Chapter 78: Ralph, Do You Know How Much Influence You Actually Have?!
Ignoring Zoro's strange expression, Tashigi had already begun speaking incessantly:
"My dream is to retrieve all the famous swords that have been taken and misused by villains!"
Zoro silently watched her.
This face... was too similar to Kuina's.
Tashigi seemed to realize she had said too much and smiled somewhat apologetically before saying:
"You're here to buy a sword, right? I know a fair bit about swords... If you don't mind, I could help you look?"
Zoro initially wanted to refuse.
But as if guided by some unseen force, he nodded.
Due to insufficient funds, the weapons shop owner had them choose from the wooden barrels containing cheap weapons.
Zoro's hand brushed past numerous swords until finally resting on one particular blade.
It was a sword that appeared quite aged, with a crimson sheath, yet it felt... special.
Following his gaze, Tashigi pulled out a thick notebook from her bag and quickly flipped through it.
"Found it!"
She pointed at a page, her voice excited:
"Sandai Kitetsu! A truly famous sword, though not comparable to the Shodai Kitetsu or Nidai Kitetsu, it's equally sharp!"
But the owner sternly stopped her, saying this sword, like the Shodai Kitetsu and Nidai Kitetsu, was a cursed blade that would bring a miserable death to its owner.
Hearing these words, Zoro's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Cursed blade?"
He reached out and picked up the Sandai Kitetsu.
Shing!
He drew the blade from its sheath.
The blade was narrow and long, with an elegant curve, the edge gleaming with a cold light under the shop's lamps.
It was indeed a fine sword.
Zoro looked at the blade and slowly spoke:
"This sword... I'll take it."
The owner's expression changed: "That won't do! If you die because of this sword, I'll become a murderer—"
"Then how about this."
Zoro interrupted him, his gaze calm:
"I'll make a bet... with this sword."
Under the astonished gazes of the owner and Tashigi, Zoro tossed the Sandai Kitetsu into the air!
The blade tumbled through the air, spinning like a windmill.
Zoro extended his left arm, holding it level.
His eyes fixed intently on the falling blade.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
Tashigi covered her mouth.
The owner's eyes widened.
The blade spun as it fell.
Closer and closer.
Closer and closer.
Then, miraculously, the blade avoided Zoro's arm and plunged deep into the floor.
Deathly silence.
Both Tashigi and the weapons shop owner collapsed to the ground simultaneously.
Cold sweat beaded on both their foreheads.
Zoro bent down, pulled out the Sandai Kitetsu, and sheathed it.
His voice was calm:
"It seems... my life is tougher after all."
He hung the sword at his waist, alongside Wado Ichimonji:
"I'm definitely taking this sword."
Just as his imposing manner shocked everyone present—
An image inexplicably flashed through Zoro's mind.
Ralph.
If that guy were here...
Betting an arm against a cursed blade's fate?
He'd definitely call me an "idiot."
Even if he were to bet, that guy would definitely "cheat" by using Armament Haki.
Zoro's lips twitched involuntarily.
A guy without a "swordsman's heart," carrying around decorative swords, always chasing after women...
He actually couldn't defeat him.
"Ralph... you bastard..."
Zoro muttered under his breath, "I will definitely defeat you..."
His voice wasn't loud, but in the silent weapon shop, it was exceptionally clear.
Tashigi, who had been slumped on the floor, suddenly lifted her head:
"You... know Ralph?"
Zoro frowned and looked at her:
"That guy... is he famous?"
Tashigi's eyes instantly lit up.
She stood up excitedly and moved closer to Zoro:
"Of course he's famous! Right now, his name is being talked about throughout the entire swordsman community!"
She adjusted her glasses, her tone full of admiration:
"Dracule 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, publicly admitted that he encountered a young, nameless swordsman in the East Blue—Ralph!"
Tashigi's eyes seemed to sparkle like stars:
"Staking his honor as a swordsman, Ralph challenged the world's greatest swordsman and... won a single move!"
She took a deep breath:
"Since then, the nameless swordsman Ralph and Hawk Eyes Mihawk made a promise to duel again in the Grand Line! This has become the latest legend in the swordsman community!"
As she spoke, Tashigi's face flushed slightly, her tone filled with undisguised longing.
Even the weapon shop owner closed his eyes and nodded, as if savoring the imagined "climactic duel" in his mind.
Only Zoro.
His expression was as unpleasant as if he had swallowed a fly.
He wasn't the type to pursue empty fame.
"The world's greatest swordsman"—he intended to earn that position through genuine achievements.
But among the swordsmen who challenged Hawk Eyes in the East Blue...
Besides Ralph, there was him too!
Did no one mention him, Zoro of the Three Sword Style?!
And—
What kind of swordsman was Ralph anyway?! He didn't even acknowledge himself as one!
Tashigi still didn't notice Zoro's unpleasant expression and continued excitedly:
"I really want to know... what kind of sword does a swordsmanship genius like Ralph use? It must be a legendary named blade, right?"
Zoro: "..."
After holding back for a long time, he managed to say:
"Don't ask... you'll be disappointed."
But Tashigi focused on the fact that Zoro actually knew Ralph and grew even more excited:
"You really know Mr. Ralph? Can you tell me more details? What is his personality like? What style of swordsmanship does he use? He—"
"Shopkeeper."
Zoro interrupted her and turned to the weapon shop owner:
"How much for this sword? I'll buy it."
The owner finally snapped back to reality.
He looked at Zoro, then at the Wado Ichimonji at Zoro's waist, and thought back to the shocking "life-or-death" scene from earlier...
Finally, gritting his teeth, the owner turned and ran to the back room, returning with a sword stand.
On the stand was a jet-black sword that appeared simple yet elegant.
"This is the treasure of our shop—"
The owner's voice was solemn:
"One of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords, Yubashiri!"
His tone was bold:
"A swordsman who vows to defeat the 'nameless swordsman Ralph' must be a rising star just like him! This Yubashiri, along with the earlier Sandai Kitetsu, I'll give them both to you!"
Zoro: "..."
A vein bulged on his forehead.
Because... of Ralph's reputation?
Someone was giving him named blades because of Ralph's fame?
And two of them?!
Ralph, do you even know you have this much influence?!
I, Zoro, would rather die poor, unable to afford swords, unable to use the Three Sword Style and get killed than take even the slightest advantage from you!!!
But...
The swords are innocent.
Moreover, the Sandai Kitetsu was something he "gambled" for with his determination.
It had little to do with Ralph...
As for Yubashiri...
Zoro stared at the sword, falling into a long silence.
Eventually, he reached out and picked up Snow Stroll.
"Thanks," he murmured, then turned and left the weapons shop without looking back.
His retreating figure carried a hint of gloom.
Tashigi stood inside the shop, gazing in the direction Zoro had left, her eyes filled with admiration and curiosity:
"To know Mr. Ralph... and to earn the recognition of a famous blade... He must be an extraordinary swordsman too, right? Wielding three swords in the East Blue..."
...
Meanwhile.
Somewhere on the Grand Line, on an unnamed small island.
Turquoise sea, azure sky, white sand.
A simple wooden table stood on the beach.
On it rested a wine jug and cups.
Two men sat facing each other.
One wore a wine-red patterned shirt and a long black coat, his left sleeve hanging empty. Beneath his red hair, three scars marked his left eye.
Red-Haired Shanks.
The other wore a black coat and a black top hat adorned with white plumes, carrying a massive black cross-shaped greatsword on his back.
Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk.
"..."
Hawk Eyes lifted his cup, watching the liquid swirl inside.
"I heard you left an arm in the East Blue, gambling on a future."
He paused, raising his eyes to Shanks:
"I... went there with my cross."
"Perhaps... we might gamble for two futures."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan