chapter 125 - underwater forging

In the heart of the deep, endless sea, Ryu found himself planning the design of a weapon. It's been a long time since he used a forge, and he was giddy with excitement. Since Whitebeard used a naginata, Ryu would create one, though his would be superior to anything Whitebeard could even dream about.

The naginata of his design was a poetic paradox, a balance between delicate artistry and fierce might. Its blade, drawn out in his mind, would be a convoluted twist of chaos and control, resembling the turbulent waves of a stormy sea, both threatening and beautiful. The shaft he envisioned would be a pillar of elegant complexity, adorned with intricate carvings of an awe-inspiring leviathan, its serpentine body coiling down to the pommel. Now, it was time to bring it to life.

Material selection was critical, as Ryu would be forging under high-pressure conditions, underwater. For the blade, he chose Uru, the fabled metal of the Norse gods, taken from Brok's memories. Its mythical properties would complement the weapon, and its exceptional durability would be perfect for undersea conditions. For the shaft, Ryu chose his trusty Yggdrasil for obvious reasons. The pommel would be crafted from Seastone, a fitting decoration for the weapon.

Now for the forging, Ryu chose an underwater volcanic region for the task. The heated lava vents provided the necessary thermal conditions while the surrounding water countered with immense pressure, perfect for his forging. With a wave of his hand, he conjured everything he would need, forming anvils, hammers, tongs, and other blacksmithing supplies.

As he began to forge, Ryu manipulated the Uru with a grace that hid the brutal strength needed. He heated the metal using the volcanic heat, his movements slow, measured, and unhurried to ensure the best quality. Then, with precision, Ryu struck, the water itself becoming part of his hammer, its pressure helping shape and mold the stubborn Uru into the chaotic blade of his vision. Each strike sent waves rippling through the water, the blade compressing, becoming denser, harder, its inherent power rising to meet the challenge of the sea's mighty pressure.

But one can't make a blade with pure force. When it came time to mold the Uru to its finer points, Ryu's technique shifted. His movements, though firm, took on a gentleness, a serene dance that made his previous intensity look like an illusion. His muscular frame morphed into a vessel of subtle finesse and control. Like a maestro directing a celestial symphony, Ryu guided the Uru, his hammer moving delicately over the material.

With a steady hand and an eagle's focus, he used the volcanic heat to soften the Uru, manipulating its flexible state with a subtle, feather-light touch. The ocean's pressure, once a source of raw force, now served as a gentle shaper under Ryu's influence.

Then came the heat treatment. Ryu masterfully utilized the volcanic vents for gentle reheating, while the surrounding water, kept at a controlled temperature, served for the quenching of the blade. Though oil quenching was normally better since it lessened the stress on the blade, the one Ryu made was forged with the pressure of the entire sea compressing it, a little stress could hardly make a difference. The process enhanced the blade's resilience, bestowing upon it the indefatigable spirit of the sea.

Ryu turned his attention to the shaft. A segment of Yggdrasil lay before him, ready to be molded. But before beginning with the actual craft, Ryu noticed that the wood's color didn't fit the piece he wanted to make. With a snap of his fingers, the wood was dyed a sea green.

With care and respect, he started to shape it. Using a set of tools, Ryu carved the wood, shaving away pieces bit by bit. His strokes were precise, and deliberate, each one contributing to the emerging shape. Slowly but surely, Yggdrasil's wood gradually took the form of the naginata's shaft.

Once the shaft was crafted to the desired length and thickness, Ryu turned his attention to its embellishment. He began etching the form of the leviathan onto the Yggdrasil wood, each line carefully drawn, each detail meticulously rendered. The rhythm of Ryu's craft was akin to a whispered lullaby, serene yet filled with a potent energy. Each scale, each curve became a testament to Ryu's masterful control and precision. And as the final details were etched into the shaft, what emerged was not just a part of a weapon—it was a work of art.

Next was assembly. Ryu bound the blade to the handle, his fingers moving with surety, ensuring every angle was perfect, every line matched. The sea-twisted Uru blade, the Yggdrasil wood shaft, and the Seastone pommel came together as if they had always belonged. A singular entity now, the naginata felt balanced, a dangerous grace to its form, a testament to Ryu's impeccable craftsmanship.

Underwater finishing came next. Ryu used the abrasive sands of the ocean floor and the persistent, cleansing flow of the currents to smooth the surfaces, refining the naginata's appearance, bringing out the natural beauty of the Uru and Yggdrasil wood, the Seastone gleaming like a beacon in the dark depths.

Finally, Ryu concluded the creation with an elemental infusion. A weapon forged with the help of the sea had the right to have its power. Channeling the energy of the sea itself, he imbued the naginata with its strength and durability. The weapon pulsed with a mysterious aura, its blade gleaming with a fearsome promise, the leviathan on the shaft seeming to stir to life, and the Seastone pommel gleaming with a mystical light.

As Ryu held the completed naginata overhead, it gleamed with an otherworldly radiance, reflecting the dim light filtering through the sea's surface. The blade, a wild swirl of the ocean's power frozen in time, shimmered with deadly elegance, its sharp edge promising swift and sure destruction. It sang a silent song of power and beauty, its voice carried on the currents of the deep sea.

The shaft was a testament to Ryu's artistic mastery, its sea-green surface smooth and flawless. The intricately carved leviathan seemed almost alive, its scales and curves dancing as light touched them.

The seastone pommel, cool and heavy in his grasp, pulsed with a silent energy, its ethereal light adding a mystical touch to the weapon.

Holding the finished product Ryu was satisfied. Although he was a bit rusty, this was a good result.

"Well, let's see if that old man can appreciate an actual good weapon," Ryu mused with a smile as he teleported away.

---

A jovial clamor could be heard around Fishman Island as Whitebeard's crew continued their party. Whitebeard sat at the heart of it, his hearty laughter carrying over the sea.

Suddenly, the space swirled around like a whirlpool, catching everyone's attention. From the spatial vortex appeared Ryu, grinning wildly and brandishing his new creation.

He landed on one of the tables, and the playful twinkle in his eye stilled the air. The crew fell silent, captivated by the weapon he held. "Whitebeard, your new naginata is ready. I told you I'd show you what a real weapon looks like, what do you think?" Ryu asked as his voice oozed casual nonchalance that contradicted his expectant expression.

As Ryu presented the naginata, the party fell eerily silent. The crew's eyes widened, mouths agape as they took in the sight of the magnificent weapon. One crewmember even toppled over, his stool clattering to the ground in surprise.

Whitebeard looked at the weapon, his eyes wide. For a moment, he looked like he was about to keel over, just like his poor crewmate had. "By the seas, Ryu..." He managed to stammer, his gruff voice dropping to a whisper. The weapon's incredible aura caused him to lose his composure. His old naginata was one of the 12 Supreme Grade swords, meant to be the strongest in the world, yet it couldn't hold a candle to what he now gazed at.

"Oh, but be careful. I added the essence of the sea into it, and the pommel is made out of seastone, so if you get cut or touch the pommel you'll get nauseous" Ryu added, the mischief clear in his eyes.

Slowly, as if in a daze, Whitebeard reached out and took the naginata, his calloused fingers tracing the expertly crafted leviathan on the shaft. As he tested its weight, a sense of childlike wonder replaced his usual stern demeanor.

Another crew member, taken aback by Whitebeard's awe-struck state, choked on his drink, causing a chain reaction of coughing fits and laughter. Soon, the whole crew was in stitches, the tension replaced by a sense of absurd joy.

"Well," Whitebeard rumbled, shaking his head as he brandished the naginata high, his gaze alighting on Ryu. "This... this is beyond anything I even thought possible! Beating me while having this kind of skill, talk about overkill," He barked out a laugh, the sound booming across the area.

The crew erupted in cheers, applause, and still a few more comical gasps of disbelief. They all raised their tankards, their eyes on Ryu. "To Ryu!" Whitebeard declared, his voice full of respect. "The strongest man in the world!"