~ Thank you, This is the Bonus Chapter For Hitting 300 Powerstones~
~ We barely managed to hit 300 PS today. Tomorrow won't be any easier, so stay focused and keep pushing, The journey has only just begun!
~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
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Sandai Kitetsu (Bonding...): A cursed sword! Swordsmen unable to gain its acknowledgment ultimately meet gruesome deaths!
(Influenced by Asura Aura, currently selecting a master. Target: Roronoa Zoro).
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Interesting!
So it's because of Zoro's [Asura Aura] Trait that this cursed sword started choosing a master.
Looks like the [Asura Aura] Trait is even more special than I initially thought.
The equipping speed also indicated its value. Zoro's Demonic Physique Trait had finished equipping long ago, but the Asura Aura Trait still had a long way to go.
While slightly faster than equipping Luffy's Sun God (Apex Gold) Trait, the difference was marginal. This Special Trait was easily as valuable as an Apex Gold Trait.
"Can you sense it too, Rowen? This cursed sword's aura," Zoro asked, holding Sandai Kitetsu, feeling the unusual presence emanating from it, looking towards Rowen.
"It's choosing you as its master," Rowen replied with a smirk.
"D-Don't be stupid! This sword isn't for sale! Since you can sense its sinister nature, you should give up on it! The Kitetsu line of swords—it's like they're cursed! No swordsman uses a Kitetsu anymore! Anyone who uses one dies mysteriously!" the shopkeeper exclaimed, drenched in cold sweat.
"Even if someone unknowingly uses it, they just vanish from the world! I want to get rid of it too! It's like I'm cursed just by having it!"
"S-Sorry! I didn't know it was such a terrifying sword..." Tashigi looked alarmed.
"Rowen, you said it's choosing me as its master? Interesting... I like it! This is the one!" Zoro declared, a feral grin spreading across his face.
"Hey! Stop! If you die, doesn't that mean I killed you?!" the shopkeeper panicked. He might be greedy, but he didn't want to be responsible for someone's death!
"Well then, let's test it. My luck versus its curse—which one is stronger?" Zoro chuckled.
"Of course, your luck is stronger. You're a man I acknowledge," Rowen added with a confident smile.
"Hmph!" Zoro smirked, then abruptly tossed Sandai Kitetsu high into the air.
Whoosh!
The cursed sword spun through the air. Zoro immediately extended his bare arm straight out beneath it.
"Stop! Your arm will be cut off!" the shopkeeper yelled, his eyes wide with fear, sweat pouring down his face.
"..." Zoro closed his eyes. The cursed sword's aura intensified.
Then—
Thwip!
Sandai Kitetsu landed perfectly alongside Zoro's outstretched arm, burying its tip harmlessly into the floorboards inches away.
"I'll take it!" Zoro opened his eyes, a fierce, predatory curve to his lips.
"!!!" The shopkeeper and Tashigi both collapsed onto the floor, utterly terrified by the display.
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Sandai Kitetsu (Master Acknowledged): Has acknowledged Roronoa Zoro as its master.
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"It belongs to you now," Rowen stated with a smile.
With his System, Rowen could clearly perceive the entire process of Sandai Kitetsu acknowledging Zoro. The cursed sword emitted a sinister aura, bringing misfortune and death upon users it didn't accept. But Zoro's Asura Aura triggered the acknowledgment process. In the contest of wills, the sword's curse lost to Zoro's demonic aura, leading it to accept Zoro as its master.
"There's one more sword... Rowen, can you sense any other special blades?" Zoro asked, looking towards Rowen.
"W-Wait a second!" the shopkeeper suddenly yelled. He then scurried to the back and returned with another katana.
"Black lacquered scabbard, blade pattern is an irregular 'choji' midare! One of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords—Yubashiri! This is the best sword in my shop!" the shopkeeper declared, drawing the blade.
"I can't afford it. Like I said, I only have 100,000 Beri," Zoro replied. He loved swords, but wouldn't take blades that weren't rightfully his.
"No charge! And no charge for the Kitetsu either! Sorry for trying to trick you earlier! It's been too long since I saw the eyes of a true swordsman! The cursed sword chose you as its master... Good luck!" the shopkeeper said, offering a genuine swordsmith's smile.
"Well then... I accept," Zoro replied with a swordsman's grin, taking Yubashiri.
Three swords—assembled.
"I-I'm still weak in the knees... You guys—are amazing," Tashigi murmured, looking at Zoro and Rowen, wiping cold sweat from her brow. One dared gamble his arm against a cursed sword, the other watched calmly, seemingly certain the sword would be conquered.
"By the way... your name is Rowen? That's the same as that 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen," Tashigi commented, looking at Rowen.
Zoro's eye twitched. 'Oh no... Is this going to ruin Rowen's plan?'
"But it's probably just the name, right? Someone as nice as you couldn't possibly be that villain!" Tashigi added quickly.
'Phew!' Zoro breathed a sigh of relief. 'Good thing this woman is klutzy.'
"Let me help you up. There's actually one more thing I need your help with," Rowen said, helping Tashigi to her feet with a smile.
"Eh? Something else? What is it, Rowen? If it's something I can do..." Tashigi replied earnestly. Rowen was the first person to genuinely acknowledge her dream.
"You're a Marine, right? Could you take me to meet the Captain here, Smoker?" Rowen asked with a smile.
"Eh? Meet Captain Smoker? What for?" Tashigi blinked, surprised.
"There's something... I need his help with," Rowen replied cryptically.
With his current level of Observation Haki, Rowen couldn't yet scan the entirety of Loguetown to quickly locate Smoker. Having a guide was necessary.
"Help... ah, well, alright then," Tashigi agreed, nodding.
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"That brat just now—was Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy! Head to the execution platform immediately!" Smoker ordered grimly. He rarely paid attention to happenings outside capturing pirates in the East Blue. He hadn't even looked closely at the WE News report earlier.
In the East Blue, no pirate was worth remembering. He had only just seen the wanted posters, realizing too late he'd crossed paths with Straw Hat and even pointed him in the wrong direction!
Towards the Pirate King's execution platform, no less!
"Captain Smoker! There's someone here asking for your help!" Just then, a female voice interrupted
As Smoker turned around, his pupils instantly constricted.
"'Sky Sovereign' Rowen!" Smoker stared intently at the two men Tashigi had brought with her. One of them... looked exactly like the face on the wanted poster he had just received.
"Check Traits."
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~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
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~# Every 300 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter