The blade had a simple design: modest fittings, a cross-shaped guard, and standard wrapping.
Blade: A long cutting edge with a deeper curve and no groove. The hamon was a classic flame-like temper line, folded and forged with care.
Hilt: No decorative peg, clean construction. A small strip of white cloth was tied around part of the hilt and scabbard.
"A cursed blade?" Ain and Bai Hezi walked over as well, examining it.
"Yeah." White Ghost nodded. "Sandai Kitetsu. A Grade Sword. If it's forged into a black blade, it could absolutely rise to the level of a Great Grade."
The shop owner spoke cautiously from the side.
"Heh… customer, since you know what this is—are you still certain you want it?"
White Ghost flicked the blade lightly with a finger.
"You think I'd be afraid?"
"Of course not…" the owner laughed nervously. "It's just that you also know how… strange this sword is. Its previous owners all—"
He didn't continue.
"It's a good sword," White Ghost said calmly. "But I already have my own personal weapon, so I don't need it."
Then he smiled faintly.
"However… I can take it to meet its future owner."
"Huh?" The owner blinked. "What do you mean, sir?"
"It means I like finding the right successor for a good blade."
White Ghost pointed at the twin swords at Ain's waist.
"I found Shiki the Golden Lion's blade a successor."
Then he pointed at Bai Hezi's sword.
"And I found Ame no Habakiri a successor too."
Finally, his gaze fell back on Sandai Kitetsu.
"Now I'll take this one to meet its owner ahead of time."
The owner hesitated.
"So… you're not using it yourself?"
White Ghost nodded and slid Sandai Kitetsu back into its scabbard.
"B-But…" the owner said, worry written all over his face. "Wouldn't that harm the person you're giving it to?"
"It won't." White Ghost smiled. "Because he's already meant to be this blade's owner."
The owner looked at White Ghost… then at Ain's swords… then at Ame no Habakiri.
He gritted his teeth.
"Please wait a moment, sir!"
He stomped upstairs.
Watching him go, White Ghost chuckled. He already knew exactly what the man was going to fetch.
Ain narrowed her eyes at White Ghost.
Elena was already preparing to "handle" him.
Stella only smiled gently—completely unbothered.
Even Uta and Bai Hezi looked at White Ghost a little strangely. After all, they'd heard rumors: back in the East Blue, there was a sword-wielding girl supposedly "waiting for him."
White Ghost immediately lifted Sandai Kitetsu and shook it lightly.
"Don't overthink it. This sword's owner…"
He emphasized clearly:
"Is a man."
"Really?" Elena stepped right up, suspicious, staring straight into his eyes.
She'd heard far too many exaggerated rumors to be careless.
"Really, really. I swear!" White Ghost hurried to reassure her.
"Hmph." Elena snorted and finally let it go.
White Ghost exhaled quietly.
Close one.
(And yes—Sandai Kitetsu is for Zoro.)
(But he also has Shusui, Enma, and Nidai Kitetsu in his own inventory, so the story remains consistent.)
Then White Ghost suddenly paused, rubbing his chin.
"Wait… something's not right. Why did I automatically assume Kuina would—"
He froze, then quickly shook his head as if trying to throw the thought away.
"Must be that 'dragon nature' acting up again… yeah, that's it. Definitely not me."
At that moment, the owner came rushing back downstairs, nearly tripping, holding another sword.
"Sir! Then could you also help find a successor for this sword?!"
He pulled away the cloth covering it.
"Yubashiri! Black-lacquered tachi mountings, a small irregular clove-pattern hamon, and a beautifully crafted scabbard—one of the Fifty Skillful Grade Blades!"
The owner looked at White Ghost earnestly.
"My shop has many customers, but none are worthy of this sword—except you and your group! I don't want it to keep collecting dust. Please, sir—help Yubashiri find the right person!"
White Ghost glanced at Yubashiri, but didn't touch it.
Instead, he took out several bundles of cash—tens of millions of Beli—and placed them on the counter.
"This is payment."
The owner stared.
"S-Sir…?"
"Payment for Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri," White Ghost said calmly. "But leave Yubashiri here."
"That person is a three-sword user. When he comes back after conquering Sandai Kitetsu… then you decide whether to give him Yubashiri."
"But… this is too much money!" the owner tried to push it back.
White Ghost turned and walked out without looking back.
"I don't like taking things without paying. I prefer fair deals."
The owner stood stunned.
His wife came out, grabbed his ear, and scolded him:
"What are you spacing out for?! That 'broken sword' selling is a good thing—and he even paid!"
She opened the box, then froze.
"Tens of millions of Beli?!"
The owner laughed softly.
"Yeah… when that guy comes back with the sword, we'll see if he's worthy of Yubashiri."
He trusted White Ghost's judgment.
That man was a great swordsman. His eye wouldn't be wrong.
Just look at the women beside him—two of them carried famous blades themselves.
"Put it away," the owner said. "Now we wait for Yubashiri's owner."
"You and your sword-idiot dreams…" his wife muttered, carrying the money inside.
The owner looked at the blade quietly.
Don't disappoint me… future master of Yubashiri.
On the way back, Bai Hezi couldn't help asking:
"White-bro… is there really such a thing as three-sword style?"
"Of course." White Ghost nodded firmly. "There's even nine-sword style. What's strange about three?"
"But nine-sword style is from a fish-man!"
Ain joined in.
"That person isn't human, right? How can someone hold three swords?"
White Ghost suddenly remembered a pile of ridiculous three-sword memes from his past life and shook his head hard.
"So—do you want to know now," he said, "or see it with your own eyes later?"
Ain thought for a moment.
"Don't tell me yet. I want to see it myself."
Bai Hezi nodded.
"Me too."
White Ghost looked at the sky helplessly.
"You're the ones who asked… and now you won't let me answer."
"Heh. Never argue with women. You'll always lose."
By the time they returned to the hotel, night had fallen.
Lucianne and Wanda went to deliver food to Naqin and the squirrel doctor on the ship.
The others returned one by one.
A-Da, A-Er, and Arthur were all back.
Even Tashigi arrived—clearly unhappy. The moment she saw Ain, she ran over to ask for sword guidance.
Kuro walked over.
"The Bartolomeo Family invited you to a banquet tonight. Good wine. Good food."
He glanced at the women and smirked.
"And… something you wouldn't expect."
Then he walked off without another word.
White Ghost immediately felt icy stares behind him.
Since when did Kuro become this annoying…
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