In the days that followed, Doflamingo filled Law's schedule to the brim.
Lao G was tasked with teaching him martial arts. Diamante taught swordsmanship. Gladius instructed him in artillery.
By the end of each day, Law's body was covered in bruises and cuts, but Doflamingo still made time to personally oversee his training in strategy and tactics.
Fighting, killing, naval battles, planning, command; every kind of knowledge that might be needed for the future was poured into him. Step by step, Doflamingo shaped him, passing on resources and lessons far beyond what he himself had as a child, holding nothing back.
Many officers couldn't understand why the boy was given such attention. Only Corazon had a faint grasp of Doflamingo's thoughts.
'He's treating Law like his younger self. He's putting that same hope on him.'
But when it came to Law, Corazon's feelings grew increasingly complicated.
Unlike Doflamingo, who had disregarded life from a young age, he still showed signs of compassion deep inside. His actions revealed it. It was the sudden tragedy that had twisted him into what he was now.
Corazon had been powerless to save the boy Doflamingo once was. But this child… he still had a chance.
* * *
On the Grand Line, near the edge of the Calm Belt, a deserted island stood quietly.
The Red Hair Pirates' ship was docked at the shore. Beside it floated a small coffin-shaped boat.
The crew had gathered near the coast. Next to them lay the carcass of a Sea King, while chunks of its meat dripped with fat as they roasted over a giant bonfire.
Lucky Roux stared at the sizzling meat, drool running down his chin. "Who do you think wins this time, the boss or Mihawk?"
Yasopp chuckled. "It's obviously gonna be the boss, that fool."
Bonk Punch laughed too. "That's right. Hahaha!"
The little monkey perched on his head, Monster, squealed in amusement, setting off a round of laughter from the rest of the crew.
Beckman just shook his head. "You guys…."
* * *
Far up the barren mountains, two streaks, one red and one black, clashed furiously.
The force of their strikes sent gales roaring. Sparks flew as blades met.
Clang!
Shanks' sword, Gryphon, pressed against Mihawk's black blade, Yoru.
Mihawk couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips when he saw the man in front of him grinning widely. A powerful opponent was too rare.
He pressed down with added force, his blade cutting free a surge of emerald sword energy. It forced Shanks back and struck the mountainside below.
Boom!
A mushroom cloud dozens of meters high rose, dust blanketing the field. But Mihawk's senses weren't fooled. Observation Haki couldn't see through, yet sword intent never lied.
He leapt down, black sword sweeping, slashing through the haze. The strike tore open the dust cloud, but Shanks wasn't there.
Instead, the red-haired pirate had appeared at his flank, standing on the ground with his sword ready. He grinned.
"Try this one!"
He slid his left leg back, holding Gryphon behind him. Red currents wrapped around the blade. With a sudden swing, he unleashed a strike filled with danger.
Boom!
Mihawk's gaze sharpened. "Stronger again, huh."
Both hands tightened on Yoru as he raised it high and slashed. His green sword aura collided with Shanks' red crescent, exploding in a massive blast.
The raging air swept the mountain bare for hundreds of meters around. Mihawk was blasted back, landing and steadying himself far away.
In his mind, he replayed Shanks' attack. The more he fought him, the more he felt the intricacy of each blow. Truly, worthy of being the Pirate King's apprentice.
But there was no time for thought. What mattered now was fighting to the fullest.
He lifted his sword, slicing through the violent winds between them. His figure blurred, leaving afterimages as he charged.
Clang!
Their blades met again, locked for only a heartbeat before Mihawk's momentum and the burst of his sword aura sent Shanks flying back.
The red-haired pirate skidded across the ground, then stamped hard, shattering the earth beneath, and broke free of the pressure.
Pivoting sharply on his right foot, he spun. His left hand swung Gryphon in a full arc, the motion whipping into a spiraling slash that tore through Mihawk's lingering aura. The strike then split into crescent-shaped blades that shot toward him.
Mihawk stood calmly, wrist flicking his black sword. With effortless precision, he knocked each one aside, his movements smooth yet sharp.
Whoosh!
But suddenly, a surge of red energy crashed against him.
Clang!
This time, Shanks forced Mihawk backward, driving him into the mountainside. Dust billowed as both were buried in the crash.
Rip!
The haze was torn apart as they burst out together. Black and red currents tangled, sparks showering as they spiraled up the mountain.
Boom!
At the peak, their collision erupted in a towering mushroom cloud that shook the island. The mountaintop split into pieces, sliding apart in giant slabs.
High above, two sonic booms streaked across the sky. Both men had their swords raised, aura surging. Red light gleamed in Shanks' eyes, green in Mihawk's, each locked on the other.
Their muscles tightened, and they struck.
Zzzt!
Lightning danced where their blades clashed.
Shanks' pupils contracted abruptly as Mihawk's arms bulged with even greater force, his sword aura sharper than before. He pressed down hard, unleashing a piercing arrow-shaped strike.
The slash smashed Shanks into the forest below, carving out a huge crater and toppling trees in every direction.
Though only four years older, Mihawk's slight edge mattered in a duel so evenly matched. Of course, it helped that this was purely a contest of swordsmanship.
From the pit, Shanks rose quickly, grinning despite the dust on his face. He stomped down, launching himself back up.
A spiral of red energy burst upward as he gripped Gryphon with his left hand, right hand pressing firmly against his wrist for control. Lightning laced through the swirling aura around the blade.
Mihawk's battle spirit flared just as fiercely. He raised Yoru with both hands, green energy coiling tightly. Stepping through the air, he dove down.
Red and green collided in the sky.
Clang!
A piercing hum followed.
Hummmm!
The noise drilled into ears, making even the Red Hair crew on the distant coast wince and clutch their heads.
Then they saw it. At the island's center, a giant white orb expanded. Waves of sword aura blasted outward, sweeping the land clean.
The shockwaves raged for minutes. When the two swordsmen finally emerged from the forest and walked back to the coast, side by side, the aftermath was clear.
Six mountains that had stood tall now slanted, their halves sliding away.
Shanks was a mess of dust and torn clothes, but his grin was wide and full of life. "Dahaha! Time for a feast!"
A faint smile touched Mihawk's lips.
The Red Hair crew roared, fists pumping, voices echoing across the area. "Ooohhhhhh!"
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!