Tashigi stared blankly at the two swords stuck together like magnets and instinctively said, “It is said that above the Supreme Grade Blades, there is an even more powerful sword born from Heaven and Earth…
the Light of a Thousand Years.
In the presence of the Light of a Thousand Years, even the Supreme Grade Blades must submit.”
“However, one of the Supreme Grade Blades gave birth to a sword spirit and challenged the Light of a Thousand Years.
That sword was the strongest of all the Supreme Grade Blades—the First Generation Kitetsu!”
“Finally, in the hands of two Great Swordsmen of comparable strength, the two swords truly clashed.
The result was…
the First Generation Kitetsu shattered into several pieces!”
“Later generations reforged the fragments of the First Generation Kitetsu, but they could no longer forge them into a single sword.
They could only add other materials, creating three Nidai Kitetsu and six Sandai Kitetsu.”
“Because it failed in its challenge against the Light of a Thousand Years, the Kitetsu’s sword spirit passed down its anger and resentment to the Nidai Kitetsu and Sandai Kitetsu.
That is why the Kitetsu swords are also known as cursed blades—they bring misfortune to their wielders.”
As she finished speaking, Tashigi stared intently into Lucas’s eyes and said solemnly, “Regardless of what kind of swordsman you are, the fact that the Nidai Kitetsu has truly submitted to you means that the Kitetsu has been given a chance to return to the world once more.”
After hearing this, Lucas frowned slightly as he looked at the Kitetsu swords stuck together like two magnets.
He felt a headache coming on.
Even after pulling with all his strength, he could no longer separate the two blades.
Just then, the two Kitetsu swords suddenly released an even more intense chill.
Lucas could sense it.
It was a powerful resentment!
His expression turned cold and solemn.
He raised the sword in front of his chest and said, “If you are willing to submit to me, I will take you to defeat the legendary Light of a Thousand Years and make you the strongest sword!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a firm conviction accompanied by powerful sword intent suddenly erupted from Lucas’s body.
Even Tashigi couldn’t help retreating several steps.
At this moment, Lucas was incredibly close to the realm of a Sword Master!
As though sensing Lucas’s resolve, the two Kitetsu swords suddenly sprang into the air of their own accord.
Without needing a forge to reforge them, the two swords fused together right there in midair!
Several pieces of scrap metal were expelled from the fusion, and a brand-new Nidai Kitetsu returned to Lucas’s hand.
This newly forged Nidai Kitetsu was nearly twice as powerful as the previous one!
It could even be said to be the strongest blade among the Great Grade Blades!
Lucas could sense the newborn sword spirit within the blade.
It seemed to be calling out to him, urging him to find the other Kitetsu swords, completely restore itself, and then fight the Light of a Thousand Years!
Witnessing this almost mythical scene, the fervor in Tashigi’s eyes became even more intense.
Perhaps this was also why Tashigi became even more devoted to the study of swords in the future.
Eventually, swords would become almost like her very life.
“So…
the legend really is true!”
The trembling in her voice revealed just how excited she was.
Tashigi walked over to Lucas’s side and, once again completely ignoring Lucas himself, extended her delicate hand toward the brand-new Nidai Kitetsu, wanting to touch it.
However, just as her fingers were about to make contact, the Nidai Kitetsu rang out on its own.
A threatening aura emanated from the blade.
In its eyes, only Lucas, its master, was worthy of touching it.
Everyone else was unworthy.
Tashigi did not try to force the matter.
Instead, she continued staring at the sword with burning enthusiasm.
The intensity of her gaze made Lucas feel somewhat uncomfortable.
He coughed once again, finally snapping Tashigi out of her trance.
Tashigi straightened her slightly disheveled green hair and smiled sweetly.
She looked at Lucas with envy and said softly, “You must treat it well.
It already has a life of its own.
Although the Light of a Thousand Years hasn’t appeared for several hundred years, you must fulfill its wish.”
Lucas looked at the Nidai Kitetsu in his hand with a complicated expression.
“I will.”
After saying that, Lucas slapped his forehead as he finally remembered his real objective.
“All right, then, Miss Tashigi.
I can see that you have extensive knowledge of swords.
Would you mind coming aboard my ship so that we can discuss swordsmanship?”
Tashigi smiled faintly.
“Of course.
It would be my honor to discuss swordsmanship with a powerful swordsman.”
Hearing those words, Lucas’s expression became somewhat strange.
If you knew I was planning to kidnap you, would you still consider it an honor?
…
Aboard the Holy Sword, Nami firmly tied Tashigi to the mast with a hemp rope.
Tashigi’s face was flushed with embarrassment and anger as she glared at Lucas.
“I was wrong about you…
You’re a disgrace to swordsmen!
You’re a pirate!
I will definitely arrest you!
You don’t deserve to wield that sword!”
Hearing this, Lucas frowned and walked over.
“You bastard, don’t come any closer!
Someone like you doesn’t deserve to call himself a swordsman…
Mmph!”
Don’t misunderstand.
Lucas had merely used a strip of cloth to gag her.
After all, there was an extremely vigilant little wildcat beside him.
Even if he had certain thoughts, there was no way he could act on them.
Otherwise, Nami would tear him apart!
Thinking about it gave him a headache.
She’s really difficult to deal with.
Then what am I supposed to do about Robin…?
That might be harder than defeating one of the Four Emperors!
Lucas shook his head, casting all those distracting thoughts aside.
He stopped thinking about anything else.
Tashigi had already given up struggling.
After gradually regaining her composure, however, she suddenly felt somewhat frightened.
She had no idea what Lucas intended to do with her.
At that moment, Nami smiled as she searched Tashigi from head to toe.
To Tashigi, however, that smile looked like the smile of a devil.
Eventually, Nami found a small snail on her.
She happily hopped over to Lucas, looking as though she were waiting for praise.
Lucas could only smile helplessly.
Naturally, the snail was a Den Den Mushi.
Based on what Lucas remembered from the original story, when Smoker arrived in Loguetown and became a captain, Tashigi should have been serving as his subordinate and secretary.
Now that he had obtained the Den Den Mushi, Lucas finally confirmed that his judgment had been correct and completely relaxed.
With this, he had truly taken control of everything.
“Hello, is this Captain Smoker?
Tashigi is in my hands right now.
If you want her to live, come immediately to the western coast of Loguetown!
And remember, don’t bring any other Marines.
Otherwise, I’ll kill this beautiful woman immediately.
I’m not going to show her any mercy.”
After saying all that in one breath, Lucas hung up without waiting for Smoker to respond.
On the other side, fury flashed through Smoker’s eyes.
He slammed his fist onto the table in front of him, smashing it into pieces and startling the Marine soldiers nearby.
“Who the hell is targeting me?
What a joke.
You’d better prepare to die!”
Smoker took a deep drag from his cigar and gradually calmed down.
The next moment, his body transformed into smoke and drifted out through the window.
At the western coast of Loguetown, Smoker glared furiously at Lucas.
“So it’s you, brat!
You’ve actually become a pirate!
You bastard, release Tashigi!”
Lucas raised one finger and lightly wagged it twice, a playful smile appearing on his face.
“No, no, no.
Since I dared to lure you out here, naturally I’m not afraid of you.
You want to take this lovely young lady back?
Simple.
Beat me!”
The instant he finished speaking, a vein bulged on Smoker’s forehead.
His lower body transformed into smoke, and the swirling smoke propelled him forward as he charged at Lucas.