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Half an hour later.
On the roof of the castle.
Nothing unexpected happened.
The legendary swordsman, Ryuma, had been "resurrected." However, he did not return in the frail and decayed state he had before his death.
Instead, Wilhelm used the power of the Paramecia-type Healing-Healing Fruit to restore Ryuma's body, reversing its aging and decay until he was about forty years old—his prime years.
"Master!"
As his past memories as the Dragon Slayer settled in, the famed swordsman knelt on one knee, swearing loyalty to Wilhelm.
"From now on, you will continue to bear the name Shimotsuki Ryuma..." Wilhelm patted him on the shoulder with high expectations. "I hope you will live up to your legacy as the great Dragon Slayer!"
"Yes, my king!"
Ryuma's gaze was unwavering, his voice resolute. "I will do my utmost to honor the name of Ryuma!"
"Here, your sword..."
Dr. Hawkins retrieved the famed blade, Shusui, which had been reforged through the abilities of the Munch-Munch Fruit at the "SMILE Factory," and handed it to the reborn swordsman.
He sighed in amazement. "Haki is truly remarkable... I never expected that after being perfectly reforged with two other famed blades and a shape-memory alloy, it would still retain its nature as a Black Blade!"
The sword was still unmistakably Shusui.
Its blade featured a distinctive wavy pattern and a broad reverse-T shape, with a black and purple finish accented by a red zigzag design.
However, thanks to the Munch-Munch Fruit's reforging process, this new Shusui was now broader, longer, and even more imposing than before.
It gleamed coldly, radiating an unseen but overwhelming presence.
"It's even more perfect!"
Shiryu of the Rain marveled at the Black Blade before him.
Unable to hold back, he handed his own swords, Thunderstorm and the Second Generation Kitetsu, over to Dr. Hawkins.
"Hoho~ I never thought that Shusui, which once failed to evolve into a Supreme Grade Blade due to material limitations, would actually ascend to a higher level thanks to your abilities..."
Receiving the reforged Shusui from Dr. Hawkins, Ryuma—now fully merged with the memories and skills of his original self—was in awe.
Gripping the simple yet refined hilt, he studied his blade. This Shusui was heavier, broader, longer, and sharper than ever before.
Closing his eyes, Ryuma steadied his breath.
A powerful aura began to surge around him.
It was as if the legendary Dragon Slayer had truly returned.
With the memories of his former self and the untainted muscle memory of a master swordsman honed over centuries...
The next moment, his eyes snapped open.
A sharp glint flashed within them
Ryuma suddenly swung his sword.
"Chi—!"
A brilliant, icy light slashed through the air.
A dazzling, light-green sword slash shot toward the sky, so bright that everyone instinctively squinted, unable to look at it directly.
It was like a bolt of lightning cutting through the heavens.
"This is nothing like the original Shusui..."
Gripping the reforged black blade, Ryuma's face lit up with excitement. "Now, it's truly a Supreme Grade Sword!"
"The legendary Dragon Slayer's swordsmanship is famous across the world. People have been waiting to witness it firsthand!"
Shiryu of the Rain and Musashi Miyamoto's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
Even the Smoothie sisters weren't an exception.
No swordsman would want to miss the chance to test themselves against a legend.
Even if Ryuma couldn't fully match his peak strength as the famed Dragon Slayer, he had inherited everything from his past self—including a lifetime of swordsmanship. That alone made him an opponent no one could underestimate.
"I want to challenge you too!"
After receiving the newly rebuilt Shusui's scabbard from Dr. Hawkins, Ryuma sheathed his black blade.
With an eager smile, he met the fierce gazes of Shiryu of the Rain and Musashi Miyamoto without a hint of hesitation.
Their instincts as swordsmen told them one thing:
They were standing before a warrior of immense strength.
The desire to compete ignited instantly.
In truth, it wasn't just them.
Even Wilhelm felt the same.
He wanted to experience the swordsmanship of the legendary Dragon Slayer himself.
After all, on the journey back from Wano—
Aside from using unfortunate pirates to test his Dao Form abilities—
He had already sparred with Musashi Miyamoto in swordsmanship. But due to space constraints, their battle had ended too soon.
It left him unsatisfied.
"I don't mind if you all want to fight, but don't go wrecking Table Island..."
Seeing the rising battle spirit among them, Wilhelm shrugged. "Pato can summon an Aokiji replica—one of the former Admiral candidates—and freeze the sea using Logia powers."
He was a swordsman too.
And Wilhelm's ultimate goal was to become the World's Strongest Swordsman.
Naturally, his competitive spirit burned just as fiercely.
But right now, he had a meeting with Charlotte Linlin on Whole Cake Island.
Otherwise, he would've been the first to challenge Ryuma's Shimotsuki-style swordsmanship, the same style that once shook the world.
"Pato?"
Smoothie chuckled softly, unable to hide her amazement.
"No matter how many times I see its abilities, they always feel absurd!"
Tanuki Pato, who was born not long ago, had always followed Wilhelm and had never met Aokiji in person.
However, there was no denying that Devil Fruits possessed abilities that far exceeded human understanding and imagination.
The Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Raccoon Form was especially absurd, completely defying common sense.
Whether Pato used its powers itself or someone else activated them by holding its transformation leaf, the ability allowed them to reshape anything in the world.
It didn't even matter what was written on the leaf—mistakes wouldn't affect the transformation at all.
This led many to suspect that the fruit's ability was guided more by "will" or "intent" rather than just words. After all, anyone who wrote on the leaf inevitably pictured their desired transformation in their mind.
Even more unbelievably, the user didn't need to have personally seen the target.
A simple photo was enough.
Even if their memory was vague or their imagination was poor—so long as they had a rough idea of the target, no matter how unclear or abstract—
The Mythical Zoan Raccoon Form could perfectly transform them without a single mistake.
Among those present, some had never met Aokiji in person, but they frequently dealt with Marine officers when turning in captured pirates and criminals.
As for Shiryu of the Rain, the former Head Jailer of Impel Down, he had undoubtedly seen the man before.
With him guiding the transformation, using Pato's metamorphic leaf, summoning an ice-wielding replica of Aokiji would be effortless.
"That won't be necessary."
Ryuma spoke up.
"I can freeze the sea myself."
"Oh, right! I nearly forgot about your ability..." Wilhelm muttered in realization.
The Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Great Maw True God Form.
This Devil Fruit not only gave Ryuma immense physical enhancements—boosting his speed, strength, endurance, and resilience—but also granted him a limited ice-based ability.
Of course, it wasn't anywhere near the level of a Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit user, who could freeze vast areas of the sea in an instant.
However, if it was just a small section of the ocean to serve as a temporary battlefield, a makeshift arena, that much was well within his power.
"In any case, a major battle is coming soon. While there's still time, it's good for you all to spar and refine your skills."
Wilhelm gave a final warning to Shiryu of the Rain, Miyamoto Musashi, Feathered Serpent Kur, and Ryuma.
"Fight all you want, but keep it under control. I can heal regular injuries, but if you end up dead... don't expect me to bring you back."
He had worked hard to build this team. Losing anyone now would be a waste.
With that, Wilhelm whistled sharply.
"Awooo—!"
Below the castle, his loyal mount, Snow Mastiff Finley, responded instantly to his call.
The beast sprinted forward, then leaped high into the air—
And in the blink of an eye, mid-jump, it transformed.
Its body shifted and expanded, morphing into a massive, snow-white eagle soaring through the sky.
Swoosh!
Wilhelm vanished from the rooftop in an instant—
And reappeared, landing on the eagle's back as it ascended.
From below, Smoothie, Shiryu of the Rain, Miyamoto Musashi, and the others watched as Finley, now in vulture form, shuddered slightly, flapped its wings, and carried Wilhelm higher into the sky.