Chapter 15: Aura Detection

**

"I'm not interested in Beli. If possible, I'd like to borrow the sword on your back for some research."

"Sure," Mihawk agreed without hesitation.

Although Samal was an experienced old blacksmith, to be honest, there wasn't much more he could teach Ryuusaki.

From this point on, Ryuusaki only needed to keep forging weapons to increase his proficiency.

To forge better blades, Ryuusaki needed to study renowned swords.

With 142 points in blacksmith talent, Ryuusaki carefully observed and studied Mihawk's Supreme Grade Sword—Black Blade Yoru.

He had to admit, the craftsmanship of this sword was exceptional. The materials used were of the highest quality, and the blade's black edge was designed with a distinct wave pattern.

Although Ryuusaki had heard tales of such swords before, it wasn't until he held Yoru in his hands that he truly grasped the extraordinary nature of a Supreme Grade Sword.

After an afternoon of study, Ryuusaki returned the Black Blade Yoru to Mihawk by dusk.

The past few days of continuous sword forging, combined with his recent research on Yoru, had deepened Ryuusaki's understanding of the craft.

However, Ryuusaki was indeed exhausted.

Upon returning home that night, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Makino didn't ask many questions.

She simply and gently removed the bandages from Ryuusaki's arm, cleaned and applied fresh medicine, then rewrapped the wound.

As for Mihawk...

He didn't stay in Windmill Village for long. After finding a small boat, he left immediately.

He hung the small knife around his neck.

At first, Mihawk felt that the knife was a fine blade, but he assumed it was simply well-crafted.

Until...

Drifting with the ocean currents under the night sky, Mihawk, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

"Strange!" Mihawk murmured, a puzzled expression on his face as he held the small knife. "Is this knife vibrating? No, not physically. It's an aura detection?"

Mihawk was quite astonished but soon looked up toward the distance.

It was night, visibility was low, but Mihawk still noticed a ship not too far away.

Drawing closer, Mihawk swiftly leaped onto the ship.

"Who's there?" A crew member on watch shouted, alarming everyone on board.

"Don't be nervous. I'm just here to find someone."

"Find someone?"

Mihawk ignored the crew and headed straight to the stern, where a man stood—a man with a cane, appearing to be around thirty years old.

"Are you looking for me, sir?"

"That's right, it's you. You're a swordsman, aren't you?"

"A swordsman?" The man chuckled and said, "I'm just a blind man!"

"No, you are indeed a swordsman."

The blind man's brows furrowed. After a moment of silence, he asked, "May I ask what business you have with me?"

"Naturally, I wish to spar with you!"

"It seems you won't give up easily. Very well, there is a deserted island nearby. We can spar there."

Mihawk was momentarily stunned, looking in the direction the blind man pointed, but he saw no island.

It wasn't until they were sailing toward the island in a small boat that Mihawk was secretly amazed.

The island the blind man spoke of was incredibly far away, so much so that Mihawk, with his keen Observation Haki, hadn't even sensed it.

Once on the island, Mihawk's excitement grew. This blind man was extraordinarily strong—at least, his Observation Haki was astoundingly powerful.

Not only had he sensed the island, but he also accurately judged that it was deserted.

Indeed, the blind man's assessment was spot on. The island was completely uninhabited, with even wild animals being scarce.

"My name is Issho. May I ask for your esteemed name?" the blind man inquired.

"Dracule Mihawk, also known as Hawkeye."

"I have a question: how did you know that I am a swordsman?"

Mihawk chuckled, "Defeat me, and I will tell you."

"Forgive my offense!" Issho said as he prepared for the duel.

This man, Issho, would one day become Admiral Fujitora of the Navy, a formidable figure known for his incredible strength. But for now, Issho was a wandering swordsman, traveling the world in search of purpose.

Since this was a duel of swordsmanship, Issho refrained from using his Devil Fruit powers related to gravity. Even without them, his swordsmanship was formidable.

"Such strength, yet unknown across the seas," Mihawk mused. If not for the small knife, Mihawk might have missed the opportunity to encounter such a skilled swordsman.

Now, Mihawk understood the unique ability of the knife crafted by Ryuusaki. Unlike the cursed swords of legend, this knife could sense the aura of powerful swordsmen nearby.

At first, Mihawk thought Ryuusaki was merely a talented blacksmith. But now, he saw Ryuusaki in a new light. The boy was undoubtedly a genius, a prodigy among blacksmiths.

This duel was a test of skill rather than a fight to the death, so neither swordsman used their full strength.

After three hours of intense combat, Issho finally spoke, "Your swordsmanship is exceptional. I concede. How about we end it here for today?"

"I have not defeated you by much," Mihawk replied, though he sheathed his Black Blade Yoru nonetheless.

"Why does a swordsman of your caliber remain unknown?"

"I do not seek fame," Issho responded calmly.

"I see," Mihawk said, glancing at Issho's cane-sword. "Though you've protected it with Armament Haki, your sword is quite ordinary and seems to have some damage."

Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru was one of the finest swords in the world. Through their duel, Mihawk realized that Issho's cane-sword was of poor quality, possibly even inferior to a standard sword.

While Mihawk respected Issho's swordsmanship, he lamented the condition of his weapon.

"I know a blacksmith who can forge you a proper sword. You should seek him out."

"If you recommend him so highly, he must be a master swordsmith."

"A master?" Mihawk laughed. "You'll see for yourself. He's in Windmill Village, in the Goa Kingdom. His name is Ryuusaki."

At this point, Mihawk was still a young man. Recently, he had encountered Ryuusaki, a prodigy of a blacksmith, and now, Issho, a master swordsman.

This made Mihawk marvel at the vastness of the world, where there was always someone stronger.

Mihawk touched the small knife hanging around his neck. With this knife, he wouldn't miss any encounters with powerful swordsmen in the future.

After parting ways with Issho, Mihawk thought to himself that this knife was no ordinary blade and deserved a name of its own.

"I'll give you a name," Mihawk decided. "I'll call you Dragon Sense!"

As Mihawk's small boat gradually disappeared into the night, Issho continued his travels. Though his Observation Haki was incredibly powerful, allowing him to sense his surroundings with ease, his blindness made it difficult for him to navigate unfamiliar places. Knowing only the name of a location wasn't much help to him.

Check out my ko-fi for advance chapter on ko-fi.com/twilight_scribe3