This is not simple force—it's true dominance.
Hades laughed in satisfaction, gripping the trident tightly, unable to put it down.
"Amazing! Simply amazing!"
"With this trident, my strength has risen to another level! Even if I encounter a Marine elite vice admiral in the future, I'll have the power to fight!"
Regina, having acquired a set of scalpels, decided to test them out.
Tuk! Tuk! Tuk!
The scalpels were unbelievably sharp. A casual flick of her wrist sent them slicing through the air, effortlessly piercing through four massive tree trunks. The blades continued their trajectory, embedding themselves deep into the solid rock behind, as if cutting through tofu.
Regina's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The scalpels had far exceeded her expectations, not only in sharpness but also in flexibility and durability.
Yakexi, who had been waiting impatiently, finally got his turn. Slipping on his newly forged gloves, he wasted no time in testing their strength.
With a burst of speed, he rushed forward and drove his fist into a massive boulder, several meters high and made of what seemed to be solid granite.
Boom!
The top half of the rock shattered instantly, sending shards flying in all directions. Yet, the gloves remained completely unscathed. Yakexi flexed his fingers, clenching his fists.
"The protection is flawless. No pain at all… and I haven't even used Armament Haki yet!"
"If I coat my fists in Haki, my attack power and defense will rise even further!"
It was undeniable—the weapons forged by Shimotsuki Kozaburo were nothing short of masterpieces.
At last, they understood why Caesar had insisted on having their weapons crafted by this legendary swordsmith.
"Even if these are just training weapons, they are leagues beyond the inferior work of average smiths."
Kozaburo wiped the sweat from his brow and exhaled.
"Alright, I need three days to recover before I continue forging your weapon, Caesar. I need to perfect the process in my mind first."
Caesar nodded approvingly. He wanted Kozaburo to be at his best—rushed craftsmanship was unacceptable. Even with full confidence in Kozaburo's skills, he wouldn't risk any imperfection in the forging process.
As for his own request, he had already specified it when Kozaburo forged Hades' trident and the others' weapons.
He wanted a sword with the raw presence of Yoru, the Black Blade wielded by Dracule Mihawk. A greatsword, but not overwhelmingly large—at his height, a 1.5-meter blade was the ideal balance between weight and maneuverability.
More importantly, the sword needed to interact with his Haki—enhancing both Busoshoku (Armament Haki) and Haoshoku (Conqueror's Haki). If possible, it should even reduce the strain of using Haki, much like Enma, the famed sword of the legendary samurai, Kozuki Oden.
Finally, it had to embody absolute dominance—both in design and spirit.
As Kozaburo recovered, he mentally rehearsed every step. Once his strength returned, he began forging with renewed focus.
Caesar, determined to create the strongest blade, assisted with his mind, controlling the precise application of force during the quenching process.
Days turned to weeks. Then, months.
By the time three months had passed, Caesar's sword was nearing completion.
---
Marine Headquarters – Steel Bone Kong's Office
For six months, the Caesar Pirates had vanished without a trace.
Steel Bone Kong sat behind his desk, addressing the two legendary Marines before him.
"Sengoku, Garp—since you're both back, I want your opinions."
"The Caesar Pirates have been missing for half a year. Where do you think they are? What are they planning?"
Sengoku and Garp had initially returned to report on their recent operations, but Kong's words left them momentarily stunned.
At first, when the pirates had disappeared for a month, the Navy had been on high alert, fearing that Caesar was preparing something catastrophic.
But now, after half a year of silence, tension had gradually eased—though their wariness never faded.
"We've been tracking Caesar's movements, but we have no leads," Sengoku admitted with a sigh. "It's possible the crew disbanded… or they're planning something massive. When they resurface, the whole world will feel it."
Garp, ever the optimist, laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! I've been honing my fists for the past six months. If that brat shows up again, I'll capture him myself!"
Sengoku sighed in exasperation. He knew Garp had spent the last half-year smashing entire mountains to dust with his fists, but capturing Caesar wouldn't be that simple.
"Garp, our job isn't just about catching pirates—we also have to protect civilians!"
Steel Bone Kong rubbed his temples.
"Stay on high alert. The chances of Caesar joining the Navy are lower than the crew disbanding. In other words, don't count on it."
Both Sengoku and Garp nodded seriously.
---
[97] Tyrant Sword! The Birth of the Strongest Blade! Overlord's Domain!
On an uninhabited island deep within the Calm Belt, Caesar's sword had reached its final stage.
A strange pressure radiated from the unfinished blade.
The sky darkened.
For the first time in six months, a storm brewed over the island.
Thunder rumbled. Lightning crackled across the sky in jagged streaks.
Despite being in a windless region, the ocean churned violently.
Hades gazed up at the sky, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"What the hell is going on?! This is the Calm Belt—how is this even possible?"
Brad groaned.
"Good thing we're not sailing. I wouldn't want to be at the helm in this mess."
Lily's brows furrowed.
"This isn't natural. This is something else."
"Even on the Grand Line, the weather isn't this erratic. This is more unpredictable than the New World."
Then, a chilling thought crossed their minds.
Could this storm be caused by the sword itself?
Their gazes snapped to Kozaburo and Caesar, who were making the final adjustments to the blade.
The thought was absurd. A sword affecting the weather?
Sure, top-tier fighters could shake the heavens in battle, but a mere forged weapon doing the same? That was beyond their understanding.
If this sword was already influencing the world before it was even complete…
What kind of monster blade was it?
Then—
"It's finished!"
Kozaburo Shimotsuki, drenched in sweat, lifted the blade with trembling hands.
Caesar stepped forward, confused.
Why was Kozaburo struggling? A legendary swordsmith like him shouldn't have trouble holding a weapon—even one heavier than usual.
But as soon as Kozaburo released it, he exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Caesar grasped the hilt.
At that moment, he understood.
An overwhelming force surged through him. His Busoshoku and Haoshoku Haki were being drained as if the sword itself was devouring them.
Even as he tried to resist, it was too late. The blade greedily absorbed his Haki like a bottomless abyss.
"This sword... it's alive."
It exuded an untamed arrogance—one that refused to submit to its wielder.
Kozaburo, still catching his breath, spoke gravely.
"In all my years as a swordsmith, I have never forged a blade this domineering."
"It carries your will, Caesar. But it won't obey unless you tame it."
"If you fail... the sword will control you."
And at that moment, as the last bolt of lightning split the sky—
The Tyrant Sword was born.
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