Naruto: Copy System - [625] : Shanks Arrives, Akainu Retreats

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com