Naruto: Copy System - [636] : A Message Delivered

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In the depths of Impel Down, a weary-looking Garp walked through the halls of the sixth level, Infinite Hell, escorted by the warden, Magellan.

This was the prison for the world’s most dangerous criminals, a place from which escape was said to be impossible.

Only one man, the Golden Lion Shiki, had ever broken out.

—————

“Ace…”

Garp’s voice, rough and dry, echoed in the oppressive silence.

Ace, who had been sitting with his head bowed, looked up.

“Grandpa.” Tears immediately welled in his eyes, streaming down his face. He had been ready to die, but he never thought he would see Garp again.

Guilt gnawed at him. He had betrayed his grandfather’s hopes, becoming a pirate when Garp had wanted him to be a Marine.

If he had joined the Marines, even if his identity was revealed, Garp could have protected him.

But now, as a pirate, he knew his grandfather would never forsake his duty.

“I’m sorry,” Garp said, his voice thick with pain as he sat down cross-legged in front of the cell. “…I can’t save you.”

“It was my choice,” Ace said, shaking his head. “It’s not your fault.”

The two of them began to talk, a grandfather and his grandson, sharing a final conversation in the darkest pit of the world.

—————

At the same time, Sengoku received a report:

Shin Uzumaki’s Kuja Pirates had left the New World and had been sighted at the Sabaody Archipelago.

‘What is he planning? To show up at Sabaody at a time like this…’ Sengoku’s mind raced, trying to decipher Shin’s intentions.

The Kuja Pirates’ ship had docked and hadn’t moved since.

Was he planning to intervene? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

“We need to prepare for the possibility that he might get involved,” Sengoku said to Tsuru. “What are your thoughts?”

“If Shin Uzumaki decides to intervene,” she said, her expression grim, “we won’t be able to stop him.”

It wasn’t just him. If Kaido or Shanks decided to make a move, the outcome would be a disaster.

“Shanks was an apprentice on Roger’s ship,” Tsuru reminded him. “It’s possible he’ll try to save Ace.” After all, Ace was his former captain’s son.

“No matter what,” Sengoku said, his voice hard as steel, “the execution will proceed. The bloodline of the demon must not be allowed to continue.”

He was aware of the risks.

There were still old members of the Roger Pirates out there. He could only hope they didn’t know the truth about Ace’s identity. In reality, most of them didn’t.

In the original story, not a single one had come to Marineford to save him.

Tsuru said nothing more.

She knew Sengoku’s resolve was unshakable. She just hoped this wouldn’t drive a permanent wedge between him and Garp.

—————

At the Sabaody Archipelago, Shin was sitting in Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar. Across from him sat Shakky herself, and the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh.

“To be honest, having you in my bar is not good for business,” Shakky said with a sigh.

“Oh? I would think my presence would bring you some prestige. Instead, you see me as a problem?” Shin raised an eyebrow.

“You are a problem,” she replied, exasperated. “With you here, my bar is going to be crawling with CP0 agents.”

If it were anyone else, she would have kicked them out without a second thought. But you didn’t just kick out Shin Uzumaki. Not if you valued your life. Even Rayleigh was no match for him.

“Relax, I won’t be here for long,” Shin said with a light laugh. “Just make sure the drinks are on the house.”

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Rayleigh commented, a faint smile on his face. Usually, Shakky was the one doing the ripping off. It was a rare sight to see her on the losing end.

“Fine,” Shakky sighed in defeat. “Drinks are on me.”

There were some people in this world you just couldn’t afford to piss off.

“Rayleigh,” Shin said, his tone turning serious. “They’re going to execute Roger’s son, Ace. Are you planning on doing anything about it?”

Rayleigh froze.

Ace… is Roger’s son? He hadn’t known… Very few people did. If it had been common knowledge, the secret never would have been kept for so long. He fell into a deep, contemplative silence. If he was really Roger’s son… he had to do something.

Shin watched him, a faint smile playing on his lips, then turned and called for drinks for his entire crew.

After they had finished, they got up to leave.

—————

“He almost seemed like he came here just to deliver that message,” Shakky murmured, watching Shin’s retreating back.

Rayleigh looked at her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“You didn’t feel it?” she asked. “Or do you really think Shin Uzumaki just happened to stop by for a drink?”

“You might be right,” Rayleigh conceded after a moment. “He probably did come here on purpose.”

But what was his goal? Shin Uzumaki wasn’t the type to do things without a reason. Unable to decipher his motives, Rayleigh pushed the thought aside.

“Rayleigh, are you really going to come out of retirement?” Shakky asked, her voice tinged with concern. “If you get involved, your peaceful life is over.”

“He is the captain’s son,” Rayleigh said, his mind made up.

“Are you going to try and break him out of Impel Down?”

“I’m not a fool,” Rayleigh replied. “To go to Impel Down now would be a suicide mission. The place is on lockdown. No, I’ll have to coordinate with Whitebeard. He’ll definitely make a move to save Ace.”

Even though Ace was Roger’s son, and Roger and Whitebeard were rivals, Whitebeard had accepted him as his own. Rayleigh was optimistic. Whitebeard would come.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com