Chapter 203: Misfortune Ghost and Lucky Curse

[Kitetsu] is a legendary cursed sword from the Land of Wano, with three versions: the First Generation, the Second Generation, and the Third Generation.

It is said that each generation of Kitetsu houses an extremely malevolent sword spirit within its blade.

{Each of the swords were made by different generations of swordsmiths. With every generation, the swords made were weaker than their predecessors.}

This sword spirit constantly corrupts the mind of the sword bearer, destroying their luck.

{Kitetsu could be a reference to Sengo Muramasa, whose swords in various myths were all stated to be cursed and believed to hunger for blood, inciting their warrior to commit murder or suicide.}

Every swordsman who has used Kitetsu has inevitably met an unfortunate end.

Even the legendary wielder of the Supreme Grade Blades, the First Generation Kitetsu, fell due to a joint siege by the Marine Headquarters and the World Government.

At the end, the First Generation Kitetsu sank into the sea, disappearing without a trace.

Compared to the First Generation Kitetsu, the Second Generation Kitetsu may not have as illustrious reputation, but it is still ranked among the Great Grade Swords.

The moment Adrian touched the scabbard and hilt of the Second Generation Kitetsu, his eyes narrowed as he instantly felt the fierce and violent aura emanating from within.

"A cursed blade that harms its master…"

Shing—

Adrian drew the blade, squinting slightly as he examined the sharp blade and flame-like hamon pattern of the Second Generation Kitetsu.

{hamon (刃文) (literally "edge pattern") is a visible effect created on the blade by the hardening process.}

"It truly is a sharp sword..."

Holding the Second Generation Kitetsu in his hand, 'Momoya' looked at it carefully, while Kozuki Sukiyaki spoke earnestly.

"As a swordsmith who pursues perfection, I have never cared about the terrifying legends of cursed blades. But the tragic past and deathly rumors surrounding the Kitetsu series are all true.

"I am willing to exchange your 'Shuxue' for the Second Generation Kitetsu. After all, Shuxue bears forging marks different from those of Wano. However, if you don't like the Kitetsu's reputation, I won't say anything."

Adrian raised his hand, smiling casually.

"I don't really care about the so-called curse of the cursed sword. Since Master Sukiyaki is willing to exchange, then this Second Generation Kitetsu now belongs to me, right?"

Kozuki Sukiyaki nodded, "Of course."

A mysterious and faint azure glow flowed from Adrian's palm, gradually covering the hilt and blade of the Second Generation Kitetsu completely.

Under the influence of this eerie energy, the infamous cursed sword was directly rendered into a ghostly blue color!

At that moment, a wisp of energy separated from the Second Generation Kitetsu's blade, forming a faintly flickering light ball that flew toward Adrian.

Kozuki Sukiyaki was utterly shocked to see that the previously ominous and violent aura of the Second Generation Kitetsu had inexplicably vanished, as if someone had stripped it away…

"This kind of sorcery!!"

Kozuki Sukiyaki held his breath, watching Adrian's actions.

The ghostly blue light ball floated on Adrian's outstretched palm, its surface rippling slightly, but it ultimately failed to take on a human form.

"Still not possible?"

Adrian frowned slightly.

Compared to the ship spirit Rumi, which he had once extracted from the Oro Jackson, the "spirit" within the Second Generation Kitetsu was too weak to form a concrete ghost.

Adrian pressed the glowing ball of energy back onto the blade of the Second Generation Kitetsu, and the sword regained its previous ominous aura.

"What a miraculous technique!"

Kozuki Sukiyaki exclaimed, his eyes burning with excitement as he looked at Adrian.

"Momoya! How did you do that just now?! That blue light ball, was it the sword spirit of the Second Generation Kitetsu?!"

Though he claimed not to care about cursed sword legends, Kozuki Sukiyaki, as a swordsmith, was naturally familiar with the concept of sword spirits.

Moreover, forging a divine weapon with a spirit is the greatest dream of most swordsmiths.

Even Kozuki Sukiyaki was no exception!

"Sword spirit?" Adrian raised an eyebrow, "You could say that."

He moved his hand, lightly gripping the hilt of the Second Generation Kitetsu.

The cursed sword, which had originally exuded a violent and ominous aura, now became docile.

"Can you teach me this technique?"

Seeing the change in the Second Generation Kitetsu, Kozuki Sukiyaki's eyes grew even more fervent.

In the past, he could vaguely sense the ominous aura from the Kitetsu, but that was an instinctual reaction as a swordsmith.

Today was the first time Kozuki Sukiyaki had clearly observed the drastic change in the Second Generation Kitetsu's aura!

"Sorry, Master Sukiyaki, this isn't something I can teach!"

"Please, Momoya!"

Kozuki Sukiyaki performed the highest form of supplication in Wano – a deep bow with his forehead touching the ground!

Adrian sighed and said, "Master Sukiyaki, this is a unique ability of a Devil Fruit. No one else can learn it."

Kozuki Sukiyaki raised his head, utterly disappointed, "So it was sorcery? Damn! I was so—"

Adrian interrupted him, once again using his energy to extract the weak spirit from the Second Generation Kitetsu, gently handing it to the swordsmith.

"Don't touch it," Adrian warned, "But you can observe it as much as you like."

Kozuki Sukiyaki gazed at the floating ghostly blue light ball, sensing the same ominous aura as the Second Generation Kitetsu, and was momentarily speechless.

Taking advantage of this, Adrian silently studied the weak spirit of the Second Generation Kitetsu.

A mysterious feeling surged within him, and an inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind.

Adrian extended his palm, where a small ghost emitting a faint black aura appeared, with a sinister and malevolent smile on its face.

Misfortune Ghost and Lucky Curse.

This new type of ghost was created based on the spirit residing in the Second Generation Kitetsu.

Glancing at the swordsmith, still lost in his reverie, Adrian willed the Misfortune Ghost to silently fly towards Kozuki Sukiyaki, passing through his body unnoticed.

"Achoo!!"

For some reason, Kozuki Sukiyaki suddenly felt a tickle on his nose and sneezed violently.

The long, thick red nose on his dark red tengu mask struck the table corner due to the force of his sneeze.

Even though he tried to avoid it, the sudden movement caused him to hit the table edge, flipping over the wooden table and ceramic teapot, spilling the hot tea onto his pants.

"Ah! Hot, hot, hot!"

Kozuki Sukiyaki yelped in pain, his hands inadvertently pressing a hidden mechanism.

With the sound of gears turning, the back wall of the room split open, revealing its true contents.

There stood dolls: a silver-haired, red-eyed maid doll; a green-haired, twin-spiral Lolita doll; a blonde, twin-ponytail doll in white lace stockings; a white-haired, multi-ponytail gothic Lolita doll; and a long purple-haired doll in a sky-blue kimono...

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.

The swordsmith's body stiffened instantly.

His brain… stopped functioning.

"Ahaha, quite something indeed."

Adrian let out an awkward laugh.

"Well then, Master Sukiyaki, I shall take my leave for now... until we meet again."