"What's the difference between that and immortality?"
Zoro muttered, speechless after hearing Crimson Edge's eerie explanation.
"Do you still want to fight?" he asked, gripping Wado Ichimonji and forcing himself upright despite the blood running down his arm.
"No," Crimson Edge replied with a strained smile. "Forget it this time. I'll... reluctantly serve as your weapon."
Zoro blinked, about to speak, but his vision suddenly went black. He collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Seeing this, Kaoru Tsubasa frowned. Crimson Edge's crimson aura flared briefly before fading as he released his bloody domain.
"Zoro! What did you do to him?" Luffy shouted, eyes widening as he saw his swordsman lying motionless.
"Luffy, calm down! He just fainted," Kaoru said, grabbing Luffy's arm to hold him back.
Luffy hesitated but didn't lower his guard.
Kaoru looked at Crimson Edge seriously. "What's your purpose?"
The sword spirit's voice trembled slightly. "Purpose? I only wanted to test my new master's strength."
That answer made Kaoru pause. "Master?"
He hadn't expected the demonic blade to acknowledge Zoro as its master already. Part of him wanted to question it — did the sword simply reject him? But now wasn't the time.
He gestured to Luffy and Usopp. "Take Zoro inside. Let him rest."
As Luffy and Usopp carried Zoro below deck, Crimson Edge withdrew his energy and floated silently after them. Kaoru sighed. "He really accepted Zoro," he muttered under his breath.
"Hey! Benefactor!"
A familiar voice called from outside the cabin. Kaoru instantly recognized it — Johnny and Joseph must have followed them back to the Going Merry.
"Luffy, go bring them in," Kaoru said, staying beside Zoro's bed. He didn't trust Crimson Edge yet. The sword's demonic nature wasn't from this world, and Kaoru didn't intend to take his eyes off Zoro until he woke.
Luffy immediately kicked open the door. "Oi, Johnny! Joseph!"
"Hey! Luffy!" Usopp yelled, chasing after him in irritation.
Moments later, the two bounty hunters entered, looking utterly confused as Luffy and Usopp squabbled behind them.
"What's going on…?" Johnny whispered, scratching his head.
"Brother Zoro!" Joseph gasped, rushing forward when he saw Zoro lying on the bed.
Both men shoved Luffy and Usopp aside, drawing their swords defensively. "What did you do to him?!"
Luffy lowered his hat, ready to fight. Usopp immediately ducked behind him for cover.
"Enough, you two."
Kaoru's calm voice cut through the tension. "Zoro just fainted. He'll recover soon."
Johnny and Joseph hesitated, then sheathed their blades, trusting Kaoru — the man who'd once saved their lives.
Ten minutes passed. Then, Zoro stirred.
"Zoro! You're awake!" Johnny exclaimed, leaning over.
Zoro blinked. "Johnny? Why are you here? Am I… still on the Merry?"
Joseph quickly explained how they'd boarded the ship.
"I see…" Zoro nodded, still groggy.
Then a familiar crimson glow pulsed beside him.
"Stay still," said a cold, feminine voice.
"The sword just… talked?!" Johnny and Joseph screamed in unison, clutching each other in terror.
Zoro sighed. "Relax. I'm fine."
Kaoru nodded. "Johnny, Joseph — keep an eye on him. I need to talk to that sword."
The two bounty hunters nodded obediently. Luffy and Usopp followed Kaoru out, returning to their tinkering with the Merry's cannons once they knew Zoro was safe.
Kaoru stood at the stern, looking out at the sea as Crimson Edge hovered before him, her blood-red aura faintly flickering.
"What's your real purpose?" Kaoru asked quietly.
"Purpose? Do I need one?" The blade pulsed, her tone soft but cold.
"Others might not see it," Kaoru said, "but I know what you are — a demonic blade forged from slaughter. Why would something like you willingly serve anyone?"
"Because even a demon blade has the right to be a sword," Crimson Edge snapped, her voice trembling with fury.
Kaoru raised his hands quickly. "Alright, alright, calm down. I didn't mean to offend."
He recalled the system's note: Crimson Edge had been forged using the blood of an entire city — but that sin belonged to her creator, not her.
After a pause, her aura dimmed. "If you don't trust me, I can prove it. I'll sign a master–servant contract."
Kaoru shook his head. "No need. You're Zoro's sword, not mine."
"But Zoro must sign it," she insisted.
Kaoru hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Just to ensure safety."
"I agree," she replied without hesitation.
He tilted his head. "Curious — why not choose me as your master? I'm stronger than Zoro."
Crimson Edge was silent for a long moment. "Because there's something inside you… something terrifying. I can feel it. If I stayed near you, I'd be consumed."
Kaoru fell silent, glancing at the lightning-sealed blade on his hip — the Ninth Seal: Doomsday. A power capable of devouring everything, even his own consciousness. He understood what she meant.
He nodded. "Fair enough."
Back inside, Kaoru found the cabin empty. He sighed. "Those idiots probably went back out."
"You done talking?" Zoro asked from his bed.
Kaoru nodded and placed Crimson Edge beside him. "Zoro, sign a contract with her."
"Contract?" Zoro raised an eyebrow.
Ignoring his confusion, Kaoru pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the blade. Crimson Edge glowed scarlet, and strange symbols emerged, forming a glowing totem that branded itself across Zoro's chest.
"Now, your turn," Crimson Edge said softly.
Zoro bit his thumb and let his blood drip onto the contract. Crimson Edge did the same, and the two blood drops merged into chains of red light that wrapped around them both.
"Done," she said as the light faded. Zoro's aura grew stronger while her presence stabilized.
Kaoru nodded approvingly. "Good. Take care of her — and yourself."
As Kaoru left, Crimson Edge released a thin stream of blood that covered Zoro's wounds.
"What are you doing?" Zoro asked, startled.
Moments later, the injuries vanished.
"My body is blood," she explained. "Now that our souls are linked, as long as my blood remains, you won't die — or even be harmed."
Zoro frowned. "Does that mean I need to drink blood now?"
Crimson Edge chuckled softly. "Not necessarily. Energy from food or metals can also sustain me — blood just works faster."
Zoro relaxed. "Good. I'd rather not butcher half the Grand Line for dinner."
Later, Zoro stepped onto the deck, both Wado Ichimonji and Crimson Edge sheathed at his side.
"As expected, pirates need musicians!" Luffy declared proudly.
Usopp groaned. "No, we need a chef, idiot."
Zoro blinked. "A chef?"
Usopp nodded. "Yeah. Johnny said Joseph got scurvy because of a lack of fresh food. So we're going to find a cook."
"Ah…" Zoro smirked. "Guess that makes sense."
Kaoru joined them, arms crossed. "If it's a chef you're after, I know just the place."
"Oh?!" Luffy stretched an arm across the deck, grinning ear to ear. "Tell me!"
Kaoru smiled faintly. "Have you heard of Baratie — the restaurant on the sea?"
"The sea restaurant!" Johnny and Joseph exclaimed in unison. "Of course! Everyone on the Grand Line knows Baratie!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Then that's our next stop!"
As the Merry's sails filled with wind, Kaoru took the helm — acting as navigator until Nami's return.
The next chapter of their adventure was about to begin.