Naruto: Copy System#625+626: Shanks Arrives, Akainu Retreats, An Unwanted Display of Affection

Luffy watched as Mihawk was pushed back again and again by Akainu’s relentless assault, then glanced at his crew.

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m helping,” Luffy declared.

“Anyone got a problem with that? If any of you disagree, you can leave now.”

“I’m with you.”

Zoro drew Wado Ichimonji, clenching it between his teeth. In his hands, he held his other two blades, Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri.

He’d acquired both in Loguetown—proof that even if he wasn’t the main character, his luck was still pretty damn good.

Sanji said nothing, his feet planted firmly on the deck. That just left Usopp. He wanted to run, but seeing his friends stand their ground, he knew he couldn’t.

Usopp gritted his teeth. He might as well be reckless with them, just this once.

A Marine Admiral was the highest power in the Navy. From what they’d witnessed so far, they had a terrifyingly clear picture of what that meant.

Just as Luffy and the others were about to make their move, a flash of light cut through the air from a distance—a blade of pure energy aimed directly at Akainu.

The Admiral, who had been pressing his attack on Mihawk, felt the chill of danger at his back.

Akainu instantly broke off his assault and spun around.

————

“Akainu. Mihawk is a friend of mine. How about you do me a favor and stand down?”

Shanks came sprinting across the surface of the sea like some kind of ninja. It was a technique similar to the Marines’ Moonwalk.

While the Six Powers were supposedly a secret art, plenty of powerful figures knew them or had developed similar abilities.

“IT’S SHANKS!” Luffy shouted, his face breaking into a wide, joyous grin.

Shanks glanced at Luffy for a second before refocusing his attention on Akainu. This wasn’t the time for a reunion. He had to either defeat the Admiral or force him to retreat.

A cold light flared in Akainu’s eyes.

Shanks...

Of all the damn times for him to show up. What was he even doing here?

Akainu had no idea that Shanks had gotten word of Mihawk’s injuries and, fearing for his friend's safety, had rushed over immediately—so fast that he’d left his own crew far behind.

“Shanks.” Mihawk looked over, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. He didn’t have many friends, but Shanks was his best.

“Red-Hair, you want me to do you a favor?” Akainu sneered.

The idea was laughable. Was he supposed to just let Mihawk go? He had finally gotten the perfect opportunity to eliminate him, why the hell would he back down now?

“...” Shanks didn't need a clearer answer than that. He drew his Gryphon, his gaze locked on the Admiral.

A wave of Conqueror’s Haki exploded from him, churning the sea into a frenzy. The oppressive force slammed down on Akainu.

The Marines on the warship, far too weak to withstand it, collapsed one by one.

As expected of the man with the strongest Conqueror’s Haki in the original story—he could shatter a warship with his will alone.

Luffy and his crew were unaffected, Shanks’s control was precise.

“Luffy, you know that guy?” Usopp asked. He was starting to realize that his captain knew a shocking number of incredible people.

His grandfather was a Marine Hero, and now this guy, who was clearly a big deal... just who was Luffy’s dad?

If Usopp ever found out, he’d probably have a heart attack.

In terms of sheer danger, Dragon was arguably a bigger threat than any of the Four Emperors.

“Of course I know him,” Luffy nodded.

It was because of Shanks that he had set out to be a pirate in the first place. He’d even gotten the Gum-Gum Fruit from him.

————

As Shanks arrived, a figure hidden in the shadows, cloaked in a dark green robe, slipped away unnoticed.

It was Dragon.

Though he pretended not to pay attention to his son, he had been keeping an eye on him ever since he set sail.

In the original story, he was the one who saved Luffy from Smoker. He had been about to intervene this time, but with Shanks here, Luffy was safe.

Dragon didn't want to expose himself, his appearance would only draw more attention from the Marines, maybe even CP0.

Akainu lunged at Mihawk again, but this time, his attack was blocked by Shanks.

“Stop this, Akainu. You don’t want to start a war, do you?” Shanks said calmly.

If Akainu didn't back down, this would escalate into a battle between the Marines and the Red Hair Pirates.

“Hmph.” Akainu grunted, his face dark. He was furious, but with Shanks here, killing Mihawk was impossible.

He had no choice but to give up. He shot Shanks a deep, menacing look, committing his face to memory. If he ever got a chance to move against the Red Hair Pirates, he wouldn't hesitate.

Shanks wasn't worried. Even the Marines wouldn't lightly start a war with one of the Four Emperors. Besides, Akainu alone was no match for his crew.

“Shanks, we’ll meet again.” Akainu said before turning and leaving.

Seeing him retreat, Shanks finally relaxed. He wasn't afraid of Akainu, but he didn’t want an all-out war with the Marines. Even if they won, the Red Hair Pirates would suffer casualties.

And winning was far from a guarantee.

No single Emperor crew could take on the full might of the Marines.

————

“Are you alright?” Shanks asked Mihawk. The swordsman’s clothes were soaked in blood from where his old wounds had reopened during the fight.

“I’m fine. I won’t die,” Mihawk said flatly.

“What were you thinking, challenging Shin Uzumaki? And how did you even know he was in the East Blue? What was he doing here?” Shanks had a million questions, but the most important one was about Shin’s purpose in the East Blue.

“I didn’t know he was here. I just happened to run into him,” Mihawk said, shaking his head. As for why he challenged him—it was to hone his swordsmanship.

Unfortunately, not only had he failed to improve, he’d been seriously injured, nearly had his spirit broken, and had his beloved sword shattered.

Later, Shanks and Mihawk boarded Luffy’s small ship.

Looking at the tiny vessel, Shanks couldn’t help but smile.

He looked at Luffy, who was still naive. But he believed that he would grow up quickly on the sea.

<><><><><><><><>

“So, Akainu went after Mihawk, and Shanks showed up to save him. What a show. Too bad we missed it—”

Shin said, holding the latest newspaper as he relaxed on Amazon Lily.

“It kind of happened because of you, though, didn’t it?”

Robin pointed out, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “If you hadn’t injured Mihawk in the first place, Akainu never would have made a move. None of this would have happened.”

Shin retorted defensively. “Mihawk challenged me, not the other way around.”

“By the way, any news on Blackbeard and Ace?”

That was the drama he was really interested in. Blackbeard and Ace—two powerful Logia users clashing.

Not that he had any intention of copying their Devil Fruits. He already possessed the core abilities of the Dark-Dark Fruit, and his own mastery over gravity was far superior.

As for the Flame-Flame Fruit, he wasn't interested. There was a hard limit to how hot its flames could get, it could never reach the temperature of the sun's surface.

It wasn't worth a Divine Replication Card—especially when he figured his own Amaterasu flames burned hotter anyway.

“Nothing on them for now,” Robin replied. “Blackbeard is still on the run, and no one knows his exact location. But every once in a while, there’s a report of him being sighted somewhere. It’s strange.”

“He’s doing it on purpose.” Shin deduced instantly. “He’s baiting Ace.”

He knew exactly what Blackbeard was up to. He wanted Ace to find him, to draw him into a trap so he could capture him.

Capturing Ace was the linchpin of his entire grand plan. Without Ace, there would be no Summit War—a war that Blackbeard himself was orchestrating from the shadows.

“He’s trying to bait Ace? He already killed one of Whitebeard’s sons. Does he want to piss him off completely?” Robin found it strange.

Whitebeard may be old, but he wasn’t dead. Not many people were stupid enough to pick a fight with him.

“Ace is Gol D. Roger’s son,” Shin said with a knowing smile. “Blackbeard has his reasons for going after him.”

In the original story, Blackbeard had used Ace as a bargaining chip to secure a position as one of the Seven Warlords.

“....” Robin’s eyes widened in shock.

Ace is Roger’s son?

That was some bombshell news. But weren't Whitebeard and Roger bitter enemies?

Why would Roger's son call Whitebeard "father"?

Shin didn't bother explaining that particular piece of history.

————

Just then, Hancock walked into the room, a clear expression of annoyance on her face. “What are you two talking about?”

“Oh? Hancock, what’s wrong?” Shin asked. On Amazon Lily, there shouldn't be anyone who could possibly upset her.

“It’s that old hag, Elder Nyon,” Hancock complained. “She dumped a mountain of paperwork on me. It’s driving me absolutely crazy.”

“You are the queen of this country. It’s your job, isn’t it?” Robin remarked dryly.

To be fair, Hancock was probably the most irresponsible queen in the entire world, rarely even staying in her own country.

“So how did you get away this time? Did you send Elder Nyon flying again?” Shin asked, a teasing glint in his eye. That seemed like the most probable outcome. Poor Elder Nyon.

“Of course not! I would never be so violent,” Hancock denied immediately, a little too quickly.

“Heh...” Robin just let out a small, disbelieving chuckle.

“You don’t believe me?” Hancock asked, her annoyance rising as she glared at Robin, looking ready for a fight.

“Of course I don't. This wouldn’t be the first time you’ve sent her flying,” Robin stated calmly. From what she had seen, it had happened several times.

“Hmph!! Are you trying to slander me in front of Shin?” Hancock shot her a dangerous glare, her voice dropping an octave.

Shin couldn’t help but laugh out loud. As sweet and docile as Hancock was to him, she could be a real terror to everyone else.

“See? Even Shin is laughing at what you said,” Robin said, pointing at him with a smirk.

Hancock’s head whipped around to look at Shin, who immediately wiped the smile off his face.

But it was too late, she’d already seen it.

She pouted, her lower lip trembling as her eyes welled up with unshed tears. “Shin, you... you don’t believe me either, do you?”

“Of course I believe you, Hancock,” Shin said quickly, pulling her into a warm embrace and stroking her hair.

Hancock immediately buried her face in his chest, then shot a triumphant, provocative look at Robin over his shoulder, as if to say—See? He’s mine.

“...” Robin watched them, her heart twisting with a feeling that was sour and distinctly unwelcome. She’d just been force-fed a dose of their sickeningly sweet affection, and it left a bad taste in her mouth.

“Hmph.” Robin snorted dismissively and walked out of the room.

After she left, Hancock tilted her head back and stared up at Shin with shining, expectant eyes.

“Hancock, why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?” Shin asked, feigning innocence.

“Shin,” she whispered, her voice husky. “Let’s go do something... meaningful.”

Shin understood in an instant. He scooped her up effortlessly in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.

————

Meanwhile, Robin, who had stormed out of the room in a huff, bumped right into Shirahoshi.

“Shirahoshi, are you alright?” Robin asked, steadying the mermaid princess.

“I’m fine, Sister Robin. But... are you upset?” Shirahoshi asked, looking at her with wide, concerned eyes. She had an uncanny knack for sensing people’s true emotions.

“No, why would I be upset?” Robin denied it, of course, forcing a smile.

“I’m sure of it. You’re definitely upset,” Shirahoshi insisted gently. “Did Shin-sama bully you?”

She glanced toward Shin’s room, from which Robin had just emerged. The thought of Shin being mean to Robin made her want to stand up for her.

“Of course not,” Robin said, shaking her head. “Come on, I’ll go play with you.”

She took Shirahoshi’s hand and led her away, hoping the distraction would quiet the storm in her own heart.