One Piece: Starting by Refusing Shanks

Silvers Rayleigh, known as the "Dark King," was the former first mate of the Roger Pirates, often referred to as the "Right Hand of the Pirate King."

After the Roger Pirates disbanded, hadn't he settled in the Sabaody Archipelago as a coating mechanic?

So why was he here in Loguetown?

Takumi didn't have much time to ponder the question, as Rayleigh suddenly turned around and entered the weapon shop.

Ippon-Matsu, the shop owner, initially looked pleased to see a customer, but his smile quickly vanished when he noticed Rayleigh's tattered appearance. The white hooded cloak he wore was riddled with holes, making him look like someone with no money.

"What's with today? Just opened, and already attracting broke people... Hey, old man, do you even have money to spend?" Ippon-Matsu grumbled.

Rayleigh smiled warmly. "Can't I just take a look even if I don't have money?"

With that, Rayleigh made his way over to where Takumi was standing.

Takumi thought to himself, "Is this guy coming over to talk to me?"

He decided to ignore Rayleigh.

Turning his attention back to the barrels of swords, Takumi continued to rummage through them.

There it is!

Takumi finally pulled out a sword with a plain design—a small piece of white cloth tied to the hilt, with a cross-shaped guard and a simple sharkskin grip.

As he drew the blade from the scabbard, Ippon-Matsu, who had been grumbling just moments ago, suddenly tensed up.

Even Rayleigh, who had just reached Takumi's side, raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is that... Sandai Kitetsu?"

Takumi silently drew the blade, casually swinging it a couple of times.

A chilling aura seeped through the hilt into his body.

Even though nothing had happened, Takumi could almost smell a faint scent of blood in the air.

He could even feel the blade trying to erode his consciousness.

As expected of a cursed sword.

Interesting.

Takumi's lips curled into a faint smile as he sheathed the blade and tossed the Sandai Kitetsu back into the barrel.

Rayleigh, noticing the wooden sword hanging from Takumi's waist, chuckled. "If I'm not mistaken, the sword you just handled is Sandai Kitetsu. Despite its curse, it's still a fine blade. Aren't you going to buy it?"

"I don't have any money," Takumi replied bluntly.

He had already spent the last of his funds on those three bottles of liquor at the bar earlier.

"Hahaha," Rayleigh laughed heartily. "What a pity. I'm broke too. Otherwise, a sword like that, even if I didn't use it, would make a nice piece for my collection."

"Hey, old man!" Rayleigh called out to Ippon-Matsu, "How much are those swords in the barrel?"

Ippon-Matsu swallowed hard, his face turning pale as he replied, "Fifty thousand Berries each... But I'm not selling the one you were just looking at!"

"Oh? Not for sale? That's a shame," Rayleigh said, pretending to be disappointed. "If that blade were for sale at fifty thousand Berries, I'd definitely come back for it when I have the money."

Takumi shot Rayleigh a skeptical glance.

Would this guy, who was notorious for gambling away his money and drinking excessively, really save up to buy a sword he wouldn't even use?

The answer was obvious—absolutely not!

Takumi didn't believe a word Rayleigh said.

However, Ippon-Matsu seemed rattled by Rayleigh's comment, his face growing even paler.

"That sword is cursed! Many who have wielded a Kitetsu blade have met tragic ends. Nowadays, no swordsman dares to use a Kitetsu. Even if someone unaware of its curse tried to use it, they'd soon vanish from the world as if they'd been cursed. So, no matter how much money you have, I won't sell it! If you died, I'd be responsible for your deaths!"

"Oh? Then why did you keep Sandai Kitetsu in the barrel for sale?" Rayleigh asked curiously.

Grabbing his hair in frustration, Ippon-Matsu explained, "I've been trying to get rid of that cursed sword, but... Now I'm scared that whoever buys it will end up dead. I can't be an accessory to murder. This sword is no longer for sale! I don't care if it sits in storage for the rest of my life—it's too dangerous to sell!"

As he spoke, Ippon-Matsu quickly retrieved the Sandai Kitetsu from the barrel and clutched it tightly in his arms.

Takumi and Rayleigh exchanged a silent glance, both at a loss for words.

Rayleigh suddenly burst out laughing, "Haha, what an interesting shop owner."

Takumi, on the other hand, silently left the shop.

Seeing Takumi leave, Rayleigh didn't linger either and followed him out.

"Hey, kid, wait a second. Do you know who I am?" Rayleigh asked.

Takumi shook his head. "No."

Rayleigh wasn't convinced. "The way you looked at me in the shop—it was obvious you recognized me."

Takumi said nothing.

Rayleigh continued, "It's been five years since I last visited Loguetown. I must say, I've missed this place. It hasn't changed much."

Takumi ignored him and kept walking.

Rayleigh, undeterred, added, "You know, there's a certain kid who reminds me of you. His name is Takumi, right?"

Takumi froze in his tracks and turned to face Rayleigh.

How does this guy know my name?

Could it be that someone told Rayleigh about him on the way to Loguetown?

Seeing Takumi's surprised expression, Rayleigh smirked, "No need to guess. I ran into Shanks on my way here. He's the one who told me about you. He also mentioned that I should keep an eye out for you because you'd be full of surprises."

Takumi was speechless.

Of course, it made sense. Shanks had been an apprentice on Roger's ship, and Rayleigh was the first mate. It was only natural for Shanks to mention him to Rayleigh when they crossed paths.

"Hey, kid," Rayleigh said, eyeing the gourd hanging at Takumi's waist, "Do you still have any of that liquor?"

Takumi didn't reply.

"Haha, don't worry, I'm not trying to take your booze. I know a good bar around here. How about we go and grab a drink together?" Rayleigh offered with a grin.

A drink, huh?

That didn't sound so bad.

Takumi hesitated for a moment.

Rayleigh, noticing the hesitation, patted Takumi on the back and started walking. "Shanks told me you can hold your liquor pretty well. Let's see how you fare against me. What do you say?"

Takumi found himself reluctantly following Rayleigh down the street.

Not long after they left the alley, Bartolomeo, the boy with the green mohawk, appeared at Ippon-Matsu's weapon shop.

"Hey, aren't you Bartolomeo from the next street over?" Ippon-Matsu exclaimed in shock upon seeing him.

Bartolomeo, holding a spiked club, smirked wickedly. "Hand over the sword that kid was looking at earlier."

"Huh? What sword? I don't know what you're talking about..." Ippon-Matsu tried to play dumb.

Bartolomeo smashed the shop's counter with his club, his tone menacing. "This is your last chance. If you don't give me that sword, I'll smash your shop to pieces!"

"Okay, okay! I'll get it! Just don't wreck the place!" Ippon-Matsu, terrified, hurried to the back to fetch the sword. Initially, he considered giving Bartolomeo a random blade to get rid of him.

But Bartolomeo's voice boomed from outside, "If you try to fool me with a fake, I'll gut you!"

Ippon-Matsu was petrified.

Bartolomeo was a notorious thug, feared by everyone in the neighborhood. Even the Marines had trouble dealing with him.

If he didn't comply, Bartolomeo might really kill him.

With a heavy heart, Ippon-Matsu decided to hand over the Sandai Kitetsu.

After all, he had always wanted to get rid of that cursed blade. Let this little tyrant take it. No one would care if he died anyway!

Bartolomeo left the shop with the sword in hand.

As he walked through the alley, he couldn't stop thinking about the scene where Takumi had caught the bullet with his bare hand.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.

He had made up his mind—he would use this sword as a bargaining chip to convince that powerful kid to join his gang!

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