After all, he was Orin-sensei, and to many Vice Admirals in the Navy, he was a guiding figure in the teaching of Haki.
Not to mention that for such a powerful and charming man, Doll was naturally full of goodwill toward him.
Even though their positions were different, it did not affect their private relationship. After all, Roger and Garp were still close enough to entrust their children to each other.
They did not chat for long, but while they were talking, Hancock looked utterly distraught, watching Orin smiling and conversing with Doll, her heart felt like it was about to shatter.
Who is this Navy woman!!!
Why does she look so familiar and close with Orin—could it be that…
As if thinking of something, Hancock's expression turned terrified. She covered her face with both hands.
"Han-cock, I don't like you anymore."
"Doll is my final choice in life. Sorry."
"No!!!!"
This sudden and inexplicable change made even Mihawk nearby unable to help himself, two drops of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Women were nothing but things that would slow down his sword training.
Fortunately, they really did not talk much longer. Doll soon led the Navy forces onto their ship and departed, heading toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
Orin turned his head and looked in Mihawk's direction. The moment he spoke, Mihawk was stunned.
"Mihawk, why haven't you left yet?"
"???"
Mihawk's expression stiffened for a moment. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"So what are you planning to do next?"
"Me? … I might go sightseeing on Kuja Island, and then stop by Tesoro's place to grab some money to spend."
Mihawk frowned. But being accustomed to his tsundere ways, he definitely would not say it outright.
"I happen to be free."
What he meant was that he could follow Orin and go traveling together for a bit.
Hearing this, Orin raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.
"Oh? Then that's perfect—go back and take care of the kids."
"???"
"I kicked Perona and a rookie swordsman named Zoro flying to the island where you usually live. If you've got nothing to do, you can go back and teach them some swordsmanship or something."
"..."
Mihawk left.
Rowing his little coffin-boat, he departed decisively.
With no way to deal with Orin going off to enjoy himself alone, he could only silently return home to discipline the kids.
...
On the other side, Hancock's expression instantly changed, her mood shifting from cloudy to sunny faster than a sword slash.
"Ha!!!!"
"Is Orin-sama going to leave together with me? That's wonderful!!!"
"So happy…!!!"
Hearts popped up in her eyes as Hancock was already fantasizing about returning to Kuja Island and getting married.
"..."
Out of sight, out of mind for Mihawk.
Around the time Orin arrived at Kuja Island and began researching the origin of life,
Mihawk slowly rowed his little coffin-boat back to his old home.
The moment he returned, he saw a group of baboons fighting with a green-haired guy.
He strolled back leisurely.
"This presence is…"
Zoro, covered in severe injuries and blood all over his face, changed expression the moment he saw that figure.
Zoro, who had been kicked here by Orin with a Warp-Warp Fruit teleportation kick, naturally also encountered Perona.
She acted as if she had returned home, very familiar with the place, and smoothly settled Zoro down there.
And it was also today that the castle welcomed its true owner.
Mihawk's terrifying aura instantly suppressed Zoro, but Perona seemed as if she saw nothing at all.
She floated over to Mihawk's side, hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks.
"Why did you only come back now!!!"
"Do you have any idea how boring it is to stay alone in such a gloomy place!!!"
Mihawk ignored Perona's complaints. Like when she was little, he reached out and patted her head. Then, under her puffed-up, sulky gaze, he walked up to Zoro.
"How unsightly, getting beaten into this state by a bunch of baboons."
Then he walked past Zoro. Still feeling annoyed, Mihawk went into the castle and poured himself some red wine.
Zoro said nothing.
He simply endured even heavier injuries, knocked down the group of baboons, then entered the castle and knelt before Mihawk.
"Are you asking your enemy to teach you swordsmanship?"
Zoro lowered his head. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Up until today, I've finally understood sensei's intentions. At the Sabaody Archipelago, he used the fighting methods we were best at to utterly defeat us without mercy, because he wanted to tell us that we are still far from strong enough, and not enough to protect our companions."
"Whether it's sensei's guidance or asking for your guidance, it's all so that I can surpass you all!!!"
Hearing this, Mihawk's face, which had been tense all along, finally showed a faint smile.
"Huh?"
"So you want me to cultivate a swordsman who can take my head?"
"It seems you now have a reason to grow stronger that outweighs ambition… Then let me replace Orin and teach you even more."
Having his interest piqued by Zoro, Mihawk ultimately agreed.
Together with Perona, the three of them lived a retired, laid-back life in this castle for a period of time.
During this time, Zoro also saw news about the Marineford War.
"Luffy… is he alright?"
Mihawk nodded.
"With Orin's power, Fire Fist Ace naturally escaped successfully, and Straw Hat Luffy was also rescued."
"I see…"
After Mihawk told him how Orin had handled Luffy, Zoro was no longer in a hurry to leave and instead focused on calmly training his swordsmanship and Haki.
Watching Zoro go practice, Perona floated over to Mihawk's side and asked him.
"Hey, where did Moria-sama go?"
She naturally knew that as one of the Shichibukai, Moria would definitely have participated in the Marineford War.
"Moria… I don't know."
Mihawk shook his head.
"That guy disappeared afterward. According to Orin, it's also possible that he was targeted by the World Government."
As someone outside the Shichibukai's core circle and with rather weak strength, Moria naturally became the best outlet for the World Government to vent its dissatisfaction with Orin's actions.
Letting news like that spread would save face for them without provoking Orin's anger, and the World Government's agents and CP were sometimes quite smart.
"What?!!!"
"Moria-sama, he…!!!"
Hearing this, Perona immediately burst into tears, giving Mihawk a terrible headache.
But there was no way he could let a young girl like Perona go out to sea alone.
He could only comfort her, saying that he would later ask Orin about news regarding Moria. Only then did her crying barely stop.
...
And not long after the end of the Marineford War, it wasn't only the pirates' side.
On the Navy's side as well, a major event arrived.
The struggle for the Fleet Admiral position began.