Chapter 63: Heading to Shuangyue Village
One hour later.
Sanji stood at the entrance of the Raikougo's deck, carrying a simple luggage.
He cast a final glance back at the Baratie, the sea restaurant shaped like a giant fish, which held countless memories for him.
“Sanji—! You brat! Remember to come back and visit if you get the chance!”
“Don’t you dare die out there!”
The chefs of the Baratie crowded by the ship’s railing, shouting loudly, their voices drifting on the sea breeze.
“I will!”
Sanji dared not look back. He was afraid that if he did, seeing his companions with whom he had spent so much time, he would no longer be able to move his feet to leave.
He just waved his hand vigorously and high, as a farewell, and also like a silent vow.
“Hey, Sanji.” Zeff's figure suddenly appeared on the second deck of the Baratie, his voice low: “...Don’t catch a cold.”
Sanji’s departing steps suddenly froze in place, the bitterness in his heart could no longer be suppressed, and tears uncontrollably welled up in his eyes.
Drip, drop—
The deck beneath Sanji's feet quickly spread a small stain of tears.
“Old Man Zeff!”
Sanji suddenly turned back, knelt on both knees, and heavily kowtowed to the man who had saved his life.
“For a long time—thank you for taking care of me.”
On the deck of the Raikougo, Cain looked at this scene and softly sighed to Reiju beside him: “Your brother has met an extraordinary father.”
Reiju remained silent.
She didn't know whether to be happy for Sanji or sad for him.
Cain then turned to Hawkeye: “Mihawk, our next stop is Shuangyue Village. Do you plan to come along, or should I drop you off at a nearby island with a shipyard?”
After all, this World's Strongest Swordsman could now be truly called a pauper.
“Shuangyue Village? Is it the Shuangyue from Wano Country?”
Beside them, Kozuki Hiyori, whose upper body was still wrapped in layers of supreme bandages, noticed the blind spot.
Cain nodded: “The Kozuki family had a great swordsmith named Shimotsuki Kozaburo, who fled Wano Country more than forty years ago and came to East Blue to establish that village.”
“Of course, none of that is the main point. The main point is that he once forged two O Wazamono grade swords.”
“If possible, I’d like to ask him to help forge an O Wazamono for you.”
Originally, finding Kozuki Sukiyaki could also achieve the goal, but unexpectedly, due to his advanced age, the swords he forged could only reach the Ryō Wazamono grade, which is the one Hiyori currently holds.
Hopefully, Shimotsuki Kozaburo can still wield a hammer.
If not, they could only go to Moriah’s place.
The Dragon-Slayer Samurai, Shimotsuki Ryuma, held an O Wazamono—Shusui.
However, Shusui had already been forged into a Black Blade Night.
Swordsmen with ambition often have a bit of spiritual Mysophobia and don't want to use second-hand goods.
After all, the process of forging a Black Blade Night is like making a marriage certificate, and the Black Blade Night is the object with whom the swordsman has finalized the marriage certificate.
Upon hearing this, Hawkeye also became interested: “A swordsmith capable of forging O Wazamono grade swords? I’ll go along.”
A true swordsman must not only be proficient in swordsmanship but also understand the sword in his hand, and communicating with a swordsmith is a good way to do so.
A swordsmith of Shimotsuki Kozaburo's caliber is not easily encountered.
Hawkeye was interested in any opportunity that could improve his swordsmanship.
As for whether his presence on the Beasts’ ship would cause the Marine to misunderstand?
Hawkeye just wanted to say: Who cares?
Cain naturally agreed happily.
It was perfect; on the way, he could have this World's Strongest Swordsman be Hiyori's free tutor.
Using teaching to offset the ship fare was only natural!
The next morning.
“Cain, I’m going to cut you down!”
A furious roar filled with killing intent broke the tranquility on the ship.
Hawkeye, the usually calm and composed World's Strongest Swordsman, was seen raising his Black Blade Night high, chasing after Cain.
“Hey, hey, hey! Calm down, Mihawk! What happened?!”
Cain ran for his life, completely bewildered.
“It’s all because of your damn mouth!” Hawkeye gritted his teeth.
I’ve spent my whole life building up my image, and you’ve ruined it all.
“Huh?” Cain was even more confused.
At this moment, Violet curiously picked up the World Economic News that Hawkeye had dropped in his rage. After just reading the headline, she felt that Cain being chased was not at all unwarranted.
“Shocking! Because of One Man, Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk, One of the Shichibukai, Goes Bankrupt!”
The article recounted the story of Hawkeye losing all his possessions due to his battle with Cain.
The article was not only well-written but also had pictures and evidence.
In the photo, Hawkeye, wearing ill-fitting and uncharacteristic clothes, sat at a dining table, looking distraught (he wasn't) while eating.
Cain was also captured in the shot; at that time, he was pointing at Hawkeye’s table of food, indicating that he would pay.
As a result, the reporter wrote that Mihawk had fallen to the point where he could only eat a full meal by relying on friends to treat him.
The final outcome of the deck chase was that Hawkeye did not cut him down, but sheathed his sword with a gloomy face.
“Hahahahaga…”
On the deck, Cain had just laughed out loud, holding the newspaper, when Hawkeye’s two cold, almost tangible, murderous gazes choked him.
He quickly put on a serious face and declared: “It’s all that dead bird’s fault, the one who loves to stir up trouble. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely deal with him for you!”
“You? Forget it. I’ll do it myself.”
Hawkeye snorted coldly. This was probably the most he had ever hated someone in his life.
“Morgans, rest in peace.”
Cain silently drew a cross for the King of News in his heart.
Being targeted by Hawkeye, Morgans would have a very hard time getting through it without losing half his skin.
Speaking of which, that Morgans guy really prioritized news popularity over his own life, truly worthy of being the man who could refuse the World Government's hush money.
However, from a certain perspective, this guy actually had quite the professional integrity.
Although he used subtle wording, the facts were indeed the facts.
After a small interlude, a week passed.
On the deck of the Raikougo, Professor Hawkeye began his lesson!
“To forge a Black Blade Night, simply nurturing it with Armament Haki is just the most basic step. There are so many swordsmen in the world who have mastered Armament Haki, so why are there so few who have forged a Black Blade Night?”
Professor Hawkeye explained: “Because they are not sincere enough towards their swords.”
“Not sincere enough?” The student, Kozuki Hiyori, wondered: “Does that mean I need to pour all my emotions and will into the sword?”
“In a certain sense, yes.” Hawkeye slowly nodded: “You need to regard the sword in your hand as a loyal companion that resonates with your soul, sharing life and death, rather than a cold weapon that can be replaced at any time.”
“Oh!”
Yamato, sitting cross-legged nearby, hugging her kanabo, A-Jian, listened with shining eyes and immediately drew inferences: “Then can my A-Jian also be forged into a black club?!”
Hawkeye’s face instantly darkened a few shades, and a vein seemed to throb on his forehead.
You, who use a kanabo, are asking me, a swordsman?
He took a deep breath: “Theoretically, it can be done, but I haven’t seen anyone like that.”
Yamato, far from being discouraged, proudly declared: “Then I’ll be the first.”
“Hehe, A-Jian, we’re going to get stronger together!”
She earnestly mumbled to her kanabo.
Seeing this, Hawkeye instead felt that Yamato could achieve it.
At least, she truly regarded her kanabo as a companion.