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UTBW: Ch. 23
🕑 Added 2025-04-17 19:12:25 +0000 UTCAfter finishing lunch, Hancock was taken away to continue her training. Junichi and the others stayed behind at the bar, sipping drinks and relaxing.
"I originally planned to teach you for two months, but I didn't expect you to become a Swordsman quickly."
Mihawk took a sip of his drink, his eyes slightly hazy as he spoke. Even now, he still found it hard to believe.
The boy's growth was just too fast.
How could anyone become a Swordsman on their first day of training, and then a Great Swordsman the next?
Not even in a dream would that make any sense. But it really happened, right before his eyes. He had no choice but to believe it.
Was it due to his bloodline? Uchiha?
"I have nothing left to teach you," he exhaled. "From here on, just steadily increase your strength. When your strength matches your rank… That's when your name will spread across the seas."
Hearing this, Junichi raised his glass with a smile. "No matter what, it's all thanks to your guidance, that I've come this far."
He said that sincerely.
Without Mihawk's guidance, he'd have been like a headless fly. Even with a cheat, he wouldn't have known how to start, or how to comprehend Flying Slashes.
Knowing something versus knowing nothing made all the difference. Mihawk knew a lot about swordsmanship, whereas Junichi was a complete noob. So just hearing Mihawk explain everything was really helpful for grinding his proficiency.
It provided a starting line.
"I hardly taught you anything," Mihawk chuckled and shook his head, feeling unworthy of the thanks. So, he simply changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about that anymore. You completed your training ahead of schedule, so I've decided to turn the remaining time into a gift for you."
"A gift?" Junichi was a little surprised.
Shakky and Rayleigh, however, showed subtle expressions.
Something about that… Didn't someone say something similar before?
"That's right. The Ten Rat Pirates," Mihawk nodded. "I've been operating around here while chasing them."
"Their captain has a Great Grade Blade, called Oni-me. But he isn't a swordsman, he's dishonoring that blade. I originally planned to retrieve it and find it a worthy wielder. Now… I think you should give it a try."
As he spoke, he looked over at Shakky.
Seeing this, Shakky nodded lightly and said, "He paid me to gather information on the Ten Rat Pirates. I've already acquired detailed intel."
As she spoke, she walked behind the bar and opened a small drawer. From it, she took out a kraft paper envelope.
He handed the envelope to Junichi and said, "Inside is information on the Ten Rat Pirates. There are two people worth noting."
"Captain Cobb has a bounty of 120 million berries. And his first mate, Dustin, with a bounty of 78 million berries."
Taking the envelope, Junichi's expression turned a bit more serious.
A 120 million bounty and a 78 million bounty, they weren't small fries. Even though bounty didn't directly equate to strength…
Anyone with over 100 million definitely wasn't weak. Weaklings would've been taken out by the Marines long ago.
"100 million berries is a dividing line," Rayleigh chimed in.
Junichi looked up at him. "Dividing line?"
"Exactly."
Rayleigh nodded, explaining: "Anyone with a bounty over 100 million is considered a 'monster' by ordinary people. Even if they can't cut steel, don't use Haki, and haven't eaten a Devil Fruit… Their sheer strength alone can split steel with brute force."
Those words got Junichi thinking.
"He is absolutely right," Mihawk added from the side. "Cobb has a Great Grade Balde. Regular weapons can't withstand its blows. Even though your swordsmanship is more refined, his physical strength is greater and his weapon is better. The odds of your victory are around sixty-forty. You're the sixty."
After a brief pause, he added, "Of course, I'm not saying you have to take down this pirate crew. I just think they make for a suitable opponent to test your blade against. And besides, how can a Great Swordsman not wield a Great Grade Blade?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Junichi's current sword, a standard ninja blade. It wasn't anything special. Just a regular consumable weapon.
"I'll take a look at the intel first," Junichi said thoughtfully, opening the envelope.
In truth, he was already tempted. Great Grade Blades were as rare as Devil Fruits. And now an opportunity to obtain one was right in front of him, how could he let it go?
"Take your time," Mihawk said.
Rayleigh and Shakky shared the same sentiment.
A Great Grade Blade was reason enough for a Great Swordsman to take action. But none of them insisted he must go.
Even though his swordsmanship had reached the level of a Great Swordsman, his physical strength was still lacking.
It didn't match his skill level yet. So, facing someone like Cobb could be risky.
---
Rustle.
Rustle.
Junichi flipped through the intel quickly, gradually forming a clear picture.
This pirate crew had no Devil Fruit users, no special abilities—they had fought their way into the Grand Line purely with brute strength.
Among them, the captain's high bounty was largely thanks to the Great Grade Blade.
With that blade, most conventional weapons were easily sliced apart and rendered useless.
But that's all there is to it. He thought to himself, That's his limit. He doesn't understand swordsmanship, so he can't bring out the blade's full potential.
If I wrap my weapon with Armament Haki, I can defend against it. As for the difference in raw strength… Fuck it!
He wasn't just a swordsman, he had another identity: a ninja!
He could also use ninjutsu. And Cobb was not Garp.
When I first came to this world, it was ninjutsu that helped me take down an entire ship of pirates, Junichi reminded himself.
And ever since, I've never stopped training in ninjutsu.
I've now mastered both Fire Release and genjutsu. Hm... Does genjutsu even work here?
With that thought, he summoned his system panel.
Shing!
---
[Host: Uchiha Junichi]
[Age: 15]
[Skills:]
– Chakra Molding — Mastery (13/10,000)
– Uchiha-style Swordsmanship — (754/1000)
– Ninja Tool Throwing Technique — Skilled (265/1000)
– Clone Technique — Mastery (24/10,000)
– Transformation Technique — Mastery (54/10,000)
– Substitution Technique — Mastery (9/10,000)
– Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique — Mastery (30/10,000)
– Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique — Mastery (11/10,000)
– Sly Mind Affect Technique — Mastery (7/10,000)
– Mist Servants Technique — Mastery (36/10,000)
– Armament Haki — Skilled (142/1000)
– Observation Haki — Skilled (98/1000)
– Basic Swordsmanship — (Max Level at Beginner)
– Cutting Steel — (Max Level at Beginner)
– Flying Slash — (Max Level at Beginner)
---
This was the result of his consistent grinding.
His physical condition had greatly improved—more stamina, sharper focus. Abundant physical and spiritual energy led to a massive increase in chakra capacity.
Plus, his Sharingan had awakened, granting a subtle boost from the Uchiha bloodline to both Fire Style and Yin Release techniques.
Combined, these advantages allowed him to level up all his jutsu to the Mastery.
