An hour passed like a breath held too long.
Sanji stood at the entrance to the Rayquaza's deck, clutching a simple bundle of belongings. His eyes drifted one final time toward the sea restaurant shaped like a giant fish, the ship that held every memory worth keeping.
"Sanji! You brat! Remember to come back and visit when you get the chance!"
"Don't go dying out there, you hear!"
The Baratie chefs crowded against the ship's rail, their voices carrying across the waves like a chorus of worried brothers.
"I will!"
Sanji didn't dare turn around. If he looked back now and saw those faces, those companions who had shared sweat and laughter through countless long days and nights, his legs might refuse to carry him another step forward.
He simply raised his hand high and waved hard, both farewell and silent oath.
"Hey, Sanji."
Zeff's gruff voice drifted down from Baratie's upper deck, quiet enough that only Sanji would hear.
"Don't catch a cold."
Sanji's departing steps froze in place. The ache in his chest could no longer be held back. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks.
Drip, drip.
Small tearstains spread across the deck beneath Sanji's trembling feet.
"Old man Zeff!"
Sanji spun around suddenly, dropping to his knees in a deep bow toward the man who had saved his life in every way that mattered.
"All this time, thank you so much for taking care of me!"
On the Rayquaza's deck, Kai watched this scene unfold and spoke softly to Reiju beside him: "Your brother found himself a remarkable father."
Reiju remained silent, her heart caught somewhere between joy and sorrow for the boy who had escaped their family's cage.
Kai turned toward Hawkeye, who stood observing the farewell with characteristic stoicism: "Mihawk, our next stop is Shimotsuki Village. Want to come along, or should we drop you off at the nearest island with a shipyard?"
After all, the world's greatest swordsman was currently part of the boatless masses.
"Shimotsuki Village? The same Shimotsuki as from Wano Country?"
Kozuki Hiyori, her upper body still wrapped in layers of bandages, caught the key detail despite her injuries.
Kai nodded. "The Shimotsuki family had a legendary swordsmith named Shimotsuki Kozaburo who fled Wano Country over forty years ago. He came to East Blue and founded that village."
"Of course, that's not the main point. The main point is that he once forged two Great Grade swords."
"If possible, I'd like to ask him to help forge a Great Grade sword worthy of you."
Originally, he could have asked Kozuki Sukiyaki, but unfortunately, due to the old man's advanced age, the swords he forged now could only reach Skillful Grade level, like the one Hiyori currently wielded.
Hopefully Shimotsuki Kozaburo could still lift a hammer.
If not, they'd have to visit Moria's territory.
The dragon-slaying samurai Shimotsuki Ryuma possessed a Great Grade sword called Shusui. But Shusui had already been forged into a Black Blade.
Ambitious swordsmen carried a bit of spiritual pride. They didn't want to use another warrior's legacy.
After all, the process of forging a Black Blade was like a marriage bond. The Black Blade was the partner the swordsman had committed their soul to.
Hearing this explanation, Hawkeye's interest sharpened visibly. "A swordsmith who can forge Great Grade swords? I'll come along."
A true swordsman needed to master not only technique but also understand the very steel in their hands. Communicating with master swordsmiths was an excellent way to deepen that knowledge.
A craftsman of Shimotsuki Kozaburo's caliber wasn't someone you could meet just anywhere.
Hawkeye was interested in any opportunity that might advance his understanding of the blade.
As for whether his presence on a Beast Pirates ship would cause the Navy to misunderstand? Hawkeye's response was simple: Who cares?
Kai naturally agreed readily.
Perfect. They could have the world's greatest swordsman serve as Hiyori's free tutor along the way. Using teaching to pay for passage was perfectly reasonable!
The next morning brought chaos.
"Kai, I'm going to cut you down!"
A roar filled with murderous intent shattered the ship's peaceful quiet.
Hawkeye, usually the picture of calm composure, was raising his Black Sword Yoru high, chasing Kai with genuine killing intent blazing in his golden eyes.
"Hey, hey, hey! Calm down, Mihawk! What happened?!"
Kai ran for his life, completely clueless about what had triggered this sudden bloodlust.
"It's all because of your damn mouth!" Hawkeye ground his teeth.
The reputation I've cultivated my entire life has been completely ruined by you!
"Huh?" Kai was even more confused.
At this moment, Violet curiously picked up the World Economic News that Hawkeye had dropped in his rage. After reading just the headline, she understood completely why Kai was being hunted.
"SHOCKING! Because of One Man, Warlord Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk Goes Broke!"
The article told the story of how Hawkeye had lost all his possessions due to his battle with Kai. The piece was not only well-written but also packed with photographic evidence.
In the photo, Hawkeye wore ill-fitting clothes completely different from his usual elegant style, sitting at a dining table looking dejected while eating what appeared to be charity food.
Kai was also captured in the shot, pointing at Hawkeye's table full of dishes, clearly indicating he would pay for the meal.
This had been written up by the reporter as Mihawk having fallen so low that he could only afford a full meal through a friend's pity.
The final result of the deck chase was that Hawkeye didn't actually strike, but gloomily sheathed his sword with obvious frustration.
"Hahahaha!"
On deck, Kai had just started laughing while holding the newspaper when Hawkeye's ice-cold, murderous gaze strangled the sound in his throat.
He quickly straightened up and declared: "It's all that damned bird journalist causing trouble! If I get the chance, I'll definitely help you deal with him!"
"Rely on you? Forget it. I'll handle it myself."
Hawkeye snorted coldly. This was probably the most he'd ever hated anyone in his life.
"Morgans, rest in peace."
Kai silently drew a cross for the News King in his heart. Being targeted by Hawkeye, Morgans wouldn't escape without losing at least half his hide.
Speaking of which, that Morgans fellow really did prioritize news heat over his own survival. Truly worthy of being a man who could refuse the World Government's hush money.
However, from a professional perspective, the guy did have integrity. Although he used loaded language, the facts were indeed those facts.
After the small incident, time moved forward to a week later.
On the Rayquaza's deck, Teacher Hawkeye's class was in session!
"To forge a Black Blade, simply nourishing it with Armament Haki is just the most basic step. There are so many swordsmen in the world who have mastered Armament Haki, so why are there so few who have forged Black Blades?"
Teacher Hawkeye explained patiently: "Because they're not sincere enough toward their swords."
"Not sincere enough?" Student Kozuki Hiyori looked puzzled: "Does that mean we need to pour our emotions and will into the blade?"
"From a certain perspective, that's exactly right." Hawkeye nodded slowly: "You need to regard the sword in your hand as a loyal partner that resonates with your soul and shares life and death with you, not as a cold weapon that can be replaced at any time."
"Oh!"
Yamato, sitting cross-legged nearby and holding her kanabo Takeru, listened with shining eyes and immediately drew connections: "Can my Takeru also be forged into a Black Club?!"
Hawkeye's expression immediately darkened several shades, and veins seemed to pulse at his temples.
You're asking me, a swordsman, about using a kanabo?
He took a deep breath: "Theoretically it's possible, but I've never seen such a person."
Rather than being discouraged, Yamato proudly declared: "Then I'll be the first!"
"Hehe, Takeru, we're going to get stronger together!"
She spoke seriously to her kanabo as if it could understand every word.
Seeing this genuine bond, Hawkeye actually felt that Yamato might be able to accomplish it.
At least, she truly treated her kanabo as a living partner.