"Will a standard model be alright? Wait a moment, I have one in my room; I'll bring it out for you to see."
Without waiting for Suō Tsukasa to reply, the Carpenter turned and quickly walked back into his room.
Suō Tsukasa stood where he was, listening to the sounds of rummaging and clattering coming from inside the house.
A moment later, the Carpenter emerged, holding a long, slender object wrapped in cotton cloth. He untied the binding and slowly unwrapped the fabric.
As the cloth layers peeled away, a long, reddish-brown wooden sword was revealed, its body slender, like a crescent moon.
Delicate cloud patterns were carved into the tsuba (guard). The entire sword had a warm, deep color, and the wood possessed a unique luster from years of maintenance. The patina of time was integrated into the wood grain of the blade.
"Please."
The Carpenter was very direct, holding the sword out with both hands toward Suō Tsukasa, presenting his most prized work.
"Thank you very much."
Suō Tsukasa thanked him formally, accepting the sword with both hands.
He gripped the handle with his right hand and gently stroked the blade with his left fingertips, feeling a texture that was both tough and elastic.
Immediately, he dipped his right wrist slightly and executed a sharp, horizontal slash right in front of him with the wooden sword.
Swoosh—
A crisp sound of air being cut suddenly rang out. The trajectory of the blade slicing through the air was straight and steady, and the motion, exhibiting a balance of power and beauty, was extremely aesthetic.
"Oh wow."
Seeing this, the Carpenter couldn't help but gasp in admiration. Although he himself didn't understand martial arts, the young man's slash was clearly fast and stable, definitely not mere showmanship.
"Big brother is so cool!"
The four little ones' eyes lit up. They excitedly clapped and cheered in unison, even though they couldn't understand the technique, the sheer coolness was enough to thrill them.
"A fine sword."
Suō Tsukasa rotated his wrist and withdrew the sword, praising it sincerely.
He had owned over a dozen swords, both wooden and iron, including some that were quite expensive, but none could match the feel of the one in his hand.
Combined with its extraordinary appearance, it was simply a work of art.
"How is it?"
"The sword is called 'Crimson Moon.' Although it has some years on it, I've kept it in excellent condition; it's perfectly usable."
A good sword deserves a good master. From the moment Suō Tsukasa took the sword, the smile hadn't left the Carpenter's face. He stepped forward and asked.
Though it was a question, his tone was certain; he had great confidence in Crimson Moon.
"Extraordinary."
Suō Tsukasa did not spare the praise for such a superb sword.
"It's yours!"
Hearing his affirmation of Crimson Moon, the Carpenter waved his hand, his voice loud and firm, laughing heartily.
"No, I still hope you can forge a new one for me."
However, Suō Tsukasa did not accept, instead shaking his head in refusal.
"Huh, why? Don't you like it?"
The smile on the Carpenter's face froze, and a hint of incomprehension flashed in his eyes, thinking he had misheard.
Crimson Moon's excellence was obvious. As a fellow sword lover, he could clearly feel Suō Tsukasa's fondness for Crimson Moon, so why would he refuse his gift?
"Crimson Moon is excellent, but it does not belong to me."
"I believe you can definitely forge a new sword that is just as outstanding."
Suō Tsukasa explained softly and returned the sword. How could he not like a sword this exceptional?
It was just that he, too, once had treasures he cherished immensely. Empathizing with the Carpenter, he couldn't accept it.
A wooden sword was merely a transitionary tool for him, but for the Carpenter, it was his lifeblood.
In the Soul Society, a world where spiritual life was often hollow, countless souls gradually lost themselves over the long stretch of time.
This Crimson Moon was the Carpenter's pride as an artisan, proof of his connection to his past. Its significance had long surpassed the scope of a weapon; it was his spiritual sustenance.
"Alright, I will pour my heart into it."
Touched by his words, the Carpenter revealed a knowing smile, his fingers slightly trembling as he took back Crimson Moon, and made a solemn promise.
"This is all the money I have on me. See if it's enough."
"If it's not enough, I can only pay a deposit first and come back with the rest after I get paid next month."
Pulling out the money pouch from his bosom, opening it, and handing it to the Carpenter, Suō Tsukasa said with a smile, his tone candid, showing no embarrassment.
"Haha, it's too much, it's not as expensive as you think. This is plenty."
"Where do you live? I'll deliver the sword to you once it's finished. Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting too long."
The Carpenter glanced at the copper coins and broken silver in the money pouch, laughed heartily, and only took a small piece of the silver, pushing Suō Tsukasa's hand back.
The cost of a wooden sword was mostly in the materials and labor. Since he recognized Suō Tsukasa as a friend, he naturally wouldn't let him pay too much.
"Terada Inn. My name is Suō Tsukasa. Please take care of me."
"Matsuzaki Yoshito. Please take care of me."
Leaving the address, they shook hands, exchanged names, and smiled at each other. From then on, they officially gained a new friend.
Bidding farewell to Matsuzaki Yoshito and the children, Suō Tsukasa whistled a cheerful tune, walking back with high spirits.
A wooden sword made of white ash wood was now hanging at his waist, swaying gently with his light steps. The sword was a parting gift from Matsuzaki Yoshito, letting him use it temporarily until the new one was completed.
Reaching a secluded corner, the morning light shone obliquely between the low mud and wood houses, dividing the dirt road into alternating light and shadow.
Five figures slowly ambled out from the shadow of a mud wall on one side, squarely blocking the middle of the road and completely cutting off Suō Tsukasa's path forward.
"Oh!?"
Suō Tsukasa's steps suddenly halted. The tune on his lips ceased abruptly. His gaze calmly swept over the five figures that had suddenly appeared in front of him, showing no sign of panic.
The security in the West Third District might be good, but only relatively speaking. In the Rukongai, which was far from a civilized society, there was never a shortage of those who wanted to reap without sowing.
He had somewhat anticipated this sort of thing.
Leading the group was a burly man with a scar on his face, his thick fingers tapping the hilt of the short knife tucked into his waistband.
Two lean men stood on his left and right sides behind him. The entire group's eyes darted between Suō Tsukasa's new clothes and the bundle on his shoulder like jackals, filled with avarice.
"Hey, kid, nice clothes. How about lending us some cash to spend?"
The scarred man grinned, revealing a mouthful of uneven yellow teeth.
A pale-skinned young man + new clothes + a bulging bundle. Even with a wooden sword hanging at his waist, he posed no threat.
In the eyes of this gang of thugs, Suō Tsukasa was undoubtedly a perfect, fat lamb, prey delivered right to their mouths.
As the leader spoke, the four behind him slowly closed in, attempting to completely cut off his retreat.
The rough straw sandals scraped against the crushed stones on the dirt road, making rustling sounds.
Facing the approaching enemies, Suō Tsukasa remained unhurried, calmly drawing the wooden sword from his waist and observing their movements.
"Haha, what's this pretty boy doing? What good is a toy going to do?"
"Your grandpa's got this!"
Seeing that Suō Tsukasa didn't turn to run but instead drew his sword and stood his ground, the scarred man pulled out his short knife from his waist, waved it menacingly, and laughed scornfully, his four accomplices behind him also bursting into raucous laughter.
The scarred man triumphantly scanned Suō Tsukasa, who was about to be surrounded, and then weighed the gleaming short knife in his hand.
Five against one, real knife against a wooden sword. In this situation, the advantage was his. It was secure!
He could almost see the black-haired young man desperately kneeling and begging for mercy. The overwhelming sense of dominance brought by this absolute advantage made him intensely excited all over.