Chapter 516 The Birth of the Supreme Grade Sword

Before long, Koushirou and Arashi rushed over, only to be met with a shocking scene.

Shimotsuki Kozaburo knelt beside a blond boy in a subservient manner, occasionally pouring tea and serving water, and chatting happily with the boy.

Arashi was shocked. It had been a long time since he had seen Kousaburo-senpai look so genuinely happy. Who were these two people?

Koushirou was even more shocked. If he was not mistaken, the blond boy and the blond strongman accompanying him should be the two super big shots he had imagined.

"Oh, Shiro, Aran, come and pay your respects to young master Oren. He is a truly great man and is destined to become the strongest and most unparalleled swordsman in history."

With a sense of pride, Kousaburo spoke with great vigor. Mentioning Leon's name seemed to instantly revitalize the nearly deceased Kousaburo.

Koushirou and Arashi immediately bowed, performing the samurai salute of Wano Country. As Oren raised her hand, the two felt an invisible force pulling them up, and their gazes toward Oren became even more respectful.

It seems that this is not only a super big shot with a very high status, but also a truly powerful person who is unfathomable at a young age. He looks to be only a few years older than Kuina, which is almost beyond their comprehension.

After all, in the worldview of ordinary people, how could a child of a few years old be associated with the title of a strong person?

"You two need not stand on ceremony. I am here to pay my respects to Senior Kousaburo. How could I possibly take the place of the host?"

Kozaburo laughed heartily: "Hahaha, young master Oren has truly inherited Lord Lex's humility."

Leon Lex is known worldwide for his humility; he is a truly remarkable person who is loved and admired by most people.

The group took their seats and began to chat, discussing everything from the changes in the New World to the progress of the Great Rise era, then mentioning the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue, and then moving on to swordsmanship and even sword forging techniques.

Kozaburo said excitedly, "Young Master Oren, please do not refuse. Although I am a piece of rotten wood with half of my head buried in the ground, I will do my best to forge a true famous sword for you. In my life, I have forged two Great Grade Swords and twenty-one other Great Grade Swords, but I have never been able to forge a Supreme Great Grade Sword. This is not because I do not have such forging skills, but on the contrary, it is because there is no one in the world worthy of me forging such a famous sword."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Shimotsuki Kozaburo gestured with his arms and said, "I once wanted to forge a true Supreme Grade Sword for the Admiral, but he refused. He said that even the sharpest sword would not improve his swordsmanship in the slightest. Moreover, a swordsmith's energy is limited. Due to some special reasons, even the most outstanding swordsmith can only forge one Supreme Grade Sword in his lifetime."

O'Leary frowned slightly: "Would it be convenient to explain the reasons behind this, Grandpa Kozaburo?"

"The reason for this is actually quite simple. The essence that distinguishes the Supreme Grade Sword from all other Grade Swords is its Sword Soul. Ordinary swords, even if they have a Sword Soul, are only in their initial stages. They need to be nurtured by the swordsman with Haki before they have a chance to transform into a Black Sword, or even a Black Sword with a Sword Soul. The famous sword of the Dragon Horse Sword God, Autumn Water, is a well-known example."

"However, the Supreme Grade Swords are infused with the life's essence of the swordsmith during their forging. The swordsmith will pour all the accumulated Haki and strength of their life into the sword's embryo to create a true Supreme Grade Sword. Such swords are inherently much stronger than ordinary Grade Swords. However, the most important thing is their potential for growth. If they encounter a Supreme Grade Swordsman like the Admiral or even Lord Rex, the sword's spirit will be tempered again, constantly nurtured with Haki, strength, and spirit, allowing them to go even further on the path of the Black Sword's transformation."

After a pause, Kousaburo, who had been speaking with great enthusiasm, changed his tone and said with absolute certainty:

"The Admiral's Sakura Jū and Kōki, although they are the 21st Great Grade Swords, have been nurtured by the Admiral for many years and have long since transformed into the finest among black swords, in no way inferior to the Supreme Great Grade Swords. If the Admiral himself wields them, their power far surpasses that of ordinary Supreme Great Grade Swords. As for Lord Rex's Man's Blue Sky and Futsu-no-Mitama, they have long exceeded my comprehension. I think that even in the entire history of Aokai, there has never been a swordsman like Lord Rex."

Barrett, who was standing nearby, nodded repeatedly upon hearing this insight, quite agreeing with the old swordsmith Kozaburo Shimotsuki's statement. Others might not know, but he was all too familiar with the swordsmanship level of Shiki and Rex.

Based on Barrett's many years of personal experience, Admiral Golden Lion's swordsmanship is undoubtedly extraordinary. In Golden Lion's own words, he "finally surpassed Rocks." The admiral is a proud man who disdains to boast to elevate himself, so in terms of swordsmanship alone, he truly surpassed Rocks at his peak.

Mr. Lex need not say more.

After a long silence, Oren replied slowly, "Grandpa Kousaburo, I am not refusing your kindness, but even if it is a Supreme Grade Sword, I don't really need it. My swordsmanship is still shallow, and even if I wield a Supreme Grade Sword, it would only be an insult to the famous sword. So I won't trouble myself."

Shimotsuki Kozaburo raised an eyebrow, his tone more resolute than ever before: "I have been forging swords for over seventy years, and have forged far too many famous blades. However, my greatest regret is that I have never forged a Supreme Grade Sword that will truly be remembered in Qinghai. The Admiral once refused my request, and Lord Lex has no need for a Supreme Grade Sword. Now, looking across Qinghai, there are quite a few swordsmen who can become great swordsmen, but the only one who can reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship is the one before me. Young Master Oren, please have pity on this old man who is about to be buried, and let me fulfill my lifelong wish."

"...Please let me know what materials you need, and I will do my best to prepare them."

"Hahahaha! ~ From the very first day I came into contact with the art of sword forging, I dreamed of forging an unparalleled great sword. Over the past seventy years, I have already collected all the necessary materials. However, if possible, I do have a request."

"Please be sure to tell the younger generation."

O'Lane is not heartless; she will treat those with a clear and transparent heart with the same sincerity.

"If two supreme sword masters were present when I forged this sword, imbuing it with the same domineering aura and sword intent, then the sword I forged might break through the realm of the supreme great sword."

Oleni nodded without hesitation.

"I will inform Grandpa Golden Lion and Father in advance."

Kozaburo's final sword-forging session began.

……

West Sea, a thousand miles of maple and locust trees.

Recreation and leisure area for the elderly.

"Forging swords? That guy Kousaburo, he used to be chasing me around every day wanting to forge swords for me, and now he's forging swords for Orenie. Let's go."

Admiral Golden Lion received a message from Laozi East Sea and decided to go there in person.

Lex smiled faintly, "Uncle, we must remember the kindness of the Shimotsuki family."

Golden Lion didn't care at all and waved his hand, saying, "It is an honor for Kousaburo to be able to forge a sword for Oren."

The space flashed by, and Lex and the Golden Lion disappeared into the vast expanse of maple trees.

The Earl of Red, sitting in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, seemed oblivious to everything, continuing to watch the clouds drift by, his mind at ease and all worldly concerns forgotten.