Black Belt Bugs

[FFIX Choco Boy]

Is it intentional that the Black Belt and the Master perform better without any weaponry? It seems like a strange type of bug considering the weapon shop sells weapons for Black Belt at certain points of the game, right?

I think it's fully intentional. If you start with a weapon, then never take it off, you would just see stats go up when you buy new ones. However, the knowledgeable gamer is expected to explore thing, such as looking at stats when weapons are off as opposed to on. However, in later versions, there is a reason to keep weapons on. Putting a weapon on a Monk makes all his attacks hit harder - except there are less of them. So, while hand attacks cap out at 18 hits of about 500 damage each, however with a weapon equipped at lvl 99 he will do 15 hits at like 750 damage each instead.