By noon, the readers' comnts urging for more updates were piling up faster than yesterday. Seeing all those cheerful little reminders ward my heart, so I decided to reward them with an extra chapter.
After a period of waiting, the Doctor finally completed forging golden rings for everyone. Of course, Laboon's and Perona's rings didn't stay with them for long they were "confiscated" by Stella, or to put it more kindly, placed in her safekeeping.
Ritter had modeled this idea after the Akatsuki in Naruto. One mber, one unique symbol. The difference? He wasn't about to hand out cloaks. Rings alone were good enough.
And so, aboard the Blumarine Jackson, the ship set sail once more.
"Hey, old Tai," Ritter leaned lazily against the railing, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Lately, Charlotte Linlin has been throwing weddings left and right. You think she'd ever send us an invitation too?"
Tezoro gave him a look, flipping a page of the logbook. "Logically speaking, she should. Even minor riffraff got invited. It wouldn't make sense for us to be left out. Want to investigate why?"
Ritter waved him off, laughing. "I'm ssing with you. I followed Roger to her island twice before. Nearly flattened her Whole Cake Island, too. She'd rather strangle with her bare hands than send a wedding invite. Oh, and speaking of grudges Kaido, that little lizard, he doesn't like much either. If you bump into him, you'd better run."
"Kaido, the so-called strongest creature in the world?" Tezoro frowned. "How co he becos 'little lizard' when you say it? And don't you dare get any reckless ideas. Our forces are growing right now. I forbid you from stirring up trouble on Whole Cake Island. I've got enough on my plate already."
But Ritter only clasped his hands behind his head, the very picture of nonchalance. Trouble? That word wasn't in his vocabulary. If the sea refused to co to him, then he'd go charging into it. Besides, he had already offended them all; what was one more score on the list?
Then, an idea lit up in his mind. He chuckled to himself, rembering the future. When Luffy set sail, he would eventually have to clash with Charlotte Linlin too. After all, she held one of the keys to Raftel. Ritter smirked. Maybe I should just borrow it first, save the kid so trouble later.
Tezoro, watching Ritter's face twist into that familiar wicked grin, sighed and rubbed his temples. "Captain… you're not seriously planning to go to Whole Cake Island, are you?"
Ritter whistled innocently, spinning his greatsword Black Tide in one hand. "Ah, co now, old Tai. Don't make it sound so bad. We're bound for Raftel eventually. What's wrong with a little… 'borrowing' along the way? Besides, Linlin loves her tea parties. I'll just drop by as a guest and add so spice to the event!"
Tezoro was speechless. In his heart, he groaned: It's over. This lunatic is really planning to do it. Maybe I should just knock him out with a stick…
Before he could argue further, Ritter frowned, weighing his sword in his grip. "Strange… feels lighter. I noticed it back when we fought Zephyr. Didn't give it much thought at the ti, but now it's obvious."
Enel floated over on his cloud, peering down with his usual arrogance. "What nonsense are you spouting now, Captain?"
"I'm serious," Ritter protested. "I've maintained Black Tide perfectly."
Lina, curious, reached out and gingerly ran her fingers along the blade's edge. "Maybe it's not the sword, Captain. Maybe it's you. You've grown stronger, so the weapon feels lighter."
Tezoro considered this. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to reinforce it. We could head to Forging Island. Since we're already picking up the rings, we might as well give your sword an upgrade."
Ritter tilted his head, thoughtful. His sword had been with him through countless battles. It was a comrade as much as a weapon. "Hmm. You're right. He deserves it."
"Forging Island?" Enel scoffed. "What good could a place like that possibly offer?"
Tezoro unrolled the map, pointing to a section along the Grand Line. "Don't underestimate it. Forging Island is the most famous sanctuary of weapon-smiths on the seas. Generations of swordsmiths have passed down their craft there. It's said that even so of the Twelve Supre Grade Blades were born on that island."
Ritter's eyes glead with excitent. "Now that's more like it. What are we waiting for? Set course!"
The Blood Dawn sailed steadily into Forging Island's harbor. The salty sea air mingled with the sharp tang of molten iron. From the heart of the island rose enormous forges, their blazing fires casting a crimson glow into the sky.
Ships crowded the docks simple fishing boats, grand pirate vessels, even a Marine warship or two all united by one purpose: steel and swords. Forging Island was known throughout the seas as the Sanctuary of Swordsn.
Unlike Sabaody, which maintained order through a tacit balance between Marines and pirates, this place operated on a harsher code. Here, respect was carved not through politics but through steel. If you wanted a blade, you proved yourself in battle. Fail to show respect, and you'd be cut down without hesitation.
"Whoa, lively spot," Ritter muttered with a grin, resting Black Tide on his shoulder as he stood at the prow.
Tezoro flipped through the journal, explaining. "Forging Island isn't just a forge; it's a proving ground. Every blacksmith here is also a swordsman of frightening caliber. If you want them to forge you a weapon, you have to make them submit first."
"That sounds dangerous… Captain won't get hurt, will he?" Lina's voice quivered. Ever since leaving the ship more often, her timid side had beco more obvious.
Enel snorted. "It's simple. Chop sothing in half to prove yourself. Stick close to , and you'll be fine."
Ritter gave him a look full of question marks. Excuse ? Whose mission is this again?
At the harbor's entrance, a massive stone stele stood tall. Ancient words were etched deep into its surface:
"Only swordmasters may enter."
Beside it stood a broad-shouldered, one-ard elder. A simple, tiworn katana rested at his hip. His gaze, sharp as a blade's edge, swept over the newcors. "State your na and show your swordsmanship. This is no place for fledglings."
Ritter's grin widened as he stepped forward. "Ritter, Captain of the Blood Dawn."
The elder's expression didn't waver. He gestured toward a nearby slab of jet-black stone, polished smooth yet scarred with faint grooves. "The rules are simple. Without using Armant Haki, carve your mark upon the 'Trial Stone' with nothing but your sword's aura."
Tezoro's tone dropped low. "That's Black Xuan Iron. Because of this island's unique environnt, it's as hard as Seastone. Most swordsn can't even scratch it."
Ritter whistled. "Sounds fun."
He hefted Black Tide, blood mist curling along the blade, though he refrained from striking at once. Tilting his head, he asked with mock innocence, "Old man, what if I break your stone? You gonna make pay for damages?"
The elder let out a short, cold laugh. "If you can break it, every swordsmith on Forging Island will forge for you."
"Deal!" Ritter's eyes sharpened, the lazy grin vanishing. Blood mist surged violently as Black Tide blazed crimson. He swung, unleashing a devastating slash.
"Mist God Style Divine Sever!"
The strike split the air with a thunderous roar. Sword energy surged like a tidal wave. The Trial Stone cracked open in a jagged wound, fragnts exploding outward as smoke and dust filled the air.
The elder's pupils constricted, his lone hand instinctively clutching his blade. Silence fell across the port. Every blacksmith, every swordsman turned to stare.
When the dust cleared, Ritter stood there casually, resting his sword on his shoulder with that sa cheeky grin. "So, old man… does that count?"
The elder hesitated, then slowly stepped aside. "…Proceed."
Perona, fluttering above, patted Laboon's head. "That old grandpa was terrifying…"
Ritter, anwhile, was grinning ear to ear. Now this… this is what professionalism looks like.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hooked already? Let know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!
Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolution and stay ahead of the crowd.
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.
Reviews
All reviews (0)