Clang! Clang! Clang!
Deep within the royal palace of the former Vodka Kingdom, now the Red Flag Empire, the sound of metal striking metal rang out continuously.
York was shirtless, wearing straw sandals. His left hand gripped a pair of tongs, firmly holding a piece of red-hot metal, while his right hand wielded a large hammer, striking the metal with alternating light and rapid blows.
That's right, he was forging iron, or rather, forging a sword.
In his battles with experts over the years, he had always used his fists and taijutsu, adding his Devil Fruit ability only after awakening.
York had actually always wanted a weapon.
Not just because it was cool, but because it was practical and could significantly enhance his combat power.
At least when striking certain specific enemies, like Luffy, slashing was more effective than punching.
Unfortunately, the existing weapons in this world that could meet York's requirements were too few, and finding one was more troublesome than finding a Devil Fruit.
So York thought, why not forge one himself?
Nothing fits one's hand better than a weapon forged personally, right?
Moreover, he had Acier, the world's foremost expert in materials science, under his command. Acier could even create Pure Gold; making alloy steel that met York's requirements was a piece of cake.
Thus, after arranging the drama of MADS' internal strife and split, York devoted himself wholeheartedly to forging his own weapon.
And just like that, another four months passed.
After countless trials and errors and failed forgings over these four months, York finally mastered the forging techniques of twisted Damascus steel and sanmai (three-layer) lamination.
Without needing any auxiliary materials, simply using his ability to heat the alloy steel to 1500 degrees Celsius allowed him to fuse the steel directly through forging techniques.
Then, twisting the fused steel into a rebar-like shape, forging it into a sheet, cutting it in half, sandwiching a steel core that had also been carefully forged beforehand, and performing a second round of fusion forging.
Finally, after this arduous forging process, the twice-fused steel billet was gradually forged by York into the rough shape of his desired weapon.
Then came a series of operations: water quenching, tempering, grinding, polishing, acid washing, and installing the hilt.
When all the processes were completed, a miaodao (sprout saber) with a slender body resembling a rice seedling, a blade surface bearing gorgeous Damascus patterns, and a total length of three meters including the hilt, was officially born.
What?
Why were there no celestial phenomena signaling the birth of a divine sword?
Unnecessary! York didn't need that!
For him, a sword had only one most important function: cutting!
Based on this, if a second function had to be added, it would be sufficient toughness!
Any other abilities besides these were just flashy gimmicks in York's eyes.
And after York's testing, this sword cut through ordinary cast iron truly like slicing through mud.
Its toughness was guaranteed by Acier's alloy formula. York personally bent the blade over 90 degrees, and it sprang back instantly without any damage.
"The number of Supreme Grade Swords (Saijō Ō Wazamono) will become thirteen from today!!"
York played with the sword, feeling a bit proud.
He had once admired Whitebeard's Murakumogiri and Rocks' Abyssal Sword up close and had clashed blades with them.
Both those weapons were Supreme Grade Swords, but in terms of toughness and sharpness, they were still inferior compared to this miaodao he had forged himself.
The only thing York's sword lacked now was so-called fame.
Shing!
Sheathing the sword, a faint hum rang out.
York rested the long sword on his shoulder with satisfaction.
Over these four months and the previous six months, because York's fruit ability had transformed from Paramecia to Mythical Zoan, his body underwent a second growth spurt.
Currently, his height had reached 2.8 meters. He estimated he would grow a bit more in the future, likely reaching around 3 to 3.2 meters.
So now, carrying this three-meter-long miaodao on his shoulder felt perfectly natural and fitting, without any sense of incongruity.
Walking out of the smithy, he unsurprisingly ran into Kaido.
"Wororororo, York, is your sword finished?"
"Ah~!" York nodded slightly. "From today on, the number of Supreme Grade Swords goes from 12 to 13!"
Saying that, York glanced at the kanabo hanging at Kaido's waist.
"That kanabo of yours is still made of ordinary materials, right?"
"Want to try forging a new one using Acier's alloy?"
"Maybe there'll be one more Supreme Grade Sword!"
Hearing this, Kaido looked back at Hassaikai at his waist. He had to admit, he was tempted.
So he took off Hassaikai and handed it towards York.
York looked at him strangely. "What are you doing?"
"Didn't you say you'd help me reforge a Hassaikai?"
"Get lost!!"
York rolled his eyes grumpily.
"For a weapon you use yourself, of course, forging it yourself is the most suitable!!"
"You lazy bum! If you want one, go forge it yourself!!"
With that, York walked straight past Kaido.
"I'm going out to sea to test the sword! If you want to forge a kanabo, feel free to use my smithy."
Watching York's figure gradually receding, Kaido looked down at Hassaikai, which he hadn't handed over, and scratched his head.
"Fine, I'll forge it myself. Anyway, forging my kanabo is much simpler than your sword."
Back to York.
After parting with Kaido, he immediately told the others about his plan to go out.
Stussy and the others were somewhat surprised to hear this.
After all, York had stayed in the palace for nearly a year, barely stepping out the front door. Now suddenly wanting to go out to sea alone...
Well, actually, there was nothing to worry about.
With York's current strength, even if Sengoku and Garp teamed up, he could still retreat unscathed.
So after a brief moment of surprise, Stussy and the others didn't ask further.
However, they had no questions, but York had questions for them.
"Where has a war broken out recently? I plan to go to a battlefield to test my sword."
Stussy thought for a moment.
In charge of the Mirror World, she had now completely become the head of intelligence for the Red Flag Pirates.
So she quickly thought of a suitable answer.
"Our neighbor, the Galzburg Kingdom, has recently gone to war with the Clawdia Kingdom. If you want to go, you can take a motorboat directly."
"Motorboat? It's been built so quickly?"
York raised an eyebrow. Stussy smiled and explained, "Yes, Acier and Judge built the concept you proposed earlier. We've tested it; it works very well, perfect for individual soldiers and small-unit wolf pack tactics at sea."
York nodded gently, then followed Stussy to the port, where he saw the duo of Ginny and Olga joyfully riding motorboats on the sea.
Stussy raised her hand and pointed to a red motorboat docked at the pier.
"That one was built separately according to your request and based on your ability. If you're just going out for a stroll alone, riding it will suffice. There's also a mirror I specially installed in the cabin, so you can return via the Mirror World anytime."
York couldn't help but give Stussy a hard kiss on the forehead.
"Not bad! Truly my worthy helper!!"
After speaking, York bent down to untie the rope securing the motorboat, jumped onto it alone, and activated his fruit ability.
Roaring flames immediately spewed from the tail of the motorboat, propelling it quickly away from the pier.
York briefly familiarized himself with the controls in the coastal waters, then took out the Eternal Pose Stussy had just handed him, turned around, and sped off in the corresponding direction.
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