Chapter Sixty-Seven: Luck and Curse

After finishing their early morning training, Luo Lan took Zoro out into the city. Ever since they landed yesterday, Zoro had been itching to walk around and search for a few good swords for himself. But because Luo Lan still had to discuss details of the report with Smoker, the matter had been delayed.

“Hey, Luo Lan, what exactly are you looking for? Didn’t we already pass by several weapon shops? Why didn’t you go in?” On the bustling street, Zoro was puzzled by Luo Lan’s strange behavior, passing weapon shop after weapon shop without even glancing inside. Logically, they were all weapon shops in Loguetown—there shouldn’t be much difference between them, right? So why wouldn’t Luo Lan even take a look?

Luo Lan understood Zoro’s grumbling, but he was doing this for Zoro’s own good. Though his memories of the story were fading, Luo Lan still clearly remembered Zoro’s encounter in Loguetown. In a weapon shop with an oddly looking owner, Zoro had obtained two renowned swords: Snowfall and the Sandai Kitetsu. Leaving aside Snowfall, the Sandai Kitetsu had been an immense help to Zoro. Receiving the Sandai Kitetsu meant much more than just gaining a famous blade—it also allowed him to master the demon aura and create the formidable Three Thousand Worlds sword techniques.

However, Luo Lan himself wasn’t particularly interested in these two swords. He already had Nara, a fine blade, and his short sword was no less impressive. There was no need to replace them with two more grade swords. What truly interested him were the Great Grade Swords or the Supreme Grade Swords. If he ever had the chance to encounter one, he certainly wouldn’t pass it up.

“Relax, Zoro. Would I ever do you harm?” Luo Lan reassured Zoro with a smile and continued searching the streets.

Fortune favors the persistent. After crossing four or five more streets, on a less bustling avenue, Luo Lan immediately recognized that uniquely odd-looking shop owner—red nose, hair on top shaped like wings, a bald spot in the middle, but a cross-shaped patch of hair. “This is the place!”

Luo Lan strode right in. Zoro, glancing at the rather plain surroundings, was still a bit perplexed. Yet, standing at the door, he couldn’t shake a strange feeling—as if he’d regret it if he left now. With the thought that it wouldn’t hurt to take a look, Zoro stepped inside as well.

“Welcome, gentlemen. What can I do for you?” The owner’s hearing was sharp; one moment he was scribbling something, the next he looked up at them with a beaming smile.

“We’ll just look around first. If we need anything, we’ll call you,” Luo Lan said casually, pretending to browse.

He knew that the Sandai Kitetsu and Snowfall were here, but he couldn’t reveal it outright. Otherwise, how could he explain knowing so much about Loguetown on his first visit?

Since he had started practicing swordsmanship, Luo Lan had developed some understanding of blades and swords. The ones displayed on the shelves, though ornate and adorned with elaborate scabbard engravings, did not appeal to him. Luo Lan was well aware that these flashy swords were meant for pretentious noblemen, utterly useless in actual combat.

After scanning the swords on display, Luo Lan turned his gaze to the corner where a basket of swords stood. There lay his real target—the Sandai Kitetsu.

“Zoro, this sword looks good. Want to try it?” Luo Lan immediately spotted the Sandai Kitetsu among the standard weapons and handed it to Zoro.

“This one?” Zoro looked at the sword, unfamiliar at first, but for some reason he felt an unexplainable longing within his heart.

“The Sword Encyclopedia records that this is the Sandai Kitetsu. Its predecessor, the Shodai Kitetsu, is a Supreme Grade Sword, the Nidai Kitetsu is a Great Grade, and this one is a Fine Grade,” Luo Lan explained, holding out the encyclopedia for Zoro to see.

“A Fine Grade sword, huh?” Zoro drew the blade, studied it closely, and instantly took a liking to it.

“No, that sword’s not for sale!” The owner, who had been quietly watching, suddenly shouted as he saw Zoro examining the Sandai Kitetsu.

“Why not?” Zoro turned in confusion to the owner. It was a weapon shop—wasn’t selling swords what they did? Why not this one? Was it because it was a Fine Grade sword and he thought Zoro couldn’t afford it?

But for Luo Lan, that wasn’t an issue at all. No matter how expensive, it couldn’t possibly cost more than ten million Berries. As long as Luo Lan was willing to lend him the money, buying the sword would be no problem.

Before the owner could answer, Zoro sensed a strange aura from the blade. “Is this a cursed sword?”

“You—you can tell?” The owner was startled.

“No, I can feel it,” Zoro replied calmly, eyes fixed on the blade.

“Starting with the Shodai Kitetsu, every sword in this line has been exceptional—but without exception, they are all cursed swords. Throughout history, countless swordsmen have met tragic ends after wielding a Kitetsu. It’s not just one or two cases; it’s happened many times. Because of this, no swordsman is willing to use a Kitetsu anymore. Even the ignorant, after a short time with the sword, soon meet misfortune and die,” the owner recounted, his voice trembling with fear.

“I like it. This is the one,” Zoro suddenly smiled. Cursed sword or not, it didn’t bother him. Besides, he felt an indescribable connection to it.

“Owner, if I can prove this sword won’t harm me, will you sell it to me?” Zoro smiled at the owner, who seemed ready to continue his warnings.

“W-what do you mean?” The owner was puzzled.

Grinning, Zoro tossed the Sandai Kitetsu into the air, then reached out, positioning his hand beneath the falling blade. “Let’s gamble—my luck against the curse of this sword. Let’s see which is stronger!”

“Idiot, you can’t! Your hand will be cut off!” the owner cried, rushing out in panic to stop him.

But as he darted around the counter, Luo Lan blocked his way. “Don’t worry, owner. A man who aims to become the world’s greatest swordsman won’t lose to a mere cursed blade,” Luo Lan said with confidence.

“World’s greatest swordsman?” The owner looked at Luo Lan, baffled by what he took for nonsense.

But in the next moment, the owner’s heart leapt into his throat—he couldn’t care less about Luo Lan’s unrealistic words. He saw the cursed sword, the Sandai Kitetsu, arc through the air. Just as it was about to strike Zoro’s arm, it flipped, brushing Zoro’s arm with the back of the blade and falling straight to the floor.

“It seems I’ve won,” Zoro said with a confident smile, gazing at the Sandai Kitetsu lodged in the ground.

“Incredible!” The owner’s face flushed. The cursed sword, so dreaded in history, had been bested by an unknown young swordsman.

“Mister, what did you just say? He’ll become the world’s greatest swordsman?” The owner turned to Luo Lan, his voice still trembling—but now with excitement, not fear.

For he felt he had just witnessed history. The legendary cursed Kitetsu had, here and now, been conquered by a swordsman.