Sword

Rock looked at the young man before him, whose fighting spirit nearly pierced the heavens, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

It was a... long-lost sense of excitement.

He raised a hand and gave it a casual wave.

"Kid~ lend me your sword."

His words fell.

"Bzz—!"

The air suddenly trembled faintly.

The vibration was incredibly subtle, yet it made everyone present tense up.

The next moment—

At the end of the distant street, the centuries-old weapon shop with its weathered signboard suddenly shook violently!

"Bang—!"

The doors were blasted open by an invisible force!

The counter and sword racks trembled at once, and a long blade abruptly flew from its sheath!

"Whoosh—!"

The blade light sliced through the air, tracing a silvery-white arc beneath the sunlight.

It crossed the street.

It skimmed over the rooftops.

It passed above the crowd's heads.

Accompanied by a clear blade cry, it landed with perfect precision in Rock's hand.

"Snap."

His five fingers closed around the hilt, holding it firmly in his palm.

The long blade trembled lightly.

"Bzz—"

Its clear ring seemed to answer its master's touch.

Among the crowd.

A youth barely over five feet tall suddenly widened his eyes.

The next second—

"Huh?!!"

He leaped up, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

"Th-that is—"

He pointed at the blade in Rock's hand, his voice instantly cracking.

"That's my family's heirloom—Yubashiri?!!"

It was none other than the young Ipponmatsu!

That shout instantly threw the entire plaza into an uproar.

"???"

"Wait?!"

"That sword just now... flew over from the weapon shop?!"

"He took a sword from that far away? What kind of ability is that?!"

Others realized something as well, and their expressions changed drastically.

"Vice Admiral Rock... he's going to use a sword?!!"

"Could it be—"