The Legend of Kitetsu

Tashigi stared blankly at the two swords stuck together like magnets, subconsciously murmuring, "It is said that above the Supreme Grade swords, there exists an even more powerful blade born of heaven and earth... the Light of the Millennium. Before the Light of the Millennium, even the Supreme Grade swords must bow."

"Yet, among the Supreme Grade swords, one blade birthed a sword spirit and dared to challenge the Light of the Millennium. This sword was the strongest of all Supreme Grade blades: the Shodai Kitetsu!"

"Finally, in the hands of two equally matched Great Swordsmen, the two blades truly clashed. The result was... the Shodai Kitetsu shattered into countless fragments!"

"Later generations melted down the fragments of the Shodai Kitetsu, but they could never forge it back into a single blade. They could only add other materials to create three Nidai Kitetsu and six Sandai Kitetsu."

"Because it failed to challenge the Light of the Millennium, the sword spirit of the Kitetsu carried anger and resentment, which was passed down to the Nidai Kitetsu and Sandai Kitetsu. That is why the Kitetsu are known as cursed blades, bringing misfortune to their wielders."

As she spoke, Tashigi stared intently into Lu Zhuo's eyes and said solemnly, "Regardless of what kind of swordsman you are, if the Nidai Kitetsu has truly submitted to you, it means the Kitetsu has a chance to reappear in the world."

Hearing this, Lu Zhuo frowned slightly, looking at the Kitetsu blades stuck together like magnets, feeling a bit of a headache. Even if he pulled with all his might, he could not separate the two swords.

Just then, the two Kitetsu blades suddenly erupted with an even stronger chill. Lu Zhuo could feel it—it was a powerful wave of resentment!

With a cold and extremely serious expression, he held the swords to his chest and said, "If you are willing to submit to me, I will lead you to defeat the legendary Light of the Millennium and make you the strongest sword!" As he finished, a firm conviction carrying a powerful sword intent suddenly erupted from Lu Zhuo.

This time, even Tashigi couldn't help but step back a few paces. At this moment, Lu Zhuo was very, very close to becoming a Master Swordsman!

As if sensing Lu Zhuo's will, the two Kitetsu in his hands sprang up naturally. Without the need for a furnace to remelt them, they fused together right there in mid-air!

After a few scraps of waste iron were expelled, a brand-new Nidai Kitetsu returned to Lu Zhuo's hand. This brand-new Nidai Kitetsu was nearly twice as powerful as the previous one! It could even be called the strongest of the Great Grade swords!

Lu Zhuo could feel the newborn sword spirit within the blade. It seemed to be calling out to him, urging him to find the other Kitetsu, restore it completely, and do battle with the Light of the Millennium!

Watching this almost mythical scene, the fervor in Tashigi's eyes grew even more intense. Perhaps because of this, Tashigi became even more devoted to the study of swords; in the future, the sword would become almost like her life itself.

"It's real... the legend is actually true!"

Her trembling words revealed the excitement in her heart. Tashigi walked over to Lu Zhuo, ignoring him once again, and reached out with her delicate little hand, wanting to touch the brand-new Nidai Kitetsu.

However, the moment she was about to touch it, the Nidai Kitetsu let out a natural sword hum, emitting a threatening aura. In its mind, only Lu Zhuo, its master, was allowed to touch it; others were not worthy.

Tashigi did not press the matter further, but she kept her burning gaze fixed on the sword. Lu Zhuo found it a bit unbearable and coughed again, which finally snapped Tashigi out of her trance.

Straightening her slightly messy blue hair, Tashigi gave a sweet smile, looked at Lu Zhuo with envious eyes, and whispered, "You must treat it well; it already has a life of its own. Although the Light of the Millennium hasn't appeared for hundreds of years, you must fulfill its wish."

Lu Zhuo looked at the Nidai Kitetsu in his hand with a complex expression.

"I will."

After saying this, Lu Zhuo slapped his forehead, finally remembering his true purpose.

"Well then, Miss Tashigi, I see you are very knowledgeable about swords. Could I invite you to step aboard my ship and discuss the way of the sword?"

Tashigi smiled slightly and said, "Of course. It would be my honor to discuss swords with a powerful swordsman."

Hearing this, Lu Zhuo's expression turned somewhat strange.

If you knew I was planning to kidnap you, would you still consider it an honor?

On the Holy Sword, Nami had firmly tied Tashigi to the mast with hemp rope.

Tashigi's face flushed with shame as she glared angrily at Lu Zhuo.

"I really misjudged you... you disgrace to swordsmen, you pirate, I will definitely arrest you! You don't deserve to possess that sword."

Listening to her words, Lu Zhuo frowned and walked over.

"You bastard, don't come near me, you don't deserve to be a swordsman at all... Mmph!"

Alright, don't misunderstand; Lu Zhuo just used a strip of cloth to gag her. He had an exceptionally vigilant little wildcat by his side, so even if he had some thoughts, he couldn't possibly act on them.

Otherwise, Nami would tear him to shreds!

Thinking of this, he felt a bit of a headache; she was truly difficult to handle. And what should he do about Robin-chan... that would probably be harder than defeating one of the Four Emperors!

Shaking his head, Lu Zhuo cast aside these distracting thoughts and stopped dwelling on other matters.

Tashigi had given up struggling. Having cleared her head a little, she suddenly felt a sense of dread. She didn't know what Lu Zhuo intended to do with her.

At this moment, Nami was smiling as she searched Tashigi, though that smile looked like a devil's grin in Tashigi's eyes.

Finally, Nami fished out a snail and hopped over to Lu Zhuo, looking as if she were waiting for praise.

Lu Zhuo smiled helplessly; this snail was naturally a Den Den Mushi. Based on deductions from the original story, when Smoker came to Loguetown to serve as a Captain, Tashigi should have been his secretary.

Now that he had the Den Den Mushi, Lu Zhuo finally confirmed his judgment and let out a sigh of relief. With this, he truly had everything under control.

"Hello, is this Captain Smoker? Tashigi is in my hands now. If you want her to live, come to the coast west of Loguetown immediately! Remember, don't bring any other Marines, or I will kill this beauty right away. I'm not one to show mercy to the fair sex."

After saying this in one breath, Lu Zhuo hung up the phone before Smoker could respond.

On the other end, a look of fury appeared in Smoker's eyes as he slammed his hand onto the desk, shattering it into pieces. The few Marine soldiers in front of him were startled.

"Who the hell is it, daring to target me? How ridiculous. Just wait to die!" Smoker took a deep drag of his cigar and calmed down.

The next moment, his body turned into a plume of smoke and drifted out through the window.

On the west coast of Loguetown, Smoker looked at Lu Zhuo with fury.

"It was you, brat! You actually became a pirate, you bastard, let Tashigi go!"

Lu Zhuo held up a finger and flicked it twice, smiling playfully, "No, no, no. Since I dared to lure you out, I'm naturally not afraid of you. Want to take this little beauty back? Just beat me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, veins bulged on Smoker's forehead. His lower body turned into smoke, and he charged forward, shrouded in it.