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Clang.
Sandai Kitetsu hit the ground.
The trembling blade made a rhythmic sound as if uttering crude curses.
Zyhark might not know much about the world of blades, but recalling the sharp sensation as the blade touched his skin, he felt the trip was worth it.
Indeed, as a legendary cursed blade, its quality and feel were excellent—perfect for his arsenal before entering the Grand Line.
"Eh (meow)?!"
This action left both the shopkeeper Ipponmatsu and Meowth speechless.
It turned out the question "which is harder, my arm or this blade?" was meant quite literally!
"It's clear now, the so-called curse of the cursed blade lost to my arm."
Observing Ipponmatsu's stunned expression, Zyhark, with his unscathed arm, smiled and said, "Shopkeeper, I'll take this blade. How much is it?"
"Fi-fi-five... Forget it, if you really want it, I'll give it to you!"
Ipponmatsu had yet to recover from the shock of the scene he had just witnessed.
Honestly, selling weapons in Loguetown for so many years, he had never seen such a straightforward and brutal swordsman.
Isn't a proper swordsman supposed to act... differently?
"Then, thank you."
Zyhark didn't hesitate, bending down to pick up the Sandai Kitetsu that had fallen to the ground.
The moment his palm grasped the hilt, it was as if the blade itself had a will, vibrating subtly.
A chilling gleam danced along the blade, a stark coldness flowing through the handle into his entire body.
"Are you thrilled to follow a master as powerful as me?"
Zyhark swung his arm, suppressing the Sandai Kitetsu's slight quivers, "Worthy indeed of a legendary cursed blade, I can deeply feel your joy."
"Um, I think it feels more like... resistance."
Ipponmatsu, having seen many swords, immediately saw through the truth and hesitated for a few seconds before suggesting, "The curse of the cursed blade could have serious consequences, sir. Maybe you'd prefer to choose another fine blade?"
Zyhark didn't respond directly but instead swung the Sandai Kitetsu a few times in the air, getting used to its weight and length.
After testing the blade, he nonchalantly turned back to Ipponmatsu.
"Don't worry, shopkeeper. If this blade really becomes unmanageable, I'll just have her purify it thoroughly from inside out."
The "dumb goddess" might not excel in many areas, but purifying curses is certainly one of her specialties.
Not just any cursed blade, even a hundred of them would be no match for her!
As Zyhark finished, the Sandai Kitetsu, sensing an overwhelmingly holy aura capable of erasing it in an instant, immediately ceased trembling.
The deep, soul-chilling cold vanished, replaced by a warm, spring breeze-like comfort.
Zyhark looked down at the blade in his hand, almost seeing a grovelling, flattering old servant nodding along...
"Ah, this?"
The ongoing transformations left Ipponmatsu utterly confused.
Had he known that merely mentioning a "goddess" could tame this cursed blade so thoroughly, he would never have left it in the most inconspicuous corner of the shop!
But, in reality, it probably wasn't that simple. The true reason the blade calmed down was most likely the young man before him...
Realizing he could finally rid himself of this hot potato, he felt somewhat relieved, "Since the blade accepts you as its master, I have nothing more to say. Feel free to take it."
"Then, thank you very much."
Zyhark contentedly sheathed the Sandai Kitetsu, but he didn't leave. Instead, he continued staring intently at Ipponmatsu, who felt increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Sir, is there anything else?"
Ipponmatsu tensed up, wary of any further developments.
Does this guy want to test the blade's sharpness on me?
Seeing the greedy shopkeeper so slow on the uptake, Zyhark finally spoke up, "Shopkeeper, with those eyes that have seen many a good swordsman, don't you have anything to say, perhaps about entrusting a dream?"
"Rather than a good swordsman, you look more like a robber to me!"
Ipponmatsu frowned deeply, his face set in a defensive stance.
Zyhark: "..."
It seemed he couldn't just walk away without paying.
Just as he was about to resolve the issue with money, Meowth's voice came from the side.
"Zyhark, I find that pistol interesting, let's snatch it and let me study it, meow?"
Meowth, having jumped onto a nearby counter, was closely examining a newly styled flintlock pistol held in its paw.
Clearly, its villainous thinking hadn't been corrected yet, as it naturally used the word "snatch" for things it took interest in.
This remark only confirmed Ipponmatsu's suspicions.
Being able to run a weapon shop in Loguetown, where pirates frequently roam, he was certainly no pushover. Just as he was about to reach for the firearm at his waist, his pupils shrank as he realized something crucial.
"Wait? Did that cat just talk?!"
He shook his head, looking Zyhark over once more before hurriedly asking, "No, no, what did it call you just now, Zyhark? The Hero of the East Blue, Zyhark?!"
After correcting Meowth's wording, Zyhark turned back and confirmed, "Yes, that's me."
With just his name alone, you probably couldn't find a second Zyhark in all of the East Blue!
"Indeed, it is you! I can't believe I just read about you in the paper today, and here you are in my shop!"
Ipponmatsu looked excited as he grabbed the day's newspaper from the counter.
"Today's paper?" Zyhark asked in surprise.
Wasn't the news about them a bit old by now?
"Yes! You guys not only beat the notorious Krieg Pirates in the East Blue, but you did a fantastic job!"
Ipponmatsu quickly returned to the front of the shop, grabbed the newspaper just issued that day, and handed it to Zyhark.
Zyhark took the paper and unfolded it, his eyes catching the bold print.
[Fierce Naval Battle! The Sea Restaurant 'Endless Dream' strikes again, joining forces with Colonel Smoker of Loguetown to thoroughly defeat the East Blue's overlord, the Krieg Pirates!]
Joining forces with Smoker?
Zyhark's brow furrowed as he read the headline.
Thinking it over, he relaxed, internally praising the World Government's cunning.
Given Smoker's way of doing things, he would never claim undeserved credit for victory.
In the original story, the World Government had credited Smoker with the defeat of Crocodile, which nearly caused him to lose his temper on the spot, thereby solidifying his resolve to change the corrupt system.
And now, the situation was essentially the same:
Clearly, the World Government did not want to see a major pirate of the East Blue defeated by anyone outside of the Marine system, even if they were just civilians running a sea restaurant, not ruthless pirates.
This connection made him think about the glorious title "Hero of the East Blue," which was likely meant as a prelude for recruitment publicity.
"Young and promising new hero," such a title sounds so inspiring and just, doesn't it?
Unfortunately, they calculated everything but failed to anticipate that even Captain Smoker couldn't recruit Zyhark and his crew.
No wonder Smoker seemed so regretful when saying goodbye, mentioning that providing cover for Aqua came at a certain cost—this must have been what he was referring to!
Continuing through the newspaper, apart from some hastily assembled combat illustrations, Aqua was described succinctly, highlighting her water abilities and emphasizing her intelligence and kindness.
Although Zyhark felt Aqua's kindness and intelligence were questionable...
Interestingly, King's confrontation with Captain Smoker was also prominently featured.
No doubt, this would stir quite a storm.
Whether this was good or bad for King, only time would tell.
"If you're such a man, if you're the hero known throughout the East Blue, please wait a moment!"
Ipponmatsu's excited words interrupted Zyhark's thoughts.
(End of Chapter)