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invye · 3 months ago

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So @kacievvbbbb asking about modern AU headcanons had me revisiting my 'modernised' MiShanks AU I thought up a couple months ago.

I call it 'modernised' because it is more of a medium modern AU, where I keep much of the base OP lore and history, but shrink the 'active' world down to just a few islands. The overall tech level and societal developments are much closer to what we have now and I do away with most of the political plot. I haven't yet decided if Devil Fruits still exist, but if they do, they are much more rare and are kind of a thing of legend most people don't believe in. Only very select few people would know about them and the curse associated with them.

So lets get into it, I've got plenty of thoughts on Mihawk, Shanks and how their relationship plays together in a more modern world. (And because Rosinante is also one of my favourites, and I can't seem to not smush them all together, there is a CoraMiShanks bit at the end too.)

- Mihawk -

Basic weaponry is a bit more in line with modern expectations in this AU, but that will never ever stop Mihawk from being a swords guy. Mihawk is the authority on fencing, especially in historical context. He's basically got a PHD in swords, identifying them, maintaining them, using them. He's filthy rich, not just because he won every fencing tournament there is, but also because he straight up inherited that half maintained castle outside of town along with stupid amounts of money from an uncle everyone thought already died decades before Mihawk received his testament.

These days Mihawk only competes in the highest level tournament once a year to defend the title (his 'rivalry' with Shanks makes the news every time) and otherwise spends his time at home, reading, drinking, occasionally taking small sailing trips with his beloved Hitsugibune, and of course training his swordsmanship. Everyone thinks he's just living it up big in Kuraigana castle, but the people in town know that he just wants to raise his kids in peace.

Where did the kids come from? No one knows. They're definitely not his though. Anyway, turns out that Mihawk is really good with kids, so it takes barely a couple years for the whole town to load off their kids with him during holidays and days off school. (Look, Zeff runs a busy kitchen, and as much as Sanji tries to help, he's still too young for the holiday rush. Garp has to leave on Marine assignments at the most random times, and his bum of a son has vanished to who knows where years ago, and the grandkids are friends with Zoro and Sanji anyway and can do with burning out their energy running around the woods behind the castle. Bellemère has to leave on those assignments with Garp most of the time, so Nami joins the fray while Nojiko mostly plays with Perona. Mihawk usually leaves the teen girls be on their own, especially since Robin showed up a while ago to join them [she seems to stay on her own, and Mihawk keeps an eye on her in case she needs additional help, but Crocodile seems to have that sorted already]. Usopp's mom is still sick, and she's grateful to know her son is out there having fun with his friends while she tries the next medicine with horrible side effects.)

The kids love Mihawk. Mihawk loves the kids too and to much of his dismay, the kids know it. He is a figure of authority to them, but also a person of trust, who they can approach with problems and worries when their usual parental figure is unavailable or out of reach. Given that Mihawk is pretty much always around, he begrudgingly accepts his new job as free childcare provider for the town (Garp tried to pay once. They all realised very quickly they get much farther by paying in favours, food, or doing little odd jobs because that old castle always needs something done).

Mihawk promised to teach Ace and Sabo to sail this summer, and with Luffy insisting to bounce around them, he already plans on doing more swimming and child fishing than actual sailing.

- Shanks -

Shanks is still a pirate, but it's all on a much smaller scale. He's still got the 'Red Emperor' epithet, but his reputation is much more Robin Hood of the seas. The Red Force gets into small tussles with other pirates more often than the Marines, and really, as long as they have food and alcohol on board they are all perfectly fine just sailing and enjoying their freedom. No one ever knows where the Red Force is at any given time, but they are known to show up when natural disasters strike, not to plunder the remains, but to help the people rebuild long before the Marines get around to offer their help (once the Marines show up on the horizon the Red Force clears out, a couple shots are exchanged, none of them ever hit). Garp tried to yell them into joining the Marines more than once, really Shanks could even stay captain and keep his ship and crew, he just needs to fly the Marine flag, but they all simply laugh and wave as they go off again to who knows where.

However, there is one week every year, where everyone knows exactly where the Red Force will be. Shanks won't ever miss his chance to duel Mihawk in the grand fencing tournament a couple islands over from Mihawk's home. As opposed to Mihawk, who has his fixed position as defending champion, Shanks fights his way through the other contenders every year. He leans into the pirate reputation, taunting opponents, refusing protective gear, tiptoe-ing the line to breaking the rules. The people love to hate him, it's a spectacle every time. The grand finale inevitably is a duel between Mihawk and Shanks, even after Shanks lost his arm (he sat out for a year and people thought that was the end. They were very relieved when Shanks made his over the top entrance again the year after).

They have long abandoned the actual fencing rules and equipment during the finale. People clap and scream when Mihawk steps on stage carrying Yoru, the black blade just as legendary as his own reputation. Shanks never fails to grin and deliver a witty one liner (the people's boo is part of the performance) and then they lunge. Watching that fight is exhilarating. No protective gear, real blades, and two absolute masters going at each other with a force that would leave less competent fighters with the gravest of wounds. It's every bit as real as it is a performance. Everyone knows Mihawk will win before they even start, and the people can recognise a small collection of moves that they build in every time, the more flashy and wide swipes that could easily be punished but never are. It's not simply about Mihawk winning and Shanks losing, it's about witnessing a piece of history being brought back to life right in front of their eyes.

The fencing tournament has always been held within the context of the summer solstice, and with Mihawk and Shanks putting on their show its become a part of a bigger festival that focusses on celebrating history and old rites, the origins of which aren't always known anymore. Every year after the finale they throw a huge feast, traditional food all over, as historically accurate to a long past pirate era as it can get (Mihawk makes sure of it, that history PHD has to be good for something), dressing up accordingly is very much encouraged. Shanks and Mihawk keep carrying their blades and play up their daring villain and chivalrous hero act and no one thinks twice about drinking with the Red Hair Pirates (they have amazing stories to tell). Usually Mihawk ends up in the middle of a group of kids and answers all kinds of history questions, all professor like, but in his full on historical get up. Shanks catches a glimpse of him and sighs dreamily and all the people he's jokingly been flirting with and threatening to kidnap as part of his role know that they're talking to a very much taken man. They enjoy his company anyway and talk to him about what it is like to raise a kid out at sea as they watch Perona and Uta tease Zoro in the distance.

What people don't know, is that the Red Force winters. Pretty much everyone aside from a volunteer skeleton crew leaves the ship for home during the winter months.

No one in town mentions to outsiders that the Red Emperor stays with the Strongest Swordsman up in Kuraigana castle. Why would they? They're great with the kids. And Uta singing with Brook during the Baratie winter solstice celebration sells out the house every time (the townsfolk get a cheeky 50% off that day, it's a community event after all [except for Mihawk. His filthy rich ass can pay double and wouldn't notice {he does pay double. He does notice. He does not care}]).

- Rosinante & Law -

Because I can't help myself and I love thinking about Rosinante together with MiShanks, this story's active events that would make up a proper fic make it a CoraMiShanks story, which starts with Cora-san and Law arriving in town. (Rosinante is genuinely a situational mute in this one, and Law's illness is a bit less horrifying, and potentially cured/managed with medicine.) They're on assignment from Doflamingo who heard that there's a spot that has gone unfilled in the island's underworld and wants to take full advantage of the opportunity to weasel into Crocodile's operations.

Little does Doffy know that: a) Corazón accepted the assignment so he could get away from him; b) Corazón insisted on taking Law because he's still working on getting Law's illness cured; [c) {depending on if Devil Fruits exist} Corazón may have secretly taken the Ope Ope no Mi on his way out;] d) Dracule Mihawk personally checks out every newcomer in town and seems to know much more than he reasonably should; e) Dracule Mihawk loves kids and bonds with Rosinante in a single meeting that included him pulling Law out of a lake; f) gods damned Dracule Mihawk directly protects Crocodile's operations in a infuriating 'someone will do it so I pick the smallest evil' mindset and Crocodile is so damn smug about it; g) fucking Dracule Mihawk decides to keep Rosinante and Law under his protection; h) and WHERE DID THE FUCKING RED EMPEROR COME FROM???

Doffy is seething at his plans foiled. Crocodile laughs at him, tells him to go pound sand and uses the opportunity to poach a couple of Doffy's operatives. Doffy has no choice but to retreat and plot his vengeance for later.

#mihawk basically runs a inofficial daycare and is appropriately grumpy (secretly fulfilled) about it #shanks is still every bit a free spirit roaming the seas stopping by when the winds take him #rosinante still just wants to get away from doffy and live in peace with his son #mishanks #coramishanks #modernised coramishanks au #corahawk #dracule mihawk #op goth family #red haired shanks #red hair pirates #donquixote rosinante #rosinante corazon #trafalgar law #basically all the strawhats are around in this just younger #letting law interact with all the other kids is just way too cute of a thought #also perona will absolutely catch rosinante with ruined make-up at some point and insist on fixing it because this is so not cute #rosinante trying to talk but the words just *won't* but no one cares about that in mihawk's household and they all just wait for him #zeff and garp may have a thing going on in the background just because i think its funny #also mihawk may or may not have had some past relations to the marines with how closely garp knows and trusts him #let's just say mihawk didn't just become basically the island's guardian protector out of nowhere #crocodile is very much aware that he has to keep his operations within the boundaries of mihawk's moral code and never *ever* hurt a kid #crocodile the italian mafia boss vs doflamingo the spanish cartel leader #as the b-plot to an endlessly sweet polyamorous love story #do you see the vision?#one piece

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fallenwhumpee · 8 months ago

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My friend mentioned pirates a few weeks ago and that's been rotating around my head for a bit :)) was working on a snippet, actually :p but yes, pirates and the navy. Do with that what you will :D

:D anon

Oh well, that's something I always wanted to get into! I love pirates. Please let me try.

Brutal

• Masterlist •

Warnings: Mutiny, execution, blood.

A pirate was nothing but a bandit if it wasn't for the captain's reputation. A ship was nothing but a piece of wood floating. And to gain a captain's reputation, you had to dethrone one.

It was why all captains lived their lives keyed up. It was why they all knew how to sleep with an eye open.

For someone so paranoid, Captain trusted to their crew way too much. They believed that their meed for each other was enough to keep the crew in line for now. They were good on storage, all needs of the crew provided. What could someone else wish when they were sailing for a treasure only Captain knew the place of? Certainly, the wealth was worth more than fame.

Walking at the deck, checking around, Captain felt their fingers ache, a gift given them with the title. Rubbing their hands, they ignored the open weather and gave the order to prepare for heavy rain.

While the crew looked sceptical for a moment, they complied. Captain was on edge through the whole time, fearing that this time they could be wrong and their value in their crew's eye would decrease.

In less than an hour, a storm broke out. Some of the crew looked at them like they were a witch. They didn't mind the look but sent everyone into the hull before taking the helm. With the smallest sail not to stray away in the wind, it was hard to control the ship. By the time they managed to keep the ship in the route and the storm calmed, their muscles were trembling, and they were soaked from head to toe. It was an awful way to begin the day.

As the crew busied themselves with post-storm tasks, Captain couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Something didn't feel right, but they couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Perhaps it was just the aftermath of the storm playing tricks on their senses.

"Keep her steady, Helmsman," They muttered as they left for their cabin.first thing they did was drying their hair with the towel and getting in dry clothes. They couldn't warm up, however, even after changing. They could only stop trembling with their will. They assumed it was because their cabin didn't get much sunlight, but their state didn't change much once they were on the deck.

Crossing their arms, they watched the crew working at a perfect pace. Too perfect, they thought for a moment before they could prevent their paranoia . They leaned to the railing, sighing. Their instincts screamed danger, but they couldn't discern the source. Was it just their nerves, or was something truly amiss?

First Mate approached, their face looking quite troubled as always. "Captain, are you alright? You seem tense."

Captain forced a tight smile. "Just a bit weary from the storm. Keep an eye on the crew, will you? Something doesn't feel right."

First Mate nodded, their gaze flickering over the deck before returning to Captain. "Aye, Captain. I'll keep a close watch."

The day dragged on with a suffocating heaviness, the sun casting long shadows across the deck as evening approached. Captain's unease only grew as the hours passed, a gnawing feeling in the pit of their stomach refusing to leave them alone.

As dusk descended, Lookout's shout cut through the stillness, startling Captain from their reverie. "Ship ahoy! To starboard!"

Heart pounding, Captain rushed to the rail, squinting into the fading light. Sure enough, the silhouette of another vessel loomed on the horizon. Clenching their fists, Captain barked orders to prepare the canons for a potential conflict. The crew sprang into action, their movements swift and practised, but Captain was not one to relax before battles.

As the unknown ship drew nearer, Captain's worst fears were realized. It was no ordinary merchant vessel or another pirate.

"Damn navy," they muttered, but everyone heard that in the deep silence. "I will see it scuttled," they snarled as they ran to the helm, getting the ship to a better position to aim the canons.

It took only one shot to burst everything into chaos.

Their ship shook with the missed shot, and it was all they needed to order fire. Pirates, too bored of mundane days, fires as if there was no tomorrow. After the heavy fire, two vessels closed the distance until the ships locked side by side, a battle beginning. Captain was first to cross to the navy ship, their sword and pistol their only trusted ally.

But in the middle of chaos, something caught Captain's eye. A figure standing tall and commanding on the deck of the enemy ship, their uniform adorned with the insignia of high rank. It was the captain of the navy vessel, a formidable opponent whose skill matched their own, and a way to destabilise the whole ship.

Captain charged forward, their sword meeting the navy captain's in a shower of sparks. Captain's heart pounded in their chest as they fought, their senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through their veins.

Despite their best efforts, Captain found themselves unable to gain the upper hand against their formidable opponent. The navy captain fought with a ferocity and determination matched their own, and it only fueled their anger.

But just as the tide seemed to turn in favour of Captain, a sudden movement caught their eye. A group of navy soldiers, armed to the teeth, appeared from below deck and surged forward, circling their crew.

Realizing they were outmatched and outnumbered, Captain knew they had to act fast and smart. With a swift motion, they disarmed the overconfident navy captain and pressed their blade against their throat, the cold feeling returned agsin as a wave soaked them.

"Stand down!" Captain's voice cut the battle, drawing attention across both of the decks. "Or your captain will breathe their last breath."

For a tense moment, the navy soldiers hesitated, torn between their loyalty to their captain and the threat of imminent death. But with a resigned nod from their leader, they reluctantly lowered their weapons, signalling their surrender.

Breathing heavily, Captain released the navy captain. "Kill them all."

The order was given with a cold, calculated tone. Without hesitation, the pirates descended upon the surrendered navy soldiers, their blades flashing in the dying light of dusk.

Captain watched the chaos unfold with a mixture of satisfaction and remorse. They knew that in the world of piracy, mercy was a luxury they couldn't afford. Besides, their own crew had to see that they were Captain for a reason.

As the last of the navy soldiers fell, Captain turned to address their crew, their voice ringing out across the deck. "Gather what plunder you can and prepare to make sail. We're not safe here."

The crew moved quickly, looting the enemy vessel for any valuables they could find and securing their own ship for departure. With the wind at their backs, they set sail into the fading light, leaving the navy vessel burning down slowly.

Captain went to their cabin to dry up again, annoyance painted all over their face as they failed to keep their expression in check.

The rest was short-lived as First Mate barged in.

First Mate's expression was grave as they entered, a sense of urgency preventing Captain from snapping with annoyance. "Captain, we have a situation."

Captain's brow furrowed. They were too tired to deal with anything. "What's happened?"

First Mate hesitated before continuing. "There's talk among the crew. They're restless, discontent. Some are even muttering about overthrowing you, saying you've led us into too many close calls and that we'd be better off without you."

Captain's blood ran cold at the news, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "How many are with them?"

"Enough to cause trouble," First Mate admitted grimly. "But not enough to overpower us if we act quickly. Though but tensions are running high. I fear it's only a matter of time before someone makes a move."

Captain's mind raced as they considered their options. They couldn't afford to let a mutiny succeed, not with their reputation and authority on the line. But they also couldn't risk a full-scale confrontation that could tear the crew apart.

"Round up any loyal crew members you can find," Captain ordered, their voice steely with determination. "We'll confront the mutineers and put an end to this before it escalates further."

With a nod, First Mate turned to leave, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the cabin. Left alone once more, Captain cursed their luck and the treachery of those they had trusted with their lives. But there was no time for self-pity. They had a mutiny to end and a crew to rally if they were to maintain control of their ship.

Captain gave themselves a few seconds before barging out. They watched as the crew gathered at down, gripping the railing until their knuckles began to ache. After waiting the majority and watching First Mate separate some to form a circle around, they walked down the stairs.

"The only disadvantage of having my own cabin is being isolated from the circulating whispers. But truly, did you all thought I would not hear your talks about mutiny?" They snarled, their sharp voice cutting through the air like a knife.

The crew fell into an uneasy silence, their eyes darting nervously among themselves. Some shuffled their feet uncomfortably, while others exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.

Captain's gaze swept over the assembled crew, their expression neutral despite their angry tune. "I've led you through storms and battles, risked my life countless times to keep this ship afloat and our plunder secure. And this is how you repay me?"

A few heads bowed in shame, but still, no one spoke up to challenge Captain's authority. They had the respect and fear of their crew, but even that seemed to be slipping through their fingers like sand.

"You may think me harsh, reckless, or even selfish, but every decision I've made was for the good of this crew and our shared goals," Captain declared, their eyes darting around with righteous fury. "If any of you still doubt my leadership, then let them step forward now and face me like true pirates."

Whispers grew for a moment and Captain spotted some movement, half of the circled crew subtly reaching their cutlass. Their number weren't enough to hinder the ship.

"Very well," Captain said, their voice carrying a steely resolve that brooked no argument. "If this is the path you choose, then let it be settled here and now."

Without warning, the first blow was struck, and chaos erupted in a frenzy of steel and fury. Blades clashed, shouts rang out, and blood stained the deck as the mutiny unfolded in a violent struggle for control.

It was a lot easier than going against a navy. The small uprising was over in a matter of minutes, mutineers brought to their knees. The deck was littered with fallen comrades and mutineers alike, the air heavy with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid scent of gunpowder.

First Mate approached, their expression a mixture of relief and concern. "Captain, are you injured?"

"I truly don't seserve you," Captain muttered to themselves and shook their head, wiping sweat and blood from their brow with the back of their hand. "Just a few scratches. What's the damage?"

First Mate stood in attention, taking in the scene of chaos and with a disgusted expression. "We've lost a few good men, and there are injuries among the crew, but nothing we can't handle. The mutineers are yours as our seal of loyalty."

Captain nodded, their jaw clenched with tension. "Good. See to it that the wounded are tended to, and get yourself something to celebrate with your men."

First Mate saluted, their gaze lingering on Captain with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Aye, Captain. I'll see to it right away."

As First Mate moved to carry out their orders, Captain took a moment to collect themselves, sighing as they approached to the kneeled rebels. There was no mercy in their heart.

"Did you truly think you could succeed a mutiny against me, who has survived and succeeded even more than you heard?" Captain snarled. "You are greedy animals who can't see the consequences of your own actions. What makes you think that your end will be different than any navy i wreck?"

A part of then enjoyed the mutineers trembling before them. And for a moment, they let that part take the control as they did in the deck of the navy ship.

"Now... what should I do with you?" They mused to themselves.

The mutineers cowered before Captain, their faces pale with fear and regret as they awaited their fate. Some dared to meet Captain's gaze with defiance, but the fire in their eyes quickly flickered out under Captain's icy glare.

"You've betrayed your comrades, your captain, and the code we live by," Captain continued, their voice low and dangerous. "And for that, there can be only one punishment."

A smirk took over their face. Surely they weren't being too... brutal. They gave what people deserved.

"Keelhaul*."

-•-

Keelhaul: to punish a sailor by pulling him under a ship, from one side to the other or from one end to the other

#whump #whump writing #ask #:D anon #pirate whump #leader whump #?#somewhere between whumper and whumpee #execution #mutiny #wait when did this past 2k words #not using accent bc i struggle with grammar and spelling as it is #tw blood

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