Hawk-Eye's Gift

After lunch,

Hancock was dragged off to continue training.

Junichi and the other three stayed in the tavern, relaxing over drinks.

"I originally planned to teach you for two months, but I never expected you to become a great swordsman so quickly."

Hawk-Eye took a sip of wine and spoke with a slightly dazed look in his eyes.

Even now, he still found it hard to believe.

Junichi's growth was far too fast—fast enough to defy common sense.

How could someone become a swordsman on their first day of training, then a great swordsman on the second?

That would be absurd even in a dream!

Yet it had truly happened right before his eyes, and Hawk-Eye had no choice but to believe it.

"I have nothing left to teach you." Hawk-Eye let out a breath and said wistfully, "From here on, all you need to do is steadily build up your strength."

"When your strength matches your level,"

"will be the day your name resounds across the seas."

Hearing that,

Junichi raised his glass with a smile, showing Hawk-Eye his respect. "No matter what, it was thanks to Mr. Mihawk's guidance that I achieved this much."

He meant every word sincerely.

Without Hawk-Eye's guidance, he would have been like a headless fly.

Even with his cheat, he would not have known how to get started or how to comprehend Flying Slash.

"What did I teach you?" Hawk-Eye shook his head with a laugh, feeling unworthy of such gratitude.

So, he directly changed the subject.

"Enough of that."

Hawk-Eye turned to glance at Shakuyaku beside him. "You completed the training ahead of schedule, so I plan to replace the original teaching period with a gift."

"A gift?" Junichi was slightly surprised.

Shakuyaku and Rayleigh, however, wore subtle expressions.

It felt like...

they had heard something similar before.

"That's right, a pirate crew called the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates." Hawk-Eye nodded. "I was pursuing them, which is why I was active around here."

"Their captain possesses a Great Grade Blade called Demon Eye."

"But the captain is not a swordsman. He has disgraced that blade."

"I originally intended to reclaim Demon Eye and find it a suitable owner. But now... I think you should give it a try."

As Hawk-Eye spoke, he looked at Shakuyaku nearby.

Seeing this,

Shakuyaku nodded lightly. "Mihawk paid me to gather intelligence on the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates. I've already obtained detailed information."

As she spoke, she turned and walked behind the bar, pulling open a small drawer.

She took a kraft paper envelope from it.

Shakuyaku handed the envelope to Junichi and said, "It contains detailed information on the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates. There are two people worth noting."

"Captain Cooper, who wields the Great Grade Blade Demon Eye. His bounty is 120 million Berries."

"First mate Dustin, whose bounty is 78 million Berries."

Taking the envelope,

Junichi's expression grew more serious.

One had a bounty of 120 million, and the other 78 million. They were no pushovers.

Although bounties did not fully represent strength,

anyone who reached a bounty of over 100 million was definitely not weak.

The weak would have long since been wiped out by the Marines.

"100 million Berries is a dividing line," Rayleigh interjected.

Junichi looked up at him. "A dividing line?"

"That's right."

Rayleigh nodded and explained, "Those with bounties of 100 million Berries or more are already considered 'monsters' in ordinary people's eyes."

"Even if they do not understand Cutting Steel, do not understand Haki, and do not possess Devil Fruits,"

"their own strength is enough to forcibly cleave through steel."

These words

gave Junichi something to think about.

"Mr. Rayleigh is right," Hawk-Eye added from the side. "Captain Cooper has a Great Grade Blade. Ordinary weapons cannot withstand the slashes of a Great Grade Blade."

"Your level may be higher, but he is stronger than you, and his weapon is better."

"Your odds are roughly six to four, with you taking the six."

After a pause,

Hawk-Eye continued, "Of course, I am not saying you must take down this pirate crew."

"I simply think they would make suitable opponents for you to test your blade against."

"And how can a great swordsman not have a Great Grade Blade in hand?"

As Hawk-Eye spoke, he glanced at Junichi's ninja blade.

It was Kimura's standard-issue ninja blade.

It could not be considered a good weapon, merely an ordinary consumable.

"I'll look over the intelligence first."

Junichi pondered for a moment, then opened the paper envelope.

In truth, he was already tempted.

Great Grade Blades were almost as rare as Devil Fruits.

With an opportunity to obtain one right before him, how could he let it slip away?

"Take your time," Hawk-Eye said.

Rayleigh and Shakuyaku shared the same attitude.

A Great Grade Blade was enough to mobilize a great swordsman.

But that did not mean Junichi had to go.

Although Junichi had reached the level of a great swordsman, his physical strength was still sorely lacking.

It was completely mismatched with his level.

Facing Cooper carried some risk.

Rustle.

Rustle.

Junichi quickly flipped through the intelligence, gradually forming a clear picture.

This was a pirate crew in which no one possessed a Devil Fruit or special abilities. They had forced their way into the Grand Line purely through physical strength.

Cooper's 100-million bounty was largely reliant on the Great Grade Blade Demon Eye.

With a Great Grade Blade,

most conventional weapons would be cut apart directly and become useless.

"But that is all."

Junichi thought to himself, This is Cooper's limit. He does not understand swordsmanship, so it is difficult for him to unleash the true power of a Great Grade Blade.

Armament Haki coating will be enough to resist it.

As for the gap in strength...

Junichi chuckled inwardly.

He was not a pure swordsman. He had another identity—ninja!

He could also use ninjutsu!

When I first transmigrated here, I relied on ninjutsu to take out an entire ship of pirates, Junichi thought.

I have not neglected my ninjutsu training these past days.

Both Fire Release and genjutsu have reached the proficient level!

At that thought,

Junichi summoned the system panel.

Clang!

[Host: Junichi Uchiha]

[Age: 15]

[Skills: Chakra Refinement Technique · Proficient (13/10,000), New Uchiha Style Swordsmanship · Skilled (754/1000), Ninja Tool Throwing Technique · Skilled (265/1000), Clone Technique · Proficient (24/10,000), Transformation Technique · Proficient (54/10,000), Body Replacement Technique · Proficient (9/10,000), Fire Release - Great Fireball Technique · Proficient (30/10,000), Genjutsu - Narakumi no Jutsu · Proficient (11/10,000), Genjutsu - Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique · Proficient (7/10,000), Genjutsu - Mist Servant Technique · Proficient (36/10,000)...

Armament Haki · Skilled (142/1000), Observation Haki · Skilled (98/100), Basic Swordsmanship · Special (Max Level Upon Entry), Cutting Steel · Special (Max Level Upon Entry), Flying Slash · Special (Max Level Upon Entry)]

Every ninjutsu skill had been raised from "Skilled" to "Proficient."

This was the result of Junichi's constant efforts.

His physical fitness had improved, his stamina had become more abundant, and his mind more vigorous.

Abundant physical and spiritual energy had brought an enormous increase in his chakra reserves!

On top of that, he had awakened the Sharingan, along with the subtle boosts the Uchiha Clan bloodline gave to Fire Release and Yin Release!

With both combined,

Junichi had raised all his techniques to the "Proficient" level.