After retiring from the Navy, I became a doting husband.

He saw his own dagger snapped in two like scrap metal, while Martin's knife rested on his shoulder, the wind from the blade brushing against the skin of his neck, causing a stinging sensation.

The sword breaks, and the man dies!

I lost!

"you……"

Togo Sanko lowered his head; as a swordsman, his pride had been severely wounded.

He hadn't expected that this self-proclaimed "peace-loving" swordsman would be so skilled, seemingly no less than him.

He had just been planning to challenge the other person to a sword duel, but the other person turned around and gave him a lesson.

Bodor, standing to the side, remained silent, clearly not expecting a sudden contest between the two, and the outcome of which was even more unexpected.

It's unbelievable that old man Sanmao lost. This knifesmith Martin's skills are indeed extraordinary, worthy of being a retired naval officer.

“Master Togo, I broke your sword move just now by using the sharpness of my blade; it wasn’t a problem with your swordsmanship.”

"It's clear you're lacking a fine sword."

Martin smiled slightly, sheathed the blade in his hand, and handed it over with both hands: "Since ancient times, a fine sword has been given to a hero."

“Mr. Dongxiang Sanmao, over the years you have trained many swordsmen for Orange Town. This is the style of a swordsman. Please accept this top-quality fast sword. This is my respect for you.”

"How can someone with the spirit of a swordsman like you use an ordinary knife?"

"This is a desecration of the spirit of a swordsman, and I, Martin, will not allow such a person to exist."

Having lived in Orange Town for a long time, Martin knew the character of Master Togo. He gifted the sword purely out of respect for a swordsman, and also because of his own plans.

Dongxiang Sanmao: "o(╥﹏╥)o..."

He was speechless. He had felt that his dignity had been damaged, but now the swordsmith not only praised him but also gave him a top-quality, fast sword.

It is also an affirmation of his many years of painstaking teaching of his apprentices.

Martin the knifemaker truly understands me.

Dongxiang Sanmao felt an urge to burst into tears. After accepting the precious sword with both hands, he immediately bowed and said, "I am ashamed... I will remember your kindness in gifting me this sword. Thank you!"

Martin smiled and helped the other person up. The two looked at each other and smiled, as if the clouds had parted and the fog had lifted.

He seized the opportunity to say, "Master Togo, the town is very dangerous now. You are the most suitable person to be the captain of the security team. Moreover, you can carry forward the Chessboard Cutting technique. I think you are the only suitable candidate."

Bodor immediately chimed in, "That's right, I think it's best if Master Togo takes on this position."

Looking into Martin's eyes, which seemed to be entrusting him with a future son, Togo felt a surge of emotion and nodded emphatically several times.

Wait a minute, we came here specifically to find Martin to be the head of security, so why is it that in the end this old man like me has to take all the blame?

……

In the following days, the security team in Orange Town was successfully established. Every day, Master Togo led the security team, composed of unemployed youths from the town, to teach swordsmanship at the port, which somewhat calmed the panic among the town's residents.

Martin was also very busy, so he forged as many fine knives as possible.

His reputation has spread, and many people have come to buy his knives.

Who would have thought that when the price of such weapons doubled, it would be possible to purchase a top-quality, fine knife at cost price?

During the day, long queues formed in front of Martin's workshop, with a constant stream of people seeking knives.

"Everyone, there were only five spots available for the premium quick-draw knives today, and they're all sold out. Please come early tomorrow and don't forget to get your number."

In the afternoon, seeing the long line of people, Martin decided to inform them in advance.

The people queuing for knives simply scattered like birds and beasts.

Just as no one was around, Jessica, the owner of the treasure weapon shop, walked into the workshop, followed by a tall, thin man with an odd hairstyle.

"Mr. Martin, it's been a long time."

Jessica nodded in greeting.

"Miss Jessica, is there anything I can help you with?"

Martin, who was tidying up the workshop materials, asked a question.

“Mr. Martin, you’ve been stealing a lot of our business lately. Our Treasure Weapon Shop has a huge stockpile of swords and equipment that’s now unsellable.”

Jessica looked at the other person with a hint of reproach, as if she were about to interrogate her.

"Oh? That's your pricing issue. My selling price has never changed, so it doesn't seem to have anything to do with me."

Martin smiled. "Did you come to me just to talk about this?"

"of course not."

Jessica smiled and said, "Things aren't looking good in Orange Town lately. Our Treasure Weapon Shop is planning to move out of Orange Town, and the liaison ship will be leaving in two days."

Jessica crossed her arms, a hint of arrogance in her voice: "Your forging speed is incredibly fast. Apart from those master craftsmen, I have never seen a swordsmith who can forge swords so quickly. A production of five fine, fast swords a day is rare even in the East China Sea. An ordinary swordsmith can only forge one fast sword every four or three days."

Martin shrugged. Actually, he mainly relied on the Demon Blade Forging Method to improve efficiency, plus his own strength, so his forging efficiency was indeed much higher than that of ordinary people.

If he hadn't been saving his energy to deal with the two women at home, to get good reviews, and to enjoy the pleasures of having multiple wives, he could have been even more efficient, probably forging seven or eight fine knives a day.

To put it bluntly, I admire you and want to give you a chance.

“There are pirates all around Orange Town, and only our Treasure Weapon Shop’s ship can sail freely. I can give you two tickets, as long as you sign an exclusive contract with us.”

Jessica finally explained her purpose.

Martin laughed: "Sorry, I really have no intention of signing any contract with your Treasure Weapons Shop, and I have no plans to leave Orange Town at the moment."

Jessica frowned: "Mr. Martin, you really don't know what's good for you. Your low-price sales have disrupted the market and offended our Treasure Weapons Shop."

"If you're willing to sign a private contract, this debt can be wiped clean."

"otherwise……"

Martin asked curiously, "Otherwise what?"

Is this woman out of her mind? She sets her own selling price as a market decision, but the other party calls it market interference?

That unreasonable attitude is so typical of the US.

Did you threaten the wrong person?

“Otherwise, we’ll teach you a lesson.” Jessica glanced at the tall, thin man beside her: “Eric!”

A tall, thin man stepped forward, straightened his gray suit, and chuckled, "Kid, you're really good at causing trouble. I advise you not to look for trouble, otherwise..."

As he spoke, he suddenly raised his arm, and an invisible scythe suddenly slashed out from his hand.

Ugh!

Martin's Observation Haki had clearly detected the invisible scythe.

That's a wind blade!

He didn't move, letting the wind blades cut his sleeve.

"Oh? You can generate wind blades with a wave of your hand? Are you a Devil Fruit user?"

Martin's eyes were serious. If he hadn't used the iron block, he would have been cut by the wind blades.

This ability seems familiar...

Ah!

I know who you are!

Chapter 42 Scythe-Scythe Fruit

Needless to say.

Only Devil Fruit users can create wind blades with a simple wave of their hands.

Martin's expression turned serious.

He never expected that Jessica would bring in a Devil Fruit user in order to "invite" him; this was truly something he never anticipated.

"Hahaha, see that? I'm the mercenary, nicknamed Whirlwind Eric, a Devil Fruit user with the Scythe-Scythe Fruit ability!"

Upon seeing that Martin's sleeve was torn, the other party immediately burst into laughter, looking somewhat smug.

"Oh! I remember now."

Upon hearing this introduction, Martin slammed his right fist into his left palm.

This Eric the Scythe Man can use the wind to slash. According to the original story, he wanted to obtain the legendary "Dragon Bone" that could grant immortality, so he cooperated with the Navy. When he tried to steal the Dragon Bone, he was hit in the back by Luffy's Gum-Gum Rocket and sent flying. He then hid on the Going Merry, but was tricked by Nami and knocked into the sea. His fate is unknown.

Now this guy has become Jessica's henchman and is coming to threaten me?

The Treasure Weapon Shop is really going all out.

"So, Mr. Martin, aren't you going to consider it?"

Jessica smiled slightly, tossing her long golden hair. "This Eric is a Devil Fruit user; he can cut through anything with wind blades. I don't want him to make a move."

Martin stared at the other person expressionlessly:

“Miss Jessica, I’ve read the newspapers. Recently, the Krieg Pirates have been forcibly recruiting skilled workers like swordsmiths and shipwrights in the East Blue, and many towns have already suffered. I’m wondering if you’re planning to sell me to the pirates. Otherwise, why are you forcing me?”

"What nonsense are you talking about? Our Treasure Weapon Shop doesn't have that kind of relationship with pirates."

Jessica's expression was a little off, which was keenly noticed by her Observation Haki.

"That doesn't make sense... The pirates have blocked the shipping lanes in the outer seas, but your weapon shop's ship can come and go freely. So Treasure Weapon Shop must be doing business with the pirates."

"If you hand over a swordsmith like me to the Krieg Pirates, you'll surely make a lot of money. It'll also eliminate a competitor. No wonder you had to resort to force when the soft approach failed."

"Your Treasure Weapon Shop and the pirate crew have a closer relationship than I thought. Could it be that you're subordinates?"

With each sentence Martin uttered, Jessica's face paled a little more, probably because he had hit the nail on the head.

You know what, this treasure weapon shop is all over the East China Sea, yet it is rarely attacked by pirates. Now that the sea area is blockaded by pirates, communication ships can freely enter and exit. This must be closely related to the pirates.

"Eric, do it! Just knock him out!"

With a soft shout from Jessica.

Eric clenched his fist and stepped forward: "Kid, I heard you're a retired naval officer with some skill, but against me, you're doomed. You'd better surrender obediently."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he kicked out.