At Marineford, Marine Headquarters.

After a long, tiring night, Sengoku was finally able to take a short break. He sat down to enjoy some snacks and tea.

“Once Gion captures Kuke, the Five Elders have demanded that he be publicly executed to set an example to the world of the consequences of threatening the government,” Sengoku said, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

Suddenly, a Marine burst into the room, panicking.

Sengoku’s heart sank. What now?

“Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Kuke has been spotted at Sabaody Archipelago and is currently fighting Vice Admiral Onigumo.”

Crack—

The senbei in his left hand and the teacup in his right shattered into pieces.

He looked down at the report in his hands, his expression darkening as veins bulged on his forehead.

“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!” Sengoku roared, slamming his fist down and shattering his desk, standing up in fury as bloodshot eyes glared ahead.

Vice Admiral Onigumo’s fate was still unknown.

Kuke had just invaded the Holy Land the previous night, and now he had the audacity to appear openly at Sabaody Archipelago the next day?

“Deploy troops! Send a large force to Sabaody Archipelago immediately and surround him!!” Sengoku’s roar echoed throughout Marineford.

As he tried to calm his raging anger, Sengoku’s face suddenly changed.

“Sengoku, something doesn’t add up,” said Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Chief Staff Officer, who reacted quickly. “Just half an hour ago, Gion sent word that she was in the New World pursuing Kuke. Now you’re telling me Kuke is at Sabaody Archipelago?”

“Did Gion pursue the wrong target?”

They exchanged worried glances, both seeing the unease and anxiety in each other’s eyes.

…

…

At Sabaody Archipelago.

A brand new pirate ship, freshly coated with a thin layer of film, was docked nearby.

It was a ship Gion had taken, originally meant to head into the New World, already coated and ready to go.

“Goodbye, Shakky,” Kuke waved from the shore.

“Go on, don’t linger too long. The Marines will be here in full force soon,” Shakky warned.

Kuke turned to Rayleigh, ready to bid farewell, only to notice that the old man seemed hesitant, his brows furrowed in thought.

“Rayleigh-san, is something the matter?” Kuke asked.

Rayleigh remained lost in thought, seemingly still mulling something over.

“Hey! The captain’s talking to you, are you mute?” Shakky flicked the butt of her cigarette onto Rayleigh, the burning ember snapping him back to attention.

“Ouch! Hot!” Rayleigh exclaimed as he frantically brushed off the burning cigarette, looking a bit embarrassed. Then, regaining his composure, he turned to Kuke, now serious.

Or rather, his gaze shifted to the sword hanging at Kuke’s waist.

After a moment, as if making a firm decision, Rayleigh spoke, “Kuke, how would you like a Supreme Grade Sword?”

Kuke’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. “A Supreme Grade Sword… You mean Roger’s ‘Ace’?”

The Supreme Grade Swords—one of the twelve finest blades in the world.

In the original story, only three had been confirmed to appear: Mihawk’s Black Blade Yoru, Whitebeard’s Murakumogiri, and Roger’s Ace.

One of the Five Elders was also rumored to wield a Supreme Grade Sword, the First Generation Kitetsu, though that had never been confirmed.

The three confirmed Supreme Grade Blades were legendary weapons.

“If I can, of course I’d want it,” Kuke said without hesitation. No swordsman would turn down such a treasure.

Especially Kuke.

He had spent the last three months honing his swordsmanship, mastering all of Gion’s combat skills, refining his abilities to their peak. He had tested various weapons, but normal swords just didn’t feel right. He couldn’t unleash his full power with them—they felt too restrictive, like something was missing.

The sword Kuke currently wielded was decent but far from extraordinary. It wasn’t even a famed blade. Its only redeeming qualities were its weight and size, resembling a greatsword more than a katana.

“Rayleigh-san, do you really think Ace is suitable for me?” Kuke asked, his gaze sharp.

The Black Blade Yoru didn’t interest Kuke. Its shape looked awkward to him, and he doubted it would feel comfortable in his hands.

Murakumogiri, Whitebeard’s weapon, was even less suited for him.

But Ace… Its size and weight were similar to the sword Kuke currently used. It seemed like the perfect fit.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Rayleigh smiled. “But Ace isn’t something you can just take. It’s a sword that requires its wielder to prove themselves worthy. Only someone with the right qualifications can wield Ace.”

“Qualifications?”

“Yes. And it’s not about meeting certain conditions. Ace will choose its wielder. If you’re worthy, you’ll be able to use it. If not, no amount of effort will make a difference,” Rayleigh explained, lost in thought as he reminisced.

“Before Roger turned himself in, he entrusted Ace to us, asking us to find a new wielder. But to this day, no one has been able to use it.”

“Shanks, who admired Roger the most, was the first to try and inherit Ace. But he couldn’t wield it, and he cried in frustration,” Rayleigh chuckled at the memory.

“Every member of the Red-Haired Pirates tried, and none succeeded. I remember about three years ago, that young Mihawk gave it a try as well. He failed too, though he did end up with Black Blade Yoru instead. Lucky kid.”

At this point, Rayleigh looked Kuke in the eye, asking seriously, “Do you still want to try?”

In the current world, the top swordsmen were Mihawk and Shanks. All other swordsmen fell short of their level.

Most believed that one of them would eventually be crowned the strongest.

Both of them had failed. Rayleigh feared that trying and failing might discourage Kuke and waste his time, which was why he had been hesitant to bring it up.

“Just because they failed doesn’t mean I will,” Kuke said confidently.

Rayleigh smiled approvingly. “Alright then. Here, take this. It’s a Vivre Card for Gaban. Ace is in his possession now. He’s retired somewhere in the East Blue. If you succeed in wielding Ace, he’ll be more than happy to let you take it.”

Kuke accepted the Vivre Card.

It was Gaban’s Vivre Card.

“Got it.” Kuke nodded. The East Blue, huh?

He hadn’t planned on heading straight to the New World anyway. He wanted to grow stronger and gather more crewmates before setting sail for the New World.

The East Blue seemed like a good next stop.

“Shakky, Rayleigh, goodbye,” Kuke said as he boarded the ship, ready to set off.

“Take care,” they both called after him.

As they watched the ship sail away, Rayleigh sighed wistfully. “Youth really is a beautiful thing.”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep