Chapter 153. Sword

Wano returned to its former prosperity. Ryu enjoyed the coming days, he was surprised by the different types of food and wines served here. He made sure to stock up the those that he liked.

Hitetsu was busy with Ryu's Sword. Several Kozuki clansmen were also helping him, the problem was that the material Ryu provided was really hard to smelt. It took them days to get that material into liquid form. If not for the excellent forging techniques of Kozuki Clan then it would have been impossible to them to achieve this far.

Hitetsu and the other masters were doing there best, from melting the ore, removing impurities, adding other ores... each step was carefully done with extreme precision. Apart from taking time to sleep and eat, all of their time was dedicated to forging a sword for Ryu.

To a Blacksmith, their desire to create a Sword surpassing all other and was etched in their bones. Noone complained instead their eyes blazed with excitement.

Days passed, in the blink of an eye, three months had already passed.

Today Hitetsu and the other master Blacksmiths stood before Ryu with pride. Hitetsu was leading them. He held a sword case in his hands, it was black in colour with red and blue patterns adorned through its body.

Hitetsu placed the Sword case before Ryu and bowed with respect. The masters behind him also bowed.

Hitetsu " Sir Ryu, we didn't fail with our promise. A Sword with the potential to surpass all before it has now been born! "

He opened the Sword Case, Ryu's eyes focused inside.

A black Sword with cross of blue and red design across its sheath and hilt laid inside. Ryu's heart moved, he could faintly feel how strong the sword was.

Hitetsu said with pride " What lay before you is the thirteenth Supreme Grade Sword, Kokushibyo!!

We took your Swords name as it befitted this Supreme Sword!! "

Ryu gently caressed the Sword. The sword slightly vibrated when he touched it.

Ryu's eyes brightened, he could feel his heart race. He took the Sword in his hands, he slowly pulled out the Sword.

The moment the Sword came out, Ryu felt his soul shake a bit. He could sense a connection between him and the sword. The sword gleamed with pitch black colour, four divine beasts were engraved at the base of the sword. A red line extended through the entire edge of the Sword.

Ryu closed his eyes, Hitetsu and the other Blacksmith could sense their world change. What they saw stunned them, bright gleams of sword light flashed everywhere with the intend to destroy everything but at the same time his intent seemed to contain birth as well. Ryu's sword reflected who he was and what his powers meant.

Kokushibyo trembled nonstop. Hitetsu and the other Blacksmiths almost had their eyes pop out when they saw this scene.

" Sword spirit!!! A Sword spirit is about to be born!! "

" Heavens!! Hahaha, that's the sword we forged!! "

" Never thought I would live to see this day. Even if I die right now I am contend!!! "

Everyone of them watched with excitement, if a sword forged by them were to have sword spirit born.... then there is nothing more honourable for them as a Blacksmith.

Ryu was feeling the marvelous change within his sword. He could sense a weak will being birthed inside his sword, it seemed extremely close to him like a part of him.

But it seemed like this will was still growing, Ryu could feel it existence but he was unable to command it.

The scene before Hitetsu and the others disappeared. Ryu stood before them with his sword in his hands, all of them bowed towards him expressing their gratitude.

Ryu bowed back " Thank you."

Hitetsu shook his head " Please don't. As a Blacksmith it's our dream to see our work reach new heights. Now all of us are contend. It seemed like using your previous Sword was the correct choice after all."

Ryu " Ah yes. You mentioned before that for a sword spirit to be born, the sword has to accompany it's master for atleast a decade, then how did this happen? "

Hitetsu smiled " It's because of your previous sword. Your previous sword didn't have the potential to birth a spirit but it did follow you for two decades. This has left traces of your will or soul on it. When we used your previous sword to forge, it was a gamble and it seems like it paid off."

Ryu nodded in understanding " Thank you for your help."

Hitetsu " What's your plan from now? "

Ryu " I will be leaving in a few days."

Hitetsu expected this, he knew Ryu would leave one day.

Suddenly a figure barged in through the door and hugged Ryu. This was Tama.

She was playing outside just seconds ago but when she came inside she heard Ryu saying he would leave. During these months Tama actually saw Ryu as her own big brother, she somewhat depended on him.

Tama was crying " Hick....hick....big brother, don't leave."

Ryu gently patted her head " Tama..... I need to go back. But I promise I will return often, when I come back I don't want to see a crybaby Tama. I want to see a Kunoichi."

Tama nodded while crying " uhuh... Tama will... try."

Ryu accompanied her these few days, Tama acted like a spoiled kid and asked Ryu to join her and her friends and play with them. Ryu could only smile wryly, his friends and family would laugh their head off if they were to see Ryu like this.

Finally Ryu was about to depart, he only informed Hitetsu and Tama. Only they were close to him here, Tama tried her best not to cry but Ryu could see her eyes tear up.

He waved his hands at them and disappeared.

Hitetsu comforted Tama " Don't cry. He will come by from time to time. You heard your big brother right? He wants you to become a fierce Kunoichi. When he comes back don't disappoint him."

Tama's eyes were watery " Um."

*********

Ryu sighed looking from above.

Now he had one more job to take care of. He looked towards a direction and flew. After flying for few minutes, he saw the silhouette of an island.

The island was huge, dense jungle covered majority of its area. The focal point of the island is a large mountain situated in the center. It was carved with gigantic curved snake statues and the name of the native tribe of the island, Kuja.

This was Amazon Lily.

A year ago Ryu made a wager with Hancock, that if she could withstand the tides of time and still have feelings for him, he will accept her. His figure directly flashed towards Hancock.

Hancock was lying on her soft bed, she was immersed in deep thought. Her sisters Marigold and Sandersonia were worried seeing their sister so out of character. Elder Nyon was also beside them.

Nyon " Snake princess, please forget that man. He is the worst enemy of the World Government. If they knew you had affection for him, they will try to take advantage of that."

Hancock scowled at Nyon " Go away you old hag! I will do what I want! "

Nyon jumped up in anger " Ungrateful brat!! Who saved you girls at that time!!?? Me! Me! I am telling you this for your own good and for this islands sake!! "

Hancock retorted " Noone would know."

Nyon raged " One day they will!! Do you understand the consequences when that happens?!! "

" And what would those be? "

A calm male voice interrupted their argument. Hancock's body trembled when he heard that voice. She turned around quickly and saw a handsome man with deep red hair stand near the window.

She didn't think anything, her body acted on its own and rushed towards Ryu. She hugged him with all her strength, it was as if she was afraid he would disappear if she let go.

Ryu was startled for a second, he could feel joy, anxiety and various other emotions from Hancock. He smiled and hugged her back. Hancock's body trembled, she looked up and saw Ryu's gentle smiling face.

" Sorry it took so long."

He pressed his lips against hers and kissed her.

BANG!!

It was as if an explosion went inside her head, she felt dizzy. Unconsciously she responded, her response was immature but slowly both of them were lost in their world until Nyon coughed hard few times

"COUGH!!...COUGH!!....COUGH!!..."

Their passionate session of kissing came to an abrupt halt. Ryu ignored the others around him and looked deeply into Hancock's eyes and asked gently

" Will you be my woman. "