Chapter 81: Exchange of Information
"Hahaha, Lord Soros himself! What an honor! Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"
the old master stepped forward and said respectfully.
Soros instinctively tried to maintain his composure, but then suddenly remembered that his young master was waiting nearby and asked,
"My... sir here is looking for a fine, famous blade. Why don't you quickly show us your collection?"
The old master glanced at Rhodes with a hint of surprise. To warrant such formality from Soros, he must be someone of considerable importance.
"This way, please."
Not wanting to be discourteous, he quickly led the way, ushering the two into a room that was decidedly more upscale.
Unlike the vast array of swords outside, this room held only nine. Regardless of the quality of the blades themselves, the scabbards alone were of exceptional craftsmanship, exuding an aura of ancient gravitas.
Rhodes stepped forward and, with a sharp clang, drew a sword.
The blade gleamed like a pool of autumn water, reflecting the faint starlight.
"This is Hoshikiri—forged from deep-sea steel through a process that took forty-nine days. Its sharpness and durability rival those of any fine blade."
The master spoke with confidence, carrying himself with the bearing of a true craftsman.
Rhodes weighed it twice, contemplating for a moment. Suddenly, he extended two fingers and ran them along the blade's edge.
Only a faint white mark remained.
"Well, not bad,"
Rhodes said, shaking his head calmly as he sheathed the sword.
The master stared in amazement, his mouth agape, momentarily at a loss for words.
Rhodes casually picked up another sword and drew it.
The blade was deep crimson, and in his hand, it felt faintly warm, like smoldering embers.
"This one is called Honoo. It's been repeatedly tempered ninety-nine times in volcanic lava. Like steel folded a hundred times, it's incredibly sharp..."
But he hadn't finished his explanation.
Rhodes tested it again, and this time, instead of a faint white mark, a barely perceptible red line appeared.
"Hmm, quite sharp indeed," Rhodes nodded.
The old master: "..."
Soros also winced. What a unique way to test a sword's quality.
The old master then stopped his explanations, watching with a numb expression as Rhodes tested each sword one by one. Even after he had tried all nine of the shop's most prized weapons, not a single drop of blood had appeared on Rhodes' fingers.
For a moment, he felt the urge to retire. This was too demoralizing!
"Not bad, but not what I'm looking for,"
Rhodes said with disappointment.
Most of these swords were of excellent quality, suitable for ordinary swordsmen, but not quite up to his standards.
He'd use one for now, but who knew when he'd need to replace it again.
Seeing this, Soros frowned at the old master. He had hoped to fulfill Rhodes' request and build rapport.
"Your strength is so exceptional, these swords truly are inadequate."
The old master hesitated, glanced at Soros, and said, "I remember there's an underground auction on Grove 13 in a couple of days."
"There's supposed to be a Great Grade sword among the auction items. I was originally planning to bid on it, but then I heard a wealthy merchant had it reserved, so I decided not to compete."
"Reserved?"
Soros looked disdainful.
"This wealthy merchant is rumored to be the richest man in West Blue. He purchased the Great Grade sword to please the King of the Kano Country, who's an avid collector of famous blades. I'd guess he wouldn't mind spending hundreds of millions of berries."
"The richest man in West Blue? That's somewhat troublesome." Soros frowned.
After all, he was only managing World Government assets, and he didn't have much personal wealth.
As for public funds, embezzling a little was acceptable, but too much would be investigated.
"Let's go to this auction."
Rhodes made the decision and walked out. Soros bowed to the old master in thanks, then hurriedly followed.
The group left the Sword Pavilion and found accommodations.
Two days later.
Rhodes and his companions arrived at Grove 13 and were about to head to the auction site when
a figure suddenly flew out of the small establishment in front of them and landed heavily on the ground, face bruised and swollen, already unconscious.
"Hmm, Grove 13, I see."
Rhodes looked up slightly at the sight. Sure enough, there was a sign hanging on the small building before him.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar!
"Shakky and Dark King Rayleigh?"
A thought flashed through Rhodes' mind. He was about to bypass this establishment, not wanting to provoke a legendary figure like Dark King Rayleigh at this moment.
"Wait... If it's Shakky, she should know what I'm looking for."
Rhodes had just taken a step when he suddenly remembered that Shakky was known as an information broker who knew countless secrets.
After a moment's consideration, he headed toward the small bar.
"Welcome!"
Before he even entered, a woman's voice rang out, "What would you like to drink?"
"A cup of black tea, please." Rhodes sat down casually and looked toward the bar.
A beautiful woman sat behind the counter.
Her hair was neatly styled in a short cut, slightly raised at the temples, and a cigarette dangled from her lips. She glanced at Rhodes with a hint of surprise, worked quietly for a moment, then brought him a cup of black tea and said with a smile, "A disciple of the great swordsman truly honors our humble establishment."
"Oh, you know about me?"
Rhodes was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Shakky to have such extensive intelligence networks.
"Spark is no small figure. The recent news of him being sent to Impel Down has been quite the hot topic."
"Rhodes-kun defeating Lao G and Harmon in single combat is truly impressive."
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled. "What information did you come to me for?"
She got straight to the point, and Rhodes didn't hesitate. He nodded and said, "Information about Supreme Grade blades."
"Tsk."
Shakky clicked her tongue, a strange look flashing in her eyes.
Different grades of famous swords are only wielded by swordsmen of corresponding strength.
It seemed this young man had the confidence to become a Great Swordsman.
She pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Although Supreme Grade blades are extremely rare, I do know some information about them."
"Oh?"
Rhodes' eyes lit up.
Shakky smiled with a hint of mischief,
"For example, one of the Supreme Grade Twelve—Yoru, the Black Blade. I can provide you with its exact location for free."
"..."
Rhodes' smile faded, and he didn't know whether to curse or not.
Everyone in the world knew that Yoru was in Hawkeye's possession!
"I can pay for it. One million, ten million, it doesn't matter," Rhodes said seriously.
But Shakky's expression remained unchanged. She shook her head calmly and said, "Some information can't be measured by money."
News about Supreme Grade blades might not mean much to most people in this world, but for top-tier swordsmen—even Great Swordsmen—it was a deadly temptation, worth their entire fortunes.
Rhodes nodded in understanding, contemplated for a moment, and said, "How about information for information?"
"Hmm?"
Shakky's expression grew slightly more serious. Rhodes was no fool. Since he suggested this, the information he would provide must be of equal value.
"Tell me more."
Rhodes wasn't worried about Shakky breaking her word. Most of the older generation of pirates valued honor and loyalty.
He pondered for a moment.
As someone from another world, he certainly knew plenty of information that ordinary people didn't, but there wasn't much that could compare in value to Supreme Grade blade intelligence.
After a while, he suddenly said,
"What about information on the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger?"
As the name was spoken, Shakky's expression changed instantly. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly in a somewhat dangerous arc, and she narrowed her eyes and said, "Tell me."
(End of Chapter)
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