A/N:
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Shimotsuki village, East Blue.
"Clang...clang...clang!" Blades clashed at blinding speeds, making it impossible for the children to keep track of the duel happening between the two warriors. Koushirou and Miyamoto were going at each other with skill and finesse, but an experienced eye could clearly tell that Miyamoto held the advantage, putting his opponent on the back foot.
They were showcasing their skills with swords so the children could watch up close. The only one who could keep track of the movements was Lille Lucci, who had mastered the basics of Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
Within the workshop, however, a different clash of metal resounded. In the month I had been here, Kozaburo had me working in the smithy, making me understand the true depth of swordsmithing. The more I learned, the deeper I felt my connection grow with Akatsuki and Shusui.
"Good...good, this is good." Kozaburo examined the way the piece of metal was tempered. It seemed like I had finally reached the man's standard for folding metals after a month of non-stop training.
I wiped the sweat from my brow. Maybe now, with my understanding of properly beating metal, he would help me reforge Kitetsu. He had already offered to provide the best materials to help reforge the blade.
"If you can maintain this standard throughout the forging process, then I can guarantee we can forge a Skillful Grade Meito," Kozaburo seemed much more interested in reforging the blade than I was, but you had to say, the old man was putting his all into it.
"Today is as good a day as any. It's going to be a full moon. Let's forge the blade when the moon is at its peak. I have the perfect material in mind," Kozaburo declared.
"Just a Skillful Grade? I thought you should at least be able to create a Great Grade blade. You created Enma and Wado Ichimonji, after all. I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you could forge another one. Remember, this blade will most likely be handed down to your own granddaughter," I chuckled, trying to pressure the old man into pushing beyond his limits. I had a card up my sleeve that I intended to use during the real forging process: my ability to use the Voice of All Things.
Kozaburo chuckled, taking a deep drag from his pipe. "Kid, do you think forging a Great Grade blade is so easy? Throughout my whole life, I have been able to forge only two Great Grade blades."
"Well, in that case, you should at least aim for a Supreme Grade blade, don't you think? That way, your name will be etched in history forever," I commented, wanting to gauge if he could truly achieve something of that standard.
Kozaburo looked at me as if I were a fool. "Really, kid? Do you know why the world only has 12 Supreme Grade blades? It's because each and every Supreme Grade blade is forged from material that doesn't belong to this world. They are all forged from rare meteorite fragments that various bladesmiths have found throughout the course of millennia," Kozaburo explained, and my eyes glinted in surprise.
"So, Kozaburo-san, you mean to say that if you had such material, you would be able to forge a Supreme Grade blade?" I asked, intrigued. Since I had the idea of finding myself a suitable blade, I hadn't been idle. In case I wasn't able to find a suitable blade, as a backup, I had collected various rare resources to forge a new blade.
Kozaburo looked at his right arm, now slightly trembling with age and overuse, and also saw that the curse of Akatsuki had taken its toll. "Maybe before this, I might have had a chance. But throughout my life, I have never come across such material, so we will never know."
His words hung in the air, but I couldn't let them dampen my resolve. "Well, Kozaburo-san, it just so happens that I have something you might find interesting," I said before scattering into lightning. Kozaburo raised his brows, not understanding what I meant. After a few seconds, I returned to the workshop in a flash, carrying a large wooden chest and placing it carefully in front of the old man.
With intrigue, the old man opened the chest, and his blood froze, seeing the contents within. The fragment of ice-like metal shimmered with an otherworldly glow. This was definitely not something that belonged to this world, and its size was sufficient to forge a full-length katana easily.
Kozaburo's eyes widened in astonishment. "Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
"I've been collecting rare resources ever since I started my journey. I found this fragment on a distant island, hidden away in a cave. I had hoped to one day use it to forge a truly remarkable blade," I explained.
Kozaburo took the fragment, examining it closely. It was exceptionally heavy, and he could feel the chill spreading to his fingers. His eyes sparkled with a rekindled fire of determination. "With this... yes, with this, I can forge a blade worthy of legend. But it will take everything I have left."
"Tell me, kid, what else are you hiding? I originally intended to forge a blade with the seastone essence—the heart of a seastone mine—but with this, it can only act as an auxiliary material. I will need more... more materials to supplement to create a true masterpiece. Go bring everything you have. Didn't you just tell me you had many resources collected?" Kozaburo roared, the old man becoming a truly different beast altogether. Something within him seemed unshackled. I could feel it with the Voice of All Things; his vitality seemed to burn brighter and brighter with each passing second.
"What are you daydreaming about, you little brat? Go fetch it all and call both my son and Miyamoto. We will need more hands if I truly want to forge a legend." His eyes were now filled with life, as if he finally had a chance at fulfilling his long-cherished dream.
Soon, within the small workshop, lay close to a dozen wooden chests, each containing a rare resource that was collected throughout my journey. Kozaburo was like a kid in a candy store. Even Koushirou had no idea what had gotten into his father, but it seemed like Miyamoto understood. He could feel that Kozaburo-san had found his calling and immediately set to work, helping make the preparations.
"Move... move, kid, we can't waste a moment. We need everything to be perfect. With this, I have to rework all my preparations," he said as he carefully started selecting the materials he intended to use for the forging.
"Sigh, I understand, Kozaburo-san. But first, I must say my farewell to Kitetsu. I know there are certain rituals to say farewell to one's blade. I am not aware of them. Can you please teach me so that I can properly say my farewell to Kitetsu?" My gaze inadvertently went to Kitetsu, which lay sheathed on the table. The blade had served me well—too well. It had saved my life many times without breaking. Even till the end, it never shattered and kept its form.
Kozaburo, who was fully immersed in his new blade idea, paused and turned to me with surprise. Then, a bright smile bloomed on his face.
"Ooh, so you, kid, want to perform the ritual? I never thought a pirate like you would follow proper etiquette, but I am happy that you decided to give the blade the respect and recognition it deserves. Fine! I will make the arrangements. Freshen up and get back; we need to be ready to forge the blade when the moon is at its peak," Kozaburo spoke and started barking orders to the other two to make the preparations for the sword ritual.
Since I started swordsmithing, I could tell that Kitetsu had truly formed a sword spirit. I could feel it clearly now, and I was conflicted about whether I should truly reforge such a blade. But the blade itself didn't want its journey to end here, so I had finally relented.
I walked to the small room adjacent to the smithy to wash up. The cool water felt refreshing against my heated skin, and I took a moment to center myself. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that comes before a significant event. Tonight, under the full moon, I would reforge Kitetsu—a blade that had been my steadfast companion through countless battles.
Returning to the workshop, I found Kozaburo and the others arranging various items on a small altar he had set up. Incense sticks, candles, and a bowl of water were meticulously placed. The atmosphere was solemn, almost reverent.
Kozaburo looked up as I entered. "The ritual is simple but profound. Light the incense and candles, then place Kitetsu on the altar. Speak to the blade, recount your journey together, and express your gratitude for its service. Finally, immerse the blade in the bowl of water, symbolizing its transition."
Nodding, I approached the altar. I lit the incense and candles, their scents mingling in the air, creating an aura of tranquility. Gently, I placed Kitetsu on the altar, the blade gleaming under the candlelight.
Taking a deep breath, I began. "Kitetsu, you have been more than a weapon to me. You have been a companion, a protector. Through countless battles, you have never faltered. For your unwavering service, I am deeply grateful. Today, I bid you farewell, not as an end, but as a new beginning."
I lifted the blade and slowly immersed it in the bowl of water. The water rippled, reflecting the flickering candle flames. A sense of peace washed over me, as if Kitetsu's spirit acknowledged the ritual and accepted its fate.
Kozaburo watched silently, a faint smile of approval on his face. "Well done. Now, let's go ahead and forge a blade that's worthy of the legends."
Soon, the area surrounding the workshop and the cliff were locked to anyone but the four, and everyone else was forbidden to approach the cliff.
A few dozen miles away from the island, a small ship made its way toward Shimotsuki Village. The ship flew the Jolly Roger of the Red-Hair Pirates. Over the past week, they have been hosting Dracule Mihawk. Initially, Mihawk had only wanted them to drop him off in East Blue, but Shanks, thinking that he needed more sparring sessions with Mihawk, had agreed to drop him off directly on the island where Shimotsuki Village was located.
"Say, Mihawk! Do you want to join our crew?" Shanks asked for the hundredth time. During the time since they had left North Blue, both Shanks and Mihawk had clashed multiple times, and each time there was no absolute victor. Shanks was surprised that Mihawk also had Haoshoku Haki, so he was very keen on having him join the crew.
"Tell me, what's so great about being a Shichibukai? Don't you think being a pirate is much more fun?" Shanks spoke as he took a chug from his tankard. Even Beckman was very interested in having Mihawk join their crew. If someone who could clash head-on with their captain joined their crew, it would significantly power them up.
"Akagami, how many times do I have to tell you I am happy where I am? And if you haven't forgotten, you are a Shichibukai too now," Mihawk smirked. Recently, the newspapers started announcing the new Shichibukai that had joined the ranks: an unknown pirate from West Blue, Red-Haired Shanks. Even Shanks and his crew had no idea how this came about because they never knew about their captain accepting such a position.
"And even if I were to join a crew, I already have a crew in mind, so you are out of luck," Mihawk said with a smile while taking a sip from his own drink.
"You have a crew in mind? Tell me whose crew that is. I'll beat them up and show you that I am stronger than your crew's captain," Shanks flexed while waving his cutlass around.
"Sure, you can give it a try. I am actually going to meet him after all, and you must be familiar with him too. I have heard him mention your and Buggy's names a couple of times," Mihawk commented.
Buggy, who was dancing on the side, had his ears twitch at the mention of his name. Even Shanks, who had just mentioned it casually, wanted to know who could have attracted such a powerhouse like Mihawk to their side. However, Mihawk had no interest in sharing the name and continued sipping his drink casually, despite Buggy now pestering him to reveal the name.
Shanks started thinking about who it might be, and then it clicked. During the Loguetown incident, Mihawk was seen with Ross, and all of them escaped on the same boat. There was a high chance that the person he spoke of was Rosinante. Just recently, Rosinante's elder brother had deprived Shanks of a mythical devil fruit, so it was a good time to try and get some benefits out of Ross in exchange.
Shanks's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alright, Mihawk, I'll back off for now. But you owe me a duel next time we meet," he said, raising his tankard in a mock toast.
Mihawk merely smirked, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I thought we were having another spar after we reached the island. Have you changed your mind?" He asked, intrigued, because they had agreed to clash one final time before parting ways.
Shanks grinned, his eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and determination. "Oh, I just think it would be better to change things up. I want to see if I have caught up with him. The last time around, the gap between us was too vast. I want to see for myself if he is really the monster people make him out to be," Shanks' eyes narrowed, his anticipation growing as he thought about the upcoming confrontation with Rosinante.
The ship sailed smoothly through the azure waters, the rhythmic sound of the waves against the hull adding a sense of calm before the storm. Shanks took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending battle. He had heard tales of Rosinante's incredible strength and skill, and he was eager to see if he had closed the gap between them.
Mihawk watched Shanks with a knowing smile. "You were always one to seek out the strongest opponents, just like me. It's one of the things I respect about you," he said, taking another sip of his drink. "But remember, he is not just strong; he is cunning and unpredictable. Don't underestimate him. He may not even be in the same league as us."
Shanks nodded, his grin widening. "I wouldn't have it any other way. The thrill of the fight, the challenge of facing someone who might be stronger than me—that's what makes being a pirate worth it."
Buggy, who had been pestering Mihawk, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Hey, Mihawk! Just who is this guy you're talking about? And how does he know me and Shanks?"
Mihawk glanced at Buggy, his expression unreadable. "You'll see soon enough, Buggy. Just be prepared for a surprise; your captain here is soon going to experience a life lesson."