"Konoha's Dimensional Pirate: Reborn Uchiha Gin"

Hearing Gin's words, Sakumo was deeply moved and immediately agreed.

His heart surged with emotion. So this is Gin-sama's true goal and ideal? How magnificent! I will help you achieve it—no matter the cost!

Only now did he fully grasp the deeper purpose behind Gin's reforms—it was far grander and nobler than he had ever imagined.

Sakumo recalled the information Gin had shared about the past and future of the ninja world, including the tragic fate of his own family.

So I was originally fated to die in a few years... Not for failing, but for refusing to scheme and play politics. I chose death over humiliation... And Keiko was supposed to die in childbirth? Kakashi's life—destined to be filled with pain and solitude?

The Third... Danzo... You both deserve to die! Sakumo's heart seethed with rage. You sacrificed our people, our future, all for your own gain. You brought ruin upon us all!

If justice hadn't already been dealt to Hiruzen and Danzo, he would have gladly struck the killing blow himself.

Hmph! I can't kill the Third anymore… but I can give him a beating. Danzo, though… That one can still die. Just need to do it discreetly… maybe with a mask or a bag over my head…

His thoughts grew darker. That it had come to this—for someone as honest as Sakumo—showed just how deeply the events of the original timeline had scarred him.

"All right! Let's resume training each other in sword techniques," said Gin. "We'll use shadow clones to accelerate our mutual learning."

"Got it!" Sakumo replied without hesitation, creating a shadow clone to teach Gin the Hatake Blade technique along with sword-based ninjutsu.

[You received training in the Hatake Blade technique from Sakumo. Skill +5.][You learned Wind and Lightning-element sword ninjutsu from Sakumo. Skill +7.]

[...]

Thanks to his current level of swordsmanship and understanding—as well as his natural talent—Gin was able to grasp the basics with only a single session from Sakumo's clone. Over the next few hours of focused training, his mastery of the Hatake Blade and ninja sword techniques grew at an astonishing pace.

With a foundation in the Pirate Style and a profound understanding of sword intent, Gin quickly began adapting the Hatake Blade technique to his own physique, refining it to better suit his style.

He consciously began to weave it into his personal system—the True Isshin-Ryū—which he had already enhanced through enlightenment, thereby strengthening the base of his sword path.

In time, he planned to study various fencing schools, extract their best techniques, and integrate them into his system. This, he believed, would form the foundation for his next great breakthrough in swordsmanship.

To Gin, the fundamentals of ninja sword techniques were surprisingly simple. At their core, they were based on chakra nature transformation and its infusion into sword strikes. For someone like him, with absolute chakra control and exceptional sword talent, it was effortless. Within hours, he had already reached a high level in elemental swordplay.

He believed that, in just a few more days, he could fully master both Wind and Lightning elemental sword techniques. In the future, he intended to create techniques for the remaining chakra elements, crafting styles unique to each.

Beyond that, he would combine elements to form hybrid techniques—like Sakumo's current fusion of Wind and Lightning. These hybrid arts were far more powerful than single-element styles. Wind and Lightning together represented peak speed and cutting power.

This was the secret behind Sakumo's fearsome reputation.

Fast and devastatingly sharp—his blade struck like a divine sword from the heavens, unstoppable and absolute. It was a path of speed and precision, a sword that nothing could block. To attempt to resist such a blade would only bring ruin.

Even Sakumo's clone—and the man himself—were both left stunned by Gin's terrifying growth in the Hatake Blade and elemental sword techniques. The speed at which he learned was beyond comprehension.

Not human. He's not human at all, Sakumo thought numbly. Only a god could learn like this...

And yet, rather than feeling envy, Sakumo's respect for Gin deepened further. Only someone this extraordinary could walk such a path and shape a new world. His loyalty to Gin solidified even more.

In truth, Sakumo's own sword talent was far from ordinary. Within hours, he grasped the basics of the Pirate Style that Gin taught and, by drawing on his prior sword experience, deepened his understanding quickly.

Everything was interconnected. One path enhanced the other. Though he couldn't match Gin, he was still leagues ahead of others like Minato and Itachi.

"All right. You've already grasped the fundamentals," Gin said, stepping back. "You don't need my instruction anymore."

"From here on out, you can train and refine things on your own," Gin continued. "For swordsmen at your level, too many instructions can become chains—limiting instead of guiding."

"However, you're welcome at any time to visit the Isshin Dōjō on Shimotsuki Island. You can train or spar with my kendo teacher, Koshiro Shimotsuki. I've already spoken to him about you—just mention your name and say I sent you."

"He's not just a great sword master—he's one of the strongest even among elites. In the years to come, I believe he'll become a close mentor and a valuable friend."

"Oh, and the Isshin-Ryū sword style I gave you is his family style. For any questions, don't hesitate to go to him."

Feeling the timing was right, Gin dispelled his shadow clone and walked over to Sakumo to offer these instructions personally.

"Yes! I'll be sure to visit Master Koshiro at Shimotsuki Island!" Sakumo replied enthusiastically, bowing deeply.

Thanks to Gin's shared knowledge of the pirate world, Sakumo had a firm grasp of the terrifying power some swordsmen wielded. Among them, Koshiro was regarded as one of the very best.

It had been over three years since his contract with Gin. During that time, Koshiro's strength had grown immensely.

The technique of cleansing the original chakra had significantly enhanced his combat power. But even without that, his training in longevity techniques, physical wellness, and meditation had improved his body and spirit drastically. This had given a massive boost to his potential, accelerating the development of his haki, body, and swordsmanship.

With this support, Koshiro was confident he could one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the strongest swordsmen in the pirate world.

"Hmm," Gin added. "By the way—I've set up several training bases in the pirate world. Most of them are on remote islands filled with dangerous beasts, or in sky islands with thin air. Feel free to visit and train when you're ready."

"When you've grown stronger, you can venture out to sea—hunt pirates, challenge dojo masters, and even fight sea kings. Every battle will strengthen your sword."

"In the coming years, focus on physical conditioning. Practice the health-preserving techniques and consume the meat of sea kings and wild beasts every day. Strengthen your body, your blood, and your vitality. Then add meditation and sword refinement. That's the most effective path."

"Oh, and replace the chakra cleansing method immediately with the original chakra cleansing technique. I'm sure you already understand why—so I won't repeat myself."

"That's all. I look forward to the day when you become the greatest swordmaster across both worlds."

With those final words, Gin vanished, teleporting home.

"You're back? Good timing—help us set the table for dinner!" Uchiha Hikari greeted him as he appeared in the kitchen, where she and Mikoto were laying out plates.

"Alright," Gin replied with a grin. He washed his hands and joined them.

As their bodies and appetites grew, every meal now required a massive spread. Even with the nutrient-dense meat of sea kings and feral beasts forming the core of their diet, the sheer volume of food they consumed was staggering.

It was no wonder that most people in the ninja world were physically inferior to those in the pirate world—the environment simply couldn't support such development. Without abundant nutrition and medicine, even attempts to strengthen the body could lead to weakness or starvation.

"Let's eat!" Hikari called cheerfully once the enormous table was fully set.

"Where were you all day?" she asked curiously. "Your shadow clones were everywhere, but I didn't see the real you once."

"Well..." Gin paused, chuckling as he bit into a piece of meat.

"I finalized a training exchange with Sakumo today," he explained. "We agreed to share sword techniques. He's reached the appropriate favor level, so I signed a contract with him. He's one of ours now. Tomorrow, he'll probably head to Isshin Dōjō to meet Master Koshiro."

"Minato, help introduce him when he arrives. You should also take the time to learn from him—the Hatake Blade technique and the ninja sword technique. Especially the ninja sword style—you've been waiting for something like that, haven't you?"

It was the perfect blend of ninjutsu and kendo—a vital style for Minato, Mikoto, and the others walking the sword path.

"Oh? You've already signed a contract with Sakumo-senpai?" Minato's eyes sparkled with excitement. He nodded eagerly. "No problem! I'll take good care of him—heh heh!"