102. Zoro's Great Improvement

"Is this Wano Country? The current here is too dangerous."

Luffy got soaked by the seawater, shaking off droplets from his straw hat.

"Among all the seas in the New World, the ocean currents around Wano Country are the wildest and most chaotic I've ever seen."

Nami still felt uneasy. Even someone as skilled as her, a top-notch navigator, almost got thrown off course by Wano's currents.

But it's mostly because it's our first time here. Once we get used to it, it'll be easier.

"This must be Kuri."

Ace and Marco exchanged a glance. Ace, having been here before, was more familiar with the area.

When Marco first visited Wano with Whitebeard, it wasn't as developed. They usually docked at the nearest port, including for Law and the others. Ace, on the other hand, sneaks in during Kaido's rule and explores many parts of Wano.

"I wonder if everyone in Kuri Village is still around."

Ace seemed eager. His last visit wasn't that long ago, maybe just a year or so. He had plans to attack Wano with his father, but that didn't pan out.

After a short rest, they followed Ace to Tama's Kuri Village.

Kuri was a remote and impoverished area in Wano. Despite Kaido's control, he mainly focused on Onigashima, leaving much of Wano relatively untouched.

This made it easy for Luffy and the others to slip in unnoticed by the Cross Union, who had recently taken over Wano.

"Hey there, Ace!"

Tama, a cute little girl with round cheeks, came out excitedly when she saw Ace.

Ace lifted her up. Their bond was still strong despite his delayed visit.

"I'm here to keep my promise, Tama."

Tama's smile faded when Ace mentioned his promise.

"No, Ace, this country has been liberated."

Ayu explained how Lord Crocodile from the Cross Guild had ousted Kaido, defeated Orochi, and brought prosperity to the people.

Everyone, especially Luffy and the crew, was puzzled.

"Lord Crocodile?"

Usopp scratched his head.

"Isn't he the sand guy from Alabasta?"

Luffy remembered Crocodile vividly. He was one of the toughest foes he'd faced early in his journey.

"Don't talk about Lord Crocodile like that!"

Ayu protested, believing Crocodile to be a hero.

An elderly man in a tengu mask intervened.

"Don't mind Tama. She's just a child."

With the Cross Union out of the picture, Wano was on the path to recovery under Crocodile's leadership.

It turns out that this quirky old man in the tengu mask was also someone Ace knew from Wano.

"Ace, it's been a while. Who are these folks?" 

Ace introduced his companions with a bright smile. His friendly demeanour made him instantly likeable.

"Follow me," Tenguyama Hitetsu said, leading them to a secluded spot.

"What a weird guy," Luffy remarked, scratching his head as he watched Tenguyama walk ahead.

This uncle exuded a strange mix of calmness and regret, but Luffy didn't dwell on it. His sole focus was on finding the Road Poneglyph in Wano and taking down Bullet.

Speaking of which, Zoro needed a suitable battleground where he wouldn't be interrupted. Everything else didn't matter much to Luffy. He was more like Law and Shanks in that he'd go to great lengths for his crewmates but wouldn't bother much otherwise. 

As Tenguyama recounted recent events in Wano to Ace, Marco, Sanji, Jinbei, and the others, Luffy grew bored and wandered off. He wasn't interested in the country's history or politics.

"This is the info you wanted," Tenguyama said calmly, though there wasn't much of real use.

"The Flower Capital?" Sanji mused, the only useful tidbit being that members of the Cross Union were there.

"Hey, do you know Ryoma?" Zoro asked, having missed most of the conversation.

"Of course," Tenguyama Hitetsu replied, eyeing Zoro's black sword, Shusui. "That's Wano's legendary sword, Ryoma's blade."

"A sword legend?" Zoro was surprised.

Indeed, Ryoma held high status in Wano. Zoro remembered battling Ryoma's reanimated corpse on Thriller Bark. Even in death, Ryoma's strength was formidable.

"That black sword at your side is Ryoma's, Shusui," Tenguyama Hitetsu confirmed.

"Yeah, I got it from my fight with Ryoma's corpse," Zoro recalled, holding Shusui. "He was a formidable swordsman."

"Ah, it's that Moria bastard," Tenguyama added, recognizing Zoro's sword.

Tenguyama Hitetsu nodded thoughtfully.

"Old man, do you know about swords too?" Zoro asked with interest.

It was evident from Shisui's design that the man in front of him had an in-depth knowledge of renowned blades.

"Actually, I'm a blacksmith, and the Third Generation sword on your waist is my creation," Tenguyama revealed, stunning Zoro.

"Wait, you forged the Sandai Kitetsu?" Zoro was genuinely surprised.

However, Sandai Kitetsu wasn't part of the Fifty Skillful Blades, which is one of the 21 Great Grade swords.

"It's an impressive feat," Zoro praised sincerely.

"Speaking of which, Brother Zoro, I have a request," Tenguyama said, eyeing Shusui on Zoro's waist with determination.

"What is it?" Zoro's expression grew serious, showing respect for the esteemed blacksmith.

"I'd like to request the black sword Shusui from you. It's a national treasure of Wano," Tenguyama asked solemnly.

"Eh, give it up?" Zoro looked at Tenguyama, contemplating. Ultimately, he refused, "I'm about to face the world's top swordsman. I can't part with this sword, uncle."

Shusui, a significant sword made by twenty-one skilled workers gifted to Zoro by Ryoma's last consciousness, held immense value. Zoro couldn't relinquish such a renowned blade, especially before his critical battle with Hawkeye.

"Is that so?" Tenguyama stood up. "What if I offer you two superior blades in exchange?"

"Better blades?" Zoro was surprised. Shusui was already among the best under the Supreme Swift Blade. Could this old man possess two superior swords?

"Indeed, these swords may not match Shusui's current quality, but their potential and strength in your hands will surpass it," Tenguyama explained as he retrieved two renowned swords from the back room.

One was entirely purple, while the other was pure white. Zoro could sense their exceptional quality even before they were unsheathed—both rare and remarkable blades.

"These are impressive," Zoro commented as he drew one of the blades.

A chilling glint flashed, and an overwhelming aura emanated from the blade, captivating Zoro.

"Does this blade consume my Haki?" Zoro observed with surprise as he felt his Haki being devoured just by holding the handle.

It was like a mystical blade, challenging to tame yet perfect for him.

"Let's see how it fits," Zoro muttered, unleashing a powerful aura as he unsheathed the entire blade in one swift motion.

The flame-patterned blade was enveloped in a formidably armed colour and Conqueror's Haki.

At that moment, something unexpected happened.

Far away in the Flower Capital's palace,

Hawkeye and Bullet's eyes widened as they sensed a powerful and sharp sword energy approaching.

"Here it comes," Hawkeye remarked, recognizing the aura of a swordsman at the pinnacle of power.

Bullet, relying on his keen Observation Haki, felt the momentum building.

"Finally," Bullet said with an excited grin, brimming with anticipation for the impending battle.

Back in Kuri Village,

"It's unbelievable how you managed to persuade Enma so quickly," Tenguyama exclaimed, astonished by Zoro's feat.

Locked away in Wano, Tenguyama hadn't known Zoro's true strength until now. Witnessing him subdue Enma brought to mind only one other person who had achieved such a feat—his son, Kozuki Oden.

"Enma? What a fitting name," Zoro said, feeling a connection with the sword in his hand.

"Enma, the sword said to be capable of cleaving even through hell," Tenguyama explained. "Now, try another blade. They're a pair—Ame no Habakiri, the renowned sword that boasts of cutting through the sky."

Zoro handed Enma back to Tenguyama and unsheathed Wado Ichimonji, noticing the white cloud-like pattern on its blade. Though it didn't fit him as perfectly as Enma, it felt more comfortable than Shisui—a strange sensation that lingered from using the latter.

Expressing his doubt about Shisui's ownership, Zoro received an expected response from Tenguyama.

"Understandable," Tenguyama said. "Because Shisui is a black blade."

"A black blade?" Zoro was intrigued.

"Do you know how black blades are forged?" Tenguyama asked, explaining that only a swordsman, not a craftsman, could create a black sword—a perfect fusion of spirit and renowned steel.

"Shisui embodies this. Its essence is the spirit of the sword god Ryoma, which remains elusive even after centuries," Tenguyama elaborated. "Enma and Ame no Habakiri have the potential to become black blades too."

"The combination of courage and blade?" Zoro mused, pondering the possibility of permanently transforming his swords.

Tenguyama then proposed an exchange—Enma and Ame no Habakiri for Shisui and Sandai Kitetsu.

Zoro accepted without hesitation but wondered why Tenguyama would make such a trade.

"Perhaps for atonement," Tenguyama sighed, hinting at a deeper reason behind his decision.

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