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With a focused thought, Russell mentally activated the cards, and in an instant, Zoro and Luffy materialized before him in a shimmer of summoned energy, standing side by side in the confines of his living space.
"Hey, Zoro!" Luffy exclaimed, his face breaking into that signature, wide grin that seemed to radiate boundless enthusiasm and warmth. Given how intricately the narratives of these two characters were woven together in their original tales, Russell wasn't the least bit surprised by their immediate familiarity. If the cards lacked this inherent connection, the [Straw Hat Pirates] bond effect would remain dormant, unable to activate and enhance their combined potential.
"Oh, it's you, Luffy," the green-haired swordsman replied, his voice carrying a rough edge tempered by underlying camaraderie. Adorned with three golden teardrop-shaped earrings dangling from his left ear, Zoro crossed his arms, exuding an air of stoic readiness.
Russell's gaze drifted to the trio of swords secured at Zoro's waist—artifacts that had manifested alongside the card itself—and he fell into a contemplative silence. Perhaps I should craft some superior blades for him to wield initially, he considered, recognizing that as a dedicated swordsman, Zoro's combat effectiveness was inextricably linked to the quality of his weapons. Drawing from Zoro's canonical backstory, there were several renowned swords that could be adapted as linked prop cards, such as the pristine white [Wado Ichimonji], a blade steeped in personal significance, or the ominous cursed sword [Enma], known for its voracious appetite for its wielder's vitality.
However, he soon tempered his ambitions with a dose of realism, acknowledging the inherent constraints. The armaments from the One Piece universe, while formidable in their craftsmanship and durability, frequently lacked extraordinary supernatural properties and could even impose burdensome drawbacks on their users. If he was committing to forging a sword that drained its master, why settle for mediocrity? Why not aspire to something grander, like the [Tenseiga] from the Inuyasha saga—a divine blade capable of cleaving through ethereal beings from the netherworld and resurrecting the fallen? Or delve into legendary relics such as [Tianjing] and [Hupo] from classic manhua lore, weapons whose cataclysmic might could reshape battlefields? Yet, the sheer destructive scale of such artifacts far exceeded what his current capabilities and resources could feasibly produce. It dawned on him that his mental wishlist for prop cards was growing extensive, filled with daydreams of potent items waiting to be realized.
Furthermore, Russell reflected on his existing arsenal, realizing that the [Three Treasures] prop card, once a reliable standby, was struggling to match the pace of his accelerating growth. A more advanced defensive artifact was becoming a necessity. For quite some time, he had harbored a fascination with a customized iteration of the seven-layered shield [Rho Aias], famously brandished by a certain heroic figure clad in red with striking white hair—a barrier of unparalleled resilience. Alas, manifesting such a masterpiece remained firmly out of reach at his present level. Even Pidgeot, his initial makeshift mount summoned in a moment of desperation, was due for an upgrade sooner rather than later. His musings wandered to the Zanpakutō from the Bleach series, soul-bound blades that evolved with their wielders, but he doubted his ability to replicate them as standalone items. Moreover, even if successful, how could cards hailing from disparate worlds harness Shikai or Bankai without the foundational spiritual pressure that defined that universe?
But as his eyes fell upon the stark figure of 1.6 million credits displayed in his account balance, it was as if a chilling wave had crashed over him, snapping him back to harsh reality.
Poor! He was still far too poor to indulge in such elaborate fantasies.
Beyond that, the most coveted materials often eluded purchase altogether, guarded by exclusivity or rarity that no amount of currency could breach. He resolved to ground his strategies in attainable resources, planning meticulously around what he could realistically acquire.
Clearing his mind of these tangled aspirations, Russell shifted his attention to evaluating the compatibility of his existing lineup. With a mental command, he summoned Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the Demon Slayer materializing in a poised stance.
As anticipated, the instant Yoriichi emerged, Zoro's demeanor sharpened, his eyes narrowing with acute awareness and intensity. "This swordsman... he's strong," Zoro muttered, his instincts as a blade master igniting with urgent alerts. If not for the disparities in our respective world power systems, he pondered internally, he would pose an extraordinarily challenging adversary.
This discrepancy served as a point of mild exasperation for Russell. Based on Yoriichi's feats in his source material, his capabilities should have soared far beyond their current manifestation. However, the subpar quality of the initial materials had resulted in a "youthful version" of the character, with all attributes and skills dialed back accordingly. Compounding this was the inherent ceiling of the Demon Slayer universe, which offered no viable advancement route to elevate him further.
"How about we have a sparring match?" Zoro proposed, his hand instinctively drifting to the hilt of one of his swords, a spark of eagerness gleaming in his eyes.
Yoriichi, having appeared with his characteristic calm and vigilance, immediately discerned the profound expertise emanating from the green-haired warrior opposite him. Yet, a single peculiarity puzzled him deeply. Why does he carry three swords? In the entirety of his demon-slaying career, he had never encountered anyone who brandished three blades simultaneously.
Thankfully, Russell intervened promptly to defuse the brewing tension. "If you're set on sparring, hold off until tomorrow," he advised with a hint of helplessness in his voice. "I'll request a proper venue from the school. Engaging here risks damaging property, and you'd be on the hook for repairs."
At these words, Zoro's burgeoning battle lust ebbed away, his posture relaxing as he acknowledged the validity of his master's caution. As one of Russell's summoned cards, he could intuitively sense the sincerity behind the statement. Yoriichi, on the other hand, harbored little enthusiasm for clashing with fellow humans; from his earliest days, the sensation of steel slicing through human flesh had always unsettled him profoundly. The demons lurking in secret realms were another matter entirely—in his perception, they were indistinguishable from the voracious abominations loyal to Muzan. This distinction explained why Russell typically delegated post-battle cleanups to Kaneki, sparing Yoriichi the discomfort.
The following day, Russell returned to school after an extended hiatus, having missed over half a month of classes since the commencement of the joint examinations. Not that the curriculum held much novelty for him anymore; his practical experiences had far outstripped the theoretical lessons offered in high school.
Following a restorative night of meditation, he arrived in high spirits, his mind clear and energized. Spotting Nancy Whitemore slumped listlessly over her desk, he couldn't resist commenting in a tone laced with curiosity and concern. "Long time no see, Nancy. What's with the drained look?" The pair hadn't crossed paths since the [Black Flag] ordeal, as she had been immersed in her own secret realm challenge during the Prodigy Cup.
Nancy lifted her head at the sound of his voice, her response coming out feeble and subdued. "Oh, it's you, Russell. Long time no see. Congratulations, oh esteemed genius, on clinching first place in the Prodigy Cup."
Classic Nancy, Russell thought with an internal chuckle. She possessed an uncanny knack for delivering compliments in a manner that dripped with sarcasm, turning praise into playful barbs.
"I'm like this because I barely got any sleep last night," Nancy grumbled, her head dropping back onto the desk with a soft thud.
Russell's eyes widened in mock horror. "That's illegal! You're still a minor, you know!"
Nancy raised her head again, blinking in confusion at his outburst. "Illegal? What on earth are you rambling about?" A beat later, the implication dawned on her, and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Get your mind out of the gutter! It's about my father."
Russell paused, taken aback. Mr. Whitemore? What could trouble a gold-level cardmaker like him?
Fortunately, Nancy didn't withhold the details, sharing openly. "He came home from work last night looking really down about something. He might fool others, but not me—I'm his daughter, after all."
Russell fell quiet for a moment, processing her words, before gently inquiring, "Did he mention what was bothering him?" Jonathan Whitemore had extended considerable kindness to him in the past; if there was an issue, Russell felt compelled to offer assistance, though he recognized that any problem stumping a gold-level expert was likely well beyond his bronze-tier capabilities.
Nancy slumped further onto the table, her voice muffled against the wood. "That's exactly why I'm so upset—I have no idea, and he won't say."
"Ah, well..." Russell trailed off, feeling somewhat helpless. Family matters were delicate territory, and he had no place intruding. As a single parent navigating the demands of his profession while raising Nancy, Jonathan must have shouldered immense burdens over the years. Middle-aged men have their rough patches, Russell concluded sympathetically, unable to offer more than silent support.
He returned to his seat as classes commenced, immersing himself in the day's lessons. Once school concluded, he approached Victoria Song to request access to the battle arena. She granted permission without hesitation, recognizing his status and needs.
Arriving at the vacant combat venue, Russell wasted no time in summoning his cards. On the open field, Yoriichi Tsugikuni regarded Zoro across from him, a spark of comprehension finally illuminating his expression.
So that's the secret to mastering three swords!
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