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Chapter 28 - 28. Tashigi, The Name Of My Sword Is Zangetsu

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If the conditions weren't sufficient, then create them.

Ikki knew that simply asking Tashigi to duel with their famous swords might not be enough to convince her. But what if he showed her the swordsmanship of Tanjiro Kamado's shadow? What if he promised that even if she lost, he would teach her those techniques?

Though Water Breathing techniques weren't particularly powerful in the pirate world, Ikki believed they would be enticing enough for Tashigi at her current level. As for revealing the Sword Enlightenment Room and the Swordsman's Shadow to her, Ikki wasn't concerned. He could easily explain it away as his Devil Fruit ability.

As long as he didn't expose the truth that swordsmanship knowledge could be obtained by defeating the shadows, it would be fine.

The weapon shop in Loguetown also has two renowned blades, Ikki thought to himself. Simply obtaining those blades wouldn't be enough to update the system. A swordsman needs to wield a famous sword for a certain period of time.

After taking Tashigi's Shigure, I can guide her to obtain the two blades from the Loguetown weapon shop. Once her strength improves and she's carried those swords long enough, I can challenge her again.

Though... I hope she won't cry when I take her sword for the second time.

Ikki positioned himself behind Tashigi, his mind already drifting to the scene of claiming her sword again in the future.

"Um, can I help you?" Sensing someone behind her, Tashigi turned around and looked at Ikki and Nojiko with confusion.

Ikki smiled, pointing at the famous sword Shigure at Tashigi's waist. "Shigure—you possess an excellent blade."

"You know Shigure?" Tashigi blinked in surprise, noticing that Ikki carried two swords of his own. Since she hadn't accompanied Hina to Arlong Park, she still didn't know that the man standing before her was Ikki.

"Of course I know it," he replied. "I have a deep interest in the renowned swords of this world. To be honest, I have a dream."

"What dream?" Tashigi couldn't help but ask.

"I hope to collect all the famous swords in the world!"

"What? Collect all the famous swords?" Tashigi's eyes widened. She suddenly felt a strange kinship with the man before her, as she too cherished a dream involving famous swords. Unlike Ikki, however, she only wished to reclaim swords that had fallen into the wrong hands.

"Yes, and so, young swordswoman," Ikki said, his smile broadening as he drew Gonryōmaru—which resembled Wado Ichimonji—from his waist and presented it before Tashigi's eyes. "Would you care to wager our swords in a duel between swordsmen?"

"A white-sheathed katana!" Tashigi gasped. "This... this is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, 'Wado Ichimonji'! You actually possess such a renowned blade!"

The gleaming steel of the sword captivated Tashigi completely. She forgot about the villagers of Cocoyasi behind her and rushed forward, her eyes fixed on the blade in Ikki's hand.

Though Nojiko was surprised that Tashigi called the sword "Wado Ichimonji" when Nami had always referred to it as "Gonryōmaru," she didn't interrupt the conversation between Ikki and Tashigi. She subtly signaled to the villager standing behind Tashigi, who quietly retreated.

"Well then, miss," Ikki continued, noting Tashigi's fascination. "If you fight me and win, this sword will be yours."

It's perfect if you're interested, he thought. What I feared was that you wouldn't be.

"A duel?" Tashigi hesitated. "No, I couldn't! You don't seem like a bad person. I can't just take famous swords from others. Besides, I love my Shigure too much to wager it."

"Is that so? What if we add this sword to the equation?" Ikki casually tossed Wado Ichimonji/Gonryōmaru to Tashigi, who caught it reflexively.

He then unsheathed Zangetsu from his waist. The moment the blade was revealed, its fierce aura immediately drew Tashigi's attention away from the sword she had just caught.

"Oh! This sword!" Her eyes widened in awe as she reached out to carefully trace her fingers along Zangetsu's blade, as if caressing a lover. "What an extraordinary edge!"

"How strange," she continued, examining it closely. "The quality of this blade is clearly superior to Wado Ichimonji, yet I've never seen it in any sword compendium. Its quality should place it at least among the 21 Great Grade Swords." She looked up at Ikki, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Sir, could you tell me this sword's name?"

"This sword isn't among the 21 Great Grade Swords," Ikki replied. "Nor is it counted among the 12 Supreme Grade Blades. Yet its quality is equal to any Supreme Grade sword."

The corner of Ikki's mouth curved upward as his right hand tightened around Zangetsu's hilt. Responding to his will, the blade began to emit a faint blue-white spiritual energy—a sign of its impending Shikai release.

"This sword... is called Zangetsu!"

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