8 The Mystery of 'Cutting'
Distinguishing between listening to the Breath of All Things and listening to the Voice of All Things, Hayashi understood that it was not akin to Observation Haki.
Listening to the Breath of All Things marked the threshold for a swordsman to transcend from a swordsman to a great swordsman. Conversely, the ability to listen to the Voice of All Things belonged to the legendary 'Territory of Overlords'.
Observation Haki, on the other hand, allowed one to detect the breath and emotional changes of creatures.
While stepping into the realm of a swordsman, he took some time to comprehend the strength of the 'breath' he could perceive.
Although swordsmen could cut through steel, those who could sense the Voice of All Things in the One Piece World were typically much older. Their expertise was honed over many years of immersion in swordsmanship, marking a significant difference in skill and perception.
Despite realizing the Breath of All Things at the age of seven due to the system's ability, Hayashi's physical development hadn't caught up. This hindered his ability to perceive the breath of steel.
Currently, he could only perceive the voice of certain objects—such as wood, stones, bamboo, and ordinary rocks—while more rigid materials like boulders remained beyond his grasp. Fragile items like paper, candles, and cups were also within his range of perception.
After weeks of exploration, Hayashi finally grasped the essence of what Zoro's master, Koshiro, had conveyed in the original story.
In this world, there were two types of swordsmen: those who could cut nothing and those who could cut anything.
Koshiro's attempt to slice a floating piece of paper with a real sword in front of Zoro served as a poignant illustration. It highlighted how even ordinary swordsmen might struggle to cut a piece of paper without mastering the techniques with a real sword, emphasizing the importance of skill and precision in the art of swordsmanship.
But as long as you hear its voice, even a bamboo sword can cut a piece of paper smoothly and straight.
Yes, Hayashi truly put this theory to the test.
And it worked.
Utilizing Shigure Kintoki, which had yet to transform into a real sword, Hayashi effortlessly sliced a piece of paper in half.
Simultaneously, he gleaned the true purpose behind Koshiro's demonstration—to impart the skills of slashing to Zoro.
Having grasped this insight, he resolved to alter his approach to training.
He commenced his mornings with exercise. Then, he ventured into the forested area of Konoha, seeking out a secluded valley hidden from sight. There, he would sit cross-legged and meditate beside a cascading waterfall.
The thunderous roar of the waterfall drowned out all other sounds. Despite being unable to discern the voice of other objects, he remained undeterred. He spent the entire morning absorbing himself in observing the waterfall. His endeavor was to meld his own breath with its tumultuous currents.
Day after day, save for his meals, Hayashi's routine unfolded within the serene valley. Exercise, daily tasks, and spiritual introspection filled his time.
Fortunately, the system provided him with a special kimono. This allowed him to bathe on the spot, sparing him the need to launder his clothes.
In this manner, another three months elapsed.
Taking into account the previous half-month, Hawkeye's template had advanced to 11.36%.
In the spiritual realm, the image of Hawkeye began to take shape amidst the vast expanse of the sea.
Engaging in numerous battles, the frequency of his encounters increased exponentially.
However, lacking any records of Hawkeye's life, Hayashi remained oblivious to the current timeframe of his experiences.
Yet, he knew that Hawkeye's strength had undoubtedly soared after embarking on his seafaring adventures.
Engaging in combat against seasoned sword masters wasn't akin to bullying their peers; it provided valuable insights that could be likened to sparring with swordsmen of average talent.
Having absorbed and assimilated their combat experience, he could distinctly sense a heightened understanding of the breath of all things.
No longer did he need to meticulously grasp a wispy breath before executing a precise slash; now, a casual strike was sufficient to cleave an ordinary stone in two.
However, the breath of steel remained elusive, beyond his current capabilities, much like Hawkeye in the spiritual realm.
Yet, Hayashi remained steadfast in his belief that attuning himself to the sound of steel breathing was within reach.
Today, as with any other day, he ventured out of his abode accompanied by his shadow clone.
Arriving at the familiar valley, he resolved to complete his daily tasks first.
As he ascended into the realm of a swordsman, the tasks issued by the system evolved accordingly.
No longer confined to a set number of sword swings, the new task entailed a specific number of 'cuts.'
For this month, the target was to execute 300 cuts—highlighting the prowess of a swordsman in mastering superior swordsmanship and the sheer potency of their slashes.
Standing beside the babbling stream, Hayashi wielded Shigure Kintoki in the guise of a bamboo sword. His gaze fixated on the undulating, crystalline water, observing its every movement with intense focus.
With a swift motion, he raised the bamboo sword. Bringing it down forcefully, the blade sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh.
In an instant, a fleeting white light flashed before him. It signified the execution of yet another precise cut.
On the tranquil surface of the stream, a clean incision emerged. It was fleeting, barely lingering before seamlessly healing moments later.
Yet, the evidence of the cut remained, undeniable and real.
Simultaneously, the bamboo sword in his grip had transformed. It became a keen-edged samurai sword, its blade shimmering with lethal intent.
Without pause, he continued to brandish his sword. Each swipe left a distinct mark upon the water's surface, his movements fluid and precise.
This display starkly contrasted with his earlier attempts at wielding a sword just a few months prior.
Herein lay the mystery of 'cutting.'
With each materialized slash, he approached mastery of the swordsman's flying slash.
Over the course of more than a year, he had gained profound insights into the workings of the template system.
However, achieving a 100% completion of Hawkeye's template didn't equate to possessing Hawkeye's full strength—a fact Hayashi understood well.
While Hawkeye had already reached the Grandmaster level within the spiritual realm, Hayashi had yet to ascend to such heights.
The primary function of the template lay in granting him access to the power system of the One Piece world, alongside the swordsmanship prowess and combat experience of a seasoned master.
He could either emulate these experiences or integrate them from a divine perspective, making them his own.
Rather than merely replicating Hawkeye's strength and swordsmanship, Hayashi chose to forge his own path. This approach ensured that his style remained distinct, capable of surpassing his predecessor.
