"I have a great idea, but I just need a craftsman."
These words made the craftsman, Erwin, tremble slightly, but he remained silent.
On Loguetown, he had heard such words many times before.
For example, the last time, he had fulfilled the dream of a wealthy merchant's son by crafting a giant sword the size of a door panel. The sword had a dazzling golden dragon, with an extremely flashy and cool design.
Especially when swinging the sword, the blade had to emit a colorful yet pitch-black radiance . (a phrase humorously used to describe something overly extravagant and unrealistic).
There was also a hidden requirement: the giant sword had to be extremely lightweight so that the merchant's son could carry it...
After experiencing such demands, Erwin had seen it all. No matter how outrageous the request, he could handle it.
Upon closer inspection, Erwin's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he eventually nodded.
"Mr. Sig, your ideas are truly ingenious. They've broadened my horizons, and I deeply admire your creativity."
"However, I must admit my limited understanding. I can't quite grasp the brilliance of your idea."
"What exactly is this sketch supposed to be?"
"It's a methane-powered rocket boot. The rocket boot has an internal gas propulsion system powered by methane. When methane is injected, it produces an open flame on the exterior of the boot, generating thrust for flight..."
Sig explained briefly.
Kuro wasn't a Logia-type Devil Fruit user and couldn't achieve elemental flight.
However, by forcibly creating methane clouds, he could lift himself or others for short-distance flight, though it would be more strenuous.
It was foreseeable that these methane-powered rocket boots would likely be faster than relying on methane clouds for flight.
And... the rocket boots had a hidden function.
If Kuro could push past his own limits, the rocket boots might be able to emit more than just flames—perhaps even directly spray methane...
Sig also showed some other sketches, mainly methane-powered equipment designed for Kuro...
For example, the modified Ten-Blade Cat Claws, which had small holes in the glove to inject methane, allowing it to ignite and spray flames.
Of course, these were just conceptual sketches and lacked a gas storage component, meaning they could only be used by the Devil Fruit user themselves.
"Also, I'm quite interested in your hidden blade."
"I want a lighter, smaller hidden blade. The speed at which it extends and retracts must be fast..."
Sig went on for a while, leaving Erwin somewhat stunned, though his brows unconsciously furrowed.
"Oh, and one more thing. I call it the active silencer."
"Morgan, come over and demonstrate your ability."
Morgan then walked over and, following Sig's instructions, extended his hand. An invisible soundproof barrier quickly formed, enveloping the group.
The world fell silent, and all external sounds vanished.
Then, under Morgan's control, the soundproof barrier disappeared again.
"This is a Devil Fruit ability that can eliminate sound. I'm hoping you can create a similar silencer."
After saying this, Sig looked at Erwin expectantly.
If he could obtain a silencer, one of the obstacles to his grand plan of living incognito would be removed.
Combined with the original amplifier, Sig could adjust the volume of the Emperor's Engine as needed.
However, Erwin's reaction disappointed him.
"You want me to create a miraculous device that rivals the power of a Devil Fruit? Mr. Sig, you're giving me too much credit."
"Mr. Sig, I'm just a craftsman who customizes blades. I can create some of the tools in the sketches, but those methane-powered rocket boots and the silencer... those are truly beyond my capabilities."
"Perhaps, Mr. Sig, you should look for other engineers or scientists on the island."
"There are scientists on this island?"
Sig's interest was immediately piqued.
"Mr. Sig, didn't you know? There are many craftsmen, engineers, and scientists like us on the island who have joined various factions."
Erwin briefly explained.
Loguetown was known as a place where you could buy anything, gathering goods from all four seas. But that alone wasn't enough to earn such a reputation.
Things that didn't exist in the Grand Line or the four seas, things that only existed in people's imaginations, might also be created on this island.
That was the true essence of Loguetown.
This was made possible by the craftsmen, engineers, and scientists on the island.
Loguetown's unique background made it difficult for the Marines to intervene, so it attracted a group of engineers, scientists, and various eccentrics who were wanted by the government and had nowhere else to go.
While Sig's requests were unusual, they might actually be achievable on Loguetown.
"So, even things that don't exist in the world might be created here..."
Sig suddenly thought of something:
"Does Loguetown have any craftsmen capable of working with seastone?"
Hearing this, Erwin was momentarily stunned. He carefully looked Sig up and down, then shook his head.
"I'm not sure... but seastone is a heavily regulated resource by the World Government. It's unlikely to be found on Loguetown."
After saying this, Erwin's gaze became somewhat uneasy.
His eyes fell on the sword at Sig's waist.
More precisely, on the small, inconspicuous emblem on the sword's scabbard.
It was a small emblem of two red swords crossed. It wasn't particularly noticeable, but Erwin's gaze seemed glued to it, and he froze for a moment.
This brief lapse caught Sig's attention.
The emblem of two crossed red swords was actually the family crest of the Shimotsuki family from Wano Country, as well as the emblem of the Isshin Dojo in the East Blue.
Sig casually took the sword, scabbard and all, from his waist and looked at Erwin.
"What? Are you interested in this sword?"
Erwin snapped out of his daze and quickly apologized with a smile:
"Mr. Sig's sword is indeed remarkable, worthy of a world-renowned swordsman like yourself. I was just captivated by it. My apologies."
Sig stared directly into Erwin's eyes and said word by word:
"But I thought I saw you looking not at the sword, but at the emblem on the scabbard?"
At these words, Erwin seemed momentarily at a loss for words and could only offer an awkward smile.
This reaction made Sig even more certain of his suspicions.
He decided to probe further.
"This sword was given to me by a swordsmith named Shimotsuki Kozaburo in the East Blue..."