Naruto: Copy System

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He had to be the strongest human in existence. In Unohana Retsu’s experience, humans were pathetically weak.

Weaker, even, than the souls adrift in the Rukongai. She couldn’t fathom how Shin had achieved such immense power—a strength that seemed to have no exploitable flaw. It even led her to wonder if he was human at all. Perhaps he was something else entirely.

Shin, oblivious to Unohana’s internal monologue, focused on the Vasto Lorde and had the System copy its power.

A pitch-black Reiatsu erupted from Shin’s body, its terrifying pressure forcing the surrounding Hollows to their knees—even the Adjuchas-class Hollows were no exception. As for the Vasto Lorde, it was already pinned beneath Shin’s foot.

A pure white mask, like polished bone, materialized over his face, only to shatter in the next instant.

Clenching his fists, Shin could feel the power of a Hollow coursing through him, but his body seemed unchanged. He had no Hollow hole, and the mask had disintegrated the moment it appeared.

He supposed he could be called an Arrancar now… though in truth, he was still human. He hadn’t become a Hollow, nor a Soul Reaper. He was still human, but he now possessed the power of a Hollow.

“Sonído.”

With a flicker of Sonído, he reappeared behind a Gillian, his finger glowing as he unleashed a Cero that obliterated the massive Hollow.

“That’s a Hollow’s power… Shin, are you alright?” Unohana’s expression shifted from shock to concern as she questioned him.

The sudden display of Hollow abilities had stunned her. After the shock came worry. The powers of a Hollow and a Soul Reaper were fundamentally opposed. After all, they were mortal enemies. Then again, the opposition wasn’t absolute. There were the Visoreds with their Hollowfication, and the Arrancars with their Soul Reaper-like abilities.

The two powers shared common ground. When a Hollow broke its limits, it could become an Arrancar, gaining a Zanpakuto-like power known as a Resurrección.

“I’m fine. In fact, I feel great,” Shin told Unohana.

“I didn’t expect you to be able to copy the power of a Hollow. I just hope it doesn’t have any negative effects on you.”

Unohana was genuinely concerned that the Hollow’s power might corrupt Shin.

“Well, you’ve served your purpose. TIME TO DIE!!”

Shin raised his hand, gathering the power of a Cero. The Vasto Lorde’s eyes widened in shock. It couldn’t believe Shin had stolen its power, and that it felt even stronger than its own. This Soul Reaper was no ordinary being. The Vasto Lorde had no intention of dying without a fight.

Using Sonído, it tried to escape, but the moment it reappeared, a Cero Oscuras slammed into its body, tearing it to shreds. Though Shin had copied the Vasto Lorde’s power, in his hands, its potency was magnified.

“Let’s clean up these Hollows as well.”

Shin surveyed the area. He wasn’t about to let these Hollows live, not after they had witnessed what they had. Even if the Gillians were mindless, Shin had no intention of leaving them alive.

Shin and Unohana moved in unison, their attacks merciless as they began slaughtering the Gillians and Adjuchas. While Unohana might not have been able to wipe out the Adjuchas on her own, Shin certainly could, felling them one by one with single strikes.

And that was without even releasing Ryūjin Jakka. If he had, he could have annihilated them all with a single swing.

“There are too many of them. This is too slow. I’ll have to use my Shikai.”

Shin realized the number of Gillians was overwhelming. He decided to use Ryūjin Jakka’s Shikai to end it all at once.

“All Things In The Universe, Turn To Ash, Ryūjin Jakka!”

An endless torrent of fire erupted from the blade. Unohana retreated several steps, unwilling to get close to the terrifying heat. The six-thousand-degree flames could melt steel in an instant and evaporate an entire lake in a flash.

“Jōkaku Enjō.”

This was one of Ryūjin Jakka’s most powerful techniques, capable of turning dozens of kilometers into a scorched wasteland.

The ground here didn’t turn to scorched earth, it melted into crystalline glass. As for the Hollows, they were all annihilated by the attack.

Unohana wiped the sweat from her brow. Though Shin had controlled the flames to avoid her, the intense heat was inescapable.

“Let’s go. It’s time to leave.” Shin was quite satisfied with his work. Ryūjin Jakka was indeed powerful.

He wondered when he’d get a chance to use Zanka no Tachi…

But finding an opponent worthy of facing Zanka no Tachi wouldn’t be easy.

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“You’re back.”

Chōjirō Sasakibe and the others’ faces lit up with joy upon seeing Shin and Unohana return safely.

“Are those Hollows still after us?” Chōjirō asked.

He certainly didn’t think Shin and Unohana could have dealt with all those Hollows on their own, hence the question.

“No, they’ve left. We don’t know why.”

Shin made up a random excuse. He couldn’t exactly announce that he’d single-handedly annihilated the entire legion of Hollows. Though it was his achievement, he didn’t need that kind of attention. The exposure would only bring him unnecessary trouble.

“That’s good. We can finally rest,” Chōjirō said with a sigh of relief, then began to check on the injured captains.

Chōjirō himself was injured. The Vasto Lorde was no easy opponent, and Chōjirō’s strength was no match for it.

Now, Chōjirō was considering whether to call for reinforcements. The Gotei 13 had suffered heavy casualties, and a Vasto Lorde was still lurking. In the end, Chōjirō decided to request backup.

He had no choice. He didn’t know the Vasto Lorde had already been dealt with. With so many Hollows on the prowl, he didn’t even dare to let his people remain in Hueco Mundo.

Unohana said nothing. She knew that speaking up would only cause trouble for Shin. Even the battlefield had been wiped clean. If one were to go to the Forest of Menos now, they would find nothing but a sea of yellow sand.

“Finally, I can relax a little.” Kyoraku Shunsui was covered in bandages. He had almost died in the previous battle. Fortunately, his survival skills were top-notch, and he had managed to keep his life.

The condition of the other Soul Reapers was no better, and morale was at an all-time low. When they first arrived in Hueco Mundo, both the captains and their squad members had been full of confidence.

But after the devastating blow they had taken, that confidence had been shattered. Their spirits were completely broken. More than one captain had fallen, and the squad members were terrified. They probably couldn’t even fight at their full capacity now.

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