Morning found Xiao Yan at the forge before dawn, arranging materials with careful precision. The spiritual bead in his dantian hummed softly as he considered the day's work - not just simple forging, but the first steps toward something more profound.
"Early start?" Kozaburo's voice carried approval as the old smith entered. "Good. Metal speaks clearer in morning stillness."
Before either could continue, Taro's voice preceded him through the door. "I'm not late! The sun's not even- oh, you're both already here." He paused, noting the careful arrangement of materials. "Are we making something special today?"
"We're making observations," Xiao Yan replied carefully. Though in truth, he was planning the foundation for both the furnace and future projects. Each step needed to appear natural while serving multiple purposes.
Xiaojin perched near the forge, its flames burning with unusual focus. Since watching Haki flow through steel during the match, the phoenix had shown increasing interest in how different energies could interact with fire.
"Your phoenix seems to understand something about today's work," Kozaburo noted, stoking the forge with practiced care. "Though speaking of understanding - Kuina! I know you're listening by the door."
His granddaughter entered, trying to look casual despite being caught. "Morning practice ended early," she offered. "And I thought since Zoro's probably going to show up anyway..."
As if summoned by his name, the green-haired boy appeared, trying to seem equally nonchalant about his interest in the forge's activities.
"Well, since you're all here," Kozaburo sighed with mock exasperation, "you might as well learn something useful. Today we're testing how different metals respond to varying levels of heat."
Xiao Yan began his work, carefully heating different pieces of metal while observing how they reacted. Each piece told its own story - how it had been mined, how it had been refined, how it might be shaped further.
"The metal remembers," he murmured, noting how one particular piece seemed to resonate with the spiritual bead's energy. "Every step of its creation leaves marks that affect its future."
"Like how training leaves marks on a swordsman?" Kuina asked, her sharp mind catching implications others might miss.
"Similar," Kozaburo nodded approvingly. "Every strike, every fold, every cooling - they're all part of the blade's memory. Just as every practice swing becomes part of a warrior's nature."
Zoro frowned thoughtfully at this, his hand unconsciously gripping his practice sword tighter. "Is that why some swords feel... different? Even when they look the same?"
"Precisely!" Taro exclaimed, then quickly lowered his voice at Kozaburo's look. "I mean, that's what the master's been trying to teach me. Every blade has its own... uh, spirit?"
"Nature would be a better word," Xiao Yan suggested, while carefully testing how the metal responded to different heating patterns. He was particularly interested in how certain combinations might serve as foundation points for the furnace he planned to build.
The morning progressed with careful work and observation. Xiaojin occasionally offered its divine flames for specific tests, creating heat pure enough to reveal subtle properties in the metals. Each demonstration added to Xiao Yan's understanding of how this world's materials might interact with cultivation techniques.
Their work was briefly interrupted when Shanks stopped by, bringing news that Xiaolong had apparently decided to help the fishing fleet by herding entire schools of fish toward their nets.
"Your dragon's becoming quite popular with the fishermen," the captain grinned. "Though they're running out of ways to thank him. How many barrels of sake can one dragon need?"
"Xiaolong appreciates the gesture more than the drink," Xiao Yan replied, though he suspected the dragon simply enjoyed the chaos of festivities that followed each successful catch.
As noon approached, Koushirou appeared to collect his students for afternoon training. He paused to observe their work, his eyes showing particular interest in how different materials responded to careful manipulation.
"The principles aren't so different," he noted quietly to Xiao Yan. "Whether shaping metal or spirit, understanding flow is essential."
The spiritual bead pulsed gently in agreement. Each observation brought Xiao Yan closer to understanding how he might create tools that bridged different approaches to power - a furnace that could refine pills while appearing to be a simple forge enhancement, a blade that could channel both Haki and more subtle energies.
"Tomorrow," Kozaburo announced as they cleaned the workspace, "we'll begin actual construction. The foundations have been properly laid."
"The metal is ready?" Taro asked eagerly.
"The metal was ready days ago," the old smith replied. "We were waiting for the right understanding."
As they finished for the day, Xiao Yan reviewed his mental notes. The groundwork was set - now the real work could begin. Though first, someone should probably check what Xiao Gui was doing near the dojo's equipment storage...
"Not the training weights!" Zoro's voice carried clear alarm. "How does it even lift those?"
Some questions, Xiao Yan reflected, were better left unanswered. Though perhaps tomorrow's construction might benefit from such dedicated investigation of local materials.