35 Chapter 35

Given its distinct characteristics and having observed it for several years, Toji could not be unaware of it.

When Zoro imbues his weapon with Armament Haki, it turns black.

The same color as this sword's blade.

"..."

Toji glanced at the blade for a moment, then with a click, sheathed the sword again.

Whatever it was, this was not the time to ponder. The trader had been killed by the sorcerer of Time Vessel Association, and there was no telling when another pursuer might come. He needed to leave this place as soon as possible.

Toji sheathed the sword and closed the box. Then, carrying the box, he disappeared from the spot like the wind.

...

Toji checked for pursuers and only went home after confirming it was safe. By the time he arrived at his house, it was almost midnight.

He opened the door, carrying the box with the sword on his side. Zoro was leaning against the wall, snoring softly in his sleep. As Toji stepped in, Zoro immediately woke up and got to his feet.

"Are you back?"

"Yes."

Zoro's gaze shifted to the box Toji was holding.

"Did you go out to buy that?"

"It's yours."

"Huh?"

"It's a birthday present."

Zoro's eyes widened in realization, then sparkled with anticipation and interest. Thump, he sat down in front of the box.

"A sword?"

"Yes."

Toji carefully placed the long box on the floor. Zoro reached out to open it, frowning when it wouldn't budge.

"Just a moment. You can't open it because of the spell seal."

Toji hurriedly took out a natural wool from the mouth of the spell and, like before, inserted the wool into the gap of the box. Then, leveraging the wool like a lever, he lifted it to open the box.

"...!"

Seeing the neat and white sword inside the box, Zoro held his breath. His face, previously excited and curious, instantly turned stern, swirling with disbelief and ecstasy.

Unaware of Zoro's changing expressions, Toji reinserted the wool into the spell and continued speaking.

"It's a fine sword. Since we skipped your last birthday, I put some extra thought into this gift... Happy fifth birthday."

"..."

"...Zoro?"

Zoro, without responding to Toji's call, mesmerized, held the sword's handle and scabbard in both hands. Then, slowly but firmly, he drew the sword.

Ssssh.

The black blade emerged from the pristine white scabbard. Zoro, holding the familiar handle, lifted the sword in front of him. The sword seemed to welcome him, trembling slightly.

Zoro knew this sword. He couldn't not know it.

'It's a promise.'

This was the sword with which he had made a vow with a friend.

Whoosh.

Armament Haki flowed into the black blade. The already black blade became even darker as the black aura intensified, reaching a point where it could no longer darken.

Toji realized something.

'Zoro isn't just lightly imbued with Haki.'

All that Armament Haki was being absorbed by the sword. Not a single drop leaked out; it was completely contained.

Whoosh!

Like wood soaked in oil igniting, the Haki suddenly amplified. Toji flinched instinctively at the sensed danger, but just as suddenly, it extinguished as if it was a lie.

Silence lingered. Zoro only stared at the sword, and Toji, sensing the aura emanating from Zoro holding the sword, dared not speak. He had thought it was a fine sword to begin with, but the atmosphere completely changed once Zoro held it.

It was as if the sword existed solely for Zoro.

"Wado Ichimonji."

"...What?"

"Wado Ichimonji."

That's the name of this sword.

Zoro, without taking his eyes off the sword, said in a fluctuating voice.

"Not Kannon?"

"Kannon? What's that?"

"It was written on the box."

"I see. Whatever that is, the name of this sword is Wado Ichimonji."

Wado Ichimonji. Before Toji could fully digest the unfamiliar name, he noticed Zoro's voice was slightly trembling and widened his eyes. Could it be?

"...Son, are you okay?"

Zoro didn't answer and bowed his head. Before a question of his well-being could be asked, Zoro raised his head first. Fortunately, there were no tears in Zoro's eyes.

"Where did you get this? This."

"I bought it."

More precisely, he had intended to buy it, but the seller was nearly dead, so he just took the item.

Toji thought about the piece of paper with the bank account number the old man had given him and frowned. He himself couldn't clearly explain why he had brought it.

"You bought it?"

Zoro asked in a voice full of disbelief.

"Yeah."

"...How is that possible?"

This shouldn't even be here in the first place.

Whooo.

Upon hearing Zoro's words, the sword hummed softly. Toji was surprised, but Zoro just held the sword and smiled.

"Right, you're meant to be with me."

At those words, the sword immediately quieted down, as if it understood Zoro.

Zoro stood up with the Wado Ichimonji in hand and began to slowly swing the sword. Without imbuing it with Haki, the sword didn't have the same destructive power as before.

Or, it seemed not to.

Cutting, turning to dodge, and cutting again. Zoro attacked slowly but surely, as if sparring with an imaginary opponent.

Toji watched the scene intently. To an ordinary martial artist, it might not have been noticeable, but to Toji, who could see even the nuances of the air, it was clear. Zoro's swordplay was more refined than ever.

The movements were the same as usual, yet much smoother and stronger. Yet, it didn't show outwardly because Zoro had perfect control over the sword. Where it would go, how much force to put into it, what trajectory to follow—all of it.

'Is control the right word?'

It felt more appropriate to call it a unity. The sword and body were completely integrated. Like using his original body, the flow of attacks was as natural as water. There were no gaps. Zoro had always been superior in swordsmanship to Toji, but now he looked even more so.

No matter how much Zoro grew day by day, it really was impossible to catch up. Toji smiled bitterly.

"Ha, ha."

Sweat drops fell to the floor. Zoro, having moved intensely enough to drench his clothes in sweat in that brief period, caught his breath.

Clank!

Zoro sheathed the Wado Ichimonji and turned to Toji.

"Do you like it?"

"...Do you like it?"

Zoro burst out laughing. The father in front of him couldn't even imagine what he had given to Zoro. Naturally.

"Thank you."

For a swordsman, a sword is more than just a weapon. And if that sword is one they've crafted themselves, like a black blade, then there's even less need to say.

For Zoro, the Wado Ichimonji transcended all of that.

"Really, thank you."

Zoro smiled brightly. Seeing his eldest son's rare bright smile, Toji also smiled faintly.

"Now I just need to put this in my mouth."

...The smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared at the continuation of that statement.

"That's not possible."

"Huh? Why?"

"You're actually thinking of doing that... No, don't answer. Anyway, it's not possible."

Toji massaged his throbbing head. His son's mind was filled with nothing but swords and family.