Chapter 84 — The Four Great Blades

"Hahaha! Compared to everything your family has done for us, this is nothing!" Koshiro grinned. "Ever since the old man signed the contract and regained his youth with that medicine, his blood's been boiling! He's back at the forge, making swords even without requests. If he had more materials and time, he'd already have started crafting you a supreme-grade sword!"

"Unfortunately, forging a Saijō Ō Wazamono—a Supreme Grade Sword—is no easy feat," Koshiro sighed, shaking his head. "It takes strength, time, luck, and rare materials. Honestly, it's often more feasible to cultivate your own Black Blade from a great-grade sword using Armament Haki. It's a path worth pursuing. With your age and talent, you'll likely achieve it in just a few years."

He himself had been pouring all his effort into forging his own black blade, pushing himself to the limit in both swordsmanship and will.

Even the treasured Wadō Ichimonji, long set aside in the dojo, awaited the day young Zoro would be ready. A blade without a worthy owner would eventually degrade—even masterpieces need purpose.

"I understand," Gin nodded with a smile. "A great-grade sword is already a gift. Most can only dream of such a weapon. As for forging one myself, maybe in the future—I wouldn't mind learning the craft."

With the support of his system, mastering swordsmithing wouldn't be out of reach.

"Oh?" Koshiro raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect that from you. The old man might be willing to teach you… but for now, focus on growing your strength. You've got more pressing battles ahead."

"Of course," Gin replied sincerely.

After lunch, Koshiro led Gin, Mikoto, and Minato to the forge, where Kushina and others followed with curiosity.

Inside the blacksmith's workshop, Kozaburo was waiting beside a burning hearth, a long pipe in his mouth. The scent of ash and molten steel lingered in the air.

"You're here," he muttered, then gestured to the workbench. "These are your four blades. The top one is for Gin, the second for your mother Hikari, the third for Mikoto, and the last for Minato."

"Thank you, Kozaburo-sama," they all bowed deeply.

Gin quickly stepped forward, speaking to his mother through the communication space.

Shvviss! — Hikari appeared, summoned from the other side in an instant.

She bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Kozaburo-san."

"No, no," Kozaburo chuckled, waving a hand. "I should be thanking you. Without your intervention, I'd still be a broken old man with one foot in the grave. Now, I've not only regained my youth but also access to metals and techniques beyond imagination. These minerals alone are the stuff of legends in our world."

"You're too humble," Hikari smiled.

"Try the swords for yourselves," Kozaburo said.

Hikari took hers first. The moment she unsheathed the blade, a clear, melodic ring echoed through the forge.

She stepped outside to test it. With practiced motions, she slashed the air, and the sword responded perfectly—weight, balance, sharpness—all flawless. This wasn't a weapon. It was an extension of her soul.

She infused her chakra into it.

Zhrmm! — The blade lit up with three brilliant blue chakra lines, pulsing like veins of power.

"This performance… It's on par with divine artifacts made from Consecrated Metals! Kozaburo-san, how did you manage this?" she asked in amazement.

"Exactly my thought!" Gin added, having tested his own blade. "There's only a small amount of Precarite. Where does the energy conduction come from?"

"Same here," Mikoto and Minato joined in.

Kozaburo laughed. "Simple—this world works differently. You've seen how some metals here conduct Haki. Chakra is just another form of energy. If a metal conducts Haki, it can conduct chakra too. Once I understood this, I refined the forging method: mixing Armament Haki and chakra during smelting, to restructure the internal lattice. The result? High durability and unmatched conductivity."

"The Haki enhances chakra conduction?" Hikari blinked.

"Exactly. And once you turn your blade into a Black Sword, its spirit will grow stronger. These swords aren't just tools—they evolve with their wielder. A Supreme Sword isn't just about sharpness. It has a will of its own. That's why naming it matters," Kozaburo added.

Everyone understood.

No wonder so many swords in this world became legendary. The forging process imbued them with life.

Hikari moved to the coastline and unleashed a strike.

FWOOOM! — A devastating arc ripped through the sea, carving a deep, hundred-meter-long furrow into the ocean's surface.

She infused Fire Chakra next, swinging again.

BOOM! — A colossal flame slash tore through the waves, setting part of the sea ablaze for a brief, terrifying moment.

Steam hissed up, clouds of vapor rising as the ocean tried to swallow the fire.

Then she tested with Armament Haki and even her Conqueror's Haki. The blade responded as if alive.

Gin observed, eyes shining. "Mother's swordsmanship has already reached the level of a High-level Swordswoman! A few more years of intent cultivation, and she'll be a Great Swordswoman!"

His Sword Intent Training Method was revolutionary, especially when paired with Haki and chakra refinement. Though talent was still necessary, the barrier to mastery had lowered.

Koshiro couldn't help but sigh. "Her growth is unbelievable. If she'd trained in this world's swordsmanship earlier, she might have already surpassed me. But then again... it's no surprise. The mother of a monster like you must have monstrous talent herself."

"Haha, Teacher, you're too modest," Gin replied, but his heart was warmed.

"I truly love this sword. Thank you again," Hikari said sincerely, bowing again.

"No need for formalities. But if you're satisfied, you'd best name them now," Kozaburo smiled, proud of his creations.

A sword's name was its soul. It marked its identity and purpose.

Hikari stepped forward first. "I'll call mine... Gōgetsuga."

Gin followed. "Mine shall be... Genganken."

Mikoto smiled faintly. "Raikiri."

Then came Minato.

"I'll name it... Dazzling Shine of the Limit Cut!"

Everyone: "...?"

All eyes turned to him.

"Are you serious?" Gin blinked.

"That's... really the name?" Mikoto asked slowly.

"What? I think it sounds cool!" Minato grinned sheepishly. "Look how it glows when I use Wind Chakra!"

Silence.

Kozaburo exhaled deeply. "Alright then... Let's just call it Gurenrei." He swiftly engraved the name onto the blade, preventing Minato from ever changing it back.

Minato accepted it with a sigh, visibly mourning his lost poetic dream.