Chapter 197: Chapter 197

"Every blade here is a masterpiece with its own unique identity. According to the Establishment’s rules, one voucher may only be useed for one sword."

"What you want a basic sword? My apologies, but Velvet Scabbard does not carry mass-produced, low-quality swords. If you simply need a sharpened stick, please exit, turn right, take your first left, and walk down the alley. You will find an ordinary blacksmith there who will also honor your voucher."

"Every piece in our collection has been rigorously appraised by master smiths and given an exclusive certificate of authenticity."

"Although the cheapest blade in this room is valued at no less than one million berries, please remember this fundamental truth: It is not the swordsman who chooses the sword. The sword chooses the swordsman. We are not mere merchants, we are facilitators, helping these noble spirits find their rightful partners."

As the clerk delivered his practiced sales pitch, Helmeppo, who had been sweating at the mention of the prices, and Zoro, who had been losing his patience, both felt the words strike a strong chord.

’It is not the swordsman who chooses the sword. The sword chooses the swordsman.’

It was on a completely different level from the dingy shops where blades were shoved barrel-first into the dirt for anyone with a few coins to grab. Anyone who didn’t truly understand the soul of a blade could never utter such a phrase.

Even Zoro, whose only goal had been to grab a functional weapon and leave, felt a rare moment of hesitation.

If he useed one of these masterpieces, he wouldn’t have enough money to buy a second sword of equal caliber. If he cashed out at the cheap blacksmith down the alley, his meager savings would be enough to buy a full, matching set. While a high-quality blade was essential to a master, right now, as long as the steel didn’t shatter on impact, it was enough.

He was here to challenge his Senpai and wipe away years of humiliation. Whether he could actually pull it off, he didn’t know. He had grown stronger during his time in construction, but Dante certainly hadn’t been standing still either. If Dante could shatter his cheap swords in a single duel, then even these legendary blades wouldn’t save him. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He let out a heavy breath, looking at the smiling clerk. "I’ll buy one..."

Before he could finish, Helmeppo slapped his voucher onto the stone table.

"Purchase two. We’re useing both," Helmeppo declared. "You need two swords anyway, Zoro."

Zoro looked at him in surprise.

"My current blades are still usable, so I don’t need an upgrade yet," Helmeppo explained with a shrug, noticing Zoro’s surprise. "Consider it a loan. Once you save up enough from your wages, you can pay me back. You’re going up against your Senpai, and considering he’s got a Shichibukai following him around like a stray dog, he’s obviously a monster."

Helmeppo rubbed his peculiar chin. "I still think you’re going to lose, but with two Supreme blades, your odds are slightly better. At the very least, you might not get completely humiliated."

"...Thanks," Zoro muttered, unused to the genuine support. "You could have skipped that last part, though."

"So, the decision is made?" The clerk’s eyes lit up briefly before returning to his polished, elegant smile. "Would you like to test the balance? Or perhaps you feel a certain aura calling to you? Please remember..."

"We know, we know. The sword chooses the swordsman," Helmeppo interrupted, waving his hand. "These are priceless artifacts, so obviously we need to take our time. Go on, Zoro. See which one calls out to you."

Though Zoro didn’t understand why Helmeppo was suddenly taking this so seriously, he stepped up to the massive stone table. He stared intently at the three incredibly intricate weapons.

He waited. He frowned.

He didn’t feel anything unique. Was it because none of the swords deemed him worthy?

Zoro frowned and looked up, scanning the dozens of blades mounted along the walls. Still nothing. Not a single hum of resonance. Was he truly unqualified to wield them?

After a long moment of hesitation, Zoro reached into the velvet box and gripped the pitch-black hilt of Zangetsu.

*Ching-*

A faint, metallic hum resonated through the air.

"Good sword," Zoro and Helmeppo muttered simultaneously in admiration.

"Of course," the clerk beamed with quiet pride. "Velvet Scabbard only curates the finest."

"The balance is perfect, easily on par with Yubashiri," Zoro noted, giving the blade a test swing. But his frown returned as he stared at the dark steel. "It’s just... it feels a bit strange."

It didn’t seem to possess the same fierce spirit as Yubashiri. Had he failed to earn the blade’s respect?

"Forget it, it’s enough." The corner of Zoro’s mouth lifted into a confident smirk. "I’ll just have to force it to acknowledge me through sheer strength."

The clerk subtly raised an eyebrow but maintained his smile. "Legend dictates that the master who fully earns Zangetsu’s loyalty will witness its true form, Tensa Zangetsu. Of course, that is merely a myth. No one has ever unlocked its final state. And for your second choice... do you feel a connection to any others? I can have the vault brought out."

"No need, I’ll take that one." Zoro pointed directly at a strangely shaped, aggressively jagged sword mounted high on the wall. "It looks expensive."

He didn’t feel a spiritual connection to any of them anyway, so he might as well grab the most intimidating one.

Helmeppo and the clerk both turned to look. Helmeppo blinked at the bizarre, oversized design.

A sharp intake of breath hissed through the room.

The clerk’s eyes went wide, his polished composure slipping for a fraction of a second. "That is Kokusai(Black Calamity). I... I didn’t expect you to select that specific piece."

Helmeppo stopped dead in his tracks. Seeing the genuine shock on the clerk’s face, he immediately puffed out his chest and nodded solemnly. "That’s right. We’ll take it."

One look at the clerk’s expression proved they had just scored an absolute treasure.

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