"Alright, alright, the Sword of Four Souls, just the Sword of Four Souls. Sooner or later, I'll forge a supreme sword myself and name it the Fifth Generation Demon-Slasher Kikoku," Tenguyama Hitetsu grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Hina let out a long breath, then looked at Rebecca and smiled. "Rebecca, what do you think?"
Rebecca replied, "I didn't do much in this forging. I think it's better to call it the Sword of Three Souls."
"Forget it. Let's stick with the Sword of Four Souls—it sounds better."
Shimotsuki Kozaburo nodded, taking a few puffs from his kiseru, then glanced at Tenguyama Hitetsu. "Hitetsu, you're not really going to argue with a young girl, are you? Shouldn't it be called the Sword of Three Souls?"
"Hmph, as if I care about that!" Hitetsu snapped, glaring at Shimotsuki Kozaburo. "It wasn't my idea, but I'm fine with calling it the Sword of Four Souls. Whoever dares to object, the old man won't hold back."
Kozaburo gave a slight smile, hands behind his back and kiseru in his mouth, casting occasional glances at Rebecca.
"After forging for so long, I need to go back and train, and try to improve my skills to a higher level. First, I'll forge a supreme sword. Then, I'll become the top forger of this era."
With that, Shimotsuki Kozaburo turned and walked off into the distance.
"No way am I letting him take the lead," Hitetsu muttered before immediately turning around and leaving to train in seclusion, vanishing in an instant.
At that moment, Koby approached Rebecca and said, "Rebecca, Master Chiba said you're free to do what you wish."
Rebecca's face lit up with joy. "Please thank Master Chiba for me. I won't let him down."
"Take care," Koby said with a concerned smile, then turned and left.
Rebecca gazed at Chiba's ship, her eyes growing slightly wistful.
"Ahem..." Shimotsuki Kozaburo coughed gently, walking up to her.
"Master Shimotsuki." Rebecca quickly turned her gaze away and looked at Kozaburo.
"Young lady, could it be that you're interested in that kid Chiba?" Kozaburo teased, tapping his kiseru.
"Master Shimotsuki, don't say such things," Rebecca's cheeks flushed.
Kozaburo chuckled. "What's so embarrassing? You're not exactly young anymore, and you're close in age to young Chiba. He's a fine lad; it's natural to have feelings. But staying by his side won't be easy."
He added with a grin, "That peacock girl's quite lovely, not to mention Hancock. Right now, only Hina has the upper hand, being close to him."
"If you want to stay by Chiba's side among all those beauties, you'll need a little strategy."
"I've thought of a way for you to be with young Chiba."
Rebecca's ears perked up, even as she replied, "Oh, stop with the nonsense, Grandpa Shimotsuki."
Seeing her reaction, Kozaburo smirked and was about to leave. "You think I'm joking, huh? Alright then, I'll say no more."
"This is so frustrating!" Rebecca muttered, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation as she watched him walk away.
Noticing her expression, Kozaburo took another puff and said, "Fine, I won't tease you. But look around Chiba's crew—he's missing a proper blacksmith. That's a gap that needs filling."
Rebecca looked surprised. "Aren't you and Master Hitetsu the top blacksmiths of this era?"
"Heh, we're both getting on in years. My only goal now is to forge one last Supreme Sword. After that, I'll be done with blacksmithing. Hitetsu feels the same way."
"You must have noticed we rarely forge these days. Our hands aren't as steady as they used to be. But Chiba and his crew still need weapons. If we don't forge, who will?"
"These pirates can pillage and plunder, but forging requires skill. You're the only one I've seen who has the potential."
"During our time together, I've come to see you as a good young lady, talented and diligent. So, I've decided to accept you as my disciple. You'll be the old man's apprentice, and I'll teach you the art of forging."
"As a blacksmith, you'll have a rightful place at Chiba's side."
"And Chiba himself is knowledgeable about blacksmithing. This identity will give you a reason to seek his guidance—a reason to spend long nights together. Who knows what can happen between a man and a woman in the middle of the night?"
Rebecca's face went red with embarrassment. "Master Shimotsuki! That's not proper!"
Kozaburo took a few more puffs from his pipe. "Sometimes you have to be clever for your own happiness. Think it over carefully."
Rebecca's face softened as she replied, "Master Shimotsuki, I would never go that far. But... I do love forging, and I would be honored to learn from you."
Kozaburo laughed heartily, leaving Rebecca both embarrassed and annoyed. "Master Shimotsuki! What's so funny?"
"I just find it amusing that you say one thing but feel another," he replied. "You women are a mystery."
"Keep talking like that, and I'll go to Master Hitetsu instead!" Rebecca threatened.
"No, no, absolutely not," Kozaburo quickly relented, dropping his teasing tone. He was truly worried she might apprentice herself to Hitetsu. If that happened, Hitetsu would take credit for their work together.
But if Rebecca became his disciple, their work on the Supreme Sword would be remembered as his and his apprentice's.
That would ensure his reputation remained higher than Hitetsu's.
"Tenguyama Hitetsu, you old fool. There's no way I'll let you surpass me or steal my fame," Kozaburo thought to himself.
"Alright then," he announced. "Since you agree, I'll go find that kid Chiba as a witness and make this apprenticeship official."
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.