May 1st, 1503, in the Marine Calendar.
The spring sun shone brightly, and the sea breeze was gentle, but a fierce cannon battle was raging on the azure waters of the East Blue.
Two ships were exchanging cannon fire at close range; one flew a pirate skull flag, while the other bore the Marine's seagull banner.
Boom! Boom! Bang!
Cannon fire echoed, gunpowder smoke billowed, and black spherical cannonballs hurtled across the sea, attacking each other, splashing waves, and occasionally a burst of explosion could be heard.
A chain shot with a chain was fired by the Marine, wrapping around the pirate ship's main mast with strong wind, completely disabling the sails and bringing the pirate ship to a halt.
"Close-quarters combat, draw swords!"
"Attack!"
The Marine battleship crashed directly into the pirate ship's hull with a tremendous roar. Before the ship could stabilize, planks were thrown onto the opposing pirate ship, and Marine soldiers furiously launched their assault along the planks.
Tashigi led the charge onto the pirate ship, clashing with the enemies. Wielding the demon blade she had just acquired, she felt her combat power multiply, making her almost unstoppable.
Subconsciously, whenever she held this blade, she felt her blood boil, her fighting spirit unyielding, growing stronger with each battle, as if the demon blade urged her to crave blood and slaughter her enemies.
Before she knew it, she had arrived before the pirate Captain, a middle-aged man with a heavy sword, a very ferocious face, covered in the blood of Marine soldiers, and who could wield a heavy sword with one hand, making it whistle through the air.
"Damn Marines!"
"Today, I'll fight you to the death!"
The pirate Captain's eyes were bloodshot. He roared and attacked with his heavy sword, his killing intent resolute.
"Drawing Sword!"
Seeing this, Tashigi immediately sheathed her sword, then sharply drew it again. After one strike, the pirate Captain, whose build was comparable to a bear, stood motionless, holding his heavy sword.
Thud!
His robust, bear-like body shifted, blood splattered on the spot, and then he crashed to the ground.
Tashigi's Drawing Sword had cut the pirate Captain, man and sword, into two pieces.
"Victory! The pirate Captain is dead!"
"Sergeant Tashigi is truly amazing."
"We won!"
The Marine soldiers cheered wildly. Seeing this, the surrounding resisting pirates could only surrender.
Tashigi breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, a hand patted her shoulder.
Turning around, she saw a tall man with silver hair and a cigar in his mouth, looking at her coldly. Judging by the rank on his shoulder, he should be a Colonel.
"I am Lieutenant Commander Smoker, stationed in Loguetown."
"Well done. Your sword is good; it must be a demon blade... Is your name Tashigi?"
Smoker looked at Tashigi and asked.
Tashigi nodded and immediately saluted: "Reporting, Lieutenant Commander Smoker, I am Sergeant Tashigi."
Smoker spoke frankly: "The Heavy Sword Big Mom Pirates is one of the most active Big Mom Pirates in the vicinity. After this battle, the Big Mom Pirates near Orange Town should be much more well-behaved. Your performance was excellent..."
"After all that, I think highly of you. Follow me from now on."
"What?"
Tashigi looked at him in surprise, her face flushed.
The next day, news of the Heavy Sword Big Mom Pirates' complete annihilation by the Marine spread throughout Orange Town.
This greatly invigorated all the residents of Orange Town.
Orange Town had been terribly ravaged by the rampant Big Mom Pirates during this period. Everyone was on edge, and some had even chosen to move out of Orange Town, fearing robbery by the Big Mom Pirates.
The Heavy Sword Big Mom Pirates were notoriously vicious and had committed many evil deeds. Their extermination was truly gratifying. The previously tense Orange Town returned to its former peace and prosperity.
Everyone visited friends, ate, and drank as usual, not letting anything bother them. Life is short; whether you smile or cry, it passes. Just be comfortable.
The crisis in Orange Town had temporarily passed, but rumors of the treasure continued to circulate, and a storm was brewing in the East Blue.
Martin's life also returned to peace. He continued to live lovingly with his wife, spending his days forging knives and developing new pastimes, never stepping out of his home.
At seven in the morning, Kim's carriage arrived punctually at Martin's doorstep.
For over ten days now, Kim would come to collect knives every week, always on time, never late.
"Mr. Martin, how many knives have you produced recently?"
Kim's face lit up with a smile when he saw Martin and immediately stepped forward to ask.
"Three."
Martin handed over the bag containing the knives: "One Excellent Quick Blade, two Good Swords."
Kim's smile broadened upon hearing this: "Not bad, as expected of Mr. Martin."
"Same as always, 200,000 Berries for one Good Sword, 350,000 Berries for an Excellent Quick Blade, a total of 750,000 Berries. Please take it."
Kim took the knives, a lingering smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, his eyes sparkling.
Forging a Good Sword is not very difficult; any qualified intermediate Knife Craftsman can forge one. However, for intermediate Knife Craftsmen, the output and success rate are quite unstable. Stable forging of Excellent Quick Blades is rare for Knife Craftsmen.
Excellent Quick Blades are only for viewing for poor swordsmen who are tight on money; they wouldn't spend money to buy them.
But for swordsmen with some spare money, Excellent Quick Blades are very eye-catching and have great appeal for young, wealthy swordsmen.
Basically, Martin's swords are widely praised for their quality and sell very well. Many people seek him out to buy these Good Swords, including not only Marine soldiers but also some Big Mom Pirates of unknown origin. It can be said that supply cannot meet demand.
As a businessman, Kim keenly sniffed out a business opportunity. To open up new avenues for wealth, he became Martin's sword agent.
Because the quality of swords forged by Knife Craftsmen in the entire Orange Town, including several other small towns, was simply no match.
In short, the Good Swords forged by Martin are currently in short supply in the East Blue!
As long as Martin's output can keep up, he can earn about 200,000 Berries a day, which is much faster than selling other goods.
Unlike other Knife Craftsmen, Martin's output is very stable, and his forging quality is also very stable, so he has established a cooperative relationship with Martin, coming to collect knives every week.
Kim now hopes that this Knife Craftsman will forge a few more knives every day, so he, as an agent, can earn more money.
Looking at Martin now, Kim always felt that he was shining brightly, with boundless prospects.
It is estimated that this Knife Craftsman will be able to forge Excellent Quick Blade-grade treasured swords in the future, with unlimited potential.
Just like a hen that lays golden eggs!
After the transaction, Martin turned and asked: "Kim, has there been any news about the treasure recently?"
Kim looked troubled and sighed slightly: "Martin, there's something I must warn you about. Recently, the rumors about that treasure have become increasingly exaggerated, with some even saying that the treasure is on a small island not far from Orange Town."
"Oh, right... that treasure is called the Treasure of Woonan."
Martin's eyebrows rose upon hearing this: "The Treasure of Woonan?"
"Yes, yes. Woonan is known as the 'Golden Thief,' but he only robs the money of bad people. The gold he possesses accounts for about one-third of the world's total, and his bounty is 60 million Berries."
"Legend has it that his treasure is on a Golden Island."
"I also got a piece of news: it's best not to go out at night for the next few days. The Marine has brought in Lieutenant Commander Smoker specifically to wipe out the Big Mom Pirates. I heard that our small town seems to have hidden Big Mom Pirates, so there might be danger."
Martin nodded.
Even Smoker, the Smoke Man, came to this remote town, which shows that the situation near Orange Town is a bit complicated.
It is estimated that conflicts will continue to break out between the Marine and the Big Mom Pirates.
However, Woonan's treasure is fake; the Golden Thief Woonan had already returned the gold to its rightful owners.
It's unexpected that someone would use Woonan's treasure as a pretext, deliberately releasing this false treasure information.
It feels like there's a conspiracy brewing.
No matter who is behind the scenes, it's estimated that the East Blue will continue to be chaotic for a while.
But he doesn't need to worry, because Senbonzakura will soon have its Shikai state, and his combat power will explode then.
He picked up Senbonzakura and looked at it.
[Senbonzakura - Shikai 78/100, requires corresponding Devil Fruit Power]