Naruto: Copy System

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Shin held Yoruichi aloft, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

“Explain yourself. If you don’t give me a valid reason, I’m going to teach you a lesson right here and now.”

“Can you put me down first? I swear I didn’t mean to kick you! Is it too late to apologize now?” Yoruichi felt utterly mortified.

This wasn’t the 2nd Division barracks, where no one would bat an eye. The members of her squad were used to her antics. But they were out in public now, with countless eyes on them. The embarrassment was palpable.

“You didn’t mean it? Fine, I’ll let you save face.” Shin set her down.

‘Just you wait…’ Yoruichi thought, glaring at Shin’s back. ‘Once I’m stronger than you, you’ll get a taste of this too.’ Of course, this was just an internal monologue—she wouldn’t dare say it out loud. If she did, Shin would undoubtedly treat her to the loving embrace of his iron fist.

“I can’t read your mind, but I know you’re plotting something against me,” Shin said, glancing back at her.

“Wait, can you actually read minds?” Yoruichi’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Of course. Want to try it out?” Shin asked.

He wasn’t bluffing. He could actually do it. At a certain level, Observation Haki could be used to sense the thoughts of others, similar to the Voice of All Things, though not quite as advanced.

“I think I’ll pass.” Although Yoruichi didn’t believe him, she wasn’t willing to take the risk. If it was a bluff, no harm done. But if it was real, all her inner thoughts would be exposed. That was a definite no.

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Soon, they arrived at the Shin’ō Academy. Shin dropped Yoruichi off but didn’t leave right away, instead taking a moment to look around. Not much had changed since he was last here—it was still the same old place.

“You really are everywhere, aren’t you, Kyōraku Shunsui?”

Suddenly, Shin spotted a familiar figure crouched nearby, sizing up the students—with a particular focus on the female ones.

Hearing his name, Kyōraku Shunsui looked up. Dressed in a flamboyant pink kimono, he flashed a smile and waved at Shin.

“What are you doing here?”

Kyōraku was just as puzzled to see Shin at the Shin’ō Academy.

“I’m here to round up creepy perverts like you,” Shin said, giving Kyōraku a sidelong glance.

“Ahem, don’t misunderstand. I’m scouting new members for the 8th Division.”

Kyōraku quickly defended himself, not wanting his reputation to be ruined.

“Cut the act. I know exactly what you’re like. You’re here to sweet-talk the female students, aren’t you?”

“Ahem, I’m not that frivolous. I would never do something like that,” Kyōraku said, shaking his head.

In reality, Kyōraku was all talk and no action. He was, in essence, all bark and no bite.

“I’m genuinely here to scout new members. The 8th Division lost a lot of good people,” Kyōraku said, his smile fading into a more somber expression.

Shin knew this to be true. The 8th Division was responsible for intelligence gathering, and they had suffered heavy losses during a recent mission to investigate Hueco Mundo.

“So, have you found anyone yet?”

Shin chuckled coldly. Scouting students by squatting on the side of the road? Unlikely. He’d be looking at the graduating class if he were serious.

Seemingly caught, Kyōraku just laughed it off and adjusted the straw hat on his head.

“Come on, since we’ve run into each other, let’s go for a drink. My treat.”

Kyōraku was trying to buy his silence, to prevent the story of him creepily watching female students from spreading throughout the Seireitei. It wouldn’t just be his own reputation on the line—the entire 8th Division would be disgraced.

“Since you’re paying, I can’t very well refuse,” Shin said with a smile.

Seeing that smile, Kyōraku felt a pang of pain for his wallet. Shin was a notoriously big eater.

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“This is where you’re treating me to drinks and dinner?”

“…” Shin stared at the entertainment club in front of him. It seemed Kyōraku was treating him to a night on the town.

“That’s right. A little relaxation,” Kyōraku said with a smile.

Shin followed him inside. It wasn’t his first time here. The place wasn’t as seedy as it looked—it was mostly just song and dance, with the performers wearing slightly more revealing outfits. Otherwise, it would never be allowed to operate in the Seireitei.

“Looks like you’re really prepared to break the bank.”

Shin shot Kyōraku a grin. The prices here were even higher.

“Go easy on me, Shin. I still need to save up for my marriage fund,” Kyōraku pleaded.

“You don’t even have a wife. What marriage fund are you saving for?” Shin looked at the old bachelor with disdain.

“Are you openly looking down on me? That’s just too much,” Kyōraku said, feigning offense.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM—!!!

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?”

As Shin and Kyōraku were drinking, a loud explosion rocked the area from outside. Shin sensed a familiar spiritual pressure, and his expression changed. He immediately used Yomotsu Hirasaka and vanished, leaving a dumbfounded Kyōraku behind.

“Where’s Shin?” Unohana Retsu walked in. After scanning the room and not finding him, she turned to the still-stunned Kyōraku.

Kyōraku’s heart was pounding. The moment he saw Unohana, he knew he was in deep trouble.

“Um, Shin? There’s no Shin here. It’s just me,” Kyōraku said quickly.

It wasn’t that Kyōraku was being noble—he was trying to save himself… If he ratted Shin out, Shin would probably be fine, but he would be finished. Unohana might not lay a hand on Shin, but she wouldn’t hesitate with him. If he didn’t want to get cut down, he had to find a way to talk his way out of this.

At the same time, Kyōraku was baffled. How did Unohana find out so quickly? Her intel was terrifyingly fast.

Unohana narrowed her eyes at Kyōraku. Even though he claimed to be alone, she had already received concrete information. It wasn’t just Kyōraku who had come here—Shin was with him. A member of the 4th Division had seen them and reported it directly to her.

That was why she had stormed over. It was just a coincidence—and very bad luck for Shin and Kyōraku.

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