Chapter 237: Famous Sword Enma! (7)

"Wait!" 

Kouzuki Sukiyaki suddenly jumped to his feet, his gaze fixed on the sword at Tashigi's waist. His eyes were filled with disbelief. 

"What's wrong, Hitetsu-san?" 

Tashigi looked at him quizzically. 

This was the first time she had seen him lose his composure since they had met. Even when they were first introduced, Hitetsu—Kouzuki Sukiyaki's pseudonym—had maintained a calm and measured demeanor. 

Sukiyaki's reaction now seemed entirely focused on something else. 

Tashigi's observational Haki sensed the direction of his emotions and followed his gaze to the hilt of Shusui, hanging at her side. 

"This... this sword..." 

Kouzuki Sukiyaki's hands trembled as he stared at it, his voice thick with emotion. 

"Clang!" 

"Are you a sword enthusiast, Hitetsu-san? This is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, the famed blade Shusui," Tashigi said with a smile as she unsheathed the black blade. She gently traced her fingers over the intricate patterns etched into its steel. 

"Shusui... It really is Shusui!" 

Sukiyaki's voice trembled as he gazed at the legendary black blade, his hands shaking with excitement. 

"Tashigi, where did you obtain this sword?" Sukiyaki asked after taking a moment to compose himself. 

"We found it in Thriller Bark. Moria used the powers of his Shadow-Shadow Fruit to animate the corpse of a legendary swordsman as a zombie. That zombie wielded Shusui. After defeating and purifying him, he entrusted the blade to me," Tashigi explained. 

Ace added with a knowing smile, "That swordsman was Ryuma." 

"Ryuma..." Sukiyaki's voice softened, a mix of awe and sorrow in his tone. 

Tashigi nodded, recalling the fierce battle. "Yes, it was him. Even now, I vividly remember that fight." 

"So it's true..." Sukiyaki muttered, clenching his fists. "That bastard actually desecrated Ryuma's body and stole Shusui, one of Wano's greatest treasures!" 

"Shusui is Wano's national treasure?" Tashigi asked, stunned. 

"This is the first I've heard of it." 

"Indeed," Sukiyaki replied solemnly. "Wano is renowned for its master swordsmiths. Many of the world's most famous swords were forged here, and Shusui was no exception. It was once wielded by Ryuma, a hero of Wano. His deeds and the sword itself became symbols of our nation's pride." 

As he spoke, his eyes softened with nostalgia. "Before Kaido and Orochi's tyranny, Wano may have been isolated, but it was a land of beauty, peace, and craftsmanship." 

"Many famous swords?!" Tashigi's eyes sparkled with excitement. 

"Yes," Sukiyaki said with a smile. "Judging by how well-maintained Shusui is, I can tell you have a deep love for swords, young lady." 

His impression of Tashigi and Ace improved significantly. For someone as honorable as Ryuma to entrust Shusui to Tashigi, there was no way these two could be aligned with Kaido or Orochi. 

Tashigi's face lit up as she pulled out a small notebook. "What other famous swords are there in Wano? My second dream is to collect all the swords in the hands of bad people and keep them safe!" 

Ace chuckled at her enthusiasm. Tashigi's first dream, he thought, was to follow him and use her strength to help him on his journey to becoming the king of the world. 

"There are many," Sukiyaki said warmly. "Among them, there's the Second Generation Kitetsu, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords; the famed Enma, another of the 21 Great Grade Swords; Wado Ichimonji, also among the 21; Ame-no-Habakiri; and, of course, the only known black blade among them, Shusui." 

As Sukiyaki listed the names, Tashigi gasped in awe, eagerly scribbling them down in her notebook. 

"The fact that so many of the 21 Great Grade Swords originate from Wano is incredible!" Tashigi exclaimed. Though she regretted not being able to see them in person, knowing their origin filled her with joy. 

"Would you like to see some of them?" Sukiyaki asked, smiling at her enthusiasm. 

"Hitetsu-san, do you have these swords?!" Tashigi's eyes sparkled with excitement. 

"I only have a few." Sukiyaki stood and disappeared into another room. 

Moments later, he returned carrying a wooden box and a single unsheathed blade. 

"This... this is..." 

Tashigi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the sword. Her fascination was evident in her expression. 

"Clang!" 

Kouzuki Sukiyaki didn't keep her waiting. He unsheathed the blade with a swift motion, its brilliance catching the light. 

"One of the 21 Great Grade Swords: the famous Second Generation Kitetsu," Sukiyaki announced, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

"Second Generation Kitetsu!" 

Tashigi's excitement was palpable as she carefully examined every intricate detail of the sword. She diligently jotted down notes in her small notebook, her delicate hands moving quickly over the pages. 

"This sword was forged by your ancestor, wasn't it, Hitetsu-san?" Ace said with a faint smile. 

"How... how do you know that?!" Sukiyaki's expression shifted to one of shock as he turned his gaze to Ace. 

"The sword told me," Ace replied with a slight grin. 

The power to hear the 'Voice of All Things' was truly extraordinary, allowing Ace to understand the essence of the famous sword before him. The Second Generation Kitetsu, known as a cursed blade, exuded an unmistakably ominous aura. 

"Could it be..." 

Sukiyaki's eyes widened in realization, his gaze fixed on Ace with a mixture of awe and disbelief. 

"You possess the ability to hear the 'Voice of All Things'?!" he murmured, as though confirming it to himself. 

"Indeed, the Second Generation Kitetsu was forged by my ancestor,"

Sukiyaki took a deep breath before continuing, his tone steady. "This blade was crafted by my ancestor, the legendary swordsmith TenguEnma Kotetsu." 

"No, Hitetsu-san," Ace interjected, a knowing smirk on his face. "To be precise, it was forged by someone you revere as your ancestor, correct?" 

Sukiyaki froze for a moment, his composure faltering. 

Ace's words struck a chord. Sukiyaki, who now went by the name TenguEnma Hitetsu, had long regarded the famous swordsmith TenguEnma Kotetsu as his forebear. Over time, even the Second Generation Kitetsu had recognized Sukiyaki's deep reverence for Kotetsu's legacy. 

However, Ace's extraordinary observational Haki and his ability to hear the 'Voice of All Things' made it impossible to hide such details from him. 

"!!!" 

Sukiyaki's pupils contracted sharply, astonished by the depth of Ace's perception. 

"Even the Second Generation Kitetsu acknowledged my connection to Kotetsu, yet you were able to see through it so effortlessly..." Sukiyaki muttered to himself. 

"Ace's power is unmatched on the seas," Tashigi chimed in with pride, her admiration for Ace evident. 

"Unmatched on the seas?" Sukiyaki's expression shifted as he processed her words. 

The phrase carried immense weight. Even Kaido, one of the Four Emperors who ruled Wano with an iron fist alongside Orochi, wouldn't dare claim to be the 'strongest without contest'. 

Yet, as Sukiyaki studied Ace and Tashigi, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that the young woman wasn't exaggerating. 

Am I losing my mind? Sukiyaki shook his head, trying to regain his focus. 

"I have two more famous swords here," Sukiyaki said, setting aside his shock. He opened a nearby box with deliberate care. 

As the lid creaked open, Tashigi's eyes widened in amazement. 

"Two of the 21 Great Grade Swords! The famed Enma and Ame-no-Habakiri!" Sukiyaki declared with pride. 

He gestured toward the two blades lying within the box, their presence almost tangible in the air. 

"Enma and Ame-no-Habakiri!" Tashigi exclaimed, her hands moving instinctively toward the swords, eager to examine them further. 

"Wait!" Sukiyaki raised a hand, stopping her before she could touch them. 

"Huh? What's wrong, Hitetsu-san?" Tashigi asked, puzzled by his sudden hesitation. 

"You can handle Ame-no-Habakiri without concern, but Enma... Enma must not be touched casually," Sukiyaki said with a serious expression. 

"Why not?" Tashigi tilted her head, curiosity piqued. 

"Enma is a unique blade," Sukiyaki explained. "It can draw Haki from its wielder. If the wielder isn't prepared or lacks control, the sword will drain them completely." 

"A sword that absorbs Haki?" Tashigi echoed, her surprise evident. 

The concept of a blade with such an extraordinary ability left her momentarily speechless. 

"Fascinating," Ace remarked, his interest clearly piqued. His lips curled into a faint smile as his eyes fixed on Enma. 

"Let me take a closer look." 

Ace was thoroughly intrigued by Enma, the only known sword capable of absorbing Haki. 

"If you're not a swordsman, wielding this blade could be extremely dangerous. You..." 

Before Ace could finish, Kouzuki Sukiyaki's eyes widened in shock. 

"Don't worry, Hitetsu-san," Tashigi said with a soft chuckle. "Ace will be fine." 

If Ace, the strongest man on the seas, couldn't resist Enma's ability to drain Haki, then Tashigi believed there was no one else in the world who could. Her confidence in Ace was unwavering. 

Kouzuki Sukiyaki observed her resolute expression but remained uncertain. Still, the girl who was recognized by Ryoma and the black blade Shusui had undeniable conviction. And the man who could hear the 'Voice of All Things'—perhaps his strength was just as extraordinary as she claimed. 

"Let's head outside," Ace suggested, his hand resting on Enma's hilt. "We wouldn't want to destroy your house." 

With that, he smiled. 

At the same time, a sleepy voice broke through the moment. 

"Mm... Big Brother Ace..." 

Tama had just woken up, rubbing her eyes groggily. Despite her sleepy demeanor, she flashed Ace a bright, innocent smile. The nickname "Big Brother Ace" had become her affectionate term for him as they grew closer. 

"Come on," Ace said gently, pinching Tama's cheek with a smile. "Let's go outside and see what this sword can do." 

"Okay!" 

Though she didn't fully understand what was happening, Tama nodded enthusiastically, trusting Ace completely. 

The group soon arrived at a cliff overlooking the vast sea. 

"Are you sure this is safe? Ace isn't a swordsman," Kouzuki Sukiyaki murmured, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched Ace approach the edge of the cliff. 

"Don't worry, Hitetsu-san," Tashigi replied with unshakable confidence. "If Ace can't handle Enma, then no one in this world can." 

Sukiyaki turned his gaze back to Ace, curiosity and doubt mingling in his expression. He wanted to see for himself the strength of the man who inspired such confidence in Tashigi. 

Ace stood at the edge, holding Enma in front of him. A faint smile curled his lips as he addressed the blade. 

"Enma..." 

Then, without hesitation— 

 Clang! 

The blade was drawn, its sound echoing through the air. 

A moment later— 

 Buzz! 

Enma released a strange and powerful energy from its blade, sending waves that seemed almost alive. The energy surged into Ace, targeting his Haki. 

Ace smirked, unbothered. 

"Interesting. Let's see how much Haki you can take." 

As the sword's energy pressed against him, Ace didn't resist. Instead, he let out a laugh. 

In his eyes, black and purple lightning flashed wildly, the intensity of it almost oppressive. 

And then— 

 Boom!!! 

A torrent of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Ace like a tidal wave, roaring with unimaginable force. 

The very sky darkened, turning into a menacing swirl of black and purple, as though the heavens themselves were bowing before his power. 

Ace's kingly Conqueror's Haki was fully unleashed!

"!!!"