There was no way — absolutely no way — I was handing Rachel over. Yes, Mihawk saved my life, and I genuinely appreciated that… but did he even know how much material and how many gold coins it took just to craft this graduation weapon? It had cost me a fortune. My fortune!
And what if my next supply drop didn't give me another weapon? What if I drew a stigmata instead? Sure — a strong stigmata could boost my damage output, but without a powerful weapon to synergize with it, the effect wouldn't be much better anyway.
Right now, Rachel was the only graduation weapon I had. No matter what happened, I wasn't going to let Mihawk make off with it.
But Mihawk's gaze on the blade told me he had no intention of backing down. Fighting him at sea would be suicidal — this is his natural battlefield. He doesn't have a Devil Fruit weakness… but I do. And on top of that, my ship was completely destroyed by that Emperor-class Sea King. There wasn't a single island in sight. The only safe surface to stand on was the very ship beneath my feet — his ship.
If I used my trial card and Mihawk decided to just cut the boat in half… I'd still lose. Reckless combat was not an option.
"Th-Then… this weapon belongs to someone else, you know? Wuuu… you're such a bad guy…"
After thinking it through, I immediately activated my Oscar-winning acting talents, letting my expression soften into heartbreaking sadness. My voice wavered — soft enough to melt bones.
"…Your crying is way too fake," Mihawk deadpanned.
"No, it's not! I— I'm being serious! This knife is my mother's keepsake. Whenever I hold it… it feels like she's still here with me. You wouldn't really take away a daughter's only memory of her mother, would you?"
"…"
I watched Mihawk's face darken with a web of black lines. Nailed it. My surprise offensive had broken through his guard and penetrated his heart — critical emotional damage!
"Do you actually expect me to believe that?" he said.
"Why wouldn't you?! What I said is true! You're such a jerk!"
"If you keep talking in that tone, I'll toss you into the sea and feed you to the fish."
"…"
He was getting irritated. I needed to switch tactics.
"M-Master Mihawk… I beg you… please give back my sword. Would you really rob a weak woman like me?"
I made my eyes water a little. My hand gently tugged at his coat sleeve, trembling pitifully.
"Rob?" he scoffed. "I'm not robbing you. I saved your life — I deserve compensation."
That natural, shameless answer made my blood boil.
I grabbed Mihawk's collar with both hands and roared, "You bastard! Do you even have a sense of shame?! Believe it or not, I'll cut you— Cough, cough!!"
My sudden movement triggered the injury across my ribs, and before Mihawk could react, I collapsed to the wooden boards, coughing — hard — until a mouthful of blood spilled onto the deck.
"…Don't move, you idiot."
Ignoring him, I checked my armor status. Shadow Dance had barely a square and a half of HP left — around 14.00% in total. The danger indicator was flashing red.
The damage was severe. Even if I switched to Holy Maiden and used the ult to heal, I didn't want to reveal another Kaslana battlesuit in front of him — or my whole identity would be exposed.
I needed another way to retrieve Rachel. And I had one.
But first… I had to switch Shadow Dance for Crimson Impulse. My chest felt like needles were being hammered through every breath.
Silently — without a flicker of change to my outward appearance — I shifted back to Crimson Impulse. Instantly, the injuries vanished. My breathing smoothed. The pain was gone.
"…Something about you feels different," Mihawk muttered.
"Different? That's just your imagination," I replied with a straight face.
A bead of sweat ran down my back. This guy's instincts were sharp — too sharp.
"…Can I at least take a better look at your mother's 'keepsake'?"
"Fine," I said. "But you better not think I'm lying. She's all I have."
Mihawk narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie to me. This was never your mother's relic."
"Hey! I didn't lie! And besides… what can I even do? We're surrounded by the ocean. There's nowhere I can run. So at least let me hold Leiqi while I say goodbye."
"So this blade is called Leiqi?" Mihawk said calmly. "An appropriate name."
He'd clearly been wondering which Supreme Grade blade this was — but none of the established entries on the list matched.
"Fine," Mihawk said at last. "I'll allow it. As you said — you can't run anywhere in a place like this."
He tossed Rachel back into my hands.
I caught her instantly — cradling her as if she were made of glass — then shot him a deadly glare.
"Hmph!"
Then I held Rachel close, letting sorrow well up in my eyes.
"Wuuuwuu… Mother, I couldn't protect you… forgive me… I swear I'll take you back from this jerk one day! My precious baby…!"
"…"
…Did Mihawk just look… guilty?
A dark cloud crossed his expression.
Did I go too far? Did he actually believe it?
No — he convinced himself otherwise.
I'm taking this blade for her own good, Mihawk thought. She's too weak to protect it. Better it be in my possession — at least she will survive.
…If I had heard that thought, I would've drawn the real Rachel and challenged him to a duel — healed or not.
After about thirty minutes of acting and murmured reminiscence, I finally extended Rachel back toward him.
"Fine— take her. Hmph. You're a man who steals from women. A bad guy!"
"You'll only attract predators by keeping this sword," Mihawk replied calmly. "Your strength isn't enough to protect it. Better you live without it."
"Hah! Don't pretend to be the good guy! You obviously just want my weapon, you shameless pirate!"
"…"
Mihawk was speechless. No woman had ever spoken to him this way. Was I… not afraid at all?
"I'm tired of this. I'm going to sleep."
With that, I turned away, walked toward the edge of the boat, and laid down — keeping a healthy distance from him.
"Don't sleep near the edge. If you fall into the sea, I'm not diving in again. It's cold at night."
I ignored him… or at least pretended to. Mihawk sighed. Then silently, he walked over, crouched down… and lifted me off the deck.
"Hey—HEY! What are you doing?! You better not—!!"
He said nothing — just carried me to his own seat, set me there, and then sat a little apart — his eyes fixed on the sea.
"What a troublesome woman to look after."
"I didn't ask you to look after me! Do what you want! Hmph."
"Shut up and rest. We'll reach Rogue Town tomorrow. I'll take you to a doctor."
I fell silent. He never realized that I'd already fully healed.
But who would believe someone on the verge of death could recover in seconds?
I leaned against Mihawk's seat — the literal seat of the world's strongest swordsman — and let myself relax.
Hehe… match wits with me? Steal my Rachel?Fool. You'll never realize that the Rachel in your hand is a RENTAL!
Yes — the real Rachel had long returned to my weapon storage space. The one Mihawk held now? A five-star rental Rachel, paid for with fifty crystals — and it would vanish in 24 hours.
Honestly… I really wanted to see his expression when he found out. But by then, I would be far, far away.
I drifted off to sleep with a pained smile — mourning those fifty crystals… but celebrating a glorious victory.
The next morning, Mihawk shook me awake.
When I opened my eyes, we had already reached Rogue Town — the town of beginnings… and endings.
"Let's go. I'm taking you to a doctor."
"You don't have to. I'll go by myself."
I pretended to still be angry and jumped onto the dock. There was no way I was letting Mihawk keep me anywhere near him when that rental blade disappeared.
Time to escape!!!
"Don't be stubborn," Mihawk said, grabbing my arm firmly. "I know a doctor. His skills are reliable."
"Let me go, you jerk! Let go of me!"
"Your injuries are serious. If they aren't treated properly, they'll leave permanent damage."
"Yadaaaa! Someone help!! Indecent assault!"
Passersby began staring curiously.
"STOP!"
A powerful voice roared from nearby — stern… and full of authority.
I turned toward it — and saw two cigars, one in each corner of his mouth, sending out thick smoke… and cold, silver-white hair.
His sharp eyes locked onto Mihawk.
It was Smoker.
"Who are you?" Mihawk asked flatly.
"Captain of Rogue Town — Smoker."
"I see. Good luck with that. Goodbye."
"Hold it right there, Mihawk. Shichibukai or not — you're still a pirate. I won't overlook anything suspicious happening in my town."
To be continued…