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Chapter 54
Tashigi, who had been admiring "Yukiwalk" from the side, turned to look at Ipponmatsu after hearing his startled exclamation.
"N-no… it's nothing!"
Ipponmatsu brushed her off, then walked over to Jepack's side.
He spoke to Jepack in a serious low voice: "Are you sure you want to buy this sword? This isn't exactly a proper good blade!"
"Thanks for the concern, boss! I know exactly what kind of sword this is!"
Saying that, he drew the sword from its sheath.
"Don't—!"
Ipponmatsu cried out in alarm.
The sound drew Tashigi's attention again.
Tashigi turned her head to look. In that one glance, she saw the demonic aura emanating from the blade!
Covering her mouth, she was so shocked by the aura that seemed about to devour Jepack that she stammered out one word at a time: "Th-that… that's… a cursed sword."
Jepack glanced at Tashigi while holding the sword and said calmly: "I know. Third Generation Kitetsu, right?"
Then he turned back to Ipponmatsu and said:
"Boss, are you really selling this Ryo Wazamono cursed blade—Third Generation Kitetsu—for just 500 beri? Once it's decided, no take-backs, okay?"
"Of course I won't take it back, but I still advise you to put that sword down. This is…"
Ipponmatsu, listening to Jepack, perhaps felt a pang of conscience and still tried to persuade him to let go of the sword.
Jepack raised a hand to stop the boss from continuing. He glanced at Tashigi and Ipponmatsu, then struck a cool pose and said: "Boss, no need to say more. To me, this sword actually feels a bit underwhelming."
With that, he mimicked Zoro's original move—tossing the drawn sword into the air and extending his arm…
"No—!"
Jepack heard the shocked cries from Tashigi and Ipponmatsu in his ears.
The falling Third Generation Kitetsu had already brushed the hairs on Jepack's arm—it was about to slice his arm in half!
Jepack thought to himself: "Damn it—am I really going to fail the cool moment?"
He hurriedly unleashed Conqueror's Haki to suppress the Third Generation Kitetsu, making it slide past the edge of his arm!
"This sword really has a grudge, huh? It didn't cut Zoro when he posed, but it wants to cut me when I pose!"
"Could it be that this sword already chooses its master?"
Jepack rubbed his chin in confusion, thinking to himself!
But to everyone else watching, it looked like Jepack had conquered the cursed sword. They were too shocked to speak.
After a moment of thought, Jepack turned back to Ipponmatsu and said: "Boss, I'll take both swords. Calculate the bill!"
Saying that, he picked up the Third Generation Kitetsu from the ground, sheathed it, and placed it beside Yukiwalk!
Jepack's series of words and actions forcibly snapped Ipponmatsu and Tashigi back to reality.
Ipponmatsu still looked a bit shaken and walked behind the counter to calculate the price!
Tashigi, beside him, was so stunned by the scene that she still couldn't speak!
Soon, under his wife Ipponmei's supervision, Ipponmatsu finished the calculation.
"Young man, it's 20,000 beri in total! The Ryo Wazamono sword Yukiwalk is 20,000 beri. As for the other Ryo Wazamono sword Third Generation Kitetsu—consider it a gift from me!"
Jepack handed over the remaining 20,000 beri he had on him and took both swords.
In his heart he thought: "I really have to hand it to you, old man. You gave Zoro both swords for free, but you charge me money. And this Third Generation Kitetsu is just as bad—it even tried to cut me."
Crooked merchant! Total crook!
After completing the transaction, Jepack pulled the still-dazed Tashigi out of Ipponmatsu's weapons shop. At the door, he let go of her small hand, spat lightly, and muttered under his breath: "What the hell!"
Tashigi, who had been dragged out, finally came back to her senses when she saw this. She asked Jepack in confusion: "Huh? What 'what the hell'? What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, nothing!"
"Here—this is your thank-you gift. Take it!"
Saying that, Jepack handed both swords to Tashigi.
Tashigi didn't take them. Instead she waved her hands in refusal and asked curiously: "Huh? You're giving them to me?"
"Yeah. If there weren't anything better to give you, I wouldn't have come to this shop!"
Jepack placed both swords in Tashigi's hands, spread his own hands, and shrugged as if it didn't matter.
"Take them. They're useless in my hands anyway."
Tashigi, now holding the swords, felt surprised. She really wanted to accept them—her hobby was collecting famous swords from around the world!
But these were swords Jepack had bought—they should belong to him!
Looking at the calluses on his hands, he must be a swordsman too—so saying they're useless had to be a lie!
She solemnly handed the two swords back to Jepack: "No, I can't accept these swords! Please take them back!"
Jepack waved his hand dismissively, turned around, and walked forward while playing with Lucky Star on his shoulder.
Casually he said: "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gained such a good companion. So you can accept these two swords I'm giving you with peace of mind!"
"If you're worried because I'm also a swordsman… look—this is my sword!"
Jepack drew Ten'en and showed it to Tashigi.
Tashigi looked at the sword in Jepack's hand. The previously restless Third Generation Kitetsu instantly calmed down!
Sensing this, Tashigi took two quick steps forward and seriously examined this finely crafted "sword" she had never seen before.
Little master, there's more to this chapter—click next page to continue reading, it gets even better!
Feeling the faint power emanating from the "sword," Tashigi was surprised again: "This craftsmanship… this 'sword'… it's already beyond any famous blade I know!"
"It's already surpassed the Supreme Grade Blades Twelve Works, hasn't it?"
Tashigi couldn't determine what level Ten'en belonged to. She asked Jepack curiously.
Jepack turned back to look at Tashigi and replied: "I don't know what rank it should belong to either. I just happened to pick it up. It feels very comfortable to use, so I've kept using it!"
"By the way, it's called Ten'en—same name as my ship!"
"Ten'en? That name sounds really familiar…"
"In that case, I'll accept your gift. I'll treasure them well!"
Seeing that Tashigi had accepted the gift, Jepack thought of saying goodbye. After all, it was their first day meeting—he'd already touched everything he could touch and even held her hand while running around.
Seeing that the sunset glow was about to disappear, Jepack spoke up: "Since you've accepted the thank-you gift, I'll say goodbye now!"
"Our ship is docked at the port. We should stay in Loguetown a few more days before setting sail. If you have time, come visit us at the port! I'll introduce you to your 'twin sister'—you two can get to know each other!"
Hearing Jepack say goodbye, Tashigi looked a bit reluctant. But when she heard the second half, her eyes lit up!
"Okay! I'll definitely come visit!"
The two parted at the corner of the road. In the air only two words remained: "Goodbye!"
Tashigi hugged the two swords Jepack had given her, watching his departing figure and thinking to herself: "I have to see for myself if this 'twin sister' really looks that much like me!"
As she thought, she suddenly remembered everything that happened today. Her face instantly turned bright red!
"I hope what you said is true… Jepack—I'll remember you!"
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