Mr. Rayleigh, I Hope to Receive Your Guidance

"Just Mr. Roger's bold words before his death will probably be remembered for generations," Junichi said with heartfelt emotion.

—Want my treasure? You can have it all if you want it. Go find it! I left all my treasure there.

Those words had sparked the magnificent Great Pirate Era.

"That's true. Roger, that guy..." Rayleigh deeply agreed, a nostalgic look appearing on his face.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Shakuyaku helplessly interjected, "It's the middle of the night. Why don't we go back and continue this conversation?"

"True enough. The docks aren't a suitable place for chatting." Rayleigh casually slung an arm around Junichi's shoulders. "Come on, young man. I'll treat you to Sabaody's finest liquor!"

"That sounds wonderful." Junichi nodded with a smile.

Nearby.

Hancock and the others had also composed themselves.

The group headed toward Shakky's Rip-off Bar.

The next day.

Junichi woke up on time, prompted by his internal clock.

He went up to the bar's rooftop, drew his ninja sword, and began his daily Uchiha Style Swordsmanship training.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Low, smooth sounds of slicing through the air rang out.

He swung his ninja sword so swiftly that it formed an impenetrable curtain, turning into flashes of blade light that glittered in the air.

Under normal circumstances.

Training like this would require months before any improvement became visible.

But with the help of the [Proficiency System].

Every time he completed a standard Uchiha Style Swordsmanship exercise, words indicating an increase in proficiency would appear on the panel.

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

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

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

This was growth he could see with his own eyes!

For a while, Junichi no longer felt any pain and became completely immersed in his swordsmanship.

Only when he was drenched in sweat and completely exhausted did he finally stop, leaning against the rooftop railing as he slowly drank some water.

Inside his body.

Threads of warm current emerged, replenishing the stamina he had expended.

"What a terrifying thing."

Feeling the warm currents within him, Junichi murmured in amazement, "The nutritional value of meat is unbelievably rich."

Last night, Shakuyaku had treated him generously at the bar.

It had only been an ordinary meal.

Yet Junichi had felt brimming with energy, as if his body possessed inexhaustible strength.

Even if he trained to the point of collapse.

As long as he rested for a little while, he would recover a great deal of stamina.

"With such abundant nutrition, it's no wonder this world has produced so many monsters." Thinking of the monsters throughout the Pirate World, Junichi no longer found it strange.

Compared to the Pirate World, the Naruto World was a complete mess.

Not only was its energy scarce, but it was also incredibly violent. Ordinary people had no way to absorb or use it through ordinary means.

After briefly complaining about the Naruto World.

Junichi opened the panel and checked the rejection rate.

[Rejection Rate: 5.28%/100%]

It had only increased by 0.05%.

Reasonable.

How could an unknown nobody like him change the tide of the era after just one encounter?

What happened with Hancock had been an accident.

This was the normal situation.

"...I've rested enough." Feeling his strength return, Junichi sheathed his ninja sword and left the rooftop.

He took a shower first before heading down to the first floor.

The moment he came downstairs.

A rich aroma of meat rushed into his nose.

Grrr...

Junichi's stomach immediately rumbled hungrily.

"Huh?"

A puzzled expression appeared on his face.

That sound wasn't because he was truly hungry. He had not even digested what he ate last night.

This was a craving!

His body was craving the source of that meaty aroma!

"You're here, Junichi. Have some Sea King breakfast." Standing behind the counter, Shakuyaku smiled and waved him over.

Sea King?

Junichi understood at once.

Sea Kings were famous for being exceptionally nutritious and extraordinarily delicious.

The energy contained in their meat was far richer than ordinary meat.

He walked over and sat down at the table.

Rayleigh, who was already sitting there, casually filled a bowl and handed it to him.

It was a soup-like breakfast.

The moment it reached his hands, the scent of meat became even richer. Junichi felt every cell in his body cry out with a ravenous urge.

"It was too late last night, so it wasn't convenient to have a chef prepare anything."

Shakuyaku stepped out from behind the counter and placed a glass of prepared fruit juice in front of Junichi. Smiling, she said, "But starting today, all five of your daily meals here will be Sea King dishes!"

"Five meals?" Junichi froze for a moment.

"Breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus afternoon tea and a late-night snack." Shakuyaku chuckled.

All five meals would be Sea King meat?

Junichi's expression shifted slightly. He did not know whether he could handle it. Wouldn't he get stuffed?

Whatever.

He would eat first and worry about it later!

Slurp...

Junichi lowered his head and swallowed the soup from his bowl as though he were drinking porridge.

It was rich and fragrant upon entering his mouth. The indescribable flavor awakened every taste bud, like a perfect massage that made his entire mouth revel in pleasure.

"Delicious!"

Junichi's eyes lit up as he began eating in large mouthfuls.

Rayleigh and Shakuyaku watched him with smiling eyes.

Before long.

Junichi had eaten until he was one hundred and twenty percent full before reluctantly stopping.

He had not forgotten the important matter.

Wiping his mouth, he said, "I've already decided on the payment for Kuja."

At that, both Shakuyaku and Rayleigh looked at him.

"Forgive my presumptuousness..."

Junichi revealed a contemplative expression, looking at Shakuyaku and then Rayleigh before slowly saying, "I hope to ask Mr. Rayleigh to teach me for a period of time."

The bar fell silent for a moment.

Several seconds later.

Shakuyaku finally laughed and shook her head. "You've got sharp eyes, young Junichi."

"So you noticed." Rayleigh laughed as well.

Neither of them had deliberately hidden it.

It was just that no one had ever noticed before.

"Still, there's no need for me to instruct you." Rayleigh refused. "I can see that you use a blade, but I'm not skilled in swordsmanship."

"I only use a 'sword' to fight."

"I can't teach you."

Shakuyaku nodded as well. "Young Junichi, think it over again."

"No, I still hope to receive Mr. Rayleigh's guidance." Junichi shook his head and said firmly, "Swordsmanship is only one part of my strength. In every other aspect, I need an experienced senior to guide my training."

"Is that so?" Rayleigh raised a brow and thought for a moment.

He nodded. "If you insist, I can teach you for a while."

After a pause.

Rayleigh added, "But it won't be for long. My fee is quite expensive, you know. At most, I can teach you for six months."

"That's more than enough, Mr. Rayleigh." Junichi smiled.

He had never expected Rayleigh to teach him for two years.

Who was he, and who was Luffy?

Luffy was the inheritor of Roger's will! The host of the Nika Fruit!

Being able to receive six months of guidance already left Junichi completely satisfied.

This is the best choice for me right now, Junichi thought.

Whether he joined a merchant caravan, the Marines, the World Government, or some pirate crew.

None of it could compare to half a year of Rayleigh's guidance.

"Mr. Rayleigh, when do we begin?" Junichi asked again.

Rayleigh replied casually, "If you're in a hurry, we can start right now."

"Then please, let's begin now!" Junichi said.

"Alright."

Rayleigh nodded, rose to his feet, and walked out of the bar. "Come with me. I'll take you to prepare a few things."

Add Bookmark

Return to Contents

Report Chapter Error

Share with Friends: