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Currently at CHAPTER 110 on Patreon.
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In the blink of an eye, evening fell.
Shen Yuan found Sasaki and began his journey as a swordsmith.
Sasaki's expression was radiant—like a man who had just won a five-million-berry lottery!
"Lord Shen Yuan, these two swords…"
Before he could finish, Shen Yuan unsheathed 'Enma' and 'Nidai Kitetsu' from his waist and handed them over.
"Can you forge a sword?"
He paused.
"Or maybe I should ask—can you forge a worthy blade?"
Hearing those words, Sasaki's eyes gradually turned fanatical.
"Please don't worry—I am a descendant of the Shimotsuki family. My full name is Shimotsuki Sasaki!"
"The Shimotsuki family?"
Shen Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"In that case, what do you think of using Seastone to forge a sword?"
Sasaki's gaze turned strange.
Using Seastone in a sword?
"Seastone, huh? I've never tried it, but it's worth a shot. Though… Sir, aren't you a Devil Fruit user?"
"It's alright. It's not for me."
Sasaki examined the two swords in front of him—he could tell at a glance that the Nidai Kitetsu was forged by a true Shimotsuki master. The craftsmanship was unmistakable.
Years ago, due to conflicting philosophies about sword-making, Sasaki had been cast out from his clan and later hunted. That was when he reluctantly joined the Beasts Pirates.
But now—given the chance to return to his roots—how could he not be stirred?
"You can forge a sword using Seastone," Sasaki affirmed. "But it'll require repeated trials and a considerable amount of raw Seastone. The material is dense and extremely hard to work."
"Don't worry. Kaido will supply what's needed."
Sasaki's expression brightened instantly—this philosophy aligned with his own! A sword is meant to kill. The materials must evolve. Staying stagnant only dishonors the ancestral craft.
"I've arranged for a forge to be built on the back mountain," Shen Yuan said calmly. "You'll find everything you need there."
Sasaki nodded and respectfully returned the two blades to Shen Yuan.
---
Nightfall.
The moon hung thin in the sky. A southern wind carried silence, and even the Moby Dick seemed draped in shadows.
"Gah! Gah! Gah!"
A black-feathered seagull landed gently on Shen Yuan's arm, its eyes glowing faintly with dark energy.
Leaning against the railing, Shen Yuan closed his eyes. He began absorbing the memories embedded in the bird—everything it had seen and heard over the past few days flowed into his consciousness like a trickling stream.
The bird nuzzled his forearm, docile and obedient.
"Go."
The dark energy receded, and Shen Yuan's pupils sharpened as focus returned. The seagull's feathers faded from black to snow white.
Even so, the bird remained on his arm, blinking around dazedly.
"Mission complete. Here's your reward."
He tossed out a handful of dried shrimp.
The seagull chirped in delight and began pecking at his palm impatiently.
Shen Yuan smiled faintly, though his mind was elsewhere.
Tonight was fated to be sleepless.
"It's time to go back."
He turned away and disappeared into the cabin.
---
Elsewhere, in a dim-lit dormitory…
Several shadows huddled together in hushed discussion.
"We have to act soon. If not, we'll regret it."
"Teach, you suppress him. I'll shoot from the shadows. Sound good?"
"What? You want me dead?"
Teach's face twisted, his claws clicking in annoyance.
"As long as you pin him down, I swear I'll finish him!"
Izo's expression was dark. Shen Yuan's face flashed in his mind.
This man had become a thorn in his side!
Defying Lord Oden's will…?
Anyone who did so must die by my hand!
The once elegant and composed Izo now wore a grimace of twisted hatred.
Teach wasn't much better.
He had boarded Whitebeard's ship not out of loyalty, but to seize the Dark-Dark Fruit—and now that very fruit had been eaten by Shen Yuan!
He knew better than anyone: the Yami Yami no Mi was terrifying. It allowed absorption of all Devil Fruit abilities, nullification of powers, and manipulation of darkness itself.
But it came at a cost—the user took double physical damage.
When he saw Shen Yuan in action today, he was stunned.
That level of development was nearly on par with Whitebeard himself!
Fear clawed at his heart, then slowly turned to anticipation.
If I can kill him and find the fruit again...
That power could still be his!
They exchanged glances—plans sealed in silence.
---
In minutes, both men disguised themselves.
Teach wore a night robe, steel claws concealed at his wrists, flickering coldly.
Izo dressed in a black kimono, twin flintlocks in his hands, a demon-like mask on his face.
They slipped away like phantoms—heading for Shen Yuan's quarters.
---
But Shen Yuan was not asleep.
He lay on his bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.
"Why can't I sleep?"
He rubbed his twitching eyelid.
Right eyelid twitching?
A bad omen…
Suddenly—his Observation Haki picked up two auras closing in!
His expression turned cold.
"So it begins."
He had considered sparing them for Whitebeard's sake… even thought of making them generals in Wano's founding.
But now?
That opportunity had been forfeited.
---
"Squeak—!"
The door creaked open slowly, and two figures slipped in.
Teach and Izo moved in the shadows of the pitch-black room.
"You! Watch your hands!"
"Sorry, sorry—I couldn't see!"
"I'm not into men!"
Shen Yuan blinked at the scene, completely speechless.
"Hurry up!" Izo whispered harshly.
"Got it!"
Suddenly, Blackbeard lunged—leaping into the air and aiming straight for the bed!
"Die beneath my claws!"
Boom!
Before Teach could land, a massive black hand made of dark energy shot from the floor and clutched him like a vice!
From the darkness came Shen Yuan's voice—cold and hollow:
"You've come at last."
The suffocating pressure of Dark-Dark Fruit awakening filled the room. Teach froze. Resistance was futile.
"Boom!"
A gunshot echoed—an Armament Haki-infused bullet whizzed through the air!
"Whoosh!"
It nicked Shen Yuan's scalp—but a second black hand slammed into Izo from across the room, pinning him against the wall!
Click—!
The lights flared on.
All of Shen Yuan's crew stood inside the room, grim-faced and alert.
"Captain… what now?" Joan asked, voice uncertain.
Enel spun his golden halberd slowly, eyes crackling with murderous intent.
"Where's the old man?"
"Outside the door."
Outside, Whitebeard stood quietly, arms crossed.
He had watched the entire confrontation unfold.
"Attempting to assassinate the vice-captain of the Whitebeard Pirates… That's a grave offense," he said flatly.
"You handle this, brat."
Then, without another word, he vanished.
Inside the room, both Teach and Izo were frozen in fear.
This was no ordinary opponent…
This was Shen Yuan—the man who awakened the power of darkness.
And now, they would pay the price.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS.
Currently at CHAPTER 110 on Patreon.
Two members on my patreon get a free book each month. A lucky draw,it can be you.
Five chapters every two days on Patreon.
One chapter everyday on webnovel.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
"I look forward to welcoming you as member"
ENJOY THE BENEFITS.