Naruto: Copy System - [656] : The Red Count

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Looking at Sengoku’s thunderous expression, Garp offered a sheepish grin and an apology.

Sengoku just stared at him, then let it go. In a way, he was happy for Garp. It seemed he had finally moved on from the shadows of the past. That was a good thing.

It was all thanks to Luffy surviving. If Luffy had also died at Marineford, Garp might have completely broken down.

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Just as in the original story, Akainu and Aokiji fought for ten days and ten nights. In the end, Akainu emerged with a narrow victory, and Aokiji lost a leg.

Of course, Aokiji’s injuries weren’t limited to his leg. His body was covered in severe burns.

Akainu wasn’t much better off. He had numerous frostbite scars, some of his muscle tissue even frozen to the point of necrosis.

The island of Punk Hazard, the site of their battle, was now permanently transformed into an island of ice and fire, its environment forever altered. It was already uninhabitable, but now it was a wasteland where no ordinary person could survive.

“Akainu won. That’s not surprising,” Shin said, looking at the intelligence report. He wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

He had always favored Akainu in this fight, and the original story had confirmed it.

“Aokiji has left the Marines. That’s a huge loss for them,” Amatsuki Toki commented.

“They’ll recover soon enough. Never underestimate the Marines.”

Shin chuckled lightly. It wasn’t a crippling blow. A single mass conscription would replenish their forces. But that also came with risks. Some of those new recruits could be spies from other factions.

“I’m sure Dragon won’t pass up this opportunity.”

Shin felt that Dragon would definitely use this to his advantage. If you were to ask who had the greatest ambition on the seas, Blackbeard and Kaido wouldn’t even come close.

Dragon’s ambition was the greatest in the world of One Piece.

“The other factions are also making moves. The Whitebeard Pirates are still fighting the Beast Pirates, and the Blackbeard Pirates have actually teamed up with Kaido.”

Robin suddenly produced a piece of intel that even surprised Shin. Blackbeard and Kaido, working together? That was certainly unexpected.

“By the way, is our territory secure?”

Shin asked Robin.

“Hmph, who would dare start shit in our territory? If they’ve got the balls, I’ll wipe them out myself,” Hancock said coldly.

“It’s secure. Neither the Whitebeard Pirates nor any of the other Emperors have made a move on our territory,” Robin said, shaking her head.

Shin’s annihilation of Big Mom had proven an effective deterrent. Even the Four Emperors had to think twice about the consequences of crossing Shin. If the Emperors wouldn’t risk it, then smaller pirates definitely wouldn’t.

“There’s a lot of conflict on the seas. Should we get involved?” Olvia asked Shin.

“I have no interest in getting involved. I’d rather just sit back and watch.”

Shin smiled. He had no interest in the disputes of the sea. But with Whitebeard still alive, he wondered how things would play out.

“Even with Blackbeard and Kaido teaming up, they’re probably no match for Whitebeard. Their conflict will likely end soon,” Shin said, gazing out at the endless sea.

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After that, Shin returned to his territory, where he enjoyed the highest level of treatment.

Countless kings bowed before him, and they did so willingly.

Shin’s presence had brought them peace. In the past, pirates of all sizes had constantly harassed them. But now, because this was Shin’s territory, even the pirates who showed up kept their heads down and behaved themselves.

And Shin’s earlier prediction had come true. Whitebeard had indeed defeated Kaido and Blackbeard. Of course, he hadn’t been able to wipe them out. The two of them had retreated together and were still maintaining their alliance.

Just how solid that alliance was, however, was another question.

“Shin, something major has happened. An entire village in our territory was massacred. All the blood was drained from the bodies. It’s suspected to be the work of a Devil Fruit user.”

Olvia’s expression was grave, her eyes filled with rage.

To do such a thing in the Kuja Pirates’ territory was a direct provocation.

“Who do you think did it?” Shin was pissed. Someone had the nerve to start shit in his territory while he was away in the New World. This had to be a deliberate challenge.

“Based on my research, the most likely culprit is Patrick Redfield.”

Olvia handed her investigation file to Shin.

Shin looked at the file and fell into thought. He knew of Patrick Redfield. This guy was no small fry, he was an old monster from the same era as Whitebeard.

He was the user of the Mythical Zoan, Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire, one of the few Mythical Zoan users.

He had many titles—such as the “Red Count.” and “Red the Aloof.”

Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits were even rarer than Logia types. Every Mythical Zoan user was a formidable figure.

“To stand toe-to-toe with Roger and Whitebeard on strength alone… he’s definitely powerful. But his fatal mistake was messing with me.”

A cold glint flashed in Shin’s eyes.

“We don’t have conclusive evidence yet. He’s just the most likely suspect,” Olvia said to Shin.

“That’s enough,” Shin said with a faint smile.

Being the most likely suspect was enough. Besides, Shin was eighty percent sure it was him.

It seemed the Red Count had already found the Vampire Fruit.

Originally, the Red Count had been imprisoned in Impel Down, but he had escaped during the chaos of the Summit War caused by Blackbeard and Luffy.

To regain his strength, he needed the Vampire Fruit to return to his youthful state.

In the original story, the Red Count of this period should still be searching for the Vampire Fruit. But it seemed things had changed. The Red Count had already found the fruit and was starting to recover his power.

“Investigate every piece of information on the Red Count. As soon as you find him, I’ll deal with him personally,” Shin said to Olvia.

“Shin, I don’t think you need to act. I can handle anything for you,” Hancock said, walking in from outside.

Hearing that Shin was going to personally deal with someone, Hancock felt it was unnecessary.

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