Chapter Text
Looking for a quick adventure, the red haired pirates found themselves in trouble. Angered screaming, muttering of words, and incantations filled the air. The cave glowed an evil green before the air weighed heavily on their shoulders prickling their skin.<
It all started at a bar two islands away. After a successful defense against Big Mom’s crew they found themselves drinking the nearest bar dry. As luck would have it, the bar was empty. Only the bar tender occupied the cozy dim lit space. The crew smiled and grinned downing the drinks that were expertly thrown their way. The bartender only laughed encouraging their hijinks.
The bartender was kind, lighthearted, and humorously sarcastic. She was tall. Taller than most of Shank’s crew. She had long dark braided black hair tied high up on her head. In his drunk stupor, Shanks couldn’t help but watch it swish around as she moved. It was almost hypnotizing. He briefly wondered what a certain swordsman would look like with hair like that. He shook his head wondering if it would be more appealing if he grew his hair that long instead. These thoughts swirled around his clouded mind until the mention of lost treasure peaked his interest.
The bartender regaled them with stories and legends of islands nearby. One such legend promised a dragon’s horde deep within its cave system. Many had looked for this horde but never returned. It is said that the island had endless amounts of tunnels and caverns. Ranging from dead ends to entrances to hell.
Shanks was intrigued to say the least. A horde of gold would look nice in the hold of his ship. He clinked glasses with his crew cheering into the air. The bartender smiled giving them a location for the island before kicking them out. They laughed and stumbled their way to the Red Force. Come late morning they set out to find it.
That is how they ended up investigating the caves not finding the horde but only a single chest in a large cavern. Shanks of course opened it only revealing cob webs and dust. The crew frowned disappointed in the lack of treasure. They began to think someone had beaten them to it before hooded figures surrounded them.
The chest slammed closed as the bartender from two islands away laughed in Shanks’ face. “You fool.” The hooded figures around them drew out spears. The red haired pirates were back to back facing down their opponents. The whole thing was a trap.
“I’m so glad I finally had the chance to see you again Red Hair.” The bartender snapped her fingers transforming herself. Long flowy robes and a curled hat replaced her attire. Her long braid, now turned silver, fell over her shoulder long spiked nails playing with it. They had landed themselves in the middle of a cult of witch’s.
“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.” Shanks said quickly evaluating his options. The witch laughed. “Typical an Emperor of the sea wouldn’t remember a lowly second in command like myself.” She stepped up onto the chest throwing her arms out wide.
“How about Gale of the Wicked Pirates?!”
Shanks frowned squinted his eyes to recall. His crew looked equally as stumped as him. Lucky absentmindedly gnawed at a chicken leg deep in thought. The witch stomped her foot hands balled into fists at her sides.
“You arrogant bastards! After what you did to us you dare to forget????” She screamed raising her clawed hands. The red haired pirates reached for their weapons as the hooded figures advanced towards them.
“I curse you Red Hair! You will suffer as I have!”
This leads to the cave glowing a sickly green. Eerie clouds swirled around them creating a faint wind that was only growing stronger. Words and phrases they could not understand fell from the witch’s mouth. Yassop and Lucky drew their weapons shooting multiple hooded figures. They only vanished into the caves. As the clouds swirled it was getting harder for the crew to see and stand firm.
The witch glared at Shanks pointing a sharp finger and mumbling incantations. The wind seemed to be sucked up behind her and then thrust forward towards Shanks. Shanks drew Gryphon but it was of no use.
Shanks stumbled back as he felt a tremendous force pushed through his chest. His heart hurt picking up speed and then dissipated as the force left through his back. Benn supported Shanks as he stumbled backwards. Hongo, quick to Shank's side, examined him while Limejuice and Gab stepped out in front to protect. Shanks held his chest struggling to breathe.
The witch laughed maniacally.
"Better check on your loved ones Red Hair!" She smiled wickedly at him and Shanks stared back gasping. "They don't have long to live!" She and the rest of the cult then disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving the crew in the cave. The Red Haired pirates gathered there wits about them quickly leaving. Feeling faint upon entering out into the sun, Lucky hoisted Shanks onto his back.
"Are you alright Shanks?" Benn asked keeping step with Lucky.
"Yeah yeah I'm fine." He said weakly waving his hand in dismissal. "Barely felt a thing." He said coughing. An expression of doubt crossed Benn's face. He saw through the obvious lie.
The witch’s last words swirled around Shanks’ head. They did not sit well with him.
“Benn.” Benn looked to him. “Please check on Mihawk. Tell him what happened.” Shanks eyes began to droop as he felt tired all of the sudden.
Benn nodded. “I will.”
Shanks thanked him before succumbing to the depths of sleep.
On the other side of the Grand Line, Mihawk fought the Marines slashing and cutting them down with ease. The G-5 unit was relentless to their credit. After the abolishment of the Warlords, Mihawk found little time for himself. His naps were often interrupted by cannon fire which left him irritable and annoyed. Vice Admiral Smoker was persistent in his hunt. Since the first time the white hunter set eyes on him he never let Mihawk know peace. Several cut ships later and the G-5 still persevered tracking him down during a supply run on a small island.
Mihawk cracked his neck as another wave of marines surged forward for the attack. The island was beginning to look like a waste land with the many trees and foliage destroyed by his incredibly swings. One particular swing had him face to face with the white hunter himself, jitte pushing back against Yoru. Tashigi stood a few feet back holding Shigure firmly in front of her.
“Your efforts are for not.” Mihawk commented deflecting Smoker’s jitte. Smoker growled repositioning.
“We will not stop until you are in chains!”
Mihawk scoffed as Smoker lunged forward. Mihawk stepped out the way Yoru again meeting Smoker’s Jitte.
“Stand down Dracule Mihawk! We have you surrounded!” Tashigi announced holding her ground. Mihawk’s golden eyes landed on her while he easily held off Smoker. His eyes pierced through her soul staking her to the ground. Every hair on her body stood on end but she attempted to not show her fear. Mihawk observed that he was indeed surrounded. A small circle of marines encompassed him, Smoker, and Tashigi.
Pushing Smoker back again, Mihawk readied his sword to swing full circle. His movements however were halted by a painful swell to his heart. He gasped clutching his chest. He had a sudden thought of Shanks before he fell backwards onto the sand. With Yoru still firmly clutched in his hand his vision faded from the bright blue of the sky to the blackness of unconsciousness.