#Mihawk is only just older than Franky but at the same time at least two centuries older

[oh-dameron]

I want Mihawk to drop by the Thousand Sunny one day to check up on how Zoro is doing, catch him up on what Perona has been up to etc. He'd make intense eye contact with Luffy for ten seconds, they'd both nod and just like that he's a guest and staying for dinner.

Cut to the real reason he stopped by, which is that Zoro spent two years being markedly unenthusiastic for Mihawk's mediocre cooking. He's curious just how good the Strawhat chef is, particularly since apparently he's also Zoro's designated rival. He's not a swordsman, so Mihawk is somewhat dubious, but he knows how important a good rival is for personal growth.

Mihawk: 6'6", tits OUT, fierce gaze: meets Sanji and immediately reprimands Zoro for not mentioning that he's also gorgeous (Is that a silk tie? This pirate chef is wearing a tailored suit and tie at 5 o'clock on an unremarkable Tuesday? Finally, someone with a sense of style). There might be a hand kiss in there, along with a gift of a bottle of excellent wine from his own vineyard-did he mention he has his own vineyards? ("It's overrun with feral attack monkeys, Mihawk, it's not impressive!") - as a thank you for the hospitality.

After one of the finest dinners he's ever eaten - and bearing witness to the impeccable display of blade mastery that went into preparing it (his hands and knives are for cooking only, never fighting-exquisite) - Mihawk is giving serious thought to declaring his formal intention to pursue a courtship and wondering if his and Zoro's impending deathmatch would scuttle his chances. He's calculating tracts of land in his head, wondering if he should raze a few islands to procure rare spices as allurements. Is that still the fashion for wooing? Is he going to have to get advice from Perona?

Meanwhile Sanji is blushing to the roots of his hair and a bit tongue-tied, because again, fierce gaze. Kicking Mihawk in the face seems like a poor life choice but also the compliments and attention are weirdly flattering? Zoro is bewildered and enraged like a toddler who wasn't playing with that toy but certainly doesn't want someone else to take it. It translates into a lot of passionate, silent arguments about whose fault this is and what to do about it whenever Mihawk's attention is elsewhere.

The rest of the crew are living their best lives trying not to die laughing while watching what is essentially a live-action telenovela play out in front of them over dessert. Brook is playing an accompaniment.

[gildedmuse]

Law is still Shichibukai (for some reason) and meets with the others including Mihawk for government business or something. He learns he had a relationship with Zoro during the 2 years. Even though Law is in a relationship with him now Mihawk & Zoro never really ended theirs officially so Law gets jealous and competative

Right, I have to pass out. But here is part one of three of this magical tale.

Oh thank God someone else has thought of this because I think about this SO MUCH. Like, "what are you even doing with your life?" / "Oh, you know, mostly trying to set up a Mihawk/Zoro/Law love triangle." / "..... Just WHY?"

Because it'd be super hot that's why.

One dude whose super possessive, one who hates losing and one who's totally obvious to all that shit. are you kidding me? That was made for fanfic glory.

I don't know if I can do such a delicious thing justice in a "let's see if I remember how words work" post, but damn right I'll try it.

It's 2020. The world needs this you guys. And hopefully it inspires others to look deep within themselves and realize the Mihawk/Zoro/Law triangle was inside them all along.

To War Over You

"Why do I have to be here again? No offense, Torao, this whole thing sounds boring as hell."

Law closes his eyes and draws a deep breath; the best way to deal with any of the Strawhat crew if you didn't want it to end in bloodshed and a broken alliance. "Did you not understand the first three times I went over the situation, Zoro-ya? I don't know if I can explain it in any simpler terms without resorting to coloring books and grade school lessons."

It may have been a little snippy, but for as confidently as he struts down the hallways of the naval base just those side of Marie Joice, Law could never get use to having marines on either side, standing at every doorway, eyeing him suspiciously as they walk past him in the halls. He'd seen what these men would do given the orders or the chance, so despite how well he could hide behind a haughty mask and arrogant demeanor, Law can't help feeling once more like a frightened child on the run from these very same men.

He had fully expected to have to lead Zoro through the whole parade, tell him not to jump at the sight of every uniform (as is still, deep down, Law's immediately response) but the other swordsman comes off as almost entirely unaffected. He makes eye contact with passing marines as if daring them to question his presence or better yet try something. He doesn't even have a hand on his sword, a sure sign of the boy's nervousness. He walks next to Law, appearing utterly calm and unafraid and, well, bored.

It's giving Law a headache to be honest. Could one if the Strawhats even pretend to behave like normal pirates?

When Zoro's shoulder bumps against Law's he wonders, fleetingly, if this this is the part where Zoro finally admits how paranoid this whole scene leaves him.

They walk past a pair of marines like that, Zoro leaning into his shoulder practically hanging off Law, and neither men blinks an eye. In fact, they make a point of not even glancing up at the passing pirates, their conversation going quiet and their eyes locked to the floor until they've past. That's been the case more and more this visit; a complete change from the first time Law had been invited where even privates and ensigns felt confident enough to give him bad looks, expressions that clearly asked what one of his kind was doing there.

Zoro also waits until the heavy steps of the two marines are mostly out of earshot before he leans, somehow, even closer. Until Law can feel the boy's hot mouth up against his skin, heating the metal hoops in his ear. "I'm so sorry oh powerful warlord," Zoro teases because, since it really occured to him that Law is a Shichibukai - and apparently one the government is desperate to keep on their side - he couldn't seem to stop himself from mocking the title. If it were any other pirate, Law could have chopped them into parts and been done with it, but for whatever reason he allows the vice captain of the straw hats to get away with such insults. "I must have been distracted at the time."

Ah, yes. That's why.

Law ducks his head, as if attempting to hide a smirk as they go by another three marines - ensigns based on their uniforms and the way their eyes go wide before they scurry past. Ah, well, at worst they'll think he's planning something big, something illegal (which he is, though not for a while) though more than likely they'll just think that's how pirates are. Cocky and unafraid.

Law doesn't mind the reputation.

Of course, if they knew the real reason Trafalgar Law, pirate captain, worst generation, and Shichibukai looked so damn smug they probably would have hurried by all the faster.

Is it his fault that there is something so pleasing about taking a man with the reputation of Roronoa Zoro and having him on his knees and begging? Law can't help the spark of pride knowing that while most others couldn't even halt Zoro's steps were he determined to get by, Law could leave him sprawled out, exhausted, panting on the bed after being made to come a fourth time and yet in two hours he'd crawl into Law's lap, needy and impatient and wanting anything the older pirate would give him.

It's enough to make any man a little conceited. After all, how many can say they've reduced the pirate hunter to such a desperate state?

Law has every right to feel proud.

Still nearly climbing on top of Law even as they walked, Zoro takes the other man's ear in his mouth, tongue first warming the metal and then teeth pulling at the earrings. Law really should make him stop; they must have all sorts of surveillance inside the base. But he just can't find it in him to do more than find the most obvious of the recording snails stuck to the walls, offering it and whoever is lucky enough to be watching a cocky smile.

And because Zoro, like the most crew, doesn't seem to understand the idea of subtle, he follows the bite up with, "I guess having you fuck my mouth interests me more than some political bullshit. Hard paying attention to all this useless junk when your buried that deep in my throat."

It's not romantic. It's hardly even sexy. And yet even as Zoro slides back into his own space, Law can feel something in his gut start to tighten, to want. It had been such a mistake to bring the swordsman along, he should have known better.

Only he'd received a hint from a certain high ranking, unnamed inspector general that the navy knew he was harbouring at least some of the Straw hats on his ship (However did they find that out, Zoro-ya? Maybe if you didn't insist on fighting every battle ship you saw). He would still be expected to attend the meeting, of course, but if he did show up they would certainly search his ship for the pirates and, failing that, likely charge him all the same. Especially after they couldn't use the Doflamigo incident against him, in part thanks to Issho's very live, very unscripted broadcast.

It seemed obviously to Law that their best option is to claim these straw hats had made the decision to work under him (some more literally than others) which only left the matter of which one to bring, to show Law isn't afraid of their suspicious.

Robin could lie very well and would have easily been the best choice, except she was just as likely to stand in front of some of the top ranked marines and inform them that, in fact, she is still and will always be a Strawhat. And she'd say it with a smile. Franky... Well, no. Franky wouldn't last two minutes into an interrogation. Usopp could lie, but there's a chance he'd over do it, or simple break down at the sight of so many marines.

No, Zoro had been his best choice, which is a condemnation of his chooses really. He's just hoping the vice captain will be able to clentch his teeth and get through it.

As added incentive, Law made plenty of promises.... And threats. Depending, of course, on Zoro's ability to behave.

"What's the point of even calling you out here?" Zoro asks in an entirely casual tone, as if he hadn't just described sucking Law off. "Not like the government acts wants your opinion on anything."

Law has to admit Zoro's right, but after the near catastrophe at Dressrosa, Law is trying to play ball. If they haven't expelled him yet it's because they need something from him, and Law is determined to find out what. "Just do as I tell you and don't make a scene," Law says, knowing those two instructions are impossible for any strawhat to follow, perhaps especially this one. "So long as you don't-"

Suddenly, Law is no longer looking at Zoro but at the plain walls of the military base. Confused, he looks back to see Zoro has come to a stop in the middle of the hall. There is a dangerous grin pulling at his lips, one that Law would definitely be afraid of of he hadn't seen it so many times right before Zoro swallowed him whole. Now it just makes him lose his breath a little too fast, the heat in his gut pours through the rest of him, becoming something he can't control.

Expect Zoro isn't looking his way at all.

"Hawkeye," Zoro says simply, and while his voice is harsh his expression certainly isn't. "I forgot they still recognize you as a Shichibukai. When I defeat you then, do I get that title as well?"

Law jerks to look back so abruptly he feels a little sick, but sure enough there he is; fellow Shichibukai and world's greatest swordsman. A title that Law knows Zoro coverts, perhaps explaining the gleam in his eyes as he stares down the other swordsman. Though Law would have expected it to hold more.... Hostility. Instead, despite the seriousness of his tone and the challenge in his eyes, Zoro's lips keep twitching, unable to completely hide the a smile.

He's probably just happy to get this chance at a rematch. Not that Law is about to let that happen in the middle of a marine base. Zoro may be less than cautious and driven by his heart rather than solid reason, but he isn't that crazy.

.... Is he?

"Roronoa," Mihawk greets him formally and, again, his voice even and devoid of humour, and yet the older Shichibukai does nothing to hide his smile. "How strange to see the rabbit has wandered so far from its burrow."

Zoro wrinkles his nose before deciding to go for something slight more intimidating. "I told you not to call me that." He might try and pass it off as a growl, but honestly he sounds like a pouting child. It's cute, in a way.

In the way that it would have been cute, if it had been for Law.

Mihawk's smirk grows more amused, more cocky at Zoro's reply. "I seem to recall you didn't mind at times." Mihawk's long strides eat up the room between him and Zoro in a matter of seconds, and before Law even thought to be on guard the older man is leaning down, whispering something for only Zoro to hear.

Law may not know what exactly is said, but he recognizes the flush in the other boy's cheeks, the way his eyes go wide before falling half closed as he rocks, almost consciously, up onto his toes and closer to the one teasing him.

It's a state he's enjoyed putting the swordsman in in the past, one he's never had to witness as a third party.

When Mihawk has finished, Zoro is just a touch too pink and too breathless for Law's comfort. But it's the smirk on the older swordsman's lips when he pulls away that makes Law clench his fist and bite doesn't hard. If they weren't at this base, he's fairly certain nothing, not even his intelligence or will to survive, could stop him from casting a room and cutting Mihawk's heart out. At the least.

It's only after Mihawk has had his fun with Zoro that he looks up, his sharp golden eyes falling on Law. Law can only remember one other time the master swordsman has graced him with so much as a vague consideration; when he'd first arrived here, a newly appointed warlord. Mihawk had merely regarded him with nothing more than a passing glance before declaring he had more important things to attend to and making a swift, unapologetic exit.

Now, though, his eyes seem to study Law like he's preforming a dissection, seeing parts of him that Law would have thought impossible to see.

"Trafalgar," Mihawk uses the same even tone as he had with Zoro, only lacking in any signs of warmth as he had with Zoro. "I see you decided to join us after all." Before Law can point out that he could hardly deny the summon he had been sent, Mihawk's eyes are back on Zoro. "Am I to believe the rumours of you abandoning your captain are true then, Roronoa?"

Before Zoro can ruin their cover (Law can see it in his face and feel the aura around him, this refusal to deny his captain) Law is quick to leap in. "Zoro-ya is under me now, if that is what you're asking," Law snaps, perhaps with more bite than is necessary. And if his words can be taken more than one way, well, that's really up to the listener to decide. "Otherwise, why would I entrust him to accompany me to this summit?"

[neverwatchedonepiece]

One Piece: Episode Zero

Thanks for recommending Episode 0. Glad I watched it after the movie, as there were horrendous spoilers at the start. They showed the scene when the Strawhats were suited up with guns and the moment of Luffy’s final, winning move against Shiki. His disbelief that another man from East Blue was his undoing was the launchpad into Episode 0, though, so it made sense.

It was short but sweet. And really good fun because holy crap those cameos. I tried to keep track of them all but honestly, I think I’ve missed some as I realised looking at screenshots that even more were in the background!

THOSE CAMEOS

The next scenes were flashbacks to the time not long before Gol D. Roger became Pirate King. Sirens blared. A young Garp strode purposefully towards a ship with Tsuru-chan (I cannot believe she lets him call her Tsuru-chan) and Aokiji in tow. At least, I think that’s Aokiji. He looks different when he smiles. That must have been before his promotion and the stress of job hit him.

The ship he was heading for was Sengoku’s. The way they bickered over the Shiki case was like a cop drama. “Don’t mind me. I’ll let you take all the credit!” “That’s not what I mean!” Nice to see that Garp and Sengoku have always bickered like that.

Also interesting to see that Kizaru has worn that same suit for around seventeen years. He must have an excellent dry cleaner.

As they set out to pursue Roger, the action cut to a confrontation in the New World between Shiki and Roger.

Wait Now, The What??

The amount of cameos here was tremendous.

I kept having to pause so I could do a double take then cheer whenever I recognised a favourite character. Of course, there was Buggy, wailing because Captain Roger was facing off against the vast fleet of Shiki the Golden Lion. Then there was a baby-faced young Shanks, who was like, “Buggy, you can be cut into loads of pieces and you won’t die. Calm down.” Crocus (Laboon’s caretaker) was the ship’s doctor! This was news to me. Did I forget this or have I never known that?  And Rayleigh. He was blonde! Who knew? (Well, you guys, probably.)

Then there was Roger. You see him in action so rarely, it’s hard not to be hyped when you see him. Now the relationship between him and Ace is revealed, I keep looking for Ace in Roger. Honestly, I still see Luffy. Less in looks, more in attitude. Though Ace’s tendency to never back down is definitely there.

It was all fun seeing all the characters in their younger days, the confrontation with Shiki caught me off guard. Mainly when Shiki said: “We’ll use that apocalyptic weapon you found. Become my right hand man and we’ll conquer the world with your weapon and my military might.” 

WAIT, WHAT?? Was Shiki talking about Pluton? The one Spandam was afraid of and the one Franky burned the blueprints for? Did Roger really find it via the poneglyphs he’d been tracking down? (I remember he scrawled “ROGER WUZ HERE” on the Skypiea one, didn’t he?) 

Well, at any rate, Roger wasn’t interested. “If you can’t do as you please, there’s no point in being a pirate, is there? Shiki, I refuse your offer!” He said this while the Oro Jackson was absolutely surrounded by Shiki’s fleet. The subsequent battle was known as the Great Battle of Edd War. A change in weather sunk half of Shiki’s ships and an accident forced Shiki to flee the battlefield.

I say accident. He ended up with half a steering wheel stuck in his head.

“Happens all the time,” Shiki said.

“Um no. It’s actually unheard of,” his physician replied. Ha. That was good. Made me warm to Shiki more as a character.

While Shiki recovered from his steering wheel accident, Roger found the One Piece, became Pirate King, mysteriously disappeared, then was captured by these suave specimens.

Marine Cut Suits: For When You Always Skip Leg Day

Shiki did not take the news well. He literally shot the messenger who delivered it (Chill, Shiki. It’s not his fault!) He took his rage out on Marineford, destroying half of it in a fit of denial. How could Roger be captured? 

“There’s no way he could be caught by trash like you! We might have been enemies but we are part of the same era. I respected his strength. If anyone’s killing him, it’s me!” That’s such a Vegeta-ish attitude. Love it.

Garp and Sengoku brought more bad news. Not only was Roger’s execution scheduled for a week hence, it was to take place in Roger’s home, Loguetown, in East Blue.

“WTF? That weaksauce place?” Shiki yelled. He was in major denial. He has serious problems with that place.  “That’s just your last insult to Roger!”

“Nope,” Garp said. “East Blue is a symbol of peace. That’s why we’re doing it.” (See, the Marine are all about Dat Symbolism. Even then, they were at it. Execute the disrupting influence in the place of peace to show it has been restored.)

Then Garp and Sengoku threw off their cloaks. That’s fighting talk. Shiki got his ass kicked and was locked up in Impel Down.

More Cameos than Word Up

Shiki missed the party, but the cameos at the famous speech were multitude. I spotted Moria, Crocodile, a young upset Shanks, Buggy, Dragon, Mihawk (wearing a Hawaiian shirt - obviously before he turned goth), and... was that Doflamingo? There was a resemblance, but I’m not sure...

Then, when the news got out, there was Cricket of Skypiea fame, Portgas D. Rouge, Nefertari Cobra, the two giants from Enies Lobby, Tonjit the Stilt guy, Dory and Broggy, CP9 and the Hancock sisters. Plus a worrying shot of who I’m certain is little Sanji. He looked like exactly his bounty poster. I hope the stuff about him being a cursed child is just a joke because if not, poor Sanji.

The Mightiest of Cameos in His Giant Bean Chair

For two years, Shiki languished in Impel Down. I remember hearing that the last person to break out of there was Shiki the Golden Lion way back just as the war arc was starting (or maybe before. Can’t remember exactly when). So it was great to finally see how he did it.

Got to admit, it was badass. Shiki pulled a Zeff and hacked off his own legs. He floated about Impel Down, dripping blood, before escaping Magellan and Hannyaball, who were still trainee wardens at the time. 

Garp was notified of the break out during his vacation. I like he always used his vacation time to visit Ace and Luffy. At least he did visit from time to time.

When news of the break out hit, Toei hit me with even more cameos. Bellmere, Zeff, my old favourites Dr Hiluluk and Kureha, Dalton and the Old King (before Wapol), Tom-san, Franky and Iceberg, little Hatchi, Shakky and Rayleigh, and even the random guy who got stuck in a barrel.  Robin was a tiny fugitive on the run. Laboon was still sad. Brook was still lonely.

And then there was Whitebeard. I loved how dismissive he was of Shiki’s plan. Where did Shiki get off on calling Whitebeard a geezer? He looks way older than Whitebeard. (And look who’s lurking in the back? Teach. Smh. What a skeevy traitor. Hanging in the back, thinking of Devil Fruits, probably.)

Still not sure why Shiki went with Dr Fart Clown’s mad plan to breed mutated animals over twenty years when he could have concentrated on rebuilding power and armada, but oh well!

Guess that’s what happens when you employ fart clowns.

WAIT A MINUTE, IS THAT DUVAL?? XD