Kael waved him off, then blinked at Sakura and Rin. "We might be having a guest."
With that, he walked out of the villa alone.
On the forest path outside, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and scattered into mottled patches on the ground.
Kael strolled along at an unhurried pace. Soon, at the base of a wall not far away, he saw a figure.
It was a very young man, wearing a distinctive open front shirt in black and crimson.
He leaned against the wall with his arms folded, his posture relaxed on the surface, but the aura around him was sharp and distant, warning strangers away.
Most striking of all was the huge cross strapped to his back, completely out of proportion with his build.
It was no ornament, but the hilt of a sword, an enormous blade, pitch black like the night sky, one of the highest grade Supreme Grade blades.
The man's face was devoid of any excess expression, only those eyes were incredibly sharp, like a hawk's, fixed straight in the direction of the villa as if they could pierce the wall and pin down their prey.
A man like a lone eagle.
Not yet the World's Greatest Swordsman, now wandering the seas in search of strong opponents, the future Warlord of the Sea, and one of Captain Buggy's future "Emperor dads", the young Dracule Mihawk.
Honestly, that title was way too long.
The sound of Kael's footsteps shattered the quiet.
Mihawk turned toward the sound. Those hawk like eyes locked onto Kael at once.
"Aaron Kael?" His voice was low and magnetic.
"Kid, you have no manners. You should at least call me your senior. So, what do you want from me?" Kael stopped a few steps away, wearing his usual easygoing smile.
Deep down though, he was half afraid the other would throw out something like, "Oi kid, which village are you from?"
"I have heard your name." Mihawk slowly straightened. A formless sharpness spread outward from him. "You cut Marineford open."
His gaze settled on Kael, battlelust blazing in his eyes. "I want to see that power with my own eyes."
Ever since he saw the report of Kael's strike tearing through Marineford, Mihawk had known that Kael was a peak he would have to scale on his path to becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Kael, as a veteran who had joined the Roger Pirates in his youth, you must have inherited the swordsmanship of Roger and Rayleigh.
Come, cross swords with me in a battle that leaves nothing behind.
"Fighting is such a hassle, and the sun is about to go down." Kael jabbed his thumb toward the villa behind him. "How about we go in for some tea instead? It is very good."
For the first time, clear surprise flickered across Mihawk's hawk eyes.
He had imagined their meeting in countless ways, words as probes, blades drawn on sight, but he had never considered that the man would invite him in for tea.
What was this? Contempt, or composure?
He silently studied Kael. Those falcon eyes seemed as if they were trying to see through the smile and find the truth beneath.
However, Kael's gaze was open and untroubled. In it, there was nothing but a simple invitation.
Young man, the old senior here has already had his teeth rotted out by this decadent salted fish lifestyle.
Mihawk was quiet for a while. The razor edge of his presence slowly withdrew.
"…Very well."
He actually agreed.
When Kael led Mihawk into the villa, the atmosphere in the living room turned a little strange.
Sakura and Rin were just setting an array of delicate pastries on the table. They both froze when they saw the stranger following behind Kael.
Sensing the faintly cold sharpness coming off him, the two girls unconsciously edged closer to Kael.
"Relax. He is a guest." Kael said with a smile, then introduced them openly. "This is Mister Mihawk, user of the Small Blade Style… cough, a great swordsman."
"Hello, Mister Mihawk." Sakura and Rin immediately slipped back into professional maid mode and gave Mihawk a polite curtsey.
Perona, who had just been woken up and was rubbing her eyes, peeked her little head out from behind the sofa back.
She stared at the man whose eyes were even scarier than Moria's and whispered to Rin, "Rin sis, this person looks so strange…"
Mihawk fell silent.
For a moment, it seemed as if a faint hairline crack appeared on that ever expressionless, glacier like face.
He glanced around. The decor of the villa was luxurious without being gaudy, taste evident in every detail.
The air was scented with sweets and tea. There were two cute maids, and a little pink haired girl.
All of it clashed violently with the image he had built of this place in his mind.
Why is there no training gear here at all?
Was this really the home of the man who had thrown the world into upheaval at Marineford?
"Please sit." Kael gestured toward the sofa.
Mihawk sat ramrod straight as always, like a blade that might be drawn at any moment, completely at odds with the lazy, comfortable atmosphere of the living room.
Sakura poured tea for both of them. The rich fragrance quickly filled the air.
Kael picked up his cup and took a leisurely sip, then glanced across at Mihawk. "Try it. Karon went to a lot of trouble to get this top shelf tea from the West Blue."
Mihawk raised his cup and took a quiet taste. The clear flavor unfurled across his tongue. It was indeed a rare treasure, but that was not the point.
He had not come here for tea.
He set the cup down and raised his hawk eyes again, staring straight at Kael, getting right to the point.
"Lord Kael, I mean no disrespect." His tone was calm and sure. "I am simply pursuing the pinnacle of swordsmanship. To do that, I must challenge every strong warrior in this world."
"Your name echoes across the seas. That is why I am here."
He paused, then said slowly, clearly, "Please fight me."
For an instant, the air in the living room seemed to freeze.
Sakura and Rin stopped what they were doing and looked at Kael, nervous.
Even the usually lively Perona could sense the change in mood. She hugged her stuffed toy and held her breath.
Kael set his teacup down. His fingers tapped gently on the rim, making a crisp tap tap.
"Challenge me? That is fine."
His response was clean and direct, and light flashed in Mihawk's eyes.
No need to put it off. Draw your sword. My black blade is dying for a fight.
"But…" Kael changed tack, sprawling back into the sofa, one leg crossed over the other.
Golden eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "I have one condition."
"Name whatever terms you like. I am prepared to stake my life on this duel." Mihawk declared, fighting spirit blazing.
"That is not necessary." Kael lifted a finger, speaking lazily. "Become my son, Mihawk."
"…"
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