At The Peak of One Piece

Ten more months of repetitive, busy days passed in Shimotsuki Village, East Blue. 

"Victor, I need your help forging a sword," Kouzaburou stated gravely. 

"What kind of sword requires 'me'?" Victor frowned, puzzled. After all, he'd learned everything from the old man. 

"It's for Kuina. I'm old. If I don't prepare this now, I'll lack the strength later. I planned to forge it myself, but… nothing satisfied me. Had you not come, I'd have done my best. But 'ou—you've mastered all my techniques. My aged hands can no longer draw the full potential from the materials. So I ask you!" Kouzaburou's plea was earnest. 

Victor instantly knew: this was the Great Grade sword Wado Ichimonji—Kuina's blade. 

In the original tale, after Kuina's death, Koushirou gave it to Zoro. 

'So the old man forged it in his decline? That means it has untapped potential. Could it reach Supreme Grade?' Excitement surged. Forging a Supreme Grade blade would set the pinnacle for his own future sword. 

"Very well. Kuina's sword shall be my work," Victor declared solemnly. 

Victor devoted most of his time to the forge. With Observation Haki active, red light flickering in his eyes, he monitored every detail. 

Kuina's future blade demanded perfection. A sword that might ascend to Supreme Grade? An irreplaceable experience—especially with Kouzaburou guiding him step-by-step. 

After a grueling month, Wado Ichimonji was complete. Exhaustion lined Victor's face; the mental toll was immense. Kouzaburou, though only observing, looked equally drained—age had sapped his stamina. 

"A shame… It's 'almost' there," Victor sighed. 

"Nonsense! This is the peak these materials allow. You made zero errors. The 'metal' limited you. With better resources, you'll forge a Supreme Grade blade! Had I done it? A Great Grade outcome would've been a miracle!" Kouzaburou beamed. 

Victor had forged a blade far surpassing Great Grade—Wado Ichimonji now stood half a step from Supreme Grade. Kouzaburou celebrated; Victor mourned the near-miss. 

"During the Reverie, I'll enter this sword in the World Famous Swords Exhibition! Let the world know its name—ha!" Kouzaburou crowed. 

Victor blinked. 'This wasn't in the original. A swords exhibition?' 

He pondered. 'Makes sense. How else would commoners know blade rankings? Probably published in books or papers. Must be a global event.' 

Curious, Victor asked, "What blades currently hold fame?" 

"Twelve Supreme Grade Blades, Twenty-One Great Grade Blades, Fifty Skillful Grade Blades—all recognized at the last Exhibition, plus historic entries. Many unnamed masterpieces gained renown through their wielders and joined the ranks. Still, countless hidden gems remain unlisted. Truly fine blades outnumber the famous ones." Kouzaburou explained. 

'So that's the origin,' Victor realized. 'Only one new Supreme Grade in twenty years? Probably Mihawk's Yoru. Three Great Grades—including this Wado Ichimonji now. Nine Skillful Grades. Few true smiths left... Forging mastery? Our ancient Chinese masters like Ganjiang would've dominated.' 

Wado Ichimonji still retained its original appearance—after all, the hilt and guard were crafted by Koushirou himself. However, the blade's strength surpassed its canon counterpart, now adorned with flame-like tempering patterns, giving it an even more imposing aura. 

After completing the forging process, Victor collapsed into a deep sleep for three days and nights, recovering the mental energy drained over the past month. When he awoke, he noticed his Observation Haki had sharpened significantly, becoming more refined. Even his understanding of swordsmanship had deepened. 

With the sword completed, Victor resumed his usual training. A year and a half had passed since he arrived in Shimotsuki Village. By now, he could wield Aura Slash flawlessly—slicing through an entire ship from a distance was effortless. Previously, he'd needed to physically cut into the wood, relying on scattered sword energy to split it apart. 

His progress over this time was staggering: 

- Steel-Cutting 

- Observation Haki 

- Geppo 

- Soru 

- Aura Slash

- Swordsmithing 

For most, mastering even one of these in a year and a half would be remarkable. 

One day, while sprinting with a mountain-sized boulder strapped to his back, Victor heard distant shouts. His Observation Haki confirmed someone was rushing toward him. He stopped. 

"V-Victor! Master Koushirou—wants you—now!" A panting dojo apprentice gasped between breaths. 

"Got it." 

Dropping the boulder (which shook the earth violently, leaving the apprentice stunned), Victor activated Moon Walk and shot toward the dojo. 

Inside the quiet room, he found Koshiro—and an unexpected guest: Captain Buck, a familiar face. 

"Victor," Buck said gravely. "I came straight from Lyep Island. Rebecca sent me—your grandmother is seriously ill. She wants you to return." 

Victor's expression darkened. "How bad is it?" 

"Not sure. Rebecca didn't give details. I left in a hurry." 

Victor glanced at Koshiro, who nodded. 

"Go. I've taught you all I can. The rest depends on your own journey. Just… visit Kuina sometimes. She's grown attached to you." 

"Understood." 

Turning to Buck, Victor clasped his shoulder. "Thank you. If you ever need help, find me." 

Buck barely suppressed a grin—a favor from a powerhouse like Victor was worth more than a month's profits. 

"I'll head out alone. Faster that way." 

With that, Victor bowed to Koshiro and left. 

--- 

Back at his cabin, Victor meticulously crafted a bamboo sword, sanding every inch until not a single splinter remained.