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Knowing that Tashigi wouldn't give up until she got a close look at Sakuragi,
Bai Yu finally drew the blade slowly from its sheath.
As the sword was unsheathed, a faint gleam shimmered across the edge.
In the next moment, Tashigi's eyes lit up. Everyone around stood frozen in place.
Without hesitation, Tashigi reached forward and gently ran her fingers along the flat of the blade.
"A cold current the moment I touched it…" she muttered with surprise.
"What's more—this sakura-pattern hamon... it's rare to see such a delicate forging pattern even among Wazamono."
"And the metal… it's the finest-grade alloy I've ever examined," she added, inspecting it closer with professional curiosity.
She turned sharply to Bai Yu.
"Don't tell me this is another masterpiece from that mysterious blacksmith of yours!"
"The quality clearly matches the grade of a Saijo Ō Wazamono," she declared seriously.
"But I've never seen this blade listed in Kairiki Sho, the sword index."
Bai Yu gave a wry smile.
"It's a long story."
"This is Sakuragi—a blade that could easily rank among the Supreme Grade swords," he admitted.
"But I didn't forge it myself. I obtained it… by chance."
"By chance?" Tashigi squinted in disbelief.
"You really do have the luck of the Pirate King."
"Alright, alright," Bai Yu sighed, waving her off as if he were growing tired of the interrogation.
"We can talk about this later. Let's get moving first."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and quickly boarded the warship.
"Did you see that?" Belumeber chuckled from the deck.
"That might be the first time Vice Admiral Bai Yu retreated on his own!"
"Tashigi sure knows how to press his buttons."
"You're such a gossip," Maya said with a frown, shooting him a glare as she followed Bai Yu up the gangplank.
"Hey, I was just joking…" Belumeber muttered, baffled by the reaction.
"What's with her? Did she swallow gunpowder for breakfast?"
Koby burst out laughing behind them.
"Gossip, hahahaha!"
Once the entire crew had boarded the G-5 warship, Smoker gave the order to activate the ship's coating membrane.
With a faint hiss, the ship was enveloped in a protective bubble, allowing it to begin its descent into the depths.
As the vessel steadily sank beneath the surface, a low, echoing cry rang out from the ocean—
Woooaaahhh!
"Colonel Smoker! Vice Admiral Bai Yu!"
A G-5 Marine came rushing up from the observation deck.
"We've spotted a massive Sea King on our descent route!"
Smoker's expression turned grim.
Devil Fruit users could face down monsters and warlords, but sea water was their greatest natural enemy.
At this depth, their power was severely limited.
"Could you see what kind of Sea King it was?" Bai Yu asked calmly.
"It looked like… a sea lion, sir. But massive!"
Bai Yu gave a small smile.
"Don't panic. That's my sea lion."
"Look closely—it should have a rope attached to it."
"Fasten that rope to the ship. He'll help guide us through the current safely."
Smoker glanced at Bai Yu in disbelief.
Did he just say he tamed a Sea King?
Sure enough, when the crew gathered at the bow, they spotted the creature:
A giant sea lion Sea King with a thick braided rope looped through its maw and draped along its back.
One end was clenched gently in the beast's mouth.
The other floated toward the ship's hull with a loop—just as Bai Yu described.
"Well?" Bai Yu raised an eyebrow.
"What are you standing around for? Tie it up!"
"Yes, sir!" the crew replied, scrambling into action.
Guided by Bai Yu's commands, the sea lion swam closer, offering the rope to the crew, who swiftly secured it to the hull.
With a flick of its massive tail, the Sea King pulled the ship faster and deeper beneath the surface.
Once that was handled, Bai Yu returned to mid-deck.
As expected, Tashigi followed him immediately.
"If you're going to keep pestering me, just look at the sword yourself," Bai Yu said before she could even open her mouth.
He placed Sakuragi gently on the deck and found a nearby crate to sit and rest on.
"Hmph! I will look, don't think you can shut me up that easily," Tashigi muttered under her breath.
She crouched down and reached for Sakuragi, gripping both the hilt and scabbard—
—but her expression twisted instantly.
Heavy.
Far heavier than she expected.
It felt like trying to lift a solid iron boulder rather than a sleek katana.
Unwilling to give up, she braced herself, took a deep breath, and tried again.
Still, the blade barely budged.
Straining, her face flushed red as she gave it one last pull—
But it was no use.
"This… this blade is too heavy!"
"You actually fight with this?" she asked in disbelief, glancing up at Bai Yu.
She knew he carried another sword of comparable quality, too.
But looking at him, he didn't seem burdened by the weight at all.
Bai Yu smirked.
"The sword's right there. If you can't lift it, that's not my problem."
"Let me try," Smoker said from nearby, curious now.
Tashigi stepped aside as Smoker stepped up, gripping the handle with both hands.
Clink.
Muscles tensed as he pulled.
Sakuragi finally shifted.
Smoker narrowed his eyes and focused, pulling with all his strength.
Thud!
He managed to lift it off the deck and swing it once—twice—
—but his breathing turned heavy.
He clearly wasn't used to fighting with such an unwieldy weapon.
After a few experimental swings, Smoker lowered the sword and shook his head.
"It's strong… but too damn heavy. Not practical for me."
He left Sakuragi on the deck and walked off, silently reevaluating Bai Yu in his mind.
This wasn't just about strength.
This man casually wielded a sword that made even Smoker strain.
Better not to antagonize him lightly.
Turning his gaze forward again, Smoker shifted topics.
"With the Sea King towing us, we won't need to pass by Fish-Man Island."
"We can take the direct route—straight through the hole under the Red Line."
Most ships relied on the vertical currents to control their descent, but those were unpredictable and dangerous.
Now, with Bai Yu's Sea King guiding them, their route could be adjusted safely in real time.
"By the way," Smoker added,
"You never told me—once we get to the New World, what's our next destination?"
"You're not seriously planning to go straight to Dressrosa, are you?"
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