Chapter 197

"She is a true beauty!" Mihawk couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes alight with admiration as he gazed upon the newly forged blade. The sword lay within a shrine at the Ishhin Dojo, bathed in the soft, flickering light of oil lamps that cast gentle shadows on the walls. The room was heavy with the fragrance of incense, filling the air with a rich, exotic scent that seemed to enhance the blade's ethereal beauty.

Beneath Shirayuki, the Supreme Grade blade, lay another masterpiece forged by Kozaburo: Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 Great Grade blades. Kozaburo stood nearby, his face beaming with pride as he showcased his greatest creation.

Normally, he wouldn't have so casually displayed a Supreme Grade blade to outsiders; such a revelation could spell disaster, especially with his recent injury and loss of half his original strength.

Even then, he is currently more willing to share this monumental achievement because of the presence of Rosinanate. As long as Ross was present, the blade destined for Kuina would remain safe.

Ross and Kozaburo had made arrangements to safeguard Shirayuki until Kuina was read to wield the blade, making it clear that Ross would protect the blade until then. With Akatsuki and Shusui in his possession, Ross had no immediate need for Shirayuki.

Despite becoming one of the greatest weaponsmiths in the world, Kozaburo couldn't help but marvel at the blades carried by the newcomers, especially Mihawk's Yoru. In a world where many might never encounter a single Meito, this small island in the East Blue—a place often considered the weakest of the four seas—is currently home to an unprecedented collection.

Within the sword shrine, there were Akatsuki, a blade surpassing Supreme Grade, two Supreme Grade blades, and a total of four out of the 21 Great Grade blades. This was a historical anomaly, a collection of legendary weapons that might never be seen again.

Buggy, unable to contain his curiosity, sidled up to me and whispered, "Hey Ross, how much do you think a Supreme Grade blade might cost?" His question was tinged with genuine interest, despite the fact that he wasn't a swordsman and had little interest in perfecting his own blade.

I scratched my chin thoughtfully, considering the gravity of his question. "One cannot truly put a price on a Supreme Grade blade," I said, my tone contemplative. "But if someone were foolish enough to sell one, even the lowest price would start in the tens of billions."

Buggy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Tens of billions? Are you kidding me?" he spluttered. His mind raced back to the time when people had bid like mad for Shanks's blade, thinking they were insane. But now, hearing about the price for a Supreme Grade blade, he felt even more overwhelmed. Paying millions for a weapon seemed ludicrous to him, and the figures Ross was talking about seemed to be on a different scale altogether.

Shanks, meanwhile, stood mesmerized by Shirayuki. The allure of the Supreme Grade blade was undeniable. Even Mihawk, who possessed the legendary Yoru, was intrigued by the new addition. The aura of Shirayuki, with its shimmering blade and intricate design, captured the essence of perfection that every swordsman aspired to grasp.

Shanks, unable to tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing blade, finally summoned the courage to address Kozaburo. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by a rare sense of seriousness. He stepped forward, his red hair catching the light, and bowed respectfully to the legendary blacksmith.

"Kozaburo-san," Shanks began, his voice steady but filled with genuine admiration, "the blade you have forged is truly extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it in all my travels. I must ask—would you consider entrusting Shirayuki to me?"

Kozaburo looked at Shanks, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and contemplation. The request was bold, but not unexpected. He knew that any swordsman who laid eyes on Shirayuki would be captivated by her beauty and power. The old blacksmith sighed, weighing his response carefully.

"I apologize, but that is not possible." Kozaburo began, his voice filled with the wisdom of years, "I appreciate your admiration for Shirayuki. However, this blade was forged with a specific purpose and a destined wielder in mind. She is meant for my granddaughter, Kuina. This blade is a symbol of our lineage, our pride, and our future."

Shanks nodded, his respect for Kozaburo's decision evident, but he wasn't ready to give up. His gaze inadvertently darted towards the stump where the old man's hand once was, then shifted to Koushirou, who stood behind the old man.

With his current strength, he did not doubt his chances against Koushirou. "I understand, Kozaburo-san. But consider this—Shirayuki deserves to see the world, to be wielded by someone who will face the strongest opponents, who will carve her name into the annals of history. I promise to honor her legacy and your craftsmanship." Shanks paused before he continued, but his tone now had an edge of steel.

"And looking at your current condition, I do not think you will be able to defend the blade if someone were to forcefully take it away from you. Holding onto such a treasure without enough strength will only spell disaster for you and your family."

The room fell silent as everyone waited for Kozaburo's response. The old man closed his eyes, lost in thought, considering the weight of Shanks's words. Though the pirate seemed civil, his words had a hint of an underlying threat. But then, with a smirk, Kozaburo gazed towards me.

"In that case, why don't you ask my granddaughter's sensei whether he is willing to let anyone grab his student's blade?" Kozaburo was cunning. In his current state, he knew he was no match for Shanks, and he knew I wouldn't have brought them here if I couldn't keep them in check.

Mihawk simply couldn't tell whether Shanks was being stupid or brave, but either way, he was going to end up getting a good beating from his friend. If he kept insisting on crossing the line, he might well regret his decision to covet this Supreme Grade blade.

Shanks turned to me with a wide smile plastered on his face. "Ross, you know your brother stole a mythical Zoan devil fruit from me, so don't you think it is only right for me to take this blade in exchange?" he added, trying to test the waters.

"It's simple, Shanks. This world is governed by the strong. You should know this better than most here. So if you think you can best me, I can consider it," I replied with an evil smirk. "And from what I heard from my brother, it was you who stole the fruit from him after he rightfully acquired it in the auction. I will have you repay it," I chuckled, sending creeps down Buggy's back.

But Shanks already had the idea to challenge me, and the Supreme Grade blade was an added incentive. "I am not the old Shanks, Ross, so I hope you are ready!" He added, his mood now calm, set for the upcoming clash.

Shanks looked at the rest of his crew and nodded. Without a word, he stepped out, ready to face me head-on. Maybe Shanks had forgotten that though he had been growing rapidly, I hadn't slacked for a day, and my growth was far more than what he had achieved.

Buggy, though worried, stood by Shanks's side, and soon enough, we found ourselves on a large, uninhabited island a few dozen miles away from the island of Shimotsuki village. Shanks's entire crew had followed him, and with me were Mihawk and Lucci, who wanted to witness fights that were at the Admiral level.

From my initial estimate using the Voice of All Things, I was sure Shanks had already breached the early Admiral-level power. Kozaburo was confident in my victory, so he hadn't followed me.

Koushirou and Miyamoto stayed back in the Isshin dojo just in case, because there was a chance that others might have experienced the phenomenon over the island and might be attracted to it. Even though we were dozens of miles away, Shimotsuki village was still within my range of Observation Haki.

The night sky was clear, and the moon cast a silvery glow over the island. The atmosphere was tense as the crews watched the confrontation unfold. Shanks stood across from me, his red hair flowing in the wind and his eyes filled with determination. I could see the fire in his spirit—the same fire that had driven him to become one of the most feared pirates on the seas.

"Let's get this over with, Shanks," I said, drawing Shusui from its scabbard. The blade gleamed ominously in the moonlight, its presence demanding respect. Shanks was still not ready to face my other blade, Akatsuki.

Though I had subdued it, the blade was moody, and I had yet to become familiar with it, so if I used it against Shanks, there was a real chance he might end up dying here. Shanks had a large part to play in my future plans, so I was just planning to beat him to a pulp today.

Shanks grinned, unsheathing his saber. "I hope you're ready, Ross. This won't be like our previous clashes." But he also noticed that I hadn't unsheathed the second blade strapped to my side but chose not to question.

The island seemed to hold its breath as we faced each other; the tension was palpable. With a burst of speed, Shanks lunged at me, his saber aimed at my heart. I parried effortlessly, the clash of our blades sending sparks flying. The ground beneath us trembled with the force of our blows, the sheer power of our clash causing the air to vibrate.

Shanks's movements were swift and precise, and his attacks were relentless. But I met each strike with ease, countering with my own powerful blows. The island around us bore the brunt of our battle, with trees splintering and rocks shattering under the force of our attacks.

Shanks stood confident in his strength, especially his haki. After his defeat at the hands of his sister, he had trained relentlessly, honing his skills to new heights. His observation haki had advanced to the point where he could see brief glimpses of the future. As he prepared to rely on this future sight, it faltered.

A sudden, sharp pain exploded across his face. The flat of my blade hit him with a sickening crunch, sending him crashing through the trees. Fortunately, his Armament Haki had protected him; without it, his jaw would have shattered.

I flickered behind Shanks, bringing down Shusui at blinding speed. Shanks steadied himself and brought his blade up in defense.

"Clang..." The clash of two Great Grade blades sent a powerful shockwave through the air, sinking the ground beneath us and creating a deep crater. Shanks's arm trembled under the massive weight of the attack.

It was heavy, so heavy that his hands shook and his bones groaned, threatening to splinter. He gritted his teeth and channeled more Armament Haki to counter the blow.

I moved around Shanks with fluid precision, swinging Shusui at him with the flat edge whenever I sensed he was struggling to keep up with my attacks.

Though the flat edge wouldn't harm him, it delivered a painful lesson each time it landed. Shanks deserved praise for his resilience; despite his disadvantage, he did not doubt himself and clashed with me with all the ferocity he could muster.

This unyielding determination was the foundation of one's Conqueror's Haki. The moment you doubt yourself, you are no longer fit to be a king. Only an unwavering will can nurture Conqueror's Haki to unprecedented levels. And from the way I was growing, my Conqueror's Haki in the future would make Shanks's Haki in the canon seem insignificant.

Shanks lunged forward, his saber gleaming with Armament Haki, aiming for a decisive strike. I met his attack head-on, Shusui clashing against his saber. The force of our collision sent another shockwave rippling through the island, uprooting trees and scattering debris. Shanks's eyes were focused, his determination unwavering, but I could see the strain in his movements.

"You're strong, Shanks, but you still have much to learn," I said, my voice steady and calm.

With a swift movement, I sidestepped his next attack and brought Shusui down in a powerful arc. Shanks barely managed to deflect it, the impact sending him skidding back. He steadied himself and launched another barrage of strikes, each one more desperate than the last. I parried each blow with ease, my movements precise and controlled.

Shanks gritted his teeth, frustration evident in his eyes. He knew he was outmatched, but he refused to back down. He channeled his Conqueror's Haki, the air around us crackling with its intensity. I responded in kind, my own Haki clashing against his, creating a palpable pressure that weighed down on everything around us.

In response, I unleashed my own Conqueror's Haki, which crashed back against Shanks' Haki with overwhelming force. He was pushed back as red lightning clashed with black and gold lightning, the sheer intensity of the exchange causing the very air around us to crackle. Shanks had not expected the difference in our strength to be so vast.

He channeled his Haki once more, imbuing his saber with Armament Haki, and swung with all his might. "Divine Departure!!" he shouted as a massive red slash flew at me. I met his attack head-on, imbuing Shusui with my own Haki, and sent a flying slash to counter. The two attacks collided, and for a few tense moments, they seemed evenly matched before dispersing, sending shockwaves of devastation in all directions.

"Tch, Shanks! Aren't you ashamed to name that attack after your captain's?" I taunted, my voice dripping with scorn. "Let me show you what a real Divine Departure looks like. It may not yet be on Roger's scale, but I'll get there eventually."

My Conqueror's Haki flared again, and my blade was now coated with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki. After learning Conqueror's Haki infusion from Garp, my attacks had reached an unprecedented level. If I were to go all out, I was confident in harming even a low-level Yonko with my current strength.

Shanks had just breached the low Admiral level, so there was a disparity of a whole tier between us. The chasm at this level was so immense that it would take Shanks at least a decade to reach where I am now. Even at his best, it would take him more than five years. But I already had a vision of where I should be five years from now. After all, I had promised Garp that I would challenge him in 5 years.

The entire world seemed to respond to my call as I channeled my Haki into the attack. Buggy and Shanks froze as they recognized the true resemblance to their captain's attack. Black and gold lightning tore through the skies as I channeled more and more Haki into Roger's signature move.

I had perfected this form over the years, and bursts of energy rippled out from me as the epicenter. Shanks immediately created distance, channeling his own Haki to counter the impending attack. Mihawk and Lucci watched in awe as the ground beneath me splintered due to the sheer pressure of my concentrated Haki. The entire world seemed to still, and I became one with its flow.

"Divine Departure!!!" I roared, launching a blinding light of a sword slash at Shanks. Despite the overwhelming force of the attack, Shanks stood defiantly, determined to defend against it. I foresaw the outcome and did not worry about Shanks' safety. There was no way he could defend against this attack with his current strength, but he was adamant. He roared in defiance as the slash bore down on him.

At the last moment, Buggy rushed out and tackled Shanks away from the trajectory of the attack. Shanks' crew sighed in relief, not understanding why their usually calm captain was acting so recklessly today. Even they wondered how such a monster could exist.

They were already in awe of Shanks' strength and growth, but there was someone who could subdue their captain so easily and was about the same age. They now understood that the seas were truly fascinating.

As the dust settled, everyone's heart skipped a beat. The entire island had been cleaved in two by my attack. The sheer force and power of the Divine Departure had left a monumental scar on the land, a testament to the difference in our strength.

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Currently updated until Chapter 254.

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