Ikari began again to duel Dracule Mihawk. He utilized all of his stamina and spiritual energy to defend from Mihawk's barrage of slashes. He eventually decided to fully utilize his emission armament haki when deflecting Mihawk's assault.
Hah! Hah!
Ikari panted heavily and had a hand on his thighs, sweat continuously trickled down his temple. He still tightly held the hilt of his katana. "How do... I... let my katana... reach the realm of the supreme-grade swords?" he breathed in between.
Mihawk was determined to end the fight and sheathed his Yoru. "A blade is still a blade in the end, after all," he answered with euphemism.
"What?" Ikari breathed, genuinely confused at his comeback.
"What I meant to tell is, a sword is a tool wielded for killing. The grades merely classified these swords on which is the best instrument for killing," he clarified. "A kitchen knife is a scrap metal in the hands of an amateur chef. It is the equivalent with the sword."
Ikari was enlightened by his words. "The sword itself will be a supreme-grade sword in the hands of a master swordsman."
Mihawk shook his head at his ignorant attitude. "There are many masters in the world, and I have defeated all of them."
"But their sword is still not a supreme grade." Ikari completed his statement. "What gives rise to a sword supreme?"
Mihawk grinned and displayed his Yoru. "She's a judgemental blade, even if I handed this to you it will only be a great grade sword in your hands."
"I see. One must need to be worthy of such a black blade. Hone by the battles alongside it. Aptitudes matter most and the sword cannot reach its potential without a suitable master. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be." Ikari felt like he had just an epiphany and glanced at his katana. "I will turn this into a black blade!"
Mihawk had a smile graced on his lips. "Come, I would like to invite you, Crescent Moon Pirates, to my castle."
Law trudged forward. "We shall be in your care."
They came after Dracule Mihawk and entered the mansion. Ikari felt like he forgot something. "Did we miss anything? It's been bothering me like we left something. "
"It should be someone! Kehihihi! " Caribou arrived next to them. "Those damned humandrills. "
"The humandrills in this island witnessed the war brought by humans. The kingdom of Muggy ceased to exist due to war." Mihawk opened the door of his castle. "They learned how to wield a weapon just by seeing or watching them fight. Humans reached their full potential because of our intellect. Now, what do you think would happen when such a beast has that kind of intellect?"
"They evolve, as the course of history dictated. Like us, they will naturally improve. " Law answered and peeked back to where they sighted the humandrills.
"Correct." Mihawk reached the dining room. "The ones that you guys met on the way are just foot soldiers. They copied human military ranking, the most intelligent of them is the general. " he stepped inside the kitchen, and a few minutes later, he brought food to feast.
"Shachi and Penguin, help Mihawk bring the food. We can't be served by the host!" Ikari ordered and sat down next to the warlord. "Have you mastered ryou? I mean, internal destruction?"
Dracule Mihawk nodded and picked a ribeye steak placing it on his plate. "I visited wano when I was still challenging various swordsmen. There, I learned of ryou, as you coined it. I also visited 'Dragonslayer' Ryuma's grave. "
Ikari frowned. "It was rumored that someone desecrated Shimotsuki Ryuma's grave and took his sword, Shusui! Unforgivable!"
"Yes, I have heard of such rumors. I know a colleague that is fond of such things." he sliced the steak and gracefully put it in his mouth.
"Who is it?" outrage is apparent in Ikari's tone.
"Don't be too excited. It is only a speculation of mine. One of the warlords of the sea, Gecko Moria. " he stated flatly.
"Moria... " Ikari mumbled under his breath. "I shall pay him a visit then. "
...
Days soon passed on Kuraigana Island where the sun was absent. Ikari passed time by challenging Dracule Mihawk into a duel, which the warlord indulged as well.
"How many years did it take you to turn Yoru into a black blade?" Ikari asked with curiosity, he thought that he could estimate the time needed.
"It is difficult to say, Yoru has accompanied me for as long as I can remember. But what stuck to me was when it became a black blade. It just happens, don't be impatient. It comes with experience." Mihawk somehow had a vague recollection of himself through Ikari and felt compelled to give him the advice his old self needed.
Ikari had a warm feeling blossom in his heart and somehow felt that Mihawk was a mentor he needed. "I shall keep your words in mind. Since having an epiphany a few days ago, I had the urge to experience more battles for the sake of my blade. "
"It is not a bad thing altogether, you only need to control yourself. Remember that it is only a tool for cutting down your enemies. Although upgrading your katana into a black blade is a good goal, rushing for it can lead to your demise. " Mihawk said.
Ikari raised his chin and had his eyes gazing at the peculiar golden ring on Mihawk's eyes. "A week has passed, this has been a meaningful journey for me and my crew. Humandrill helped them improve what they are all lacking which is experience. "
Mihawk bobbed his head up and down and blew a fog. "I had no visitors since I occupied the island. This visit also gave me a pastime. "
Ikari raised a hand and flapped it in the air. "If fate wills it, we shall meet again. Hawkeyes. "
"Then, so be it. Silver tongue. " a seldom smile graced his lips.
Ikari stepped on the rocky mud and passed through the black gate. His journey through the grand line brought unusual visitors to his life. He slowly looked over his shoulder and saw the back of the man that taught him about the sword. The bright castle contrasted with the gloomy, dark, and ruined island. It felt like the beacon of life, the light at the end of the tunnel.
Soon, a grin formed on his lips and strode to his group of five. The white-furred polar bear played with his compass while bickering with the man wearing a hat that had penguin written on top. His eyes glossed over the dark-skinned man wearing his signature oversized sleeves with his tongue hung outside his mouth. Then, he noticed the doctor of the ship who had a goatee and had his odachi kikoku resting on his shoulder. Shachi ran toward him with his usual Cheshire grin.
"Lads! To our next adventure! This trip had given all of us valuable experience, especially me. Caribou had mastered initial observation haki thanks to the humandrills. " he turned his head to the left. "While some of you also participated in defeating the general humandrills. Which, has even Dracule Mihawk's respect. Bepo set our course!"
They traced their steps to their ship, Sweet Caroline. "Did Coribou send any signal this week?"
Caribou shook his head. "I am sure he lazed around. I think he earned it, as we are sailing the grand line again. "
"Thankfully, Mihawk had provided us some of his harvested veggies and fruits. Catching a sea king is easy as pie anyway," said Bepo.
Law nodded. "I have developed a serum that can enhance our immune system. It can develop an antibody to every known illness, and what you already experienced. "
Shachi groaned under his breath. "When can we meet some women? We are men and humandrills on this island. The isle of women, the legendary island, Captain. Can't we take a detour?"
"My poor brother, can't you just jerk off and control that libido of yours? Isle of women is nothing but a myth. " Penguin crushed and massacred his hope.
"Mihawk mentioned that he has a colleague from that island. She is the pirate empress of the Kuja Pirates. She ruled the isle of women, he said. " Ikari said in passing.
Shachi had his hope renewed. "So, Captain, can't we visit this empress?"
"If you want to be arrested, then go! But he said that it is located in the calm belt. Den of sea kings. "
"Oh! God! this is unfair, you have forsaken this servant of yours!" Shachi dramatically kneeled.
Ikari only rolled his eyes and continued walking to the ship, they later reached their destination. The boat that they used remained in the same spot. Ikari and the others rowed the boat and climbed Sweet Caroline.
Ikari strolled to the cockpit as he held the helm. "Pull the anchor! Adjust the jib sail to the port side! Turn the rudder to the starboard! What is on our horizon? Navigator?"
Bepo glanced at his log pose and said, "Northwest! Captain! Our next stop would be the Lulusia Kingdom!"