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UTBW: Ch. 21
🕑 Added 2025-04-16 20:03:30 +0000 UTC"Three years? That long?" Hancock opened her mouth slightly, but didn't voice her doubt.
Because the man before her was a renowned swordsman. When it came to the field of swordsmanship, he naturally had better judgment than she did.
If he said it would take three years, it was likely true.
Although Junichi was only fifteen now and would be eighteen in three years, becoming a great swordsman at eighteen would still be incredible.
But compared to his progress in Haki... It felt a bit too slow.
"The power of Haki is something all living beings can possess. But swordsmanship, only a few can truly walk that path," Rayleigh said slowly, offering his conclusion.
Mihawk nodded, agreeing with that view. Hancock became even more discouraged. Her heart began to waver, leaning toward the idea of it truly taking three years.
---
The next day, Junichi woke up early. After breakfast, he headed out to continue his training.
He had practiced swinging his sword all afternoon the previous day. He had already begun to grasp the feeling—if nothing went wrong, he'd max out his proficiency today.
Let's begin. Arriving at his training spot, he drew his sword, fully focused.
Whoosh!
The new swordsmanship flowed from his hands.
---
[You have practiced New Uchiha-style Swordsmanship. Proficiency +1]
[You have practiced Flying Slash. Proficiency +1]
---
As the blade sliced through the air, a sharp whooshing sound echoed. Every so often, a proficiency notification flashed across his panel.
Just like that, the morning flew by.
Around noon, his focus deepened. Something within his heart stirred—as if a hidden clarity was about to surface, like a pearl emerging from murky waters.
[You have practiced Flying Slash. Proficiency +1]
"You're rushing too much." A voice suddenly came from behind.
He didn't turn around. His Observation Haki had already detected the presence, it was Mihawk.
"For this level, mindless repetition won't do. You need inner peace," Mihawk approached, advising him seriously.
"I suggest you put down the sword for now. You're holding on too tightly. Letting go, that's the true path to a breakthrough."
Junichi didn't respond. He continued to swing his sword. His heart rippled suddenly, like a still lake disturbed by a pebble. That hidden feeling surged upward from deep within.
[You have practiced Flying Slash. Proficiency +1]
"Looks like you're not listening," Mihawk said, shaking his head.
"I won't say more then. I've been stubborn before too. Maybe this is a stage every swordsman must pass."
After saying that, he turned and walked away.
"Oh, by the way, I came to tell you. It's time for lunch."
With that, he strolled toward the boat by the shore.
Junichi paid him no mind, he simply released another slow slash.
That slash… suddenly touched something. Something burst from his heart, merging seamlessly with the blade.
A simple attack suddenly unleashed tremendous power.
Rip!
The air itself seemed to tear like cloth.
"Hmm?"
Mihawk stopped abruptly and turned back in surprise. "That strike…?"
He immediately sensed something extraordinary in that slash.
---
[You have practiced Flying Slash. Proficiency +1]
[Your Flying Slash proficiency has met the requirement. It has advanced automatically.]
[Flying Slash: Special (Max Level at Beginner)]
---
Boom!
Junichi's mind trembled. His heart surged. A pure and full moon-like true heart rose from the depths of his spirit, suspended high above.
In that instant, an overwhelming clarity filled his body and soul.
A true heart hanging high above, eternally illuminating his spirit, dispelling all confusion and obscurity.
The realm of the Great Swordsman!
Junichi's eyes changed—becoming calm and gentle, no longer carrying any impatience or pressure.
His mind relaxed, his spirit at ease. His whole being felt an unprecedented tranquility. It was as if everything in the world was now reflected on the surface of his heart, yet no longer stirred his emotions.
Mihawk looked at Junichi.
This feeling… this sense of total clarity—it was the mark of a Great Swordsman. But how could that be?
It was impossible for someone to reach the realm of a Great Swordsman through sheer hard training alone. If it were, countless swordsmen wouldn't have spent their lives stuck at the threshold.
To break through this realm required experience and enlightenment.
"Mihawk," Junichi said calmly, his voice clear and serene, a faint smile on his lips. "I've understood the secret of the Flying Slash."
He turned to face the sea and gently swung his blade, just like Mihawk had done the day before.
Rip!
A seemingly casual slash suddenly unleashed terrifying power, tearing through the air like paper.
Whoosh!
A curved slash wave shot out, landing on the sea ten meters away.
Boom!
The sea surface exploded on contact, sending up a fountain of spray. Even though it was a weak version of the Flying Slash, it was still a Flying Slash. And that alone was irrefutable proof of a Great Swordsman.
Junichi had done the impossible—breaking through the barrier that stumped so many, not by wandering or searching for understanding, but by sheer, focused training.
"How did you do it?" Mihawk stared at him, utterly baffled.
This defied centuries of consensus in the world of swordsmanship.
"It's actually not that difficult," Junichi replied with a light chuckle, then shared his insight: "The purpose of traveling the world is for a swordsman to see different people and things, to break past old illusions, and discover their true heart."
"But to find your true heart… you don't necessarily need to travel. Some people are naturally clear-minded, and others know exactly what they want even before becoming a swordsman."
He pointed to himself.
"I'm the latter. I already knew what I wanted before I understood the Flying Slash. So breaking through this stage… was not difficult for me."
And he wasn't lying. After grasping the Flying Slash, Junichi had gained his own understanding of the realm. Just like the human body had instinctive self-protection that limited physical exertion... The heart, too, had subconscious restraints—unaware self-suppression. If a swordsman broke through the physical limits, then a Great Swordsman was one who broke through the mental and spiritual limits.
Once he understood that, the realm of the Great Swordsman was no longer a mysterious "chance encounter," but a clear, repeatable path.
"So that's how it is…" Mihawk's thoughts became dazed. His expression shifted again and again. What Junichi said echoed parts of his own understanding—but where his insight was fragmented and unclear, Junichi's was like a scalpel, cutting straight to the core.
"The great secret that countless swordsmen have chased in vain, you explained in just a few words…"
Mihawk looked at Junichi, eyes full of complex emotion.
"You're not… some reincarnated Sword Saint from history, are you?"
"Hahaha, of course not!" Junichi laughed, unable to hold it in.
"I just have a little bit more insight and a tiny bit more self-reflection than most." And I am a cheater.
Mihawk's mouth twitched.
A little bit?
Comments
Trashd
God I love this series keep up the amazing work bro!
