Chapter 3: Perfect Parents

Mihawk and Mark arrived back at the island the night after the raid. But they were not alone.

"Are you really serious about this? You are mad if you think this will end well." The man with the eyes of a hawk pointed at the bundle of blankets in Mark's arms. It was obvious at the sight, but the tiny arms waving about made it clear what lied within.

"Well, we couldn't abandon her. And she called out to me. I felt it."

Mihawk was perfectly capable of seeing when an argument would be pointless. And this was such an occasion. For the months they had spent together on the island he knew Mark was about as stubborn as a human could get.

"Well, she is your responsibility then. I do not have the time to care for a snivelling brat. And keep her out of the castle. I need my sleep." He bid his friend farewell and left.

Mark caressed the little cheek with care, and he could fool anyone but Mihawk that he was capable of love with how he looked at the baby.

"Don't mind Uncle Hawkey. He is just jealous you didn't call out to him. My precious little co-conspirator." His face split in a grin when she grabbed his in comparison large finger.

"You and I will turn this world on its head. We will raise hell and break down the gates of heaven together. This I promise you!" He looked into her large and quite unique-looking eyes.

"It must be destiny that we met. You always were one of my favourites, little Perona."

***

The weeks continued in peace. The island group's deranged definition of it at least. Mihawk torturing Mark in the name of training and the Mad Hatter spending every available waking moment caring for little Perona. This was their calm before the mighty storm was to erupt in the New World. And it would start only on their terms.

And currently, Mark had better things to do then to start a revolution or go and slaughter another pirate fleet. He was trying to figure out what his sword was capable of. So far he knew everyone who died from it was left smiling even after death. Sort of like a Joker-styled death. Another role-model of his.

Mark glared at the sword when the thought hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Maybe it's about me?" The thought didn't occur until now, but in his head it made sense - granted, he was twisted in the head.

The sword's abilities might be tailored in relevance to his "interests". One of his longest-standing wishes was to try Joker's laughing gas on people. That was the exact effect of getting cut by the sword caused.

"Then maybe..."

"Maybe what?" Mihawk came up like a ghost. Making no sound as usual - the perfect assassin.

"I think I know what that sadistic goddess did. It's about me!" Mark did not attempt to further clarify his statement.

"Okay. Too tired for this conversation. Call me when you start talking sense again." He disappeared as quietly as he had come.

"Hey, Hawkey?" Mark looked around but found no trace of the swordsman. "Damn, I need someone to cut. Maybe Perona? NO! Absolutely not! Never her!" The thought managed to upset even him. Mihawk might not care for Perona, but he sure did.

"I wonder if I would die for her." She slept peacefully beside him, looking adorable as usual. "Nah, self-preservation all the way. You only have yourself in this jungle. Sorry, little one, trust no one but yourself."

"Cruel. Not exactly a model father, are you?" Suddenly there sat a splitting image of himself in front of him. As if staring into a mirror, the body looked identical, not one thing out of place.

"Goddess?" Mark asked quietly.

"No, definitely not. Well, both yes and no. She's my mother I suppose. She did give me life." His copy went silent with a glare directed at Mark. "And then gave me to you. Do you know how scary the inside of your head is?"

"Crawl for it? Sword of mine, is that you?"

"At least you're not awfully slow. Good for you." His copy stated loudly. "And yes, you are correct. I thought I should share a few of my secrets now that you figured it out." He still looked more annoyed than proud.

"So, I was right. It was the effects of Joker's gas? What else can you do then?"

"Everything. Or nothing. You were right, it's all up to you. I have the ability to bring about any effect requested when I cut someone or something." His copy stated.

"Any effect? So, if I wanted an eternal slave or to freeze time?" Mark was almost drooling. A man like him with supposedly godlike powers - even he now felt sorry for the world.

"Yes. As our bond increases and as your personal strength grow, the options for what effects you can invoke increases. And yes, I can stop time, rewrite moments in time. But, as of now, that is far, far into the future. You can not currently shoulder the power it would take."

"THIS IS AWESOME!!" An action he lived to regret instantly. Perona woke up crying. "Damn. Got too excited."

"Indeed. But I would too if I was in your shoes. You DO have reality-bending powers in your hands. But remember. I am not exclusive to one host. If I get stolen, whoever takes me can use my abilities should I see them as worthy." There was a clear warning there, that Mark fiercly ignored as Perona played with his finger.

"I should go. We will not speak often, but keep training or you will never know my true potential." The copy of himself faded away and only the waves of the sea remained.

Having managed to get Perona to go back to sleep, he sat with an insane smile plastered on his face. "As if the world wasn't screwed before with all I know. Now it is just unfair." He released a similar insane laugh and Perona woke up screaming.

"That's on me." He stared helplessly.

***

"Ooh, how scary is that?" Vice-admiral Borsalino stood at the harbour of Marine HQ looking at something unexplainable. It was the first case of mass murder for the many rookies around him. The majority had already fainted or thrown up.

"Smiling corpses? Pirates never cease to amaze, do they?" Vice-admiral Kuzan who joined in at that moment stated grimly.

"How'd you figure it was a pirates' doing, Vice-admiral Kuzan?" Borsalino's second-in-command asked curiously. The only other Marine except for the two Vice-admirals who didn't look faint. He had seen worse slaughters, especially when operating in the New World.

"When you come across this enough, you tend to notice a few things. For example, this is not an organized kill. This is random, killed for the simple reason of killing. Since Rocks and Roger became active, this has become a lot more common."

"But Rocks is dealt with, and I thought Rogers dominance would rein in pirate activity. He does have the power over the pirate populace, right?" It was a valid assessment, and both Vice-admirals knew so.

"Rocks downfall didn't go as planned. We all know that. It's unfortunate, but we are left now to clean up the mess he left." Kuzan said casually. He and Borsalino were among the strongest, only being outstripped by the legends currently serving as Admirals.

"Since joining the Navy, we have been cleaning up the mess Rocks left behind. It will get better, don't you worry, Momonga." Kuzan said, trying to instil some hope.

"We're the same age, stop patronizing me," Momonga stated. They had joined almost at the same time, but because of their devil fruits, Kuzan and Borsalino had climbed the ranks quicker.

"I would never do such a thing, Momonga." Kuzan waved off the concern, he was far too lazy to bother with rank superiority.

"The mess you talked about, it's those three, right?" Momonga asked.

"ooh, dangerous, don't go chasing them" Borsalino cut in. "You're not ready for that, young Momonga."

The pre-existing vein on Momonga's forehead threatened to explode at the taunt.

"I wasn't planning to. Kaido, Big mom and Whitebeard. All prominent figures since their departure from Rocks crew. Do you think this new unknown enemy is another ally of Rocks or Roger? There are more who escaped from God Valley."

"Ooh, you are not supposed to talk about that. Sengoku will be mad... so scary." Borsalino replied.

"Vice-admiral Kuzan. Fleet Admiral Kong want to see you in his office."A young Marine ran up behind them. He was out of breath - indicating he had run all the way to the harbour. The young messenger looked on in awe as the ground beneath the Vice-admiral froze up.

"Bothersome, bothersome. So troublesome." Kuzan left while spouting quiet complaints. Momonga drew his sword and destroyed the ice that had frozen the entire platoon in place.

"I can't believe how scary those devil fruits are. Are you regretting eating yours, Sir?"

"Ooh, does little Momonga want a logia fruit too?"

"No, I'm fine, Sir." You could hear the strain as Momonga tried to reel in his anger at the patronizing act. For a second he considered it just so he could get that Vice-admiral badge quicker.

"I don't think it is smart to give up the ability to swim, Sir."

"Ooh, how clever, little Momonga. You will do great as Vice-admiral." Borsalino laughed as he walked off. He left a baffled junior behind.

"Vice-admiral? Me? Are you serious, Sir?"

Borsalino waved tiredly. "Who knows, little Momonga. Who should I tease if I don't have you? Maybe I should have you on my ship a little while longer." Borsalino couldn't see it, but he heard Momonga punch a wall.

"Kidding, kidding," Borsalino said quietly.

_____________________

End