Shimotsuki Village, Isshin Dojo.
Beside the well in the backyard, a whetstone lay before Sephiroth.
He sat on a stool, holding a crimson longsword with a blade over a meter long in both hands, grinding it against the whetstone in a steady rhythm.
Only after quite a while did he lift the blade and examine it closely before his eyes.
Standing beside Sephiroth and watching, Kuina first took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. Then, in a somewhat puzzled tone, she hesitantly chose her words.
"Sephiroth, why... um!?... I mean... well... that..."
"This sword feels especially ominous, doesn't it...?"
"Mm!?"
Kuina obediently nodded, agreeing with Sephiroth's words.
"That's because!... What I forged is a Demonic Sword!
It's only natural that you would feel that way..."
As Sephiroth spoke, he picked up the black scabbard from the ground with his left hand and sheathed the blood-red blade in his right, which had just been sharpened.
He had spent more than half a year forging this blood sword, and its grade had barely reached the standard of a Great Grade Sword...
According to Sephiroth's original plan, he had wanted to forge a weapon with an effect similar to Enma—one that could guide its user's Haki without forcibly draining it.
That way, although its maximum explosive power would be lower, it would be relatively easier to control and would not place too great a burden on its user.
In the end, Sephiroth had succeeded, but he had also failed!
He had achieved his goal and given the blade the ability to guide its user's Haki.
However...
This sword had been forged using the Blood Sacrifice Method, a technique specifically for forging Demonic Swords, and it had developed an unpleasant will of its own.
It would beguile its wielder's