One Piece: With Sign-in System-Chapter 275 - 26: A Hidden Blade

The Swordsmith Village.

"Ahhh~ Soaking in a natural hot spring really hits the spot~"

Ron, having stripped off all his clothes, stretched out his arms and leaned back against a smooth rock. Eyes closed, he wore a look of pure bliss on his face.

Standing nearby with her back turned to him, Shinobu Kocho felt her heart beat just a little faster.

Ron said casually, "Aren’t you going to get in? It’s super relaxing, you know."

"N-no, I’m fine!" Shinobu replied in a flustered voice.

Ron raised an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. "Wait... don’t tell me you’re shy? Come on, relax. I’m wearing something underneath."

He said it with a completely straight face, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Shinobu’s cheeks turned faintly pink. "I... I don’t think that’s really the issue here..."

"Haha, I’m just messing with you. Don’t take it seriously. Whew..."

Ron laughed heartily, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled into the crisp air — a soft plume of steam mingling with the mist rising from the hot water around him.

Shinobu glanced sideways, stealing a peek at him.

There he was, right at the edge of the steaming hot spring—half-naked, his upper body perfectly sculpted and lightly glistening. His wet black hair sticking loosely around him, water droplets sliding down his skin as he leaned back with a relaxed sigh.

Shinobu, usually smiling so serenely, felt her face heat up more than the steam around her.

If Mitsuri Kanroji saw this scene, she’d definitely let her imagination run wild.

"It’s going to rain soon..."

Ron suddenly looked up at the sky and spoke.

Shinobu blinked, momentarily taken aback. She lifted her gaze toward the sky—it was as clear and bright as before, without the slightest hint of rain.

Ron turned to her and asked with a smile, "Miss Shinobu, after Muzan Kibutsuji is dead, what do you plan to do?"

The question caught her off guard.

"...I’ve never really thought about that," she said quietly.

Ron brushed a bit of steam from his face and said, "There are quite a few things in this world that are more interesting than killing demons. If you survive all this, try to do as many things as you can that are fun and meaningful to you."

Shinobu fell silent for a moment, then replied, "After my parents and sister were killed by demons... I made up my mind to dedicate my entire life to exterminating them. Even if it costs me my life... I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else."

She turned to look at him. "Ron, you’re so strong... What is it that you’re chasing?"

"Whew..."

Ron exhaled again, then looked straight at her and replied seriously, "Delicious food. Beautiful places. And... beautiful women."

Shinobu was stunned.

"...Eh?"

"I’ve got a craving for plum rice balls."

Ron turned toward her with a grin. "They sell them around here, right?"

...

Just like Ron said—

The rain came suddenly.

Wearing a sleek black outfit, with his slightly damp black hair loose, Ron walked through the Swordsmith Village streets with a paper umbrella in hand. Tall, poised, and graceful, his very presence was magnetic.

"It really did rain..." Shinobu murmured, astonished.

"Told you. I’m usually right about these things," Ron said with a relaxed smile.

Shinobu looked at the man walking beside her, the way he held the umbrella with ease, every movement calm and composed. He looked like a noble gentleman who didn’t belong to this chaotic world—a rare presence of elegance and charm.

"Stick close to my pace, or the rain will get you," he said casually.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shinobu nodded and focused on his steps.

"...Huh? This rhythm..."

Her eyes widened slightly.

She maintained constant Total Concentration: Insect Breathing, and the moment she synchronized her pace with Ron’s, an uncanny sensation swept over her.

Her breathing technique melded seamlessly with her movements—her entire body felt unified, synchronized like never before.

In that instant, Shinobu found herself completely immersed in this rare state of flow.

Ron glanced at her, the corners of his lips tugging up into a knowing smile.

Shinobu walked beside him, holding up her umbrella.

Despite the difference in height between the two, their footsteps now fell in perfect rhythm.

After walking several hundred meters, Ron came to a stop in front of a house.

Shinobu blinked and snapped out of her trance.

"How did that feel?" he asked casually.

Shinobu turned to look at him, her amethyst eyes shining. "Better than I’ve ever felt before."

Ron smiled. "Remember that sensation. It’ll help you in battle."

She nodded seriously, committing it to memory.

...

Afterward—

The two of them shared a simple meal of umeboshi rice balls paired with a fragrant pot of Gyokuro tea.

Then they arrived at the residence of the village chief of the Swordsmith Village—Techhin Tecchikawahara.

"I am Techhin Tecchikawahara, the head of this village. Pleased to make your acquaintance," said the squat man wearing a fiery red mask.

"This village’s smallest man is me, and I’m also the most important," Techhin declared dramatically. "So if you want something, your forehead had better kiss the tatami before you speak."

Ron narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh?"

In the next second, Techhin dropped to his knees and bowed so low his forehead smacked into the tatami mat with a thud.

"I deeply apologize! That was just a new line I came up with to try and sound cool! Please, forgive an old man trying to hold onto his pride!"

"V-Village Chief?!"

The two masked swordsmiths standing behind him were utterly stunned.

They had never, never seen their strict, iron-willed chief bow to a stranger—let alone one whose origins they didn’t even know.

Beside them, Shinobu chuckled behind her hand.

Today, she was in an uncommonly good mood.

...

"So... the message came from Kagaya, did it?" Ron asked, reclining in the traditional Japanese-style room, sipping his tea.

"That’s right," came the reply.

An agent from the Kakushi, apparently named Goto, had brought the letter from Kagaya Ubuyashiki himself. Along with the letter, he’d also delivered some exquisite Castella cake.

Ron lounged comfortably, a teacup in hand, the golden sponge cake within reach. Shinobu sat to his left.

Techhin, sitting respectfully across from him, was practically trembling in awe.

Ron didn’t bother with pleasantries. He took a sip of tea and said evenly, "Since you know who I am, I’ll get straight to the point—I’m here to retrieve a suitable blade."

Techhin looked momentarily confused. "Retrieve...? Forgive me, sir, but did you mean to say forge one? One must first select the appropriate tamahagane steel, and only after accounting for the wielder’s fighting style can we forge a nichirin sword that changes color to suit them—"

"No need for all that trouble."

Ron casually took a bite of cake, unfazed. "I already know where a particular blade is hidden. I’ll just take that one."

Techhin tilted his head, question marks practically popping up around his oni mask.

"A... hidden blade?"

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