"Yubashiri."

  Looking at the katana in his hand, Masa only nodded and thought the quality was good, but pared to his "Shusui," his bck bde, it was nothing.

  "ht, I also have another sword."

  As he thought so, he took out a nodachi, a type of katana with a long bde.

  Raiu.

  This was the on of Shiryu, the former head jailer of the Impel Down, who became a criminal and was locked on Level 6.

  Naturally, Masa didn't miss this person and took him down, dev him. He also got the Shiryu's sword, Raiu.

  Simir to Shishui and Yubashiri, Raiu was also a "Meito," an umbrel term for named bdes that have earned fame as a result of having been fed by master bdesmiths or being wielded by master swordsmen.

  Frankly, was it necessary for him to collect those bdes?

  After all, Masa was strong enough, and with the slight modification of Masa DxD, all of them were capable of using the "b's Sword," which was the signature magiasa Mahouka.

  Instead of those swords, then, wasn't it better to use magic that could break down the e of atoms directly?

  More importantly, no matter how strong the "Meito" was, it could break down and be directly destroyed after prolonged use, especially if one didn't master a Haki.

  Many thought so, but Masa felt that it was necessary to collect the bde since he wao see the position of the metal to create those swords. Even if those swords might not be as powerful as the "b's Sword," those swords were created by the painstaking master bcksmiths of the Void tury, especially the Supreme Grade Bdes, which were created during that era, yet still remained in the pristine dition till now.

  With that long-lost metallurgical teology, Masa might be able to create that legendary sword from his previous world.

  Still, pared to the creation of legendary swords, he was more ied in the formation of metal, which was used to create those swords.

  If Masa gave an example, it was like a cocktail, which was a delicious drink created by mixing various alcohol and redients into one.

  To create the stro metal, it was necessary to bine oh another.

  At the same time, Masa also tried to develop the "ol Alloy," a special kind of alloy that ol iently ied.

  Still, he had devoured ol, so it should be easy to develop that metal, right?

  If reality worked that way, then he would have o wait for his unique ability to grow stronger, okay?

  Regardless, as he tried to learn the position ahods to create the new sword that he bought, the door of his room was knocked.

  "Who?"

  "...it's me."

  "Enter."

  The door was quietly opened, and the person who knocked on the door of his room eimidly, yet she tried to show her utmost respect since she knew well that it was rude of her to e in the middle of the night.

  "What's wrong, Tashigi?"

  Masa was about to rest in Kalifa's room, pying a bubble py, so he hoped Tashigi would finish her issue as soon as possible, but—

  "Um... is that a Meito?"

  As Masa held the Yubashiri, Tashigi couldn't help but ask.

  "Yes." Masa nodded aured for her to e closer. "e here."

  "Y-Yes!"

  While Tashigi was distracted by Masa's newly bought sword, she was awoken once again, especially after he told her to move closer.

  All of a sudden, she started to get subscious of him, and her cheeks started to grow red, especially when they sat side by side with just a short distaween them.

  Still, Masa was good at making a woman fortable, and more importantly, Tashigi was a sword user, so they had a on topic for a versation.

  Or rather, it was Tashigi's first time to be able to talk about so many things with someone, especially about a sword. heless, as she talked, she couldn't help but ask, "Um... Masa-sama, I ask you something?"

  "What's wrong?"

  "D-Do you think that a woman bee a swordmaster?"

  Somehow, as they started to bee closer and Masa didn't show discrimination toward her when Tashigi told her her dream to bee the number one swordswoman in the world, she couldn't help but blurt out her doubt.

  This was the world of One Piece, so it was natural that there was no gender equality.

  Rather, gender equality only happened ih tury, and before that, the value of a woman had always been to take care of a house and a child.

  In other words, they were the ones who supported the man on the back, giving him power whehey felt weak.

  Still, if Masa had to be rude, then their role would be just of a maid and reprodu, especially in this world, where the weak had nht at all.

  'Well, the modern world isn't much differeher.'

  If there was a differe would be the shape ahod of how the ruler exploited their people.

  As time progressed, it was natural for the ruler to bee even savvier at exploiting their people.

  Regardless, Masa khat he had to aashigi's doubts. "Do you want to bee the number one female swordmaster?"

  "Um..." Tashigi showed a bitter expression and asked, "You think it is impossible, right?" She thought that Masa was the same as everyone, which made her quite helpless.

  Why was it impossible for a woman to bee the best swordmaster?

  Naturally, it was due to the differen strength between them.

  A man is physically strohan a woman; this is the belief of everyone, especially those who train ih of a sword in this world.

  "You are stupid."

  "Eh?" Tashigi was dumbfounded by Masa's straightforward answer.

  "What is important for a swordsman is talent. If you don't have a talent, then you 't do anything. One among the best is possible, but being the best is impossible, and naturally, gender is irrelevant. So what if you aren't strohan a man? If your strength 't catch up, then raise your speed or hone your skill further.

  "After all, a on is a way for everyoo bee fair."

  "...fair?"

  "Yes, fair." Masa nodded. "Let's say that a physically weak man and a physically strong man fight; who will win?"

  "The stronger man, of course."

  "What if the weak man has a on?"

  "...er."

  "What if the weak man is smarter?"

  "...er."

  Masa smiled and tapped Tashigi's forehead gently. "So don't give up. The reason why I chose you to stay by my side was because I could see your determination to bee the best at sword, so... I couldn't help but be attracted to you, Tashigi."

  "M-Masa-sama..."

  Tashigi blushed a her face was so hot because of such a sudden fession.

  "I am sorry... my as and words might startle you..."

  "N-No, it's fine... I-I am happy..."

  "Really?"

  "Um."

  Masa was silent as his eyes met Tashigi, who lowered her head shyly.

  "Look at me."

  "Hmm..."

  Tashigi was embarrassed, but she slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze.

  " I kiss you?"

  "I..."

  The cept of romance robably rare, and frankly, being handsome helped Masa a lot.

  "Um..."

  So, there was ation, and Masa also wasn't a good person, so when they kissed slowly, he kept askihen, in the end, Tashigi's sweet voice resounded ihe room.

  "As expected, he is amazing."

  "How long has it been?"

  "To be able to quer her heart just like that..."

  a, Perona, and Kalifa sighed.

  If it was just the body, they wouldn't think too much, but Masa also quered Tashigi's heart.

  Only Vivi, who joined, felt her face was so hot that it turned as red as a boiled lobster, and as she heard the sweet, happy voice that came from Tashigi, a question emerged in her head.

  Was it really that good?