"The consumption of Armament Haki is truly intense."
Water droplets splashed onto the ground as Moses sighed.
Although he had grasped a technique he had envisioned long ago, actually using it now made him realize his body was still too weak. His reserve of Haki was insufficient.
At that moment.
A slash, smooth as flowing water, came roaring toward Moses.
With Observation Haki predicting the attack, Moses turned and blocked with a backhanded motion. Clang! The metallic sound rang out as his body was forced back.
Moses looked at Kawamatsu, who, despite the blood flowing from his chest, wore an expression of unwavering resolve, and chuckled:
"I may not be able to defeat you, but don't think you can take me down easily either."
Kawamatsu frowned deeply, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Who exactly are you?"
"Moses, you're here."
Just then, Ushiwakamaru's somewhat timid voice sounded. She then turned to Kawamatsu and said,
"Moses isn't an enemy. He came looking for us."
Kawamatsu stared at Moses in confusion. "You came looking for Lord Ushiwakamaru?"
Moses nodded, flicking the water droplets off his sword before walking past Kawamatsu. A few seconds later, he picked up his treasure chest from the grass ahead, then turned and passed by Kawamatsu again.
Arriving at the wooden hut's entrance, he looked at the trio—one person, one bear, and one large dog—and asked irritably,
"Why do you all keep running off? I had to come all this way to find you."
Ushiwakamaru lowered her head awkwardly. Meanwhile, Bear Cub shuffled over with a silly grin, placing his right paw on Moses' shoulder and rubbing his big face against Moses' cheek.
"Bear's fault. Bear smelled honey and brought Ushiwakamaru and the others here. After eating the honey, we ran into this guy called Kawamatsu. They're old friends, so Bear followed along."
"Sorry, Moses," Ushiwakamaru added apologetically. "When I heard news of an old friend, I wanted to see for myself. I didn't mean to worry you."
Good—both explanations were clear and concise, neatly outlining the whole situation.
Moses smiled and nodded. Then, he crooked a finger at Bear Cub. "Where's mine?"
Bear Cub grinned foolishly, reached into his mouth, and pulled out a lidded clay jar the size of a human head, presenting it like a treasure.
Moses took it, plopped down on the doorstep, and placed the jar on his lap. As his Breath rose and fell, water droplets gathered in his palm, moistening it in an instant. He washed his hands, shook off the excess water, and opened the lid.
Inside were crystal-clear chunks of honey, their unique fragrance filling the air. Saliva pooled in Moses' mouth as he picked up a piece and took a bite—sweet, rich, and bursting with floral notes.
Gulp!
The sound of someone swallowing hard came from beside him.
Moses turned to see a little girl staring at him, her face flushing with shyness. He casually pinched off a piece and tossed it to her.
Kozuki Hiyori caught it, blinked, and said sweetly,
"Thank you."
Just then, Kawamatsu walked over, silently staring at Moses.
Noticing this, Moses tossed him a piece of honey as well.
Kawamatsu caught it in bewilderment and instinctively muttered, "Thanks."
Moses grinned at him. "Now that you've eaten my honey, consider this matter settled."
Kawamatsu froze for a moment, then nodded and popped the honey into his mouth, chewing slowly.
It had been so long since he'd tasted something sweet.
At that moment, Bear Cub reached over and helped himself to a piece from the clay pot. Seeing this, Ushiwakamaru also sheepishly came forward to take one.
Noticing the large dog-like creature before him, Moses picked up a piece and tossed it to Onimaru, who was watching eagerly with pleading eyes.
The fox leaped up and caught it mid-air with its mouth.
So dog-like.
This fox really acted like a dog.
After finishing the honey in his hand, Ushiwakamaru looked at Moses with hopeful eyes. Seeing this, Moses picked up another piece and handed it over. Ushiwakamaru instinctively accepted it:
"Thank you."
Holding the honey, Ushiwakamaru froze, his face blank. The honey was delicious, but that wasn't what he wanted to ask about.
Seeing his dazed expression, Moses smiled:
"Want to ask about Orochi?"
His head nodded vigorously like a rattle-drum. Moses chuckled:
"He's gone down to meet Oden."
Hearing this, Ushiwakamaru pursed his lips and whispered, "Thank you. My father will surely be very happy when he learns this down there."
"Heh, not necessarily. Your dad might be in heaven. To find out about him, you might need connections."
"Pfft, that's right. Someone as vile as Orochi would definitely go to hell."
Ushiwakamaru laughed at this, his eyes narrowing into crescents. "By then, father might need Oden to relay the news to him."
"My father would never go to hell! You two are terrible! I won't allow you to speak of my father like that!"
A clear, angry voice suddenly spoke up beside them. Kozuki Hiyori puffed her cheeks, looking displeased:
"My father was a great hero. I won't let you say such things about him."
Moses raised an eyebrow, having momentarily forgotten about this—there was still a living relative present. Nearby, Kawamatsu also glared with anger:
"Lord Oden would never go to hell! He wielded the Great Grade Blade Enma, a legendary weapon said to cut through hell itself. A place like that could never hold him."
Moses listened to this with amusement.
What an interesting way to put it.
Though Oden had been boiled half to death before being shot in the head.
Did he still have Enma with him?
The Demon Blade Enma.
At this point, Ushiwakamaru glanced at the treasure chest beside Moses—larger than a human head—and, remembering Moses' kindness, asked hopefully:
"Moses, is Orochi inside this chest?"
Hearing this, Moses nodded. Ushiwakamaru's face lit up, his eyes reddening as he turned and knelt toward Ringo, kowtowing.
"Father, Orochi is dead. You must be overjoyed to hear this."
"Orochi?" Hiyori's eyes widened. "Dead? Is his head in that box?"
Kawamatsu looked bewildered:
"That bastard Orochi died just like that?"
"What? You two want to desecrate the corpse?"
"By the way, little girl, you're Toki and Oden's daughter, right?"
Moses turned to her with a smile. "I saw your mother."
Hiyori's eyes widened, but then reddened. "Don't lie! Mother was killed by Kaido's men six years ago. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Sorry, but I'm not lying. Since it's you, you should have this."
Moses opened the chest and handed her the exquisite white jade carving of Toki inside. "Found it at Orochi's place. He seemed to treasure it. Your mother's name is carved on the statue's foot."
Kozuki Hiyori took the sculpture, gazing at the exquisitely carved, radiantly beautiful likeness of her mother. When she noticed the jade carving's right foot, tears instantly streamed down her face as she choked out:
"It's Mother... but from her younger days."
"Thank you... it's been so long since I've seen her... Waaah~ Waaah~"
Moses dug at his earhole, giving her a sidelong glance as she clutched the jade sculpture to her chest and wailed. He scooted his butt slightly away when Ushiwakamaru suddenly asked, "Is this a Devil Fruit?"
"Mhm. Got lucky. After Orochi died, his Devil Fruit regenerated right next to me. Really fortunate."
As he spoke, Moses closed the treasure chest, locked it, and handed it to Bear Cub.
Bear Cub grabbed it eagerly and swallowed it whole with a gulp. Moses then warned:
"Keep it stored inside you for now. But don't you dare digest it, or you'll drop dead instantly. Normally no one can eat a second Devil Fruit—it's fatal."
Bear Cub broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this and nodded frantically. "Bear understands! Bear will be careful! Bear doesn't want to die yet! Bear still needs to guard your tomb!"
Moses' face darkened as he punched Bear Cub square on the forehead with a dull thud. "Keep talking nonsense and I'll have Peipei discipline you every single day when we get back."
Bear Cub's eye twitched as he reflexively shuddered. The thought of kneeling daily while spouting embarrassing lines was absolutely unacceptable.
After crying her fill, Hiyori turned to Moses with reddened eyes to express her gratitude:
"Thank you... thank you for bringing my mother back to me."
Moses' eye twitched at her phrasing—it made him sound like he'd kidnapped her mom.
Having dried her tears, Hiyori then asked curiously, "But how did you know my mother's name was Kozuki Toki? Very few should know her original family name."
"I read Oden's journal. Your mother's name was in there."
Hiyori's eyes lit up, though she seemed slightly embarrassed as she ventured, "The journal? Then you—"
Moses waved her off. "Don't have it on me. It belongs to someone else—not my call to make."
"Then who has it?" Hiyori pressed anxiously. "Could you tell me? I'd like to negotiate retrieving my father's memento."
A smirk played on Moses' lips as he glanced at her. "It's with Kaido's son on Oni Island. Feel free to go ask him for it if you've got the guts."
Hiyori froze, her eyes immediately welling up again as quiet sobs escaped her.
Moses sighed in exasperation.
"Such a crybaby," he muttered under his breath.
Checking the sky, Moses turned to Ushiwakamaru. "You got more to say to your acquaintance here? I'm heading back to Oni Island."
Before Ushiwakamaru could respond, Kawamatsu suddenly darted in front of Hiyori, sword drawn as he eyed Moses warily.
"Oni Island? You're with Kaido?"
Moses observed him with amusement. "For now, you could say that. Been staying at Kaido's place recently."
"So you're an enemy?" Kawamatsu gritted his teeth, gaze locked intensely on Moses.
Moses let out a derisive snort. "Heh... I'd advise dialing back the hostility. Keep glaring at me like that and I'll cut you down where you stand."
His expression turned icy as he added, "Besides... you care about Oden's daughter here, don't you?"
"Then guess if I can slice her down before you make a move."
Kawamatsu shuddered, but currently detected no hostility from Moses. Considering how close Moses had been to Hiyori earlier without acting, coupled with the fact that Moses wasn't weaker than himself, he reluctantly lowered his blade, his face showing remorse:
"My apologies, I was overly sensitive. If you're displeased, you may beat me up. I only beg you not to lay hands on Lady Hiyori."
Moses waved his hand dismissively, with no intention of striking him. If they truly came to blows, it would be a fight to the death.
Ushiwakamaru glanced at Kozuki Hiyori behind Kawamatsu and shook her head:
"Moses, I have nothing to say to this guy. Let's go."
Nodding, Moses stood up and dusted off his pants.
At that moment, Kozuki Hiyori rushed out from behind Kawamatsu, bowing deeply before Moses. Raising her head, she apologized with a remorseful expression:
"I'm sorry, sir. Kawamatsu meant no harm—he was just overly concerned for my safety.
I apologize on his behalf. If there's anything that displeases you, you may beat me instead. Moreover, Hiyori is eternally grateful that you returned my mother to me and avenged my parents.
Your great kindness is something I shall never forget.
You're a swordsman, right? If you don't mind, I'd like to offer you a gift."
Moses looked curiously at the little girl before him—certainly more courteous than the River Imp fishman beside her.
But this habit of asking to be beaten—did they really think he wouldn't do it? Moses eyed her, clenched his right fist, and promptly thumped her on the head.
Thunk! A crisp sound rang out.
Judging by the noise, that melon was ripe.
Watching the tears quickly welling up in her eyes, Moses smirked. "As you wished. I beat you. Satisfied? Leave me a good review. Want me to throw in another punch for free?"
"You bastard!" Kawamatsu instantly flared up, his eyes bulging as he roared, "What did you do to Lady Hiyori?!"
Moses glanced at him, then without a word pinched Hiyori's cheek and tugged, grinning mockingly:
"What was that? I didn't catch it. Think carefully about how you'll phrase your next words."
Kawamatsu's eyes widened, his beak-like lips trembling with rage. Seeing Hiyori in Moses' grasp, his mind blanked, his throat parched, and he immediately backed down:
"My apologies, I was wrong. I shouldn't have shouted so loudly. You're magnanimous—please don't hold it against someone as insignificant as me."
Moses grinned broadly, patting Hiyori's head as he laughed at Kawamatsu:
"Should've been like this from the start."
Hiyori puffed up her cheeks and glared at Moses, who then released her. She said:
"Please wait a moment. I'll fetch something for you."
Hiyori scampered into the house with quick, light steps.
Soon, she returned carrying two heavy longswords.
Kawamatsu was stunned at the sight, his lips parting as if to protest the foolishness of his young mistress. Those were the two treasured Great Grade Blades their lord Oden had left for his children!
Ama no Habakiri in its white sheath.
Enma in its purple sheath.
Ama no Habakiri was famed as the blade that could cleave heaven itself, while Enma was known as the blade that could conquer even hell.
The scabbards of both swords bore floral engravings, with tsuba shaped like three petals.
Hiyori gently caressed the two blades with tender eyes, then looked resolutely at Moses.
"Please choose one. One of these was passed down to me by my father. Take whichever one you prefer."
In his perception, both swords exuded an eerie aura. The corner of Moses' lips curled into a faint smile. "Both are Demon Blades?"
Kozuki Hiyori's eyes widened slightly. "Demon Blades?"
Moses nodded, his eyes gleaming with intense curiosity as he studied the swords—not out of greed, but genuine interest. He explained:
"Demon Blades are famous swords with extremely peculiar temperaments, often possessing strong personalities. If the wielder cannot control them, they will interfere with both body and mind. At worst, they may even 'curse' the wielder to death."
"That's why tales spread across the seas of Demon Blades consuming their masters—legends claiming no wielder of such blades ever meets a good end."
"Oden was truly a formidable man, carrying two Demon Blades at once, and both of them top-tier Great Grade Blades at that."
At this, Kozuki Hiyori's eyes clouded with confusion before quickly filling with profound sorrow as she gazed at the two Great Grade Blades in her arms. Her voice trembled with grief:
"Then... my father's death..."
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