[You have practiced Armament Haki. Proficiency +1]
[You have practiced Armament Haki. Proficiency +1]
...
[You have practiced Observation Haki. Proficiency +1]
[You have practiced Observation Haki. Proficiency +1]
...
[You have Uchiha-style Swordsmanship. Proficiency +1]
[You have Uchiha-style Swordsmanship. Proficiency +1]
...
Junichi didn't slack off in his ninja training.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. During those days, Rayleigh took him hunting across the island, honing both Haki through battle.
At the same time, he taught him knowledge about sailing on the seas. He told him about the Four Blues, the first half of the Grand Line, the New World, and recommended places worth exploring.
Junichi absorbed it all.
Seven days later, his Haki had both reached the "Skilled" level.
[Armament Haki — Beginner (8/100)]
[Observation Haki — Beginner (5/100)]
His Armament Haki was strong enough to cover his entire body.
And his Observation Haki was at a level he could use at will.
But somehow, his Rejection Rate hadn't increased much.
[Rejection Rate: 5.78% / 100%]
It was still within the 5% range.
"I have nothing left to teach you. The path ahead is yours to walk alone." Rayleigh sighed, patting Junichi on the shoulder. "Go on back."
"Alright," Junichi nodded naturally.
Rayleigh was all about real combat, he had already taught everything he could. From here on out, Junichi would have to rely on himself.
"I'll call Shakky and ask her to prepare a banquet to celebrate the end of your training," Rayleigh said with a smile as he pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
---
In Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Hancock lay on the counter, bored out of her mind.
"When are they coming back?"
A vein popped on Shakky's forehead. "I've said it over thirty times already! 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 frustrated sigh.
Seeing her like that, Shakky grew even more annoyed in her heart.
So she's already starting to care?
Seriously…
She held her forehead in pain, thinking to herself, Saved in a desperate moment, it's the classic hero-rescues-damsel setup. It's natural she'd develop feelings… but that boy isn't normal!
That cold, and dangerous aura... there's definitely a lot of trouble behind it.
Besides, the Kuja would never let an empress marry an outsider.
From any angle, she didn't think the two had any chance. But she knew too if she tried to forcefully stop Hancock, it would only backfire. She couldn't be too harsh, all she could do was stay quietly on guard.
Pururu! Pururu!
Just as she was thinking, a Den Den Mushi in her pocket started to ring.
Shakky pulled it out in surprise, this was the one she used for private calls with Rayleigh. She picked up the receiver immediately.
"Good morning, Shakky." The Den Den Mushi mimicked Rayleigh's face and spoke in his familiar voice. "The training ended early. We'll be arriving at Sabaody tonight. Make sure to prepare a banquet."
Tonight?
Hancock, who had been listening in, caught the keyword and immediately perked up.
"So soon?" Shakky was surprised. "It's only been a week…" But she seemed to realize something, and quickly changed tone with a smile, "Alright, I'll go find the chef and make the arrangements."
"Great, see you later" Rayleigh said.
"See you tonight," Shakky replied, putting down the receiver.
Just as the call ended, Hancock eagerly leaned in and said excitedly, "They are coming back tonight!?"
"You heard it yourself, didn't you?" Shakky gave her a sidelong glance.
"That's great!" Hancock was overjoyed. She jumped off the stool and skipped around the bar.
But Shakky didn't look nearly as happy. Instead, she sighed. "Don't celebrate just yet."
"Huh?" Hancock stopped, confused.
"Don't you think it's strange?" Shakky said slowly. "That was supposed to be six months of training, why are they back after just one week?"
Hancock froze. She had been too excited to think about it before.
"Why?" she asked, puzzled.
"What do you think?" Shakky didn't give her a direct answer but guided her to think. "It's not just my impression, Junichi's talent and physical ability are actually pretty average. But at the same time, his body shows signs of intense training. And Rayleigh's guidance would've added another layer of even harsher training. So, what do you think…"
Shakky left the rest unsaid. Hancock was already beginning to understand. Her expression turned serious.
After a moment, she bit her lip and murmured, "He couldn't handle Rayleigh's training?"
"That's the only explanation," Shakky nodded.
Splash.
In an instant, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, all of Hancock's excitement was gone. There was no way to be happy now.
"That's why, tonight, be careful. Don't bring up training, alright?" Shakky said gently, patting her head.
Hancock nodded firmly. "Okay, I understand!"
---
At nightfall, Junichi and Rayleigh arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and returned to Shakky's bar.
"Welcome back." Shakky leaned against the bar, lazily smiling while puffing on a cigarette. "The food's all ready. Want to eat now?"
"Of course. I've been saving my appetite for this," Rayleigh chuckled and took a seat.
Junichi sat down beside him. Nearby, Hancock greeted him with a smile and poured him a glass of juice. "Try this mix I just learned."
"Thanks." Junichi nodded, took a sip, and casually praised it.
Hancock immediately beamed with joy, her eyes squinting happily. Junichi was slightly surprised by her reaction.
Before he could think much about it, the hired chef gave the signal, and dish after dish of beautifully prepared food was brought out, filling nearly half of the first floor of the bar.
Among them, some of the more refined and delicate dishes were placed specifically in front of him.
This was Shakky's silent gesture of care.
Strong people tend to have stronger bodies and bigger appetites.
Conversely, weaker people tend to eat less.
Shakky, worried that Junichi might not be able to eat much, had instructed the chef to prepare more delicate food and place it in front of him. This way, the difference in portions wouldn't be too obvious.
"Cheers." Rayleigh raised his glass and clinked it with Junichi's, then began digging in heartily.
Hancock and Shakky also joined them at the table.
"These dishes…" Junichi looked at the elegant food in front of him and sighed a little. If this were afternoon tea, he might have enjoyed savoring it slowly.
But back on the island, he'd eaten nothing but roasted meat with salt for seven days, and he was absolutely tired of the blandness.
Right now, all he wanted was properly prepared meat. Big, juicy chunks of expertly seasoned meat.
Rip—
He reached out, tore off a giant meat leg, and started chewing on it with gusto, completely ignoring the delicate dishes laid out in front of him.