East Blue, The Four Blues Sweep Fleet.
It was yet another restless day. News birds filled the skies, scattering papers across the sea.
Sakazuki stepped out of the cabin, glancing at the soldiers on deck who were staring in shock at the headlines. Nearby, Enel and Bullet looked much more indifferent.
He asked calmly, "What happened this time?"
Enel shrugged. "A third Emperor of the Seas has risen. Kaido of the Beasts Pirates. He fought Big Mom and Knox in the New World, snatched a few territories. Not long after, both of them acknowledged his title as Emperor."
Bullet grinned as his eyes scanned the newspaper. "This guy looks like he'd be fun to fight."
The image of Kaido's huge, tightly coiled muscles stirred something in him. His fists itched to test that strength.
Accepting the paper Enel passed him, Sakazuki's eyes lingered on the bold headline.
"So he's reached that level already. Then your teacher, Vegapunk, won't be resting easy now." He smiled faintly.
Enel tilted his head, confused. "What does Kaido have to do with Teacher?"
Sakazuki spoke slowly, "Of course there's a connection. A scientist needs material. I once captured that man and tossed him into Punk Hazard for experimentation. During that time, the research division harvested plenty of cells and flesh. But later, he 'accidentally' escaped."
'Accidentally? Sure.' Enel raised his brows. "Now that's interesting. The flesh of an Emperor of the Seas; that's one of a kind. Hard to cover something like that up. Even if those fools in the research division are much dumber than me, they're still scientists. Sooner or later, they'll eventually reach breakthroughs in LIneage Factor studies. They won't be able to hide it forever."
Sakazuki gave a quiet chuckle. "Relax. Your teacher Vegapunk is the one writing their textbooks. Whatever they research depends on what he chooses to publish. He can point them down a wrong path and keep them busy for years. There's no need to worry about that."
His gaze sharpened. "Focus on what's in front of us. Gather intelligence on this so-called Marine Hunter. He's been running wild while we've been too busy to deal with him."
Enel and Bullet followed his eyes to the third page of the paper. A huge headline screamed:
"Aiming for the World's Strongest Swordsman! 'Marine Hunter' Dracule Mihawk defeats master swordsman 'Fireblade' Hughes!"
Every time Mihawk defeated another well-known swordsman, the title "Marine Hunter" rang out louder. When he defeated them all, the world would no longer call him that. Instead, he would be named "The Strongest Swordsman in the World," stepping on the Marines' head as he rose to the top…
Snap!
With a snap, the newspaper in Sakazuki's hand burst into flames and was reduced to ashes.
Suddenly, Enel stiffened. He frowned as he focused on a small island nearby.
"Hm?"
There was a sharp sword aura there, faint yet cutting, brushing against his Observation Haki.
The other two noticed his reaction and extended their own senses as well. But just as they reached for it, the sword intent quickly pulled back, vanishing without a trace. No matter how they probed, nothing remained.
Sakazuki exhaled through his nose. "The world really is full of hidden monsters. Who is it this time? That sword intent… a swordsman hiding his fangs."
* * *
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village. Shoreline.
Watching the marine ship disappear into the horizon, an old man sitting with a fishing rod finally let out a long breath.
"Damn it… I let myself get too comfortable. Forgot even the most basic vigilance. I'll punish myself with three cups of sake tonight. No, I should change fishing spots altogether."
It wasn't fear of the Marines that weighed on him, just the annoyance they brought. As long as they didn't bother him, there was no problem.
If it came to a real fight, he knew he couldn't match the three aboard that warship. But if he had to, he could drag the weakest one down with him. Still, no one really wanted to die…
And it had all been an accident anyway. Who would keep their Observation Haki spread over such a wide range at all times? Usually, when a passing ship drew near, the old man would withdraw the sword aura lingering on his fishing hook. This time, though, he ran into Enel.
Not everyone had his combination of overwhelming innate talent and Devil Fruit powers, able to spread Observation Haki for thousands of meters as if he had a map of the world laid out before him, consuming no effort. It was absurd.
Boom!
A heavy thud echoed as a giant rock crashed against the ground.
"One thousand! I did it!"
A green-haired boy stood behind the massive stone, sweat running down his face. He wiped his forehead and ran over to the old fisherman.
"I finished it! Now tell me today's lesson!"
The old man clicked his tongue. "Consider yourself lucky, brat. I was planning to train you some more, but something unexpected came up. A few days ago I taught you about 'Sunacchi.' Today, I'll teach you what a sword truly is."
He narrowed his eyes at the boy. "So, in your eyes, what is a sword?"
The green-haired kid blinked. What kind of question was that? He thought he'd be hearing another story about samurai like the ones before. But since he was asked, he gave the first answer that came to mind.
"A weapon?"
The old man chuckled. "That's just its form. Every person has a different view of the sword. Some say the sword is the way. Some say it is skill. Others call it dominance. Some say it is killing. But to me… a sword is arrival."
His tone lowered.
"Where the sword arrives, death follows."
The last word rolled off his tongue like ice. The boy felt a chill spread through his whole body. For a moment, the man before him no longer seemed like an old fisherman, but a demon who had slaughtered millions.
Then the feeling vanished, as though nothing had happened. The boy even wondered if he was just dizzy from training too hard.
The old man smiled at the dazed boy. From a cloth bag at his side, he pulled out two real blades and tossed them to him.
The boy scrambled to catch them, his eyes wide with disbelief. "T-this is…!"
"Yours now, brat," the old man said with a grin. "I've taught you what a sword is. The rest is for you to discover. Your path is your own. Figure out what the sword means to you."
He stood up and began walking toward the village.
The boy shouted after him. "Hey! Old man, you—"
But the fisherman only slung his rod over his shoulder and waved a hand, cutting him off.
The boy watched the mysterious old man leave, uncertain. Then excitement drowned out his doubts as he gripped the real blades in his hands, his heart racing.
With both hands on the hilts, he stared at the gleaming edges. Recalling the old man's story about "Sunacchi," he swung forward.
But nothing happened. No hidden power surged forth like in the tale.
"Tch… fake after all."
* * *
Night. Shimotsuki Village.
Inside Isshin Dojo, the master, Shimotsuki Koushirou, sat kneeling across from the old fisherman at a tea table.
Koushirou lifted the pot and poured him a cup. "Heading out again, father?"
The fisherman, Shimotsuki Kouzaburou, took a drag from his pipe and nodded. "Yes. This afternoon, a few marines sensed me by accident. It may amount to nothing, but better safe than sorry. I can't afford to bring trouble down on you."
His gaze softened as he glanced toward the room where Kuina slept.
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