Just Another Multiverse Chat Group

Silence fell in the room. Zoro quietly stared at Jin with serious eyes as though not expecting him to say such a thing, but a hint of gratefulness shone through as well. In contrast, the shopkeeper started to sweat nervously again. Tashigi slowly lowered her blade to her waist. Her nose wrinkled with a conflicted expression.

"I-I'd personally be fine with more criminals popping in! My shop used to be teeming with all sorts of people trying to enter the Grand Line, but ever since that monster was placed in charge of this town, I barely get customers anymore!"

"...Smoker isn't a monster," Tashigi quietly retorted, though she still looked troubled by Jin's words.

"He's a devil fruit user, which is more than enough to call him a monster!"

"Devil fruit?" Zoro mumbled.

"In any case," Tashigi said with a determined gaze, "As a swordsman myself, I vowed to train harder and harder with my Shigure until I can travel the world and retrieve all the Masterwork Blades from the hands of criminals… I'll… risk my life to retrieve them all…"

The more she spoke, the more her voice trailed off. Her determination faded from her tone as well. The edges of her lips creased, and she evaded Jin's stoic gaze.

"So, does that mean you'll take this sword as well," Zoro asked in a serious manner, "This blade you call Wadou Ichimonji."

"Ah… no. I just don't want to see them used for evil…"

Slightly irked that he troubled her so much, Jin sighed and crossed his arms. In a considerate tone, he said, "I know my words were a bit harsh, but I mostly wanted to convey that not every sword you meet will be crying. Nothing's wrong with your goal, per say, but I hope you at least cross blades with them before choosing to follow through on your goal. A person's state in life does not necessarily reflect their heart, but a sword can tell no lies. Since I'm a stranger to you, just do whatever you want, though."

Tashigi smiled widely, shook her head, and replied, "No. I'm sorry. I felt your pride as a swordsman through your words. I've realized that I may have been looking down on others' resolve as swordsmen because of how much effort I've put into my training over the years. Thank you for confronting me… uh…"

"Jin."

"Right. Nice to meet you, Jin. My name is Tashigi. Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi, that is."

"I see."

Tashigi nodded, but then saw a certain sword sitting in the barrel behind Zoro. Narrowing her eyes, she adjusted her classes and consulted her book.

"Ah?! That sword is Sandai Kitetsu?! Mister, are you really selling this sword in a cheap bargain bin?!"

The shopkeeper briefly glanced at Jin with a fearful expression before answering, "Y- yes…"

She quickly grabbed it and held it out toward both Jin and Zoro, saying, "One of you should definitely buy this sword!"

Zoro glanced at Jin, who in turn shook his head.

"You sure, Jin? You don't have a sword right now."

"I have one."

"May as well try it out, though. It's your money, after all."

The two spoke privately, totally ignoring Tashigi's explanation of the history of the sword until the shopkeeper suddenly exclaimed, "I changed my mind! I can't sell that sword!"

"What? Why?" Tashigi asked in a confused manner.

"It's cursed, right?" Zoro asked while studying the unsheathed blade in his hands.

"Eh? You knew?"

"No. I could tell," Zoro quietly answered.

Sighing, the shopkeeper explained the cursed nature of the sword, but Zoro mostly ignored it. Instead, he handed it toward Jin and asked, "Want to try it out?"

"Why not? I don't need it, so you can keep it, though."

"You don't want one of the Great-Grade swords?!" Tashigi asked, startled.

"Like I said, I don't need it," Jin casually answered while reaching toward the handle of Sandai Kitetsu.

"Does he have one of the Supreme-Grade blades?" Tashigi mumbled to herself.

When Jin's hand approached the blade, it started trembling. A few centimeters away, the blade lurched through the air, pulling Zoro along with it. The strange occurrence shocked them all, but Jin laughed upon hearing an annoyed snort within his head.

"Well, that's that. It doesn't seem to like me much."

"Huh. Maybe so," Zoro said, staring at the blade with curious eyes. A few moments later, he smirked and said, "Even if it doesn't like you, Jin, I like it, so I'll take it."

"You idiot, did you not hear me say it's cursed!" The shopkeeper exclaimed. "If I sold it to you, and you died, I'd feel responsible!"

Suddenly, a hefty woman stepped out, slapped the man, and yelled, "Don't be stupid! Just sell the damned thing!"

"Then… how about we test what's stronger, my luck, or its curse?" Zoro commented with a confident smirk. Then, tossing the blade into the air, he added, "If I lose, then it means I was never anyone special to begin with."

Everyone but Jin exclaimed in fear at the bold and decisive action.

"Stop! You'll lose your arm! That sword's sharpness is unparalleled!"

Before everyone's eyes, the sword spiraled downwards towards Zoro's arm. Jin smiled a little upon seeing the blade fall with its dull edge passing by Zoro's arm, missing it by a hair's width. It then stabbed through the wooden floor up to its hilt.

Ignoring the shocked gazes of the others, Zoro pulled the sword out of the ground, slid it back into the sheath, and confidently said, "I'll take it." Then, he turned to Jin and asked, "Wanna pick out another sword for me?"

Rather than say anything, Jin looked over at the shopkeeper. The man, upon noticing the calm gaze, shifted uncomfortably. With a mix of desire to give a good sword to a fated swordsman and not wanting to earn Jin's ire again, the man pulled out another sword and said, "This is Yubashiri, one of the fifty Skillful-Grade swords. It is the next best sword I have. Take it."

"Haha. I doubt I can afford it," Zoro replied.

"Nevermind that. Just take it. Sorry for an attempt in tricking you earlier. It feels like fate to meet some swordsmen like yourselves. I will believe in your luck."

"Well, if you're offering," Zoro said.

Jin smiled a little and asked, "You good, then?"

"You sure you don't need anything here?"

"Nah. Just felt like taking a look at what the swords here are like."

With that, they headed for the door, but Tashigi suddenly spoke up, asking, "Jin-san, would you mind having a spar with me? I want to feel your sword!"

Pressing his lips together, Jin thought, 'Phrasing, girl. Jeez.'

Before he could answer, a notification from the Chat Group distracted him and Zoro again. He briefly checked it, and immediately furrowed his brows.

"Later, Tashigi. We've got something urgent to take care of."

"Ah, I see," Tashigi mumbled, lowering her head in a disappointed manner.

After Jin and Zoro left the store, Tashigi looked at the shopkeeper and said, "I'm surprised a cheapskate like you gave away your family heirloom like that."

"Shut up, woman… What do you know?" The man grumbled. "What's wrong with a man entrusting his dream to another man?!"

The wife of the shopkeeper pulled the man away before Tashigi could reply. Looking toward the entrance, she mumbled, "That was a really intense encounter… and what Jin-san said… A sword can tell no lies. No, my dream is still the same. I'll just be more careful in respecting the sword's wishes if it comes to it!"