Whitebeard looked Tengetsu Ares up and down.
"Ares does not look like a samurai from Wano at all."
In his impression, people from Wano should look like Kozaburo
a proper samurai.
Ares, on the other hand, was a humanoid tyrannosaurus.
There was nothing "samurai-like" about him.
"Let Kozaburo keep talking," Golden Lion Shiki said. He was just as curious about Ares's past.
Ares's gaze burned into Kozaburo.
"My father never told me anything about his past. I had never even heard of Wano until today."
"Can you tell me what kind of man my father was back then?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Kozaburo.
He set his cup down, lit a cigarette, and his face took on a distant, reminiscing look.
"Lord Junichiro was the daimyo of the Hakumai region in Wano. Wano is divided into six areas in total."
"They are the Flower Capital ruled by the Kozuki family, Kibi ruled by the Fuumetsu family, Udon ruled by the Amatsuki family, Ringo ruled by the Shimotsuki family, and Kuri ruled by the Kurozumi family."
"As for Lord Junichiro, his skill in swordsmithing was second to none in all of Wano. He was the most outstanding master craftsman of his time."
"For Lord Junichiro, forging Great Grade blades was already something he had done several times over. What he truly pursued was creating a Supreme Grade blade."
"That was the goal of his life."
Ares nodded. In his large, copper-bell eyes, a hint of memory surfaced.
"My father did love forging blades. But every time he finished one, he always seemed dissatisfied. At the final step, he would throw the blade back into the furnace."
"I guess, just like you said, his real goal was to forge a Supreme Grade blade."
In his childhood memories, his father would always look disappointed with every sword that came out of the forge.
He had never seen his father truly keep a sword and let it be sharpened and named.
At least, that was how it was in Ares's memory.
Kozaburo smiled.
"Lord Junichiro's dedication to swordsmithing was extreme. In Wano, he was a household name as a master smith."
"Many samurai visited him, hoping he would forge a sword for them. At first, Lord Junichiro would choose a few and make blades for them."
"But as time went on…"
"As his skill improved and his standards rose, he grew unsatisfied even with famous blades. What he wanted was to forge a Supreme Grade blade."
"From that point on, Lord Junichiro stopped forging weapons for samurai. He devoted himself entirely to his pursuit."
Whitebeard Newgate gave Ares a strange look.
He knew Ares's dream was to temper his own body into something that surpassed even a Supreme Grade blade.
Now, he felt like he finally understood a bit.
So Ares inherited his father's dream, in his own way. His method is just… a bit terrifying.
But if Ares did not have this insane dream, maybe he would not be where he is today.
Such was fate.
Whitebeard silently drank another bowl of sake.
Golden Lion took a long drag on his cigar and asked,
"And then? Why did Ares's father leave Wano? Isn't Wano supposed to be closed off from the world?"
"No one goes in or out, right?"
Ares stared at Kozaburo without blinking.
He knew nothing about his father's past.
He also very much wanted to know:
Why would a daimyo of Wano leave Wano behind?
Kozaburo's expression darkened. Deep in his eyes, a trace of sorrow flickered.
"In Wano, the five great families have always served the shogun."
"For centuries, it has always been that way."
"But as time passed, the Kurozumi family grew ambitious. They wanted to become shogun and rule Wano."
"They stirred up the greatest rebellion our country had seen in hundreds of years."
As he spoke of those tragic days, his face grew gloomier, heavy with grief.
There was hatred in it as well.
"In order to put down the rebellion, the great families of Wano joined forces."
"In that battle, the Kurozumi family was wiped out, but the price was enormous."
"Especially for the Tengetsu family, who led the charge. They suffered devastating losses."
"The Kuri region that had been ruled by the Kurozumi family became a lawless land."
"Almost the entire Tengetsu clan was wiped out. Lord Junichiro inherited his father's position only after that, becoming daimyo of Hakumai."
"In swordsmithing, Lord Junichiro was a true master. But in governing a region… he lacked experience. Many issues arose that he simply could not resolve, and he was obsessed with forging above all else. Slowly, Lord Junichiro lost heart and seized an opportunity to leave Wano."
"Right now, Hakumai is temporarily under the management of the Shimotsuki family."
Compared to the other daimyo families, the Tengetsu family had nearly been annihilated in that war.
Their losses were the worst among all the clans.
"I see. If I get the chance in the future, I want to go back to Wano and see the place where my father grew up," Ares said, a look of anticipation on his face.
Kozaburo collected himself, crushed out his cigarette, and asked,
"Mr Ares, could I… meet Lord Junichiro?"
"He has always been my idol. There are many things about smithing I wish to ask him in person."
Ares shook his head, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Father passed away several years ago."
The news hit Kozaburo like a hammer.
His face went pale. After a long moment, he managed to squeeze out two words.
"My condolences…"
"It's all right," Ares waved a hand, then asked,
"Since you wanted to ask my father about smithing, that must mean you are also an excellent swordsmith?"
A touch of pride crept into Kozaburo's expression, and he smiled with confidence.
"That is correct. I, too, am a swordsmith."
As he spoke, he removed the sword from his waist, holding it up with both hands.
"This is one of my proudest works, named Wado Ichimonji."
"It ranks among the 21 Great Grade blades."
He gripped the hilt and drew the blade.
The snow white edge caught the light and sent it flashing in everyone's eyes. It was razor sharp at a glance.
Golden Lion grinned.
"Oh? I did not expect Mr Kozaburo to be such a master smith. A Great Grade sword is not something just anyone can forge."
"These days, craftsmen capable of forging true famous blades are few and far between," Whitebeard agreed, nodding. There was a hint of respect in his gaze.
"Gurararara. No wonder Wano is known as a land of samurai. Its forging techniques are just as impressive. Ares's father forged Great Grade blades, and you can forge Great Grade blades as well."
"If I did not already have a weapon that suits me, I would really want to go to Wano to have one made."
Nearby, Kaido stared at Wado Ichimonji in Kozaburo's hands, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Mr Kozaburo, may I trouble you to forge a few weapons for me?"
The entire room turned to look at Kaido.
His Devil Fruit ability was no secret here.
Everyone immediately understood what was on his mind.
A master swordsmith who could forge Great Grade blades was a rare find. It was no surprise Kaido wanted to seize this opportunity and have a few suitable weapons made for himself.
The smiths on the island had already made several custom kanabo for him, but in terms of quality, they could not compare with a swordsmith who could create one of the 21 Great Grade blades.
Kozaburo thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I can. I only just left Wano, and I know very little about the world outside."
"I have heard the Rocks Pirates are the strongest pirate crew on these seas. I am sure you know many things I do not."
"I can take this chance to ask you many questions while I work."
Kaido lifted his massive bowl with a booming laugh.
"Worororo. My thanks, Kozaburo. The cost of forging will be on me."
"Come, drink with me."
Kozaburo also raised his cup, clinking it with Kaido's through the air.
After he set his drink down, Ares seized the opening.
"Mr Kozaburo, may I take a closer look at your Wado Ichimonji?"
A blade that was just below the Supreme Grade, one of the 21 Great Grade swords.
It did pique his interest.
Kozaburo stood, walked over, and held the sword out to him with a smile.
"Ares, your father was also a great swordsmith. You must have learned at least a little about forging weapons from him, no?"
Ares accepted Wado Ichimonji. As he carefully examined it, his fingers ran along the tough, keen blade.
"I have watched my father forge weapons, but I have never tried it myself."
He studied the blade again and again, then sighed in admiration.
"This is indeed a fine sword. The craftsmanship is exquisite."
"Your skill is no weaker than my father's, Mr Kozaburo."
He returned Wado Ichimonji to its owner, then fixed Kozaburo with a burning gaze.
His expression turned serious.
"Mr Kozaburo, may I ask you a question?"
"Ares, there is no need to be so formal. Ask whatever you like," Kozaburo replied readily.
Ares asked,
"How does one forge something…"
"So that a human body can surpass even a Supreme Grade blade?"
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