Chapter 36
Seeing the frost-covered blade closing in on him, Zixu tightened his grip on the knife and fought back. He had no real swordsmanship training, so he figured he'd just use it in whatever way felt most natural.
Clang! Clang! Clang! The blade clashed against the ice crystals, the friction-generated heat melting the shattered ice into tiny water droplets that splashed onto the ground. Zixu swung the sword with sheer brute force, yet it would be unfair to say he was entirely unskilled.
"Infusing energy into a weapon? If Haki can be applied, then why not a Devil Fruit ability?" Zixu channeled the Silence Fruit's power through his body, attempting to coat his blade with it.
When their blades collided again, there was no sound this time. The instant their weapons met, Haku's perception of Zixu flickered—he vanished, not physically, but his presence became imperceptible.
Noticing Haku's reaction, Zixu smirked. It worked.
"Hmm... Can Kaido even use a sword? Never seen him wield one. Whatever, if I'm coating my weapon with my power, then I need a fitting name for it. How about calling it 'Bagua'..."
Haku absorbed the force of Zixu's strike but was sent skidding backward, his feet carving deep furrows into the grass. He flexed his numbed fingers and inspected his sword, now showing visible cracks, before sheathing it.
"That weapon doesn't suit your style," Haku remarked, gesturing to the shattered remains of Zixu's katana, now reduced to a hilt. "A short blade like that can't fully bring out your strength."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll make do for now. I'll find something better later," Zixu replied, rolling his shoulders. "But man, your swordplay is on another level. I didn't expect ninjas to be this skilled with a blade."
"I appreciate the compliment, but I still have a long way to go," Haku responded humbly.
"You said before that the samurai act is just a disguise. Does that mean you won't use a sword in the future?" Zixu cut him off, curious. It felt like Haku was born to wield a sword—it'd be a shame if he abandoned it.