Rhett held Ann's small hand and, as if coming home, casually pushed open the heavy wooden door of the stone house.
"Old man! Eating? I came at the right time. You don't mind if I join you, do you?" Rhett called out cheerfully, completely at ease.
Inside, a short, stocky old man with thick muscles and a white beard was slurping noodles from a large bowl. He didn't even look up, just grunted. "Hmph! I knew you wouldn't come for nothing. The noodles are in the pot. Get your own bowl."
This was the master smith who had forged the Black Tide Greatsword for Rhett. They had only met once, but they were definitely friends. One man had entrusted his dream to another, and that man had kept his promise. That was the simple romance between men.
Rhett didn't stand on ceremony. He got two bowls of noodles, handed one to Ann, and started slurping. "Mm! Your skills have improved! The noodles are perfectly chewy!"
"How would you know? You've never had them before."
The old master finally looked up at Rhett. Then he looked at Ann, who was sitting quietly, eating her noodles, but her eyes were looking at the forging tools around her. He understood.
He put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and said directly.
"Stop beating around the bush. I've been retired for years. The Black Tide was my final work. You want me to forge another sword? Forget it."
His tone was final. There was no room for negotiation.
Rhett: Remember what you said.
Rhett rubbed Ann's head and smiled. "Oh, don't be so heartless. I was just thinking of you. I brought my niece to visit. Living alone in this place must be lonely."
He didn't mention forging. He pulled out some good alcohol and snacks from his blood mist.
"Here, let's have a drink. This is my niece, Ann. I taught her swordsmanship." Rhett poured the old man a drink and started chatting. "How have you been? Eating well? You know, retiring is a waste of your talent..."
The old man said, "No! Take it away!" But his nose twitched. His eyes drifted to the alcohol. He sat down, took a sip, and sighed with satisfaction.
As they talked, Rhett casually mentioned, with a hint of pride, "You know, little Ann here, despite her age, has real talent. She swings those heavy training swords like toys. She's stronger than I was at her age."
Ann blinked her big eyes.
The old master snorted, but his ears twitched.
He could still hold out. He had seen Conqueror's Haki before. Right in front of him, in fact. Rhett had been even younger.
Rhett continued casually, "And somehow, she's even mastered Conqueror's Haki. It's really unfair. I had to work so hard for that."
"You have it too. Nothing special!" The old master took another drink. Conqueror's Haki and superhuman strength were rare, but he had seen many geniuses. He couldn't be impressed.
Rhett smiled and refilled his glass.
Just then, a mosquito buzzed around Ann's forehead. Her expressionless face frowned slightly. She reached for the training sword leaning against the table. Rhett had swapped it before they came in. It was too light and brittle for her now.
Ann didn't understand, but she trusted her uncle.
Without getting up, she muttered.
"An-Shin Style: Phantom Strike."
In an instant, a burst of Conqueror's Haki wrapped around the blade. The training sword couldn't handle it. Cracks spread across the blade.
Rhett: Hehehe. Just as planned.
But just before it shattered, Ann moved her arm slightly.
"SWISH—!"
A sharp, precise sword energy cut through the air. The wall cracked, but didn't fall. Just a line.
The whole thing was fast as lightning.
Rhett's teaching: Heavy as if light.
Ann's control of her Haki and strength had already reached a refined level. This sword showed it perfectly.
Rhett: I am a very bad "young man."
"CRACK..." The training sword shattered. Pieces fell to the floor.
Ann looked at the hilt in her hand, her expression unchanged. She just said, "Broken."
Rhett pretended to be surprised. "Oh, that's the seventh one this month! Normal materials can't handle her strength."
Ann: ??? But Ann was a quiet little girl.
The old master: "!!!"
The cup in his hand shattered.
Rhett: Got him.
His eyes were locked on the shattered blade, then on Ann.
It wasn't just strength. It was the precise control of Conqueror's Haki. The ability to release and retract it instantly.
Rhett: Yes, yes, yes.
This talent... this potential... she was born to wield the finest heavy sword. As good as young Rhett. It was another Rhett. Which meant another legendary sword.
His aloof demeanor was gone. His breathing was heavy. His eyes burned with excitement. The Black Tide Greatsword, his pride, was known across the seas. But what if... what if he could forge another? How glorious would that be? Supreme Grade blades? Were they better than the Black Tide?
But... he had sworn this was his final work. It had only been a few years. How could he go back on his word?!
Rhett sipped his soup and casually said, "You know, kids these days are amazing. My niece here has no other hobbies. She just likes using a greatsword, like me. And she's incredibly strong. The training swords are like toys to her."
He smacked his lips, as if savoring the soup. "Too bad there's no sword that can truly let her use her full strength. All those ordinary ones break after a few swings."