Brook watched Shimotsuki Toramaru's arrival and slowly sheathed his Shichiseiken, twirling it with a flourish before hanging it at his waist.
"Toramaru, the big name himself—I didn't expect to see you again so soon!"
Brook chuckled, in high spirits today. He'd just acquired a sword that surpassed even Supreme Grade blades—a true divine weapon!
Who was the guy compiling the famous sword rankings these days, anyway?
The freshly forged Supreme Grade Murakumogiri and the near-divine Shichiseiken—how long until they made the list?
And with Nidai Kitetsu and Sandai Kitetsu destroyed, those would need to be struck from the rankings!
But with the Hell Pirates' vast influence, backed by the World Economic News Service and the Pirate Guild as affiliates, they could easily create their own weapon rankings!
Set the standards, certify the grades—that's what a major power does!
Everyone else just plays by the rules you make!
Brook vividly recalled some sad, laughable rules from his old life on Earth. Some lighthouse nation set criteria for "top universities" based on international student quotas.
Then those so-called elite schools jumped through hoops, offering free rides and perks to foreign trash, while ignoring their own people. It even led to ridiculous "female companionship" programs!
Layer after layer of rules imposed by the West, with hordes of bootlickers chasing "Western standards" like it was gospel. From fashion to food, everything manipulated.
Credit rating agencies? All in the West!
Only what the West deemed good became luxury, trendy, elite!
Squinty eyes as "high fashion"? Made Brook want to puke, especially those invasive art school "high aesthetic" fashion shows that turned stomachs across the East!
The moment you're strong enough, even your farts smell sweet to the sycophants and worshippers!
Clearly, the Hell Pirates now had the clout to set rules. From here on, they could dip into any ranking—weapons, power levels, whatever!
They'd call the shots on standards!
Back to the matter at hand.
Shimotsuki Toramaru eyed the demonic sword at Brook's side, its mere presence stirring his emotions. What chance did he have in a fair fight against Brook with that thing?
"Brook, sir... is that sword a divine blade surpassing Supreme Grade?"
Toramaru had to admit it—evil aura aside, this sword's presence and quality outshone every famous blade he'd seen!
"That's right. The Shichiseiken is indeed a near-divine artifact, half a tier above Supreme Grade!"
Brook caressed the hilt with a smile. Probably only the giants' Elbaf Spear could match it in quality!
"Then... congratulations, Brook, sir~"
Toramaru recalled the terrifying sky-splitting sword aura from earlier—it had to be this Shichiseiken's doing. Truly fearsome!
"Yohohoho~ Our goal here's accomplished. Let's celebrate!"
Brook grinned, leading the group out of the Isshin Forge. The Golden Ark descended, and this time, they'd party right on the ship—no need to head to Toramaru's Ringo City, since they were leaving soon anyway.
The crowd was small: Hell Pirates crew, Shimotsuki Kozaburo's family, the newly arrived Toramaru, and Kozuki Oden, who finally boarded his dream ship again!
This time, he'd make it to sea for sure!
Head chef Streusen whipped up a spread of exotic dishes from beyond Wano, giving the Shimotsuki family a taste of the outside world.
"Kozaburo, you forged so many famous blades for the Hell Pirates. Want me to spread your name across the globe?"
Brook laughed after downing a drink. If the Hell Pirates remade the weapon rankings, Kozaburo would top the smiths' list!
With the near-divine Shichiseiken, Supreme Grade Murakumogiri, Great Grade Enma, and Wado Ichimonji all from his forge—he'd be unrivaled as the world's top swordsmith!
"Brook, sir, you're too kind. Without Redfield and your help, I couldn't even melt the steel. I'll stick to figuring out a high-heat melting furnace for now!"
Kozaburo felt his role in the forging wasn't that pivotal, but being part of crafting a Supreme Grade and near-divine blade had broadened his horizons.
If he solved the steel melting issue someday, he might forge a Supreme Grade on his own—assuming he found rare metals.
Not everyone had Brook's wealth to snag that much steel!
"Anyway, the Shichiseiken and Murakumogiri on the new rankings will credit you as the smith. Fame's coming whether you want it or not!"
Brook chuckled. Though fame could be a curse, under Brook's rule over Wano, no one could threaten Kozaburo!
The Shimotsuki family might not even relocate to the East Blue, and Zoro... who knows if he'd end up there?
Speaking of Zoro, he bore a striking resemblance to Shimotsuki Ryuma and Shimotsuki Ushimaru. Could he be Kaido's chaos survivor, spirited away by Kozaburo with Koshiro and him to the East Blue?
Two years post-Summit War, the Straw Hats reached Wano with Zoro at 21. Kaido killed Oden and the daimyo like Ushimaru exactly 20 years prior.
Zoro spent time with Kozaburo as a kid—hard to say he wasn't Ushimaru's heir!
A kid wandering into Koshiro's dojo, no parents, no guardians—that's suspicious!
Until Zoro's true identity is revealed, he could very well be Shimotsuki blood!
Hearing Brook's words, Kozaburo felt a spark of joy. Who doesn't crave fame?
Forging so many legendary blades was ancestral glory. As a Shimotsuki branch, his fame might eclipse even the main line under Toramaru!
"Brook, sir, if you ever need weapons forged, I'll give it my all!"
Kozaburo sensed tying his family to Brook's power would make them one of Wano's most respected—untouchable, even by the main line!
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