Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh!
Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang...
On the warship's deck.
Under Smoker's full power, smoke poured from his arms with increasing intensity.
As the smoke thickened, his projectile fists and Jitte darted in different directions, assaulting Hyaku.
Each strike more powerful! Each attack swifter!
Yet even under this barrage, Hyaku remained perfectly composed, either dodging with nimble movements or deflecting attacks with precise swings of his Tachi.
In this brief exchange, they had traded dozens of blows, but Smoker's attacks hadn't landed even once.
Clang!
Hyaku deflected Smoker's attack with another horizontal slash.
Just as he prepared to end this prolonged battle, a system notification echoed in his mind.
〘 Ding! Host Successfully Swung the Sword 3,000 Times! Reward: Azure Dragon Sword Intent Proficiency +5% | Three Colors of Haki Proficiency +1%! 〙
〘 Ding! Host Swung the Beginner's Tachi the Sufficient Amount! Reward: Forging Attempt +1! 〙
Without realizing it, he had completed 3,000 sword swings.
His Azure Dragon Sword Intent and Three Colors of Haki had grown stronger, and he had earned a chance to upgrade his weapon!
'System, how do I perform a weapon forge upgrade?' Hyaku immediately asked in his mind upon receiving the prompt.
" Weapon forge upgrade only requires meeting conditions, Host need only command "
'System, forge upgrade Beginner's Tachi!'
〘 Ding! Now Forging Upgrade Beginner's Tachi… 〙
Under Hyaku's command, the system began upgrading the great sword in his hand.
Hum!
The blade resonated as white energy suddenly enveloped the entire Beginner's Tachi. Within this ethereal cocoon, it began its transformation.
At the same time, Tashigi, who had been observing the battle between Hyaku and Smoker, suddenly noticed strange changes in her opponent's sword, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"What's this...?" She stared puzzled at the Tachi.
It was an incredible sight — Hyaku effortlessly dodging Smoker's storm of attacks while his sword underwent a mysterious transformation.
Back to Hyaku's side.
Click, Click, Click!
The white energy enveloping the Beginner's Tachi gradually condensed, transforming into a layer of milky-white crystalline material.
Hyaku's movements ceased as he observed the crystallized white energy, understanding its meaning instinctively.
His hand tightened around the Beginner's Tachi, his tiger's grip trembling as he forced the blade to shake violently.
Crash!
The crystalline surface shattered and dispersed, revealing a brand new katana in his hand.
The system's notification followed.
〘 Ding! System Forge Upgrade Successful! Beginner's Tachi (Ungraded) → Katana Ryūka (Ryōwazamono)! 〙
Upgrade successful!
The Ungraded Beginner's Tachi had evolved into the Wazamono (Grade Blade) Katana Ryūka (Dragon Flame).
After receiving the system's message, Hyaku examined his new katana. It was more than twice as heavy as the Beginner's Tachi!
Despite its increased weight, the sword had become more compact. The handle shone white, while the once silver-gleaming blade now displayed a silver-black surface. Along its sharp edge, intricate blue-green flame-like patterns emerged.
Extending from handle to tip, the patterns gleamed under sunlight like burning dragon's breath.
Ryūka!
Not only was its sharpness far superior to the Beginner's Tachi, but the system indicated that this Katana would allow the Azure Dragon Sword Intent to flow more smoothly.
Moreover, its power would receive a significant boost!
After examining Ryūka in his hand, Hyaku nodded in satisfaction.
Whoosh, Whoosh!
Just then, two sounds of cutting wind came from behind. With Observation Haki activated, Hyaku instantly sensed Smoker's approaching attacks.
'Perfect, let me test my new blade on you!'
With that thought, Hyaku spun around without warning. Both hands gripped Ryūka's handle as he slashed precisely at the two incoming attacks.
Clang!
The first strike produced a piercing metallic collision as Hyaku's Katana met Smoker's Jitte. A brilliant spark flashed, and the powerful impact sent the Jitte flying from its tight grip.
Bang!
Following that, Hyaku's second slash cut through Smoker's smoke fist with a thunderous bang.
Both of Smoker's attacks were instantly neutralized!
"A bit heavier, but the explosive power has increased by more than one level!" Hyaku remarked to himself.
Then, he looked toward the dumbfounded Captain in the distance.
Smoker was stunned. He had been continuously increasing his Devil Fruit power and physical strength. How did it end up...
Especially that last strike — he could feel the immense pressure from that slash!
Whoosh, Whoosh...
Seeing Hyaku look at him, Smoker instinctively transformed his feet into smoke, ready to maintain a safe distance at any moment.
✣ Rokushiki: Soru ⭄ Shave! ✣
In the next instant, Hyaku's right foot stomped the deck.
Thud!
With explosive power, he shattered the wooden planks beneath him and vanished.
Whoosh!
When Hyaku reappeared, he was behind his opponent, Ryūka's edge pressed against his neck.
The sudden movement startled Smoker, making him shudder.
"I advise you not to move."
Before Smoker could act, Hyaku's cold voice cut through the air.
Drip, Drip—
Blood trickled from where the katana's edge had broken Smoker's skin.
He suddenly remembered — Hyaku possessed Armament Haki, allowing him to strike his physical form. One wrong move and that blade would slice clean through his neck!
Both men stood frozen in place.
"Wait!" Tashigi's voice cut through the tension as she rushed to Hyaku's side, "Stop fighting, stop fighting."
While attempting to mediate, her eyes sparkled as she examined Ryūka with barely contained excitement.
That look... she was practically drooling.
"These blade patterns... this forging technique... It must be at least Ryōwazamono... maybe even Ōwazamono!" Tashigi excitedly ran her hand along the blade, "But I don't remember a Meitō like this among the Ryōwazamono or Ōwazamono? Your name is Hyaku, right? Where did you get this sword? And what was that transformation of your katana just now?"
Under the speechless gazes of Hyaku and Smoker, she continued talking endlessly.
✣✣✣
T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on Patreon! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten!
For just $1.50 (that's less than your daily meme budget), get extra chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories (Like this one with more than 30 chapters in advance!), and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)! You can have access to almost 15 books!
50 P.S. = +1 Chapter
100 P.S. = +1 Chapter
200 P.S. = +1 Chapter
300 P.S. = +1 Chapter
500 P.S. = +1 Chapter
100 Comments = 1 Extra Chapter
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/1475155