Weapon

"So, the legends did not exaggerate..."

Koshiro lowered his head, looking at the Seven Star Sword in his hands with a solemn expression as it emanated an ominous aura, murmuring to himself.

In this world, the reason a Cursed Blade is regarded as an ominous weapon is because it kills the master who wields it.

This has become the stereotypical perception people have of it.

But now, seeing that his daughter was affected even while he was the one holding it, Koshiro's understanding of Cursed Blades had been shattered.

Seeing that Kuina was neither controlled nor harmed, Koshiro breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterward, he returned the Seven Star Sword to Louis with both hands, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration.

"Lord Louis, the fact that you can control this ominous Cursed Blade without being a swordsman is truly worthy of my admiration."

He believed he would not be controlled by the Seven Star Sword, but he could not completely ignore its influence. If he were to fight a powerful enemy while holding it, he might end up dying suddenly due to a lapse in concentration.

Upon hearing this, Kuina's eyes widened. The look she cast toward Louis was filled with disbelief as she subconsciously muttered, "He's not even a swordsman?"

Hearing this, Louis gently unsheathed the Seven Star Sword, revealing it to the two of them without a single trace of its eerie, ominous aura.

Koshiro was stunned at the sight, and the look of shock on Kuina's face grew even more intense.

Under their gaze, Louis looked at the Seven Star Sword and said indifferently, "The reason I can control the Seven Star Sword is very simple."

"It cannot influence me, and I can destroy it at any time."

Koshiro was taken aback by these words, then said meaningfully, "That is correct. If you cannot guarantee that a weapon will not harm you, then it is best not to hold it."

"Do you understand?"

"Kuina..."

Kuina heard this, and a look of confusion appeared on her face. "Isn't that just common sense?"

Koshiro looked at his daughter and shook his head, saying pointedly, "It is common sense, yes, but how many people actually do it?"

Kuina heard this, tightened her grip on the Wado Ichimonji in her hand, and remained silent.

A moment later, Louis sensed that Yelena and the other were approaching, so he informed Koshiro of his companions' arrival.

Koshiro heard this and fell into deep thought.

Just then, a shout came from the doorway.

"Master, two more people have arrived outside!"

"They are guests as well; bring them here!" Koshiro turned his head and instructed his student gently.

Soon, Yelena, carrying several large bags, and Uta, with a face full of curiosity, were led into the courtyard.

As soon as she entered, Uta's eyes caught sight of Louis. She immediately broke into a charming smile and waved at him.

"Louis! We've come to find you!"

She then trotted over and stopped before the courtyard. Smiling, she greeted Koshiro and the other person, "I'm Uta, Louis's best friend and partner!"

Uta's words left Koshiro and his companion momentarily stunned, but they soon responded with smiles.

"Koshiro Shimotsuki."

"Kuina Shimotsuki."

Just then, Yelena walked over slowly. After setting down the supplies she had purchased at the edge of the courtyard, she came before the group.

"My name is Yelena. As you can see, I am Louis's partner."

Kuina looked at the black demon horns peeking through Yelena's white hair and was lost in thought once again. Aside from people six or seven meters tall and those with wings, she had now seen someone with horns.

The diversity of species on the sea truly left her speechless.

Meanwhile, Koshiro, sitting opposite Louis, looked at the pair of black demon horns on Yelena's head, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

"Someone who has inherited a demon bloodline, is it?"

He couldn't help but recall another person with demon horns his father had mentioned while he was still alive. That individual had caused quite a stir over the decades, frequently occupying the headlines of the World Economic News Agency.

"Quite impressive strength!"

She looks so young. Will she become the second Beast Kaido? Koshiro mused to himself.

He then looked at Louis, who was drinking tea in silence, and marveled once more, Louis is even younger... he should only be a year or two older than Kuina.

A team composed of two monsters, is it?

By comparison, this girl with the rare hair color seems quite ordinary...

Koshiro had taught countless students at the Isshin Dojo; relying on his Haki and keen eye, he could tell the talent of Louis and the others at a glance.

Koshiro pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "Lord Louis, you chose to come here to seek out my father specifically to have a warhammer forged for Miss Yelena, didn't you?"

Louis nodded. "That's right. Her current weapon is nearing its limit and needs to be replaced."

Yelena was taken aback upon hearing this; she hadn't known that Louis had such plans.

Her warhammer had been passed down from her ancestors, and by the time it reached her, it had inevitably begun to crack.

Originally, she had planned to seal the warhammer away once it became completely unusable, then fight empty-handed or with heavy weapons forged from ice.

But now...

Yelena looked at Louis, a serene and elegant smile appearing on her face.

Since Louis wanted to find a suitable weapon for her, she would not try to dissuade him. Instead, she buried her anticipation deep in her heart and waited quietly for that day to come.

A moment later, Kuina took out two more teacups, poured tea for Yelena and Uta, and then sat back down beside Koshiro.

On the other side, Uta looked at the white katana beside Kuina and asked curiously, "Is Kuina a swordsman too?"

Hearing this, a confident smile appeared on Kuina's face.

"That's right, I will become the World's Greatest Swordsman in the future!"

Kuina subconsciously gripped the Wado Ichimonji, her gaze firm and her face full of confidence.

Ever since she made the pact with Zoro to become the World's Greatest Swordsman, she no longer felt lost about her identity as a woman.

Even if she were a woman, who her father claimed was naturally lacking in physical strength, nothing could stop her from ascending to the position of the world's best!

Beside her, Koshiro was stunned by these words. He looked at his daughter's confident profile, his heart momentarily dazed.

Had his previous attempts to dissuade Kuina truly been a mistake?

After hearing Kuina's ambition, Uta's expression shifted from curiosity to surprise. Then, she smiled and said, "I don't know what the World's Greatest Swordsman is, but I get the feeling that Kuina is very serious about it!"

"I am willing to bet my life on it!" Kuina's gaze was resolute, her tone decisive!

Beside Kuina, Koshiro silently lowered his head and pressed his lips together. His glasses glinted in the sunlight, making it impossible to see his eyes.

"So... you have already made up your mind."

"Kuina..."

After a long while, at Koshiro's warm invitation, Louis and his group stayed at the Isshin Dojo for the night. Koshiro also offered to give Louis some of the sword-forging materials left behind by Kosaburo Shimotsuki the next day, so that he could find someone suitable to forge a weapon for Yelena.

Late at night, the Den Den Mushi on Louis's person began to ring. Someone he never expected had contacted him.