16
This Object is Fated to Be with Me
Shimotsuki Dojo, Koshiro’s room.
Luke looked at his mentor with tearful eyes.
“Master, are you abandoning me? I’ve always regarded you as half a father to me. I was even planning to care for you in your old age, how can you bear to send me away?”
Koshiro was momentarily stunned, his expression softening as his heart was touched. He only had Kuina, who had left due to an accident. Now hearing the word “father” felt rather…
His gaze fell upon Luke, but when he saw that masculine, heroic face and the burly physique that seemed capable of splitting mountains with a single punch, his momentary tenderness instantly vanished.
How could someone like him possibly father such a mighty and imposing son!
“Aren’t you seeking to break through to become a Sword Master? You can’t become a Sword Master without experiencing the outside world,” Koshiro said with profound seriousness.
“Swordsmen are professionals who kill enemies. A swordsman who has never seen blood isn’t a true swordsman. You must be getting tired of always using bamboo swords by now.”
This was true – he did want a proper weapon.
The mysterious space could only share power, not transport items. The other Lukes couldn’t even obtain Bleach Luke’s zanpakuto, and had to ask him to learn the manufacturing process of Asauchi. But Nimaiya Oetsu was in the Spirit King Palace, which would be something for much later.
Even if he learned the technique, other worlds might not have the materials to create Asauchi or meet other necessary conditions.
Luke’s eyes lit up, “Master, are you going to give me a sword? What is it? Supreme Grade Sword or Great Grade Sword? I’m not picky, either will do.”
As for Skillful Grade Swords – those things couldn’t withstand heavy use. But if the first two grades were truly unavailable…
He could make do if he had to!
Cough cough cough…
Koshiro burst into violent coughing. Given Luke’s previous decent behavior, he hadn’t expected this disciple to be so shameless.
“How could a small dojo like mine possess blades of that level? Have you been drinking too much?”
“That can’t be right. I heard from senior brothers that you gave the previous disciple who left the dojo a Great Grade Sword.”
Koshiro: …
Luke: …
Koshiro: (ˇˇ)
Luke: ()
The two stared at each other for a moment before Koshiro yielded first, recognizing the determination and sincerity in Luke’s eyes.
Those eyes clearly said: I absolutely won’t leave without a good sword!
Why hadn’t he noticed before that this disciple, who was always about “battle, exhilarating!” had such cunning?
So deeply hidden!
Koshiro’s face shifted through various expressions as he paced back and forth. After glancing at his eagerly awaiting disciple and hesitating for a moment, he finally turned and entered the inner chamber of his room.
When he emerged moments later, Koshiro was holding a completely black long sword with several white crescent marks reflecting along the blade.
“This sword is called Falcon. Though it’s unranked, it was painstakingly forged by my father with utmost care. In quality, it already surpasses Skillful Grade Swords and approaches Great Grade Sword standards.”
In the world of One Piece, weapons have quality rankings. Beyond ordinary blades, there are named swords – weapons crafted by famous swordsmiths among the world’s numerous blades.
Among the most outstanding representatives are the twelve Supreme Grade Swords, twenty-one Great Grade Swords, and fifty Skillful Grade Swords.
Although this is the established ranking, those who compiled the list naturally couldn’t include every sword in the world. Moreover, swordsmiths don’t only forge a single blade in their lifetime, so there are many swords not listed among the famous blades whose quality isn’t far inferior.
Luke frowned upon hearing this. This old man really wasn’t being honest at all. How could the renowned master smith Kozaburo Shimotsuki claim to have poured his heart and soul into forging a sword that didn’t even reach Great Grade level?
Even Enma, ranked among the twenty-one Great Grade Swords, was merely an unsatisfactory work created during Kozaburo’s later years when his vitality was fading. This legendary swordsmith likely possessed the skill to forge Supreme Grade Swords.
This Falcon was probably just a practice piece the old man casually made.
Well, since he was getting it for free, Luke decided not to make an issue of it. Although the grade was somewhat lacking, he really liked the swallow emblem on it.
He would reluctantly accept it.
Luke wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and reached out to take the sword.
Once, twice.
It wouldn’t budge.
Koshiro was gripping the hilt tightly, refusing to let go, his eyes filled with reluctance.
Luke: “Master, let go.”
Koshiro: “…”
No, it pained him to give such a fine sword to this brat.
Seeing that Koshiro still wouldn’t release it, Luke turned his gaze toward the mysterious inner room.
There must be plenty of good stuff in there.
The look in his eyes, like a wild dog spotting something foul, sent a chill down Koshiro’s spine. Realizing his collection was being coveted, Koshiro immediately released the sword to protect his main assets, his thin frame positioning itself between Luke and the inner room.
Those were all mementos left by his father. Was this brat really going to ask for another after getting one?
No way was he going to give away any more treasures!
Having achieved his goal, Luke revealed a shy, timid smile.
It seemed not just people from his homeland, but people everywhere preferred compromises.
If you directly asked for a famous sword, Koshiro would refuse. But if you set your sights on all the other swords, he’d willingly hand one over.
“Thank you, Master. You’re so kind. From now on, the dojo will be my second home.”
Luke happily accepted the Falcon, examining it carefully before nodding in satisfaction. This blade was meant for him.
Koshiro’s face darkened: “I’m only lending it to you. You have to return it.”
Tch, getting so worked up over a lousy sword?
Luke felt nothing but contempt for his master’s behavior.
Then he stuck out his tongue.
Just as Koshiro was wondering what he was doing, he watched Luke’s thick tongue lick from the tip of the blade all the way to the hilt.
Koshiro: …
Then Luke flipped the sword over and repeated the process.
After finishing, Luke wiped his mouth, his eyes as innocent as a child unaware of worldly matters. “Master, do you still want it back?”
If Koshiro still wanted it after this, Luke would have to reluctantly subject the Falcon to a trip to the bathroom for some “purification.”
After all, swords were meant for killing. Adding some extra “enchantment” wouldn’t be a big deal—at most it would just gross out his opponents.
“Keep it.”
Koshiro took a deep breath, telling himself to remain calm. He hadn’t expected to get the sword back after handing it over anyway.
Having obtained the answer he wanted, Luke took a tissue from his pocket and carefully wiped the Falcon clean. Suddenly, he discovered a serious problem and asked shamelessly: “Um, Master, what about the scabbard? It’s really inconvenient without a scabbard.”
A scabbard worthy of housing a famous sword naturally wouldn’t be cheap either.
Koshiro: …
He saw that determined look reappear in Luke’s eyes.
That gaze that said “If you don’t give me the scabbard, not only will I not leave, but I won’t return the sword either.”
Koshiro felt he had been a complete idiot before, actually believing Luke was inherently pure and simple-minded. Now it seemed the man wasn’t just shameless—he was utterly shameless!
There was no way around it. The sunk costs had already piled up, and refusing now would mean all previous efforts were wasted. Koshiro once again retreated to the inner chamber and emerged to toss Luke an exquisitely crafted scabbard.
“Master…”
“What else do you want? I have nothing left to give you!”
Koshiro nearly broke down as he shouted the words.