Naruto: Copy System - [626] : An Unwanted Display of Affection

~ Support & Read 50 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!

❁❁❁❁

“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.

❁❁❁❁

~ 50 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com