For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty appeared in Mihawk's sharp, golden eyes. He looked down at the little boy in front of him, who wasn't even as tall as his own leg, yet was seriously trying to teach him swordsmanship. The child even pitied him for having to carry a "cross" for protection. For a moment, Mihawk had no idea how to respond.
Kyle, however, could no longer hold it in. He fell back against the sofa, his whole body shaking with laughter. Tears streamed from the corners of his eyes as he roared.
"Hahahaha… Ace," Kyle finally managed to say, catching his breath and wiping away a tear. He pointed at Mihawk and explained to Ace, who was still puffed up in his 'teacher' mode, "This big brother, Mihawk, is the man most likely to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. As for that cross he's carrying…"
Kyle paused for dramatic effect. "That is one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, 'Yoru'!"
The lively atmosphere in the hall froze for a solid three seconds.
The expressions of pride, sympathy, and confidence on Ace's face shattered like glass. They were quickly replaced by a look of total, blank confusion. His small mouth hung slightly open as he stared at the helpless-looking Mihawk, then at the giant black blade that gave off a terrifying aura. Finally, he whipped his head around to face Kyle, his cheeks flushing bright red and puffing out like a pufferfish.
"Uncle Kyle—!"
A furious, indignant roar echoed through the villa. "You tricked me!"
He charged at Kyle like a small cannonball, but Kyle simply reached out and easily picked him up by the back of his collar.
"Hahaha, how is this tricking you?" Kyle said, placing him gently on the sofa. "This is your first lesson, Ace. After you set sail, you can't judge a book by its cover. You have to learn to see what's really there."
For the next few days, Rouge and Ace stayed at the villa. Having finally left the "starter village" of Mt. Colubo, Ace was filled with the boundless energy of a child with a perpetual motion machine inside him. The embarrassing mistake he had made, however, became the very thing that brought him closer to Mihawk.
"Big Brother Mihawk! I'm sorry!" Ace said, holding the piece of pipe he once thought was a holy sword. He bowed deeply and respectfully to Mihawk.
Mihawk simply sipped his tea and looked at him calmly.
"I want to learn swordsmanship! Real swordsmanship!" Ace declared, looking up. His eyes were filled with the pure, unwavering determination that only a child can have.
Perhaps this persistence moved the man known as Hawkeye, or perhaps he was simply bored. Whatever the reason, a strange scene began to play out in the villa's courtyard over the following days. The tall, expressionless Mihawk would stand and watch as five-year-old Ace struggled to wield a custom-made wooden sword, practicing the most basic swings and thrusts over and over again.
"Your sword-hand must be steady," Mihawk would occasionally say, his voice flat.
"Yes!" Ace would grit his teeth, covered in sweat, and keep going without complaint.
Kyle watched them from the side, amazed. To be personally taught by the future World's Greatest Swordsman was a privilege few could ever dream of.
Besides pestering Mihawk for lessons, Ace was also incredibly curious about the other strange people living in the villa.
He met Gecko Moriah, who was over six meters tall with a pale, almost corpse-like face. "Whoa! You're so tall!" Ace shouted, craning his neck so far back it looked like it might snap. "Uncle Kyle said your shadow is really powerful!"
Moriah, who rarely got to meet a fan, was immediately pleased. He put on a show right away, using his Devil Fruit powers to make his shadow stand up and perform a silly dance. Ace watched with wide eyes, clapping his hands together. "Amazing! That's so incredible!"
Moriah grinned from ear to ear, about to let out his signature "Kishishishi" laugh.
"But…" Ace added, stroking his chin with a serious expression, "it feels kind of gloomy. I don't really like it."
Moriah's wide grin froze on his face. The next second, the nearly seven-meter-tall man silently walked to a corner, squatted down, and began drawing circles in the dirt with his finger. A visible aura of dejection surrounded his huge body, an effect even more powerful than Perona's Negative Hollows.
When Ace met Robin, it was a completely different experience. He saw her sitting quietly, always holding a thick book that looked heavy enough to knock someone out. He curiously walked over to her.
"Sister Robin, what are you reading?"
"It's a report on an archeological discovery in the West Blue," Robin replied with a warm smile. She closed the book and began telling him adventure stories about ancient kingdoms, using simple words he could understand. Ace listened, completely captivated, but when Robin asked if he knew how to read, he shyly scratched his head.
So… to be a powerful pirate, you have to read so many books? For the first time in his young life, Ace felt a sense of awe for "knowledge."
Of course, the person in the villa who left the biggest impression on Ace was the pink-haired girl who called herself the "Ghost Princess," Perona. She was thrilled to finally find someone younger than her in the house, and a sense of superiority instantly washed over her. She floated in mid-air with her hands on her hips and announced to Ace, "Listen up, little runt! When you see this princess, you should bow immediately!"
Ace, being at an age where he feared nothing, simply made a funny face at her. This, of course, made Perona furious.
"How dare you disrespect me! Let me show you my power! Negative Hollow!"
Several white, ghostly figures flew out and passed straight through Ace's body. One second, he was a bundle of lively energy; the next, he dropped to his knees with a thud. His hands hit the ground, and his entire body seemed to turn gray.
"I'm sorry…" he mumbled, his eyes completely empty. "I'm just an idiot who shows off with a water pipe… I can't even read… My existence is just a burden to my mama…"
Just then, Rouge walked out with a platter of fruit and saw her son kneeling on the ground, questioning his own existence. She couldn't help but let out a weary, knowing smile.
Happy times always seem to fly by. A week later, it was time to say goodbye. The ship Kyle had arranged for them was already docked at the pier, ready to sail back to the East Blue.
Ace stood on the deck, looking sharp in a little sailor suit, his face bright with energy. The experiences of the past few days had opened up a whole new world for him. Rouge stood beside him, gently waving her hand to thank Kyle and the others on the dock.
"Uncle Kyle! Big Brother Mihawk! Sister Robin! And everyone else!" Ace waved both his arms as hard as he could, his smile so bright it could melt snow. "Goodbye! I'll definitely come back and find you all again!"
The ship slowly pulled away from the port, leaving a long white trail in the water. Ace's figure grew smaller and smaller, but his clear, loud farewell continued to echo over the dock. Kyle stood still, watching the ship until it was a speck on the horizon, a faint smile on his face.
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