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"Integrate your Shigure Style into a Water Breathing form?"
"Could I really do such a thing?" Tashigi paused, uncertainty evident in her voice.
"Tashigi, this hesitation doesn't suit you," Ikki admonished gently.
"A true swordsman must move forward confidently."
"Only by advancing boldly can you climb to the pinnacle and compete for the title of world's greatest swordsman."
"Even if you have no ambition to claim such a title..."
"Without confidence, you cannot progress further along the path of swordsmanship."
"Believe in yourself, Tashigi. You're a swordsman trained by me, Ikki."
"You should have faith in your abilities."
Ikki looked directly into Tashigi's eyes as he encouraged her.
"Move forward boldly," Tashigi murmured, pursing her lips. "I understand, Ikki..."
"Tashigi, what are you doing?" a familiar voice suddenly called from nearby.
"Captain Smoker! Why are you here?!" Tashigi exclaimed, turning toward the sound to find Smoker smoking his signature cigars.
Smoker's gaze dropped to where Tashigi was still holding Ikki's hand.
To be precise, it was Tashigi who was clutching Ikki's hand.
"Tashigi, I never expected you'd go to Cocoyasi Village and return with a man," Smoker remarked with a meaningful tone.
"Should I prepare some gifts for your wedding?"
"Man?" Tashigi echoed in confusion.
Following Smoker's gaze, she suddenly realized she was still holding Ikki's hand.
In a panic, she quickly released her grip.
"No, Captain Smoker, you've misunderstood!"
"My relationship with Ikki isn't what you're thinking!"
Ikki smiled, looking up at Smoker as he introduced himself:
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Smoker."
"Captain Hina mentioned you."
"As Tashigi says, our relationship isn't what you're imagining."
Tashigi glanced gratefully at Ikki after he spoke.
But witnessing the apparent understanding between Ikki and Tashigi, Smoker couldn't help feeling that perhaps he should indeed prepare a wedding gift.
"Hina mentioned you to me before she departed," Smoker noted.
"She described you as an exceptional swordsman."
"And an extraordinarily skilled instructor."
"Apparently, even a village resident who had never wielded a sword could quickly become a competent swordsman under your guidance."
"I'm curious to see how much Tashigi has improved under your tutelage."
"If you're proposing a sparring match with Tashigi," Ikki responded, "why don't we arrange that after I've helped her select a new weapon?"
He smiled and turned toward a nearby weapons shop.
Tashigi followed Ikki's gaze and realized they had unconsciously walked directly to Loguetown's weapons store.
Ikki patted Tashigi's shoulder reassuringly, then pushed open the door and entered first.
Tashigi and Smoker followed close behind.
"Welcome... oh? Captain Smoker, what brings you here?" the weapons shop owner, Ipponmatsu, looked up from his work and was about to offer a greeting when his expression fell upon seeing Smoker.
Due to Smoker's effective management of Loguetown, many pirates avoided docking there altogether.
This had severely impacted Ipponmatsu's business compared to previous years.
Seeing Smoker enter his shop, Ipponmatsu's face naturally showed his displeasure.
"Good day, sir," Tashigi greeted him with a friendly wave.
Unlike Smoker, Tashigi frequently visited Ipponmatsu to maintain her Shigure, and they had developed a cordial relationship.
"It's you, young lady," Ipponmatsu acknowledged.
"Are you here to service your Shigure again?"
"Well, my Shigure has been claimed by someone else," Tashigi admitted with a sigh, glancing toward Ikki who was already walking toward a corner of the shop.
"Claimed? Someone dared to take a Marine's sword?" Ipponmatsu asked incredulously.
He looked curiously at Ikki, who was pulling a sword from a barrel of discounted weapons.
Initially, Ipponmatsu paid little attention, but when he saw which blade Ikki had selected, his expression changed dramatically.
Similarly, Tashigi, with her deep knowledge of swords, reacted instantly.
"This—this blade pattern!" she exclaimed, running toward Ikki.
"Could this be the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu?!"
Her eyes were practically glued to the blade in Ikki's hands.
"I got lucky and found it immediately," Ikki remarked with a smile, glancing at Tashigi before turning to Ipponmatsu.
"Sir, I'd like to purchase this sword. What's your price?"
Ipponmatsu crossed his arms firmly, his expression serious.
"Not for sale!"
"Since you recognize this as a cursed blade, you must understand that everyone who has ever wielded it has died."
"If you value your life, put this sword down and choose another."
Hearing this, Ikki suppressed a smile.
'As expected, he wants me to follow Zoro's example,' he thought to himself.
With a slight shake of his head, he tossed Sandai Kitetsu into the air while extending his arm just as Zoro had done in the original storyline.
"Ikki, what are you doing?!" Tashigi's eyes widened in alarm.
Ikki didn't respond but gave Tashigi a reassuring look.
Then, his eyes narrowed as he channeled Sun Breathing, releasing a scorching wave of sword intent from his body.
Sandai Kitetsu hung suspended in the air momentarily before passing over Ikki's extended arm and embedding itself in the floor.
Tashigi and Ipponmatsu stared in astonishment.
Even Smoker appeared surprised by the display.
'This man is indeed an impressive swordsman, just as Hina described,' Smoker thought to himself.
"Sir, perhaps you'll reconsider selling me this sword now?" Ikki suggested as he retrieved Sandai Kitetsu from the floorboards and approached Ipponmatsu.
"This... wait, please wait! I have another sword here that you should see," Ipponmatsu swallowed nervously and hurried to his storage room.
Ikki raised an eyebrow, knowing that Ipponmatsu was retrieving Yubashiri.
"Ikki, are you really unharmed?" Tashigi rushed to his side, taking his arm and examining it with evident concern.
Witnessing this, Smoker sighed once more.
"I'm perfectly fine," Ikki assured her with a laugh. "It's just a cursed blade—it can't harm me."
Though he had replicated Zoro's method, Ikki hadn't actually relied on luck.
When releasing his sword intent, he had already applied Armament Haki to his forearm.
Even if Sandai Kitetsu's edge had passed over Ikki's arm, it could only cut through the fabric of his sleeve.
"That was incredibly reckless! You had me worried sick!" Tashigi scolded, placing a hand over her racing heart.
"I apologize for causing you concern," Ikki replied, patting her forehead affectionately before turning his attention toward the counter.
There, Ipponmatsu was rushing back with a sword in a black lacquered sheath.
"Whew..." Ipponmatsu exhaled deeply as he presented the weapon to Ikki.
"Respected swordsman, this blade is called Yubashiri."
"It's one of the fifty Skillful Grade swords."
"If you'll accept it, I'd like to give you this sword as a gift."
Yubashiri!
The moment Tashigi heard the name, her heart skipped a beat and she immediately moved closer to examine it.
"Black lacquered sheath, streamlined blade with subtle temper lines—this is indeed Yubashiri!" she confirmed excitedly.
"Do you like it, Tashigi?" Ikki asked, observing her reaction.
"Of course I do!"
"In that case, I'll entrust Yubashiri to you for now."