Poverty reigns throughout the world.
The Land of Wano is no exception.
Apart from the daimyo, the streets are filled with lost wandering samurai.
Shiki set up the stage and pulled out an expensive golden bowl as a stake.
This immediately attracted the attention of many samurai.
Each samurai takes pride in their sword skills, enchanted by their own prowess.
Considering the dire circumstances and poverty, a great fortune lies before them.
This draws the samurai into a challenge in the arena.
Of course.
Shiki's skills are no laughing matter; he is not here for charity.
He stepped onto the stage.
Already behind him lay dozens of katanas, both large and small.
Shiki threw two unnamed knives to the ground again and angrily shouted at the impatient samurai in the hall:
— What pathetic swords, why even tease me with these toys?
— Listen up, everyone, hear me!
— Quickly show your true skills, bring out the real swords!
— You guys can't afford to lose, right?
— People who don't know might think I'm playing with children!
Hiss——!
As soon as the words were said, the samurai in the hall squinted angrily, their faces reddening to the tips of their hair.
This beggar boy is really getting cocky!
He provokes anger just with his appearance!!!
But there was nothing that could be done.
Shiki's skill was formidable, and many of the spectators had already tried to fight him on stage, only to leave it behind with their swords.
If you can't win, you just have to endure the insults.
And then.
A figure holding two swords suddenly appeared in the arena.
Shiki reacted instantly, drawing two swords to attack.
Clang——!
Slash——!
Boom——!
Two immense forces immediately stirred up a storm on the spot.
The sound of cold steel clashing echoed throughout the hall.
— This is…
In the midst of the fight, Shiki glanced down.
He saw the twin swords held by this samurai, and they looked quite unusual.
A dual sword style, each sword of the same size and length, evidently crafted by the same master at the same time. The swords were copper-yellow, with rather thick blades and a double edge.
Feeling the power of the swords themselves, Shiki couldn't help his confusion and said to himself:
— This must be the famous sword my elder brother talked about, right?
— Child, who has never seen the world! — mocked the exhausted samurai, continuously swinging his sword in attack.
The results were skillfully handled by Shiji.
And the samurai in the hall instantly became excited and began shouting loudly.
— That's Juro Kurozumi from the Kurozumi daimyo family! Wasn't he exiled from the family long ago? Why is he here?
— It's a family affair, but there's no doubt about his skill as a Sword Master!
— Sakura Ten! Tree Withers!
— Could it be that the two famous swords from the kurozumi family were also taken by kurozumi juro?
Hearing the conversation in the hall, Shiki's eyes sparkled.
A famous sword!
Sakura Ten! Tree Withers!
Could they have been passed on to some daimyo family?
It seems these indeed are two famous swords!
— Hahaha! — Shiki's eyes shone with delight. — Great Swordman, let's see the level of a Great Swordsman who wields a famous sword!
— Hmph!
Looking at the blond boy of about seventeen or eighteen before him, Juro kurozumi scoffed coldly.
In an instant, a powerful aura enveloped the space.
The famous swords Sakura Ten and Tree Withers were covered in a black hue, reflecting a mighty aura.
"Oh? Armament haki?"
"Uncle's going to put on a fireworks show!"
Seeing this, Shiki became even more excited.
After spending so much time at sea, he hadn't seen anyone besides his brother Kazan use the color of Armament .
In other words, he hadn't encountered a worthy opponent.
Now, the strong aura of Juro Kurozumi completely ignited Shiki's enthusiasm.
Boom——!
Similarly, Shiki's hands were instantly covered in the color of possession.
Boldly, he aimed a strike past Kuro Tanjuro.
Kuro Tanjuro was stunned: how could this boy actually unleash sakura blossoms?
The next second.
The streets of Flower City were engulfed in shockwaves!
...
Meanwhile, things weren't quiet on Kazan's side either.
"Son, have another drink!"
Kazan was wealthy, and his noble appearance, attractiveness, elegant manners, and demeanor worthy of a great swordman in the Land of Wano were enough to slightly tweak his appearance to draw the attention of the ladies.
After all, the people of Wano greatly revere mighty Sword Masters.
And Kazan is indeed very strong!
It's true.
In a private room resembling a green tent, a beautiful young woman in a kimono awaits him to share a drink.
She is someone he met on the street today, the eldest daughter of the shimotsuki family, named shimotsuki Hina. She's only 16 years old but already a true beauty. After their introduction, they agreed to meet for a drink, and Kazan planned to learn about the famous sword she mentioned.
After all, the most likely collectors of famous swords in the Land of Wano are key figures from these prominent families.
He just didn't expect to meet someone from the same shimotsuki family.
But!
Kazan had already visited the ancestral sword temple, which venerates the black sword Shusui , known as a national treasure of Wano.
However, when he actually saw shusui,
Kazan realized he felt nothing for this famous sword.
Perhaps it was due to the innate ability of a swordsman.
He decisively abandoned the idea of possessing the black sword Shusui.
"I heard that the young man is looking for a famous sword; I wonder if this famous sword might capture your interest."
Snap——!
A serving girl approached them with the famous sword in both hands and drew it.
Swish——!
Half of the blade was revealed.
Kazan looked at the blade.
A cold light slowly flowed under the light, like waves.
The famous sword exuded an extraordinary aura, and just as Kazan was about to reach out to touch it, the girl in the kimono gently stopped him.
"You can't casually touch a sword like this," Shimotsuki Hina warned, smiling.
Surprised, Kazan retracted his hand. "You're right. I was just carried away by the moment."
"The shimotsuki family has kept this sword for generations," the young woman explained with a hint of pride. "It's said to possess magical properties."
Kazan nodded, understanding the reverence attached to such treasures. "Do swords truly hold such power?"
Shimotsuki Hina met his gaze with seriousness. "In the hands of the right person, a sword can change the course of history."
Kazan chuckled, intrigued by the passion in her voice. "And you believe I might be that person?"
The girl considered his question, then replied, "Perhaps. But first, you must prove yourself."
Kazan shifted his attention back to the blade, examining its intricate design. "Where can I find the one who is worthy of wielding this sword?"
"That's for you to discover," Shimotsuki Hina remarked softly.
Kazan felt a mix of excitement and challenge stir within him. The Land of Wano held many mysteries, and perhaps, this sword would be one of them.
He sat back with a sigh, considering the journey that lay ahead. It would not be easy, but it promised to be unforgettable.