After examining the Sake Heart Steel, Hitetsu seemed satisfied.
For a moment, he remained silent. Then, as if recalling something, he spoke.
"By the way… Tama brought back news from Atama yama. The medium sailboat has been repaired. If you and Yamato intend to leave Wano, it should be sufficient."
Hearing this, Ornn paused slightly before a faint smile appeared on his face.
A full month had passed.
Although nothing had gone wrong during their time in Amigasa Village, living under Kaido's shadow was never truly safe. Every day carried the quiet risk of discovery, and that alone was reason enough to leave as soon as possible.
Noticing his expression, Hitetsu hesitated.
"It isn't necessary to leave immediately," he said. "You've stayed hidden for this long without being discovered. If you remain here, it is possible nothing will happen."
Ornn glanced at him, then shook his head.
"If Yamato's identity is exposed, it won't stop with us. It would become a disaster for this village, for everyone on the mountain, and even for Denjiro in the Flower Capital."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Leaving early is safer for all of you as well."
Hitetsu fell silent. After a long moment, he let out a quiet sigh.
"…Perhaps you're right. I really am getting old if I can't see something this clearly."
He stood there for a while before straightening slightly.
"Boy, do you remember what I told you before?"
Ornn raised an eyebrow.
"That once everything was done, you would be repaid."
Ornn nodded.
Hitetsu turned and walked toward the corner of the workshop. He pushed aside a stone basin, revealing a concealed hollow beneath it. Inside was a wooden box.
"Take it out."
Ornn crouched and lifted the box. It was unexpectedly heavy, dense in a way that suggested it held something forged rather than stored.
He placed it on the workbench and opened it.
Inside lay a hammer.
There were no decorations, no intricate carvings, and no attempt to make it visually impressive. It was simply a large, black forging hammer.
At first glance, it appeared completely ordinary.
Ornn looked at it briefly before turning his gaze to Hitetsu.
The old man rested a hand on the handle.
"The Kozuki clan was not always known for swordsmithing," he said slowly. "In ancient times, our ancestors were stone masons. The poneglyphs you have heard of were carved by them."
Ornn's expression grew more focused.
"This hammer was used for that purpose."
Hitetsu's voice lowered slightly.
"When the craft of carving faded, it was used for forging instead. Over generations, it absorbed more than just heat."
He paused before continuing.
"I once intended to give it to Oden after he became shogun… but that never came to pass."
He lifted the hammer with visible effort and extended it toward Ornn.
"I have no use for it now. Momonosuke's whereabouts are unknown, and there is no one more suitable to wield it than you."
Ornn accepted the hammer with both hands.
The moment his grip closed around the handle, information surfaced in his mind.
---
[Sake Heart Steel Forging Hammer — Armament Tempered]A forging hammer crafted from high-grade Sake Heart Steel, tempered over generations through prolonged exposure to Armament Haki.
— Exceptional durability— Minimal deformation under impact— Enhances perception of material structure— Long-term use improves sensitivity to Armament Haki
[Evaluation: Suitable foundation for legendary-grade creations]
Ornn's fingers tightened slightly around the handle.
This was not just a tool. It was a medium—something capable of bridging material and will.
At the same time, the Creation Illustrated Book within his mind stirred. Pages turned rapidly before stopping on a single entry.
[Mjolnir — Top-Grade Legendary Creation]A hammer capable of storing, generating, and directing lightning.
Requirements:— High-grade Sake Heart Steel— Thunder-type Devil Fruit
Note: Output scales with the user's physical strength.
---
Ornn exhaled slowly.
If combined with his magma-based abilities, the addition of thunder would create a level of destructive power far beyond what he currently possessed. The potential was obvious, but it was not something that could be pursued immediately.
He set the thought aside without hesitation.
He looked back at Hitetsu.
"I'll take it."
His voice was calm.
"I won't waste it."
Hitetsu studied him for a moment before nodding.
"That is enough."
They chose to leave that very night.
There was no reason to delay further. The village was quiet, the forge had cooled, and everything that needed to be done had already been completed.
Tama stood at the edge of the path, trying to hold back her tears.
"You said you would come back…"
"I will," Ornn replied. "Six years."
She nodded firmly, committing the promise to memory.
Yamato placed a hand on her head and smiled.
"Next time, we'll take you with us."
That earned a small, tearful smile.
Without lingering any longer, they turned and left.
Bakura Town was quiet at night.
Holdem was already waiting where Ornn had expected him to be, still under the influence of Tama's ability.
"Ready?" Ornn asked.
Holdem nodded immediately.
They moved without delay, passing through the town and avoiding patrol routes as they headed toward the coast behind Atamayama, where the repaired sailboat was waiting.
The plan was simple.
They would use Holdem's identity to pass through Wano's official port. Once they were out at sea, he would no longer be necessary.
Ornn had already prepared the Sake Heart Steel for what would come next.
Nothing would be wasted.
The sea was calm as the sailboat rocked gently against the shore.
Yamato stood aboard, her figure outlined faintly against the horizon.
Ornn stepped forward—
"Ornn."
He stopped and turned.
Hiyori stood behind him.
Not Komurasaki, but simply Hiyori.
"You're leaving," she said.
"Yes."
There was a brief silence before she spoke again.
"You'll come back."
It was not a question.
Ornn met her gaze.
"When we return," he said calmly, "Orochi will fall."
There was no emphasis in his voice, yet the certainty in his words was unmistakable.
Hiyori looked at him for a moment before smiling softly.
"Then allow me to send you off properly."
She knelt and lifted the shamisen*.
The first note rang out across the water, clear and steady.
Ornn stepped onto the boat, and the sail caught the wind.
The shoreline gradually receded into the distance.
Behind them, the music remained where it belonged—
In Wano, waiting.
---
*Shamisen is a traditional Japanese three-stringed musical instrument