Naruto: Copy System#707+708: You Want to Shake Hands and Call It a Day? The Life-Draining Shodai Kitetsu

"Well, look at this. Someone with a death wish. Not bad, I admire your courage."

Shin watched as Saint Topman Warcury charged at him. The man's speed was impressive, and his aura was undeniably powerful.

Shin estimated his strength was likely on par with Garp's.

Sidestepping the man's punch with ease, Shin whipped his leg around in a powerful kick, striking him square in the abdomen. The sound was like a whip cracking against flesh.

CRACK!

The distinct sound of bone snapping echoed through the air. Saint Topman Warcury was sent flying backward like a rubber ball. Shin’s expression remained placid; sending an Elder flying with a single kick wasn't something to be proud of.

"So that's all you've got? You're a bigger disappointment than I expected. How about this? All five of you attack at once. Maybe that'll be a little more fun."

Shin's eyes moved across the other Five Elders with undisguised provocation. Were they going to step up or not?

If they attacked together, there might be some entertainment to be had. One of them alone simply wasn’t enough for a warm-up.

The Elders exchanged grim looks. While Saint Topman Warcury wasn't the strongest among them, he was far from the weakest. In truth, the power gap between the Five Elders was negligible. Yet Shin had practically one-shotted him.

If they were in his place, could they have held out any longer?

The thought gave them pause. They were hesitant to act, deciding it was better to wait for Akainu and the Marines to arrive.

What they didn't know was that Akainu wasn't coming. He had been intercepted by Whitebeard and his crew, who had engaged him in a full-blown battle—a form of support for Shin, though he hardly needed it.

———————

Saint Topman Warcury staggered to his feet, clutching his broken ribs, stoically refusing to cry out in pain.

His face was a contorted mask of fury, his eyes burning with the desire to tear Shin apart.

"Are you alright?" Saint Marcus Mars asked.

"I'm not dead yet," Saint Topman Warcury growled, turning to the others. "If we don't attack together, we'll be picked off one by one. I hope you all understand that."

Compared to the others, he had a much clearer picture of the situation. If they didn't fight him, did they really think Shin Uzumaki would just leave them be? The moment he decided to strike, the initiative would be entirely his.

They were already outmatched. If they let him control the fight, how could they possibly win?

Indeed, the once-arrogant Elder no longer believed he was a match for Shin.

"He's right. Let's get this over with. I'd like to see what the Five Elders are truly capable of."

Shin's gaze fell on the others with keen interest.

"Then let's not hesitate." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro drew his blade—the Shodai Kitetsu—and a slash of dark energy shot towards Shin.

"Too slow. Your blade lacks speed. I'm truly disappointed," Shin said calmly.

He sidestepped the attack with a slight turn of his body, then kicked out at Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.

Just like Saint Topman Warcury before him, the swordsman couldn't react in time.

He was sent flying, following the same path as the first Elder, though his injuries were even more severe. Saint Topman Warcury was built like a tank and specialized in physical combat, making him more durable. The swordsman, on the other hand, was not nearly as tough.

Of course, a single kick wasn't enough to take him out. Though he coughed up a mouthful of blood and looked to be in bad shape, he could still fight.

"How about we call a truce?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn asked Shin.

"A truce?" Shin chuckled at his words. "You think that's even a possibility?"

Did they think he had come all this way for nothing? His goal was to wipe them out.

"Instead of mutual destruction, why not end it here?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said.

He held back his two hot-headed colleagues.

Right now, stalling for time was their best bet. It was just the five of them here. Though they had brought men with them, their subordinates were too weak to pose any threat to Shin Uzumaki.

They just had to hold out until CP0 arrived. Only those elites could provide any meaningful support. As for the Celestial Dragons, most of them were useless—corrupted by power, they possessed none of their own.

Of course, they had their hidden aces, secrets even the Elders weren't privy to, but those weren't here now. They could only rely on themselves. It was up to them to handle this, just as Lord Imu had commanded.

"Mutual destruction? That's hilarious. I'm genuinely curious—what makes you think you can hurt me?"

"How about we test that theory? I'm eager to see what you've got."

Shin's face was filled with disdain.

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn’s expression darkened, but he was patient and held back his anger.

"I know you're trying to stall. But I suggest you don't waste your time. You think Akainu has time to come save you?"

Shin’s deep-set eyes seemed to pierce right through the Elder’s schemes. Of course, he could see he was stalling. But it was pointless—Akainu was already tied up with Whitebeard.

Don't ask how Shin knew. His Observation Haki was terrifyingly powerful, its range far exceeding a single island. The battle between Akainu and Whitebeard was well within his perception.

"Do you have a backup plan?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn’s heart skipped a beat.

Seeing Shin's expression, a seed of doubt was planted in his mind. Perhaps he really did have something else up his sleeve.

After all, this was Shin Uzumaki, the most dangerous man on the seas. He was powerful, and he certainly wasn't a fool. Coming to Mary Geoise couldn't have been a reckless act.

If they had known this would happen, they never would have provoked him. This situation could have been avoided entirely.

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"I didn't prepare any backup. I don't need any," Shin said calmly.

"Don't forget, if I make a move against you, do you really think the other powers on the sea will just sit back and watch?"

At Shin's words, the Five Elders fell silent. They had considered this possibility, and the conclusion wasn't a good one. If the other major powers united against them, their rule could be shaken. It wasn't an impossible scenario.

Even the Celestial Dragons' authority could be threatened. Dragon, after all, was always looking for an opportunity.

"Alright, enough with the pointless chatter. Let's get this over with. If you five won't make a move, then I will."

With that, Shin kicked out, aiming for Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who was the most injured among them. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn was fine, and Saint Topman Warcury was tough enough to take a hit.

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro’s expression turned vicious. 'If you're going to kick me, I'll take your leg, even if it costs me.'

He swung his sword with brutal determination, willing to trade a blow to cripple Shin.

A good idea, but the outcome was less than ideal. He had completely underestimated the speed and power of Shin's kick.

The heavy impact sent Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro flying, crashing into a distant building and disappearing into the rubble.

In Shin's hand was a new sword—Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro’s blade, the Shodai Kitetsu.

"So it really does have a backlash against its wielder. Anyone without sufficient strength would have no right to wield this blade."

Shin gave the Shodai Kitetsu a few test swings. It felt good in his hand. Excellent. This sword was his now.

Once something fell into Shin's hands, it was never given back, especially something he found as satisfactory as the Shodai Kitetsu. If it had been an average blade, he might have tossed it back.

"GIVE ME BACK MY SWORD!" Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro roared, his body covered in blood, his expression contorted with rage.

For a swordsman, his blade was his life. To lose it was to lose his honor.

"Give it back? Don't be ridiculous. It's mine now," Shin said calmly.

"Tempest Kick!"

Just then, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter launched a sneak attack, a blade of air shooting towards Shin.

"You must have a death wish. I wasn't even looking for you, and you just served yourself up on a platter."

Shin spun and slashed. The air blade was instantly destroyed, and the sword light continued on, severing Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's arm.

"Pathetic." Shin glanced at the pale-faced man.

"His strength is beyond imagination! ATTACK TOGETHER, OR WE'LL ALL DIE! HURRY!" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter screamed, seeing Shin turn his attention back to him.

This was no time for old grudges. They had their differences, but standing together was their only hope.

"Let's attack together. Hopefully, CP0 will get here soon. We need to make as much noise as possible," Saint Marcus Mars said.

He then shot a blast of compressed air at Shin, an ability similar to Sengoku's shockwave.

'A Devil Fruit ability?'

Shin cut through the air cannon with a single slash, then appeared behind Saint Shepherd Ju Peter like a ghost, his sword aimed at the man's back.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter sensed the extreme danger and tried to dodge, but it was too late.

Shin's sword pierced his heart. His face, twisted in agony, was a tragic sight.

Blood poured from the wound, and with a pained cry, he fell to his knees, his face turning deathly pale.

"Still alive? You have a strong life force. Is your heart on the other side of your chest?"

Shin remarked, looking at the screaming man.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter didn't speak. He could feel his life force draining away. His once-golden hair began to bleach into a withered white.

'Draining life force? No wonder they call it a cursed blade.'

Shin looked at the man's transformation, then glanced at the Shodai Kitetsu in his hand.

It was an incredibly malevolent cursed sword, one of the Supreme Grade Blades, and among the strongest of them. Its power lay in its sinister ability to absorb the life force of those it killed. If a wielder couldn't master it, it would even drain their own life force.

"I'm coming to save you!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn moved so fast he left afterimages, rushing towards Shin.

"Your speed is impressive," Shin noted, then raised his hand.

"Universal Push."

The charging Elder was suddenly hit by a powerful repulsive force and sent flying like a cannonball, his internal organs severely damaged.

"You're still not good enough."

Shin glanced at the flying Elder, then looked down. Saint Shepherd Ju Peter had managed to crawl away, but he was in a terrible state. His heart had been pierced, and much of his life force had been drained. His hair was now half-white.

Thanks to the incredible vitality of the people in this world, he hadn't died yet. But it was only a matter of time.

"You're in this state, yet you continue to struggle? Is there any point? Fine, let me just send you on your way."

"Universal Pull."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, who had just managed to crawl away, was helplessly yanked back by an unseen gravitational force. Shin swung his sword.

With a clean, decisive swing, he took Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's head.

The fight had barely begun, and Shin hadn't even gotten serious, yet one of the Five Elders was already dead.

"That's one down. Now it's your turn." Shin smiled faintly, kicking the corpse aside and turning his gaze to the remaining Elders.

Their expressions were grim. A chill of self-preservation ran down their spines—seeing one of their own fall so easily was a grim reminder of their own mortality.

"Of course, you can try to run. Assuming you can escape from me. But I don't think you have what it takes."

Shin said, walking towards them.

With each step he took, the Five Elders took a step back. They were truly afraid now, terrified of Shin.

"This look of mice before a cat... you're a real disappointment."

Shin watched them, shaking his head. He was genuinely disappointed. They had no courage at all.