Shimotsuki Kōsaburō felt a pang of reluctance, but the allure of forging a near-divine blade surpassing the Supreme Grade swords was too strong. As long as it didn’t involve melting his prized swordst, he could stomach it!

Better a dead friend than a dead you, he thought grimly.

Sorry, Tenguyama—it had to be done!

If Tenguyama Hitetsu found out he’d melted their family’s second- and third-generation blades, would he come hunting for revenge?

But they’d sold those two swords to the Kozuki family for safekeeping. It wasn’t his fault anymore. Shimotsuki Kōsaburō clung to that flimsy excuse for peace of mind.

Besides, Kozuki Oden had brought the blades himself. The decision was Brook’s—he was just a humble swordsmith caught in the crossfire!

"Alright then! We’ll fuse the ominous metal from them with the Gungnir divine steel to craft the ultimate divine sword!"

Shimotsuki Kōsaburō gritted his teeth and declared it. Even if it branded him a destroyer of blades, he’d forge a weapon that would shake the world.

"Yohohoho! Let’s get to it!"

Brook’s excitement bubbled over. He’d just been lamenting the lack of rare metals to blend with the Gungnir divine steel for a brand-new Shichiseiken. And now, like fate’s own delivery, Oden shows up with these two blades. Destiny at work?

The Gungnir divine steel was nearly molten. Brook laid the Shichiseiken across the blades, and a eerie green mist seeped out, creeping toward the blades like a living curse.

Unclaimed and masterless, the blades trembled. Without a wielder’s Haki or life force to sustain them, they were like rootless weeds, defenseless against the Shichiseiken’s hunger.

The nascent sword spirits within—especially the fragile third-generation blades—crumbled quickly under the assault. Even the second-generation held out only briefly before succumbing.

The Shichiseiken flared with green light, its eerie aura now laced with ominous malice. It had devoured the blade’s cursed essence.

A seven-star tattoo bloomed on Brook’s right arm, pulsing with the blade’s demonic, ill-fated power. The Shichiseiken’s body dulled, its edge fading.

"Yohohoho! Shichiseiken, hang tight on my arm for a few days. Your old man’s gonna forge you the strongest blade body yet!"

Brook transferred the sword’s spirit and power to his arm, then whisked the Shichiseiken and the blades husks into the forging chamber.

The Gungnir divine steel bubbled, on the verge of liquidity. Brook instructed Shimotsuki Kōsaburō, the sun Prometheus, and Redfield to melt those three blades into it.

This would birth a revolutionary alloy—Gungnir’s unbreakable hardness fused with the ominous metals’ soul-siphoning, bloodthirsty weirdness!

Even Brook rolled up his sleeves this time, diving into the reforging of the new Shichiseiken. Shimotsuki Kōsaburō didn’t dare slack off. With Brook, Redfield, and Charlotte Linlin lending their strength, he poured every ounce of focus into the forge.

...

Kozuki Oden breathed a sigh of relief. Brook had accepted the "gifts"—no turning back now. He’d set sail for sure!

Oden even volunteered to watch Brook’s kids, bonding with the Hell Pirates’ crew. Meanwhile, the triplets were in good hands with Stussy and ship doctor Crocus.

Shimotsuki Kōsaburō’s wife cradled their two-year-old son, Shimotsuki Kōshirō, and chatted with Stussy to build bridges. She knew these folks were her husband’s true benefactors.

Especially Brook—his legend outshone even Daimyo Toramaru and Shogun Sukiyaki!

A saying had taken root in Wano: Better cross the Shogun than ruffle Brook’s feathers!

Not just Oden—Kōshirō stared at the adorable Kanna in a daze, utterly charmed by her silver hair and big eyes.

Stussy knew Brook’s soft spot for his little princess. No one else got to hold her—not even Crocus, except on rare occasions!

...

Meanwhile, the squad chasing Kozuki Oden had trailed him all the way to Hailou Town in Kuri Province. They had no clue he’d doubled back to Ringo.

Their best guess: the runaway young master had holed up on Brook’s turf. After all, those weird Sound Shells and Flavor Shells they’d used against the squad? Straight from that neck of the woods!

"Lord Hyougoro, you’re sure Young Shogun Oden isn’t here? I advise against hiding him—the Shogun’s furious. Even you, Daimyo of Kuri, couldn’t weather that storm!"

The captain stared down Hyougoro sternly. Deep down, he despised this yakuza thug-turned-daimyo. Without Brook’s backing, he’d never have snagged that title.

"Captain Shishio, Oden’s truly not here. Why not wait? I’ll rally every guard in my employ to help track him down!"

Hyougoro knew Oden had likely headed to Ringo—Brook was forging there. Stalling this squad goons bought Oden time to reach safety.

And with the squad mobilizing in force, Oden must’ve pulled off the heist of the century—snatching Sukiyaki’s prized collection. That meant he’d nabbed the Fruit for Brook.

His own Fruit was as good as secured. Once Brook returned from the forge, he’d reward Hyougoro with a Devil Fruit—even if Oden’s stolen Fruit turned out lackluster, he’d at least score a long-lasting one.

"Don’t toy with us. Remember: you’re a daimyo of Wano first, Brook’s lackey second. Know your place!"

Captain Shishio had no choice—Hailou Town was Hyougoro’s domain. If he wanted to shelter Oden, a single squad couldn’t comb the whole place.

They’d have to hunt clues on their own, praying to snag the thieving young lord soon.

...

Hyougoro watched the squad depart, his smile fading. He’d caught the contempt in Shishio’s eyes. To these samurai nobles, he was just a street-rat pretender, unworthy of respect.

But his loyalty lay with Brook now, not the Kozuki anymore. That daimyo seat? Sukiyaki hadn’t handed it over willingly—Brook’s pressure had forced his hand!

"Pengan, give our esteemed guests the full welcome. Make these next couple days unforgettable!"

Hyougoro turned to his guard captain, Ashura Pengan. Pengan’s brother Jakun was Brook’s rising star swordsman aboard the ship—a true Hell Underworld insider.

The Ashura family, bandits at heart, meshed perfectly with Hyougoro’s yakuza roots. They were Hailou’s one-two punch!

"Heh, got it!"

A glint of mischief sparked in Ashura Pengan’s eyes. He’d muster his guards and "assist" the squad in hunting Kozuki Oden’s shadow!

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+400 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg