Gojo, his eyes still closed as he faced the shopkeeper, said, "My budget is 400,000 berries. Within that range, show me the best sword. I don't want a bulky one—give me a light sword, but long enough that I can still use it when I grow, not just for my current size."
The shopkeeper studied Gojo carefully—his short stature, his calm, composed posture, and those closed eyes. The boy radiated an unusual presence, one that commanded quiet attention. And… he was remarkably handsome. If he grew up with this frame and poise, the shopkeeper thought, he would undoubtedly become the dream of every girl in the world. Shaking his head slightly, he pushed the thought away and focused on the matter at hand.
"I have just the thing," the shopkeeper said after a pause, nodding. "It's an ungraded sword, but one of the finest ungraded blades you could hope to find. Slightly below graded swords, but still exceptional. Normally it's priced at 500,000 berries, but I can show it to you if you wish."
He disappeared deeper into the shop, the faint metallic clinks of swords and soft shuffling echoing with every step. Gojo could hear the subtle scraping of wooden floors, the soft sway of hanging blades, and the distant chatter of people outside the shop. After a few minutes, the shopkeeper returned, holding a sword sheathed in black. Its handle was sleek and polished, and the black sheath seemed to absorb the light in the room, reflecting nothing back.
He unsheathed it carefully, letting the soft hiss of the blade against its sheath fill the silence. "This sword is among the best. One of the finest katanas you can find," he said. Then he hesitated, noticing Gojo's eyes remained closed. The boy wasn't even looking at the blade. For a moment, the shopkeeper felt awkward, unsure how to present the sword to someone who seemed unconcerned with appearances.
Gojo immediately sensed the small tension in the air. He opened his eyes and focused on the katana, taking in the elegant curvature, the flawless black finish, and the subtle balance of the hilt. He nodded slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. Then, almost reflexively, he closed his eyes again, not wanting his Six Eyes to overwhelm him with unnecessary details all at once.
"This katana is excellent," Gojo said calmly, his voice measured. "I believe everything you've said is correct. If Rick, one of the Marines, brought me here saying this is one of the best shops, then your reputation is clearly justified. However, as I mentioned, I can only spend around 400,000 berries. I do have 500,000 with me, but I need the extra 100,000 to start a new life. I could push my limit to 450,000, but no more than that. If you can offer it at that price, I'll take the sword."
The shopkeeper shook his head slowly, concern flickering in his eyes. "This is the best ungraded sword I have. I've already given you the price at a discount. Lowering it further would degrade the sword's value. I simply can't do that."
Gojo's fingers flexed slightly around the hilt, feeling the subtle texture of the leather grip. He could sense the weight, the balance, and the resonance of the metal even with his eyes closed. This is the kind of blade I'll carry in the battles ahead, he thought. It's light, sharp, and precise… everything I need.
Gojo paused for a few moments, weighing his words carefully. Then, still with his eyes closed, he spoke, "I won't expect you to fully believe me, since you don't know me. I really like this sword, and I want it. So here's my proposal: I'll give you 450,000 berries now, and this Marine soldier—he's from the village I'll be staying in—can guarantee the rest. I promise that within a year, I'll give you the remaining 50,000. I'm saying this to be safe, but I'm confident I can pay the rest within moments—or maybe even 60,000, which would slightly increase the price. What do you say?"
The shopkeeper glanced at Rick, who was standing patiently beside Gojo. Rick considered for a moment, gritted his teeth, and finally said, "I'll write an IOU for you. You can claim the money from me if the payment is late."
Rick didn't know Gojo well, but he knew enough to sense the boy's strength. Smoker had explained why Gojo wanted to go to his village, and Rick could see the potential in him. With that power and Smoker's appreciation for him, Rick trusted that Gojo could repay the debt. And, of course, helping someone like Gojo might also make Rick look good in front of Captain Smoker—perhaps even earning him a promotion. Everyone, after all, had their own motivations.
Gojo had considered the possibility that Rick might refuse, but he wasn't worried. Smoker had already shown him great kindness, and if he asked for 50,000 Berry, Smoker probably wouldn't decline. Even if he did, Gojo could simply buy a cheaper sword instead. He was confident he could repay him anytime if necessary. When Rick agreed to put the IOU in his name, it was more than enough for Gojo; he even understood Rick's reasoning and found it reasonable.
The shopkeeper exhaled in relief. "Alright," he said, "believing in the honor of the Marines, I'll give you this sword for 450,000 berries. Later, you can pay me the remaining 60,000 as promised."
Gojo nodded and placed the small bag on the counter. "Count the money. Leave the 50,000 berries inside, and take the rest."
The shopkeeper nodded, carefully counting the money, while Rick, as Gojo's guarantor, verified the payment. Once the 450,000 berries changed hands, Rick returned the bag containing 50,000 berries to Gojo.
The shopkeeper then handed over the katana. "Here is your sword. I hope it serves you well in the days to come."
Gojo nodded and took the katana in hand, feeling the weight and balance of the blade. It hummed faintly in his grip, the black metal almost drinking in the light from the shop windows. Together, he and Rick stepped out of the store, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones.
Before leaving, Rick signed the IOU for the shopkeeper's records. Gojo, still eyes closed, said, "Take me to a clothes shop. I need a few things."
Rick led him to a nearby store where Gojo selected a black t-shirt and loose white pants, perfect for training. He also picked up a simple white blindfold. Just keeping his eyes closed constantly was uncomfortable—his eyelids ached from pressure—so he decided a blindfold would be far easier to wear.
Immediately outside the shop, he tied the white blindfold over his eyes, adjusting it so it was snug but not tight. Feeling the cool breeze and the bustling sounds of the street on his face, he followed Rick, stepping lightly with the katana at his side. The world was bright and noisy around him, but in the quiet behind the blindfold, he felt calm, focused, and ready to take the next steps of his journey.
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