Supreme Grade Sword! Ame no Habakiri / Luffy Without a Straw Hat

The old man in front of me was dressed in a traditional kimono from Wano Country. His thick hair was tied into a ponytail, and his eyebrows were connected. His face was very abstract. He didn't look like Koshiro at all, who was a smiling, kind old man. Instead, he had a kind of fierce aura that was not threatening.

"That's right, how did you know, kid in the navy?"

Kozaburo was somewhat surprised. Would the Navy really be keeping an eye on him, an old man who lived in seclusion in a small mountain village in the East Blue? The Navy's intelligence agency was so powerful; he had smuggled himself out of Wano Country more than thirty years ago and come here.

"I studied under Mr. Koshiro for a period of time, and I was fortunate enough to hear Koshiro mention you."

"The Navy..." Kozaburo looked thoughtful, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Kanos Atlas? The extremely talented Navy officer that Koshiro mentioned to me?"

Several years ago, Koshiro did mention a navy officer with exceptional swordsmanship talent to him, but it was so long ago that he didn't immediately connect the two.

"You have more than just talent!"

Kozaburo revealed a meaningful smile.

As a swordsmith who had forged countless Famous Swords, he believed that his eye for talent had not diminished much despite his advanced age. The aura of the naval officer before him was in no way inferior to those renowned seafaring warriors.

"You flatter me."

Atlas replied casually, then turned to look at Zoro still looked completely bewildered.

"Let's continue our agreement, Zoro."

"Huh? What's the agreement?"

"Join the Navy and pursue your own swordsmanship. I hope to see you at Marine Headquarters someday! I have high hopes for you, so don't let me down."

"This is a promise between men!"

Looking at Atlas's serious expression, Zoro muttered to himself, "The Navy...? That doesn't seem so bad."

He nodded emphatically!

Snap!

The Sandai Kitetsu was solemnly handed to Zoro in a serious atmosphere.

It's very cold!

This was Zoro's first impression after acquiring it.

"Are you sure this child can handle this Sandai Kitetsu? Otherwise, it could be disastrous for him."

Kozaburo started to pour cold water on things.

"Huh? Are you looking down on me? It's just a mere Cursed Sword!"

Zoro clearly hadn't listened to what Koshiro; he only knew that the sword in his hand was a Cursed Sword that ordinary swordsmen could hardly conquer.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zoro drew the Sandai Kitetsu from his hand. The eerie black patterns and the gleaming, sharp blade almost completely reflected his face.

"Then let the knife decide for itself!"

The blade was very long, but Zoro still used all his strength to throw the Cursed Sword into the air, placing his slender arm where the sword would inevitably pass.

"It has appeared..."

Atlas smirked, already somewhat prepared for this scene.

Kozaburo didn't stop him, but a hint of something unreadable appeared in his eyes.

Shake! Shake! Shake!

The blade spun continuously in the air, rubbing against the air and producing a series of dull thuds. Time seemed to slow down infinitely, until...

Clang!

The Kitetsu fell, but Zoro's arm remained completely unharmed!

"Good."

Atlas had expected this, but still praised it with a pleased expression.

"Such spirit..."

Kozaburo, on the other hand, seemed somewhat lost in thought. Zoro, at only 7 years old, possessed such a spirit; it was hard to tell whether it was ignorance and fearlessness or sheer dreadlessness.

Getting old...

He is indeed getting old. According to the plot of the manga, Kozaburo should pass away around the year 1510 of the Sea Circle Calendar, which means he only has two or three years left to live.

"However, it seems you don't have your own weapon?"

Kozaburo suddenly became concerned about Atlas's weapons, his eyes seeming to show some hesitation and... reluctance.

"It's alright. If fate allows, my weapon should be on its way."

Atlas said mysteriously, while silently adding in his mind, "It's also your Wano Country's National Treasure."

He wasn't lying to Kozaburo. According to Atlas's memory of the timeline, Moria should have sailed Thriller Bark into the Fog Sea from his hometown in the West Blue two years later. It seems that he doesn't know whether he's mining in Wano Country or has already escaped.

"I have a knife here that might suit you."

Kozaburo was unaware that Atlas had already set his sights on their Wano Country's National Treasure; otherwise, he probably would have regretted offering to give him the sword.

"Cursed Sword?"

Atlas knew the old man's sword-making skills well. Wado Ichimonji and Oden's Enma were both made by him. These were two Famous Sword ranked Cursed Sword the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords!

"No, it's not Cursed Sword." Kozaburo shook his head, a look of nostalgia in his eyes.

As people get older, they tend to reminisce about the past...

"In my youth, I forged what I considered the finest sword of my life, a sword I was extremely meticulous about! Holding it in my hand, I could feel a chill run down my spine. I imbued that famous Famous Sword with..."

"The name of the king of hell!"

"However, later I also forged a Famous Sword that is unknown to most people. Strictly speaking, it cannot be considered that I forged it..."

Chapter 132 The Supreme Grade Sword! Futsu-no-Mitama

Enma...

The name of the king of hell is Enma, isn't it?

This sword, said to be able to destroy even hell, is one of Oden's two swords. The huge scar on Kaido's chest was left by Enma and Ame no Habakiri. This sword can release the user's Armament Haki on its own, and it can also enhance Armament Haki.

This is why, although both are ranked among the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords, Kozaburo considers Enma to be his greatest masterpiece, rather than Wado Ichimonji.

However, Atlas was very curious about what the Famous Sword that Kozaburo mentioned, which wasn't made by him alone, actually looked like.

"Our family can be described as a family of swordsmiths. Forging a Famous Sword is our lifelong pursuit. My father spent his whole life trying to forge a peerless Famous Sword that would rank among the Supreme Grade Sword, but he never succeeded in the end. However, you could also say that he succeeded..."

Kozaburo began to recount his story in detail, a look of reminiscence appearing on his face. Then, as if by magic, he produced a knife from behind his back.

Atlas was instantly drawn to the knife.

The blade is seven feet four inches long (about 2.47 meters), and the scabbard is decorated with black and red Inazuma- shaped carvings. The guard is shaped like a ferocious, gaping mouth, giving it a rather imposing appearance.

"This knife was forged by my father and completed by my own hands. I have never shown it to anyone. Its name is..."

As Kozaburo spoke, he pulled the sword in his hand out of its sheath a small part. The cold, sharp light instantly illuminated the space, and an invisible mental pressure descended on the three people present. Atlas was fine, but Zoro was a little uncomfortable, after all, he was still just a seven-year-old child.

This feeling...

Atlas narrowed his eyes, waiting for Kozaburo to continue.

"Sword name... Futsu-no-Mitama!"

"Ranked among the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades!"

Kozaburo gently stroked every inch of the famous Famous Sword, his face displaying a complex mix of emotions: reluctance, nostalgia, and pride.

Wow~

Although Zoro didn't understand the significance of the Supreme Grade Sword, it didn't stop him from praising the Futsu-no-Mitama in Kozaburo's hands.

Clang!

The blade was drawn, and the Supreme Grade Sword was fully revealed before Atlas.

This is a very long, single-edged straight sword, somewhat similar to a katana. The tsuba (handguard) is only 4.2 centimeters wide, and the tip of the blade is about 2.8 centimeters wide. Arcs of electricity constantly flicker across the blade.

This is a deadly weapon! And also a divine weapon!

That was Atlas's first impression.

"The Heavenly Sword slays the bear, breaking through invisibility and possessing spiritual deterrence; it can also be called the Thunder God's Sword or the God of Slaughter's Blade! Only those with great courage and spirit can subdue it!"

Kozaburo slowly introduced the Futsu-no-Mitama in his hand, the Supreme Grade Sword revealing its fangs for the first time!

"It's a pity you're in the navy, you don't have that qualification..."

Scare!!!

An overwhelming will rose from Atlas, not targeting anyone present, but soaring straight into the sky under Atlas's control!

"Are you talking about Conqueror's Haki...?"

Atlas's mouth stretched into a wide grin, like a child's.

"I never imagined... there would be a man like you in the Navy!!!"

Kozaburo's expression changed, and he became even more certain that he should entrust Futsu-no-Mitama to Atlas.

"Since you are a man with such qualifications, I believe you have also heard of the Conqueror's Haki Infusion technique unique to top-tier experts," Kozaburo slowly held the sword upright in his hand, and as the blade spun, arcs of electricity crackled.

"This is a weapon with a psychological deterrent effect. I don't know what materials my father added. It's said to be something left behind by the Dragon-Slaying Ryuma, but that's just a legend. However, this sword is indeed Conqueror's Haki Infusion. You'll have to figure out the specifics yourself. I've never actually used it myself."

At this point, Kozaburo had already revealed his identity Wano Country, but he didn't care. As Marine Vice Admiral, Atlas should have already guessed it the moment he saw him; it was just that the two of them kept it to themselves.

"Now, I entrust this Futsu-no-Mitama to you, please do not disgrace it!"

With a calm expression, Kozaburo sheathed the Futsu-no-Mitama in his hand and solemnly handed it to Atlas.

"Futsu-no-Mitama... I will definitely make you a fearsome weapon that all Pirates in the world will tremble in fear!"

Atlas grinned and tucked the knife he had taken into his belt.

Atlas is a full 2.8 meters tall, and the total length of the Futsu-no-Mitama is also about 2.8 or even 2.9 meters. It can be said that it was tailor-made for him, and wearing it makes him look even more Haki!

"Alright, let this old man enjoy the sea breeze here..."

Kozaburo nodded in satisfaction, then turned around and found a rather prominent rock to sit on.

"Let's go, Zoro."

Atlas lifted Zoro up and placed him on his broad shoulders, then started walking towards the Isshin Dojo.

If we really let this guy come along, he might get lost somewhere again, and then we'd have to go through all the trouble of finding him.

"Hey? You bastard, put me down right now!"

Zoro felt a sudden weightlessness and in the blink of an eye, he was on Atlas's shoulder. Although it felt novel, he was embarrassed and annoyed by Atlas's behavior of treating him like a child, and a blush appeared on his face.

Where are we going?

Seeing that he couldn't escape, Zoro had no choice but to give up struggling. However, judging from their direction of travel, it didn't seem to be towards the sea. He thought Atlas was taking him directly to the Navy.

"The place that teaches you swordsmanship!"

Atlas had considered bringing Zoro back to the Marines, but if the goal was to lay the foundation for Zoro's swordsmanship, Koshiro was the most suitable.

Furthermore, it's uncertain whether Zoro would have aimed to become the World's Greatest Swordsman Atlas he hadn't developed a bond with Kuina.

Therefore, after careful consideration, it's best to let Zoro Isshin Dojo for a while, and then come back in two years before Kuina's accident happens.

As they pondered, Atlas and Zoro on his shoulder gradually disappeared into the forest, getting closer and closer to the Isshin Dojo.

"No regrets..."

Noticing the two had left, Kozaburo, facing the sea, muttered to himself.

His greatest wish in his later years was to find a master for this Famous Sword, which had been the result of the hard work of two generations of his Shimotsuki Family. If he could not find a master before he died, he would rather let it lie dormant underground with him.

It's no wonder that this Supreme Grade Sword never appeared before the world in the original work; it seems it never found its master.

Famous Sword... how could it fall into the hands of an ordinary person!

P. S. The author discovered that Whitebeard's Murakumogiri's name is taken from the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi- Ame no Habakiri is another name for the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi. So, it makes sense for me to create a Futsu-no-Mitama- no -Futsu-no-Mitama, which is also called Ame-no-Kumo-no-Tsurugi. Which one do you all think sounds better? ヾ(^▽^*)))

Chapter 133 Luffy Without Straw Hat

East Blue.