Ending Training Early and Returning

[You trained Armament Haki once. Proficiency +1]

[You trained Armament Haki once. Proficiency +1]

[You trained Observation Haki once. Proficiency +1]

[You trained Observation Haki once. Proficiency +1]

[You trained Uchiha Style Swordsmanship once. Proficiency +1]

[You trained Uchiha Style Swordsmanship once. Proficiency +1]

Junichi did not neglect his ninja training.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

During those seven days, Rayleigh took him hunting on the island, honing his two types of Haki through battle.

At the same time, he taught him the knowledge needed to sail the seas.

He told him about the Four Blues, the first half of the Grand Line, the New World, and various places worth exploring.

Junichi absorbed it all.

Seven days later.

Junichi's two types of Haki had both reached the "Proficient" level.

[Armament Haki · Proficient (8/1000)]

[Observation Haki · Proficient (5/1000)]

His Armament Haki was enough to cover his entire body, while his Observation Haki could be used at any time.

Meanwhile, his rejection rate had not increased much.

[Rejection Rate: 5.78%/100%]

It was still within the five-percent range.

"I have nothing left to teach you. The road ahead is yours to walk," Rayleigh said with a sigh, patting Junichi on the shoulder. "Go back."

"Okay." Junichi nodded naturally.

Rayleigh was a man of practical combat. He had taught Junichi everything he could.

What remained depended on Junichi's own adventures.

"I'll call Shakuyaku and have her prepare a feast to celebrate the end of your training." Rayleigh smiled and took out a Den Den Mushi.

Sabaody Archipelago.

Qi's Rip-off Bar, first-floor counter.

"Big Sister Shakuyaku, when are they coming back?" Hancock lay sprawled over the bar counter and asked boredly.

A vein bulged on Shakuyaku's forehead.

"I've told you more than thirty times!"

"He went to a deserted island with Rayleigh to train for six months."

"It's only been a week. I haven't seen him either!"

Hearing that, Hancock let out a dejected breath.

Seeing her like this only made Shakuyaku more depressed. She already cares about him?

"Honestly..."

Shakuyaku rubbed her forehead with a headache, thinking to herself:

Being saved in a desperate situation perfectly fits the hero-saving-the-beauty trope. It's normal for her to develop feelings... but that boy is no ordinary person!

That cold, repressed, murderous air about him—there must be enormous trouble behind it.

Besides, the Kuja would never allow an Empress to marry someone from outside.

From every angle, Shakuyaku felt the two had no future together.

But she also knew.

Hancock was experiencing her first stirrings of love. Forcing her to stop would only backfire.

Shakuyaku could not bluntly interfere either. She could only remain vigilant in secret.

Pururururu!

Just as she was thinking, a Den Den Mushi in her pocket suddenly began to ring.

"Rayleigh?"

Shakuyaku took out the Den Den Mushi in surprise. This was the one she used to communicate with Rayleigh privately.

She immediately picked up the receiver.

"Good morning, Shakuyaku." The Den Den Mushi took on Rayleigh's likeness and spoke in his familiar voice. "Young Junichi's training has ended early. We'll arrive at the Sabaody Archipelago tonight, so remember to prepare a banquet for us."

They were coming back tonight?

Hancock, who had been listening in, caught the key words and immediately straightened up with renewed energy.

"So soon?"

Shakuyaku was surprised. "It's only been a week..." But she seemed to think of something and immediately changed her tone with a smile. "All right, I'll book a chef right away."

"Good. See you tonight," Rayleigh said.

"See you tonight." Shakuyaku put down the receiver.

The call had just ended.

Hancock immediately rushed over, unable to wait any longer. "Junichi and the others are coming back tonight!?"

"Didn't you hear it all?" Shakuyaku shot her a sideways glance.

"That's great!"

Overjoyed, Hancock jumped off her stool and bounced around the tavern.

But Shakuyaku did not look nearly as happy. Instead, she sighed. "Hancock, don't be so quick to celebrate."

"Huh?" Hancock stopped in confusion.

"Don't you find it strange?" Shakuyaku said slowly. "The training was supposed to last six months. Why are they coming back after only a week?"

Hancock froze.

She had been so happy just now that she had not considered that question at all.

"Why?" Hancock asked in confusion.

"What do you think?" Shakuyaku did not give her the answer directly, instead guiding her to think. "This isn't my prejudice, but young Junichi's talent and physical constitution are actually quite ordinary."

"Yet there are signs on him of high-intensity training."

"And Rayleigh's guidance means another, even more intense form of training. So what do you think..."

Shakuyaku said nothing further.

Hancock had already realized the problem, and her expression fell silent.

After a moment.

Hancock bit her lip and said in a low voice, "Junichi couldn't handle Mr. Rayleigh's training?"

"That's the only possibility." Shakuyaku nodded.

Whoosh!

In an instant, it was as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her. All the joy in Hancock's heart was extinguished.

If that was the case, there was no way she could be happy.

"So tonight, be careful. Don't bring up the training, understand?" Shakuyaku gently stroked her head.

Hancock nodded hard. "Mm, I understand!"

Night fell.

Junichi and Rayleigh arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and returned to Shakuyaku's tavern.

"Welcome back."

Shakuyaku leaned against the counter, smoking a cigarette as she greeted them with a lazy smile. "The food is ready. Do you want to eat now?"

"Of course. I saved my stomach especially for this meal." Rayleigh chuckled as he took a seat.

Junichi sat down as well.

Beside him.

Hancock smiled as she greeted him and poured him a glass of fruit juice. "Junichi, try the drink I just learned to make."

"Thank you." Junichi nodded, accepted it, took a sip, and casually praised it.

Hancock immediately narrowed her eyes in delight.

That left Junichi slightly surprised.

Before he could think much about it.

The hired chef directed his assistants as they brought out plate after plate of exquisite dishes, filling half of the tavern's first floor.

Among them.

Several delicate, bite-sized dishes had been deliberately placed in front of Junichi.

This was Shakuyaku's silent consideration.

People with great strength had strong bodies, and their appetites naturally increased.

Correspondingly.

Weaker people would have much smaller appetites.

Shakuyaku worried that Junichi would not be able to eat much, so she specifically instructed the chef to prepare refined dishes and place them on Junichi's side.

That way, the contrast would not be too obvious while they ate.

"Cheers."

Rayleigh clinked glasses with Junichi, then began eating in large mouthfuls.

Hancock and Shakuyaku also took seats nearby.

"Mm, this food..." Junichi looked at the delicate dishes before him, feeling somewhat helpless.

If it had been afternoon tea, perhaps he would have been in the mood to savor them slowly.

But on the small island.

After eating roasted meat for seven days—roasted meat seasoned with nothing but salt and simple spices—Junichi's mouth had gone completely bland.

Right now, he only wanted to gorge himself on meat!

Rip...

Junichi reached out, tore off a huge drumstick, and stuffed it into his mouth to chew.

He completely ignored the delicate dishes in front of him.

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