"Konpira… hard yet remarkably flexible"
"Hmm… excellent balance, smooth blade, nail-shaped hamon pattern"
"Oh? It can evenly distribute force across the entire blade... This forging technique..."
"As expected of one of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords…" Hammer analyzed Shigure thoroughly with the discerning eye of a master blacksmith.
"From what I know, each of the 21 Great Grade swords is unique. Some are indestructible, some amplify slashing power, and some can even absorb Haki."
Hammer spoke steadily, giving his detailed breakdown of the famous sword.
Everyone present held their breath and listened intently.
"This sword, Konpira, is characterized by its balance. It evenly distributes the wielder's strength across the blade, maintaining consistent density. That makes it both resistant to damage and excellent in offensive capability."
"Impressive... Truly impressive..."
Hammer genuinely admired Konpira's craftsmanship.
Beside him, Gion was experiencing, for the first time, a deep understanding of her own sword, and felt a bit emotional.
'As its wielder, I actually understood less about my own sword than a blacksmith. Sigh… I still have much to learn in my training.'
Vice Admiral Tsuru didn't say anything, but her eyes toward Gion were full of tender sympathy.
"So, Hammer, how does the sword you made compare to Konpira?"
The question came from Momonga, his purple mohawk standing stiff as ever.
It was a question that everyone else was silently wondering about.
"You mean Frostbane?"
Hammer responded and drew Frostbane from its sheath.
As the blade was revealed, a chill spread through the air.
"Frostbane was forged from exceptionally strong materials, steel infused with elemental properties, paired with cryolite for ice attributes, and tempered with refined iron."
"The hardness meets every standard, and as for sharpness, I'm absolutely confident in it."
"In comparison with Konpira, both are nearly equal in hardness and sharpness."
"Konpira wins in balance. Frostbane wins with the power of the ice element and seastone."
"I'd say Frostbane holds the advantage in that regard."
"But strengths can also be weaknesses. The fixed ice-element nature of Frostbane imposes limitations. Elemental power is great, but from what I know of this sword, it likely cannot unleash flying slashes."
Gion: ???
Momonga and the others: ???
A sword that can't unleash flying slashes???
"If you don't believe me, feel free to test it out."
The moment Hammer said that, Gion immediately stepped forward and gripped the hilt.
The others stepped back, giving her space.
"Ittō-ryū: Twilight Slash!"
Gion drew and swung with full force.
Freezing air howled through the space, but no flying slash emerged from the blade.
"What… how can this be?!"
Hammer helplessly shook his head.
"That's the reality. While the sword's material quality is top-notch, that quality comes with constraints."
"Sigh…"
Everyone looked at the Frostbane in Gion's hand with a mix of awe and regret.
If a swordsman can't unleash flying slashes, their combat ability takes a serious hit.
"Then, Hammer, if you had to declare which sword is stronger, which would you choose?"
The question came from Onigumo. As one of Sakazuki's most ferocious subordinates. To him, victory and defeat were paramount.
Hammer thought for a moment, then answered.
"I'd go with Frostbane. Even if it can't unleash flying slashes, its ice elemental power allows the wielder to use more diverse combat techniques. Freezing abilities also provide strong tactical advantages."
"That's something Konpira can't match."
It was a fair and unbiased evaluation, even Gion nodded in agreement.
"A Great Grade sword, huh…"
"The Marine finally has its own master smith…"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Hammer with heartfelt emotion.
The others nodded in agreement, their respect for Hammer growing deeper.
After all, having a blacksmith who can forge swords of Great Grade quality? That's someone worth building a good relationship with.
If you want to cut down pirates with a famed blade in the future, it'll all depend on Hammer!
Aboard the Marine ship...
"Hammer, it's true you applied for this voyage yourself?"
On a warship that had already left port, Lance looked at Hammer with surprise.
The Hammer he knew was basically a homebody. Forget going to sea—just stepping out of the forge was a challenge.
"What, I'm not allowed to sail now?"
Hammer snapped at him, clearly annoyed.
"You're heading to Punk Hazard? We're going across the Calm Belt?"
Lance spoke with concern.
"Aren't you afraid of being attacked by Sea Kings?"
"What kind of adjutant are you? I'm a rear admiral, mind you! Don't let the size of this ship fool you, it's been modified with permission from Sengoku. There's seastone embedded in the hull. We can cross the Calm Belt just fine."
Hammer shook his head, staring at Lance like he was an idiot.
Lance scratched his head, embarrassed.
"Yeah… I've been helping out with logistics lately. Haven't been keeping track. My bad."
"All right, full speed ahead! Destination: Punk Hazard!"
"Aye!"
At that very moment, Marine Headquarters...
"Report! Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The World Pirates have appeared! They've coated their ship and are heading toward FishMan Island. They'll likely enter the New World soon!"
Sengoku furrowed his brows and then slammed the table.
"Prepare to set sail! We'll go straight over the Red Line and intercept that bastard World before he enters the New World!"
"Also, contact Garp! Tell him to assist with the blockade!"
The messenger froze for a moment, then quickly reacted.
"Understood! I'll inform Vice Admiral Garp immediately!"
Meanwhile, World Pirates
"Big bro, you were right. The Marine has been monitoring us."
"And those bastards…"
The World Pirates, who were reportedly heading to FishMan Island, were actually idling peacefully in a stretch of sea, right in the Calm Belt.
Their captain, "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World, was gripping a crew member by the neck.
"Damn World Government… They actually planted this kind of garbage on my ship!"
"A spy? Hmph!"
Snap!
With a squeeze of his massive hand, the government spy was crushed to death.
"Cough, cough… World, don't let your guard down. Let's get out of here first."
First Mate Byojack, a frail and sickly-looking man, was World's strategies, and also his older brother.
"Right. Sebastian, get us moving."
At Walder's command, a towering figure dove into the sea.
Sebastian, a wotan of the False kelpfish race, used his immense strength to pull the ship forward through the water.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 15 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu