One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 256 The Awakening of the Black Blade and the Frost Moon Style!

Kutsk Island, on the edge of the battlefield.

A suffocating silence reigned among the members of the Black Flag Bandits.

They could all see the figure slowly appearing behind them.

He was tall and upright, with a full head of white hair.

From behind him, a pair of jet-black wings drooped down naturally.

In his hands, along with the sharpness of the black katana, emanated a sense of oppression that enveloped the entire block.

"Three or three leaders were..."

"Hey, you're kidding, right?"

The members of the Black Flag Bandits stared in disbelief at the figure as it passed.

In that last attack, their leader, the island's dictator 'Black Flag' Candra, died silently.

His body was completely obliterated by that single strike, leaving only a pool of blood where it had been.

Under normal circumstances, they would have roared and rushed forward to avenge their leader—not out of loyalty, but because in this situation, whoever could avenge their leader would naturally gain the 'right to claim' the next Black Flag Bandit Leader.

but now
"."

Sweat dripped down their faces, and they dared not move an inch.

Even when that figure merely passed by them, they felt an overwhelming sense of oppression that threatened to make them faint.

"Human-Human Fruit. Shimotsuki Ryoma Form?"

They had naturally heard what the swordsman had said, and were now subconsciously muttering the same words.

And it's not just them at this moment.

"Ugh... these three monsters."

Kidd was struggling to sit up, breathing heavily.

His wounds, which had been bandaged not long ago, had reopened due to the collision.

Blood flowed out, but Kidd didn't care.

"Did that slash kill that guy, Candela?"

Watching his enemies, who had hunted him down countless times over the years, die, a hint of pleasure flashed in Kidd's eyes, but at the same time, there was also an indescribable horror.

'Black Flag' Candra, who has ruled this island for so many years, is certainly no nobody.

At least in the South China Sea, he is a true powerhouse, and his bounty is over 3000 million.

But in front of that suddenly appearing swordsman, he died without a ripple—like an ant being crushed to death.

"There are such monsters on the high seas!"

Just like the Straw Hat Pirates before them.

Kidd felt as if he had seen the 'truth' of this ocean.

But at this moment.
"Shimotsuki Ryoma... I feel like I've heard that name before!"

Kira, standing beside him, helped Kid up and led him away into the distance, saying in a low voice.

"Is it that legendary swordsman from Wano Country, the one who slays the dragon and is known as the 'Sword God'?"

"Haha. I think I've heard those two old geezers mention it too."

Kidd, panting, said, "That's a legendary figure, right? He's said to be the strongest 'great swordsman' in the entire history of the world, even from that era."

Yes.

Although neither of them were samurai or swordsmen, they were both people who were obsessed with fighting and becoming powerful.

Almost everyone who pursues power has heard of the ancient name 'Shimotsuki Ryoma'.

Those were swordsmen who emerged during the period when Wano Country was not yet closed off from the outside world and was known as the 'Golden Country', attracting worldwide attention.

Legend has it that back then, he single-handedly defeated countless pirates and world nobles who attempted to plunder gold in Wano Country.

The concept that "powerful samurai exist in Wano Country" was spread throughout the world, even through the individual Shimotsuki Ryoma.

It is said that he once slew a real dragon in the sky above the capital of Wano Country, and thus became a legend of the sea. He was hailed as the world's greatest swordsman of that era without a doubt, and some even believe that he was the strongest swordsman in history, and was given the title of "Sword God".

Of course.

In this day and age, Wano Country has been closed off for many years.

Throughout the vast ocean, the legend of Ryoma as the "Sword God" still exists, but it can no longer be said to be very popular.

Kidd and Killer only knew this because they had a good relationship with the two elderly people from Wano Country.

But no matter how you put it...
"Human-Human Fruit - Frost Moon Ryoma Form - A real, long-dead legend has become a 'fruit'? That sounds really strange, doesn't it?"

"Hmm, and he even calls himself the 'Sword God.' Is he a worshipper of Ryoma?"

Kidd and Kira clearly share the same view.

They certainly didn't believe that the other party had actually eaten the 'Human-Human Fruit - Frost Moon Dragon Horse' form—that would be too absurd.

But
"May I ask a question?"*2
At that moment, the two elderly men from the Shimotsuki clan of Wano Country spoke in unison.

Their aura was fully unleashed, their gazes fixed on the figure before them like sharp blades.

To be precise, it was locked onto the knife in the opponent's hand.

"The sword in your hand—is it the black sword 'Autumn Water' of our ancestor Longma?"

"This is a 'national treasure' that our Shimotsuki clan enshrines in the northern cemetery of Linghou. Why has it ended up in your hands?"

They said in a deep voice.

His words already carried a distinct chill.

Yes.

As descendants of the Frostmoon Clan, they certainly couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with that legendary 'black blade,' one of the most powerful in the entire world.

"Someone said that they are the 'Knife God' of this era."

At this moment, the Sword God slowly stepped in front of the two.

"The autumn waters will find their master."

He slightly raised the Autumn Water sword in his hand, which emitted a chilling sword cry.

"I know you are samurai who went on an adventure at sea with Shimotsuki Kozaburo more than fifty years ago, but ultimately chose not to stay in the East Blue with Kozaburo because of your warlike nature."

"I have come here today to borrow your tools for sharpening."

"."*2
Upon hearing this, everyone else present was taken aback.

Sharpening the knife?

What kind of talk is that?

But
".I see."

Upon hearing this, the two elderly people suddenly smiled.

"What you are pursuing is indeed the title of 'strongest'."

As a swordsman, or rather, as a 'powerful swordsman'.

They naturally understood what the other meant.

A swordsman's sword, like a king's spirit, cannot be created out of thin air.

Sword skills developed in isolation can reach perfection, but they can never become the 'strongest'.

Just like Shimotsuki Ryoma in the past, he faced the enemy across the entire ocean and protected Wano Country.

Just like Hawkeye Mihawk, who still roams the seas to this day, searching for powerful swordsmen.

A swordsman who aspires to become the strongest needs to use other top swordsmen as 'sharpening stones'.

The more it is honed and fought, the sharper the blade will become.

In fact, the main reason why the two of them left Wano Country was this – they were both 'great swordsmen' who had created their own schools of swordsmanship, but they lost to 'Shimotsuki Ushimaru', who was also a great swordsman, in swordsmanship.

Therefore, if they want to improve their swordsmanship, they cannot stay in Wano Country; they must go out to sea to seek more 'sharpening stones'.

so.
"call"

They exhaled a deep breath and looked at the Sword God. "We two are naturally willing to have a 'trial match' with you."

The old man who used to smoke a pipe said this.

The old man drinking tea spoke up in the same way: "But I don't understand - with your strength, spirit and swordsmanship, you are a powerful swordsman who is unparalleled in the sea, why would you risk the name of your ancestor and steal his weapon?"

"Therefore, we two old men have only one request."

"If we win, may I ask Your Excellency to return Shusui to Wano Country?"

Clearly, they also completely disbelieved the nonsense about the 'Human-Human Fruit - Frost Moon Ryoma Form'.

Upon hearing this, the Sword God remained unconcerned.

"Return it? Autumn Water has always been someone's sword, so how can it be returned?"

He simply shook his head and waved the Autumn Water in his hand: "However, if you can win, then it will all be as you wish."

The words fell.

But everyone present could hear the imposing spirit in his words.

This man never thought he would lose.

But that doesn't matter.

"it is good."

At that moment, the two elderly people raised their knives again without hesitation.

"Well then, I've learned my lesson."

A swordsman only needs a reason to swing his sword.

And so, in just a fleeting moment.

"boom!"

The two elderly people moved in an instant.

Their aura surged once again at this moment.

As the cherry blossoms swayed, Shimotsuki Jirobo's wrinkled yet still powerful arm muscles instantly tensed.

At that moment, his body seemed to transform into a surging torrent, his blood surging and washing over his body, while the sword he swung was like a continuous series of giant waves.

That made his slashes not just a single strike, but a series of overlapping waves.

【Raging Waves - Great Secret Technique - Thousand Waves】

Wherever the stray slashes passed, the air was frantically compressed and cut.

And on the other side.

"Shh!"

Shimotsuki Tengo's figure also appeared on the other side of the sword god—his movements were different from Jirobo's berserk style.

As he leaned forward, his feet were slightly apart, and his breathing was long and deep, carrying a hint of Zen-like tranquility.

He swung his long katana, the movement of the blade equally slow.

But his domineering aura and power were all concentrated in that blade—so much so that wherever the slash passed, the entire ground was swept up.

【Iwashin-ryu - Great Secret Technique - Immovable Mountain Slash】

"Those two stinky old men"

Seeing this, Kidd's eyes widened.

Kira, standing to the side, couldn't help but breathe heavily as he watched closely the strikes unleashed by the two great swordsmen.

They knew these two old men were very strong, but they never imagined they would be this strong.

They had no doubt that a single blow from either of these two old men would be enough to kill them.

And this is indeed the case.

Whether it's Shimotsuki Ten'ai or Shimotsuki Jirobo—as mentioned before, they were both great swordsmen who created their own sword styles, just like Shimotsuki Koushirou's 'Isshin-ryu'.

"Boom!"*2
The two slashes, one from the left and one from the right, one forceful and one gentle, completely surrounded the sword god standing in the center.

The intense sword energy sliced ​​through everything around it, even shattering the clouds in the sky.

The two great swordsmen were clearly aware of their weaknesses—the years had aged them, and their strength, physique, and domineering aura were all gradually weakening.

Therefore, when they made a move, they used their full strength directly.

But
At the heart of the storm, where the slashing attacks swirled.

The Sword God's expression remained calm.

"Nice cut."

"It's not bad as a whetstone."

He made this assessment, and then raised his knife.

"!!!"*2
At that moment, both great swordsmen changed color.

Because they clearly saw it.

At this moment, the black blade Autumn Water, renowned throughout the sea, in the hands of the Sword God, was clearly 'flowing' on its jet-black body.

That's not an illusion.

"Qiushui...is awake?"

Both Shimotsuki Tenai and Shimotsuki Jirobo knew about it.

The so-called 'black knife' was not originally black.

On the contrary—they were all 'polished' by their own users through countless fierce battles, infusing their powerful aura into them, and finally allowing the aura to permanently fuse with the blade, thus slowly forging it into a black sword.

What is required is the fusion of the user's 'spirit', 'physique', and 'dominance', making it a unique symbol.

Almost every owner of a black sword was the 'most powerful swordsman' of that era—because only the strongest who had defeated all the swordsmen of that era and undergone countless 'refinements' could forge their own sword into a black sword.

However, the black blade, once forged, naturally possesses unique effects.

That is the domineering aura permanently fused onto the blade, which can only be 'activated' by the blade's own owner.

Even if others get their hands on the knife, they can unleash the sharpness of the black blade, but they cannot harness its domineering aura.

but now
In the hands of the man who called himself the 'Sword God,' the black sword that belonged to Shimotsuki Ryoma actually 'awakened.'

The domineering aura emanating from it is enough to illustrate this point.

Even the two great swordsmen, with their unwavering resolve, couldn't help but feel a slight wavering in their hearts.

However, before they could continue thinking about it...

The next moment, they saw the 'Sword God' move again.

He struck a pose.

"!!!"*2
The pupils of the two great swordsmen shrank even further.

because
"That posture was..."

They recognized that stance—or rather, all the swordsmen of the Frostmoon Clan recognized that stance.

That is a sword style that all descendants of the Frostmoon Clan learn, but no one has ever been able to master.

In fact, almost all the sword styles of the great swordsmen of the Frostmoon Clan, including them—whether it's Isshin-ryu, Ryu-ryu, or Iwashin-ryu—are derived from that sword style.

That was a sword technique unique to that dragon-slaying swordsman, unique to that 'Frosty Moon Dragon Horse'.

Its name is...
"Frost Moon Flow·Dragon Slash!"

In the next instant, the dark blue frost-colored slash, like a flying dragon, swept away the torrent and the heart of the rock.

A swordsman dressed in white, wielding a famous sword named Autumn Water, emerged riding a flying dragon.

That was exactly the same scene as the 'legend'.

"His swordsmanship... he really is..."

At this moment, the wavering in the hearts of the two great swordsmen almost materialized.

"Ancestor Longma!?"

(End of this chapter)