Ippon-Matsu sat collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, his entire body trembling as he stared at the smiling Shirogai Yamikuro.
"You... you actually survived?"
Behind Shirogai, the two people who had pushed the door open were also startled by what they saw.
Tashigi froze at the entrance, too frightened to take a step inside.
Zoro strode up beside Shirogai, eyeing him carefully as he saw Shirogai pull Sandai Kitetsu from the floor. He frowned and asked,
"Shirogai, what the hell were you doing just now?"
Shirogai slid Sandai Kitetsu back into its scabbard, turned to Zoro with a calm smile, and said,
"Nothing much — just testing my luck with a little method someone once showed me. Boss, I'll be taking this sword."
"I... I need to calm down!"
Ippon-Matsu, sprawled on the floor, felt as though his heart was about to burst. His legs had gone so weak he couldn't even stand.
Tashigi cautiously stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the sword in Shirogai's hand.
"This sword… could it be?!"
Her eyes lit up with excitement. She quickly pulled out a small notebook, flipped through its pages, and upon confirming, exclaimed,
"Yes! This is the Sandai Kitetsu!
Its predecessor, Nidai Kitetsu, is a Great Grade sword. And before that was Shodai Kitetsu, a Supreme Grade sword."
"Looks like a blade with a serious personality," Zoro muttered, staring at Sandai Kitetsu in Shirogai's grip, a hint of envy flashing across his face.
"Seems like you found a fine sword."
Shirogai smiled faintly.
"You like it? I could lend it to you.
But not right now — I'll be needing it for a bit."
"Lend it to me? For real?"
Zoro's eyes shone.
"In this town… a truly remarkable man has finally arrived," Ippon-Matsu muttered as he struggled to his feet.
He had sensed from the start that this man was no ordinary swordsman — and now, witnessing what just happened, he felt certain. This wasn't someone destined to remain unknown for long. One day soon, Shirogai Yamikuro's name would resound across the seas.
A bold thought crossed Ippon-Matsu's mind.
Perhaps… he could entrust his lifelong dream to this man.
Without another word, Ippon-Matsu bolted upstairs.
Moments later, he returned, drenched in sweat and carrying a long, cloth-wrapped sword. Unveiling it with care, his expression grew solemn.
"This is Yubashiri," he said quietly.
"A fine treasured blade — coated in black lacquer with an irregular, cross-shaped hamon pattern. The best sword this shop has ever possessed."
Zoro's eyes locked onto Yubashiri, eager to test its weight in his hand.
The proprietress chuckled nearby.
"Look at you. The man too stingy to part with an extra Berry is giving away a family heirloom for free.
Didn't you always say this sword held your life's dream?"
"What's wrong with entrusting a man's dream to someone worthy?" Ippon-Matsu declared, his eyes fixed on Shirogai.
"You have the spirit of a true swordsman. As they say — a treasured sword for a hero. Take both Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri! May fortune follow you."
"For free? That doesn't sit right with me."
Shirogai gave a faint smirk and tossed a heavy bag of Berries onto the counter.
"Consider this a thank-you gift. Don't worry — these swords will be well looked after."
He had no intention of letting Yubashiri fall victim to the Rust-Rust Fruit like it did in the canon.
After leaving the weapon shop, Shirogai tossed Yubashiri toward Zoro. Grinning, he said,
"Zoro, hold onto these for now. No need to rush buying another blade yet."
Zoro took Yubashiri, hesitating slightly.
"You're lending me both swords? What will you use?"
"Whether it's a branch or a blade, it makes no difference to me," Shirogai replied casually.
"But you — you're at the stage where you need a worthy sword to sharpen your spirit. A good blade can bring you closer to understanding what it truly means to be a swordsman."
Zoro secured Yubashiri at his side and murmured thoughtfully,
"The true path of a swordsman, huh…"
---
At the port, a group of unlucky pirates had just been rounded up by the Marines.
"As expected of the Captain! Dealt with Luffy's crew in a flash!"
A Marine officer flattered his superior, only for Smoker, with two cigars hanging from his lips, to snort.
"Are you blind? That wasn't Luffy. If that kind of small fry was worth 30 million Berries, the whole world would be doomed."
"Then where is Luffy, sir?"
Smoker's gaze shifted — and narrowed.
A tall, white-clad figure carrying a sword was overseeing cargo at the docks.
"Perhaps," Smoker murmured, a grin curling his lips.
"The real show's about to start."
He strode toward the man in white.
---
"The fridge goes over there. I'll carry it to the ship myself.
Stack the cookware by the fridge."
Shirogai oversaw the port workers unloading supplies, confirming every item with a sharp eye.
"Hehe, honored customer — satisfied with our service?
If you'd be kind enough to pay a little extra, we'd gladly deliver everything to your ship for you!"
The workers were still trying to cozy up, hoping for a tip.
But then someone gasped.
"Hey… look who's behind him…"
"It's that monster! Run!"
The workers fled in terror as Smoker approached.
"Heh, all ran away," Shirogai muttered with a faint smile, turning around.
A towering, broad-shouldered man with silver hair, a chiseled jaw, and a billowing Marine coat stood before him, two cigars clamped in his mouth.
[Host observed: User of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. Comprehended: Smoke Smoke Ability.]
[Host observed: Master of Rokushiki. Comprehended: Advanced Rokushiki Techniques.]
[Host observed: Expert of Jitte Combat. Comprehended: Advanced Jitte Techniques.]
[Host observed: Cigar Connoisseur. Comprehended: Advanced Cigar Appreciation.]
'Not bad,' Shirogai thought. 'Even offering me skills for free.'
The Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability was now his — and at last, he'd fully grasped the Marine's Six Styles.
As for Advanced Cigar Appreciation… well, at least it sounded amusing.
Smoker studied him coldly.
"You… Are you the pirate Monkey D. Luffy, wanted for 30 million Berries?"
Shirogai shook his head.
"No."
"Is that so? Guess I was mistaken."
Smoker took a slow drag from his cigar.
"Then… are you a pirate?"
Shirogai considered it a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah."
A rare glimmer of approval crossed Smoker's face.
"Not bad. A man who owns his choices."
His tone hardened.
"But a pirate daring to stroll so casually before a Marine Captain — aren't you overestimating yourself?"
In a flash, Smoker's body morphed into thick smoke, engulfing the area.
Before anyone could react, Shirogai was lifted into the air by the billowing smoke.
"Captain Smoker is incredible!"
"These worthless pirates can't even last a move against him!"
The Marines cheered.
Smoker reformed his body and eyed Shirogai, who hung motionless in the air, eyes shut as if resigned.
"Strange," Smoker muttered. "Not even going to struggle?"
He didn't believe this man, who radiated such presence, was a coward.
Shirogai's eyes opened slowly.
In those few seconds, he'd already comprehended and advanced the Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability.
Looking down at Smoker with a faint smile, he spoke,
"No need to rush. The real show's just starting."
The next instant — to Smoker's astonishment — Shirogai's body transformed too.
But unlike Smoker's grey-white smoke, his was a deep, ominous black.
---
(A/N: Whenever he copies someone's Ability/Devil Fruit, the power automatically levels up by 1. But going forward he'd need to comprehend and improve the abilities further)
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