Sandai Kitetsu

The Sandai Kitetsu is one of the Grade swords. Like all of its predecessor Kitetsu swords, this one is said to be a "Cursed Sword/Blade" (妖刀). It is one of Kozuki Sukiyaki's creations.

Zoro picked the sword from a barrel of cheap katanas in a shop at Loguetown after sensing its quality; Tashigi later identifies the sword from a catalog. When the owner first saw it, he was not going to allow Zoro to buy it, telling him of the curse. Zoro liked the concept and decided to test his luck against the curse. He threw it into the air and held out his arm, willing to let it cut his arm off. Zoro's luck won and the blade circled neatly around his arm. The shop owner gave Zoro both Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri for his skill and luck.

Appearance
Sandai Kitetsu is a moderately curved katana with a white edge and a distinct blue hamon that has the appearance of flames. Its tsuba is golden and shaped like a rounded cross pattée; the hilt is wrapped reddish-brown, with a golden clasp around its middle and a golden kashira pommel.

The sheath of the sword is deep red and continues the design of the hilt, having two golden clasps in short succession around its middle, and the kojiri end cap also being golden.

Abilities
As the creation of Kozuki Sukiyaki, one of Wano's Greatest Swordsmiths, and an imitation of Kotetsu's Nidai Kitetsu, Sandai Kitetsu has both superior qualities and strength compared to other swords, despite being a Meito among the lowest grades. Like all of the swords crafted by members of the Kitetsu school, this one is said to be cursed and will bring a horrible death to all of its owners. Zoro, in fact, senses it was cursed, something that allowed him to feel when the sword was nearby; being able to sense Chopper had Sandai Kitetsu with him while half-stuck in a chimney at Water 7.

Sandai kitetsu is most regarded for its great sharpness, making it far easier for slicing things, as highlighted when Zoro decided to test his luck against its curse, with its previous owner, Ipponmatsu declared it could cut off his arm. After passing by his arm without it cutting him, it stabbed itself deep into the floor, leaving one-fourth of its blade. He could cut a Sea Train carriage in half, as well as being durable enough to block blows from Kaku's Zoan Devil Fruit enhanced Rokushiki techniques. It later withstood strikes from the far more superior Great Grade sword, Shusui, wielded by the master samurai, Shimotsuki Ryuma; though Zoro commented that his swords might break if their fight continued.

Zoro commented that the sword is a "problem child", most notable, it's rather bloodthirsty, wanting to make him cut things without his direction. Feeling this, Zoro started giving Sandai Kitetsu more attention to ensure it acts on his direction.

After the timeskip, coupled with Zoro's improved strength and skills, Sandai Kitetsu grievously wounded Hody Jones underwater, who needed to overdose on Energy Steroids to endure it. At Punk Hazard, he was able to use it, alongside Shusui and Wado Ichimonji to block an enormous dragon's bite. Once all three swords were also hardened using Busoshoku Haki, he could cut the mountain-sized Pica multiple times, then Doflamingo's top official after being cladded in Haki.

During the Raid on Onigashima, Sandai Kitetsu was durable enough to withstand Kaidou's and Big Mom's combined technique without damage, It, alongside Wado Ichimonji and Enma was able to give Kaidou a permanent scar using Ashura Bakkei: Moja no Tawamure alongside Haoshoku Haki. After being infused with Haoshoku and Busoshoku Haki, it could deal significant damage to King, a lunarian known for being nigh-invulnerable.

History
In the past, one of Wano's best swordsmiths Kozuki Sukiyaki crafted Sandai Kitetsu in imitation of one of the 21 Great swords, Nidai Kitetsu, which also became an infamous cursed sword. It was later exported overseas and was eventually acquired by Ipponmatsu. Fearing its curse, he refused to sell it until Zoro took a liking to Sandai Kitetsu because of its cursed nature. Zoro courageously tested his luck by risking his arm, extending it against Sandai Kitetsu's falling edge, ultimately keeping the sword after his luck prevailed over the curse.

Zoro would continue to wield the sword in countless battles against powerful enemies such as Daz Bonez, Enel, Kaku, Ryuma, Oars, Bartholomew Kuma, Hody Jones, Pica, Kaidou, and King.

Upon receiving Enma, Zoro was notified by Sukiyaki of Sandai Kitetsu's origin.

Translation and Dub Issues
The name part of the sword is actually the "Kitetsu" part with the "Sandai" being an identifier of generation ("San" being "Three", so Third Generation). Thus, the official English versions (Funimation, VIZ) translate the generation identifier but not the name of the sword itself, coming out to "Kitetsu III" in writing (in the Manga, and Anime Subs/Titles) and spoken aloud as "Kitetsu The Third" in the dub.

Trivia



 * In SBS Volume 92, Oda drew Zoro's swords personified as humans. Sandai Kitetsu took the form of a man with an evil smirk, a stubble beard, and a nearly bald head with a dark topknot.
 * It seems from their name and classification, the Kitetsu was made weaker with each new sword. Being of the lowest grade of the three swords, Sandai Kitetsu is the weakest of all the Kitetsu swords. Its name also indicates it was the last of the three to be made.
 * The panel of Zoro keeping Sandai Kitetsu in the manga is extremely similar to that of Zoro keeping Enma.

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