Naruto: Copy System#693+694: An Old Man Stirring Up Trouble, Sorry, I Just See You as a Small Fry

"Let me see just how powerful this thing is."

Shin held the Dyna Stone, his eyes filled with curiosity. He tossed it into the air, then fired a golden beam of light, striking it mid-flight.

The container holding the Dyna Stone shattered instantly. Exposed to the air, the stone erupted in a colossal explosion.

A deafening roar echoed across the sea as a massive wave surged outwards, sweeping across the surrounding area.

The shockwave sent a hurricane-force wind blasting across the ocean, so powerful that several weaker Marines lost their footing and were blown away.

————

"Now that's some serious firepower..." Shin remarked, a hint of surprise on his face.

If that had gone off on an island, it would have undoubtedly annihilated the entire landmass in an instant. Even a powerful individual, if caught off guard by the blast, would likely be killed on the spot. Of course, a Logia user wouldn't have to worry, but for anyone else, the Dyna Stone was a death sentence.

Zephyr's face went slack. He had gone through hell to get his hands on those Dyna Stones, and now Shin had just wasted one for a test.

"My, my, I've never seen a Dyna Stone explode before. That kind of power is quite terrifying. How scary~" A lazy smile spread across Kizaru's face.

This outcome wasn't so bad. Although they couldn't retrieve the Dyna Stones, at least they were gone now. When he returned to Marine Headquarters, he could report back to Akainu. A dangerous weapon like the Dyna Stone being destroyed was a good thing.

Aokiji said nothing. This was indeed a better outcome than letting his former teacher get his hands on them and use them to destroy the world.

"Actually, I have more." Shin casually produced two more containers, both filled with Dyna Stones.

Even with these two, however, Zephyr's plan to destroy the three key locations was now impossible.

Was he supposed to just give up? Trying to steal more Dyna Stones was out of the question. The Marines, having been hit once, wouldn't let him succeed a second time. Besides, the number of Dyna Stones was limited to begin with.

"Why are you stopping me?" Zephyr stared at Shin.

"You're an old man. Shouldn't you just be waiting for death peacefully instead of stirring up all this trouble?" Shin glanced at Zephyr and said calmly.

'If you're going to cause trouble, at least keep it small. As long as it doesn't affect me, I don't care. But the moment it does, I'm going to stop you. The fact that I haven't killed you already is a mercy.'

"Teacher Zephyr, our fight isn't over yet," Kizaru said, looking at Zephyr with a detached expression.

"Kizaru, it's already over. Why do you insist on pushing this?" Aokiji frowned and said to Kizaru.

Without the Dyna Stones, Zephyr's original plan was impossible. He was no longer a threat. So why was Kizaru so determined to finish him off?

"No, my mission isn't complete," Kizaru said, glancing at Aokiji coolly.

Kizaru's mission included eliminating Zephyr. It was a direct order from the Five Elders, and it was also what he intended to do.

————

Shin didn't seem to be leaving. He sat down to watch the show.

"Well, looks like we have more company."

Shin's gaze shifted to the distance, where a warship was rapidly approaching.

"He looks a little familiar," Robin said, following Shin's gaze.

"It's that Smoker guy," Shin recognized him instantly. Compared to the last time they met, Smoker had changed quite a bit.

"I was expecting a big shot, not... this guy," Shin said, a little underwhelmed.

It wasn't that he looked down on Smoker, but the man's strength was genuinely lacking. In the original story, he was completely left behind.

"Yes, it's Smoker." Hina had been classmates with Smoker and knew him well.

"He probably hates you now," Shin said, glancing at Hina. After all, in Smoker's eyes, Hina had fallen and become a pirate.

"..." Hina's expression was calm. With Smoker's strength, she didn't consider him a threat.

In the past, Hina would have been no match for the genius Smoker. But now, he was far behind her. After Shin's hellish training and Olvia's guidance, Hina's strength was on a completely different level.

"I was hoping it would be the meddlesome Red-Haired Shanks. Looks like I was wrong. What a shame."

It seemed even the nosy Shanks wasn't going to get involved this time. As for not knowing about it—that was impossible. This whole affair had caused such a stir, it was impossible for him not to know.

Half the Grand Line already knew. If Zephyr had continued, he wouldn't have needed anyone else to stop him—the ambitious pirates of the sea would have ganged up and taken him down themselves.

————

"SHIN UZUMAKI!"

A furious roar came, and Shin saw Smoker glaring at him, his eyes burning with a hatred so intense it was as if he wanted to devour him whole.

"Do we have that much of a grudge?" Shin wondered.

The last time Smoker had come looking for trouble, Shin had specifically let him go. Had he forgotten?

Smoker's gaze then shifted to Hina, his voice filled with contempt. "Hina, you actually joined a pirate crew. What a disgrace."

"You have no right to lecture me about my business," Hina said, her brow furrowed with displeasure.

Before, when Zephyr had said it, Hina hadn't argued—he was her former teacher, after all. But facing Smoker, she wasn't going to be so polite.

"Why don't you two have a fight?" Shin suggested with interest.

A fight between Hina and Smoker wouldn't be without its highlights. Hina's strength was certainly no less than Smoker's—in fact, Shin was confident she was stronger. She had received his guidance and Olvia's special instruction, after all. Her strength had improved immensely.

"Hina thinks you're just trying to stir up trouble," Hina said, glancing at Shin.

Her main concern was her teacher. Kizaru was still relentlessly pursuing him. If they fought, the outcome was already clear from their previous battle. Zephyr's current strength was no match for Kizaru; he was completely suppressed.

Hopefully, Aokiji could stop Kizaru. Otherwise, Zephyr would be in real danger.

<><><><><><><><>

Shin glanced at Smoker, wondering why he had suddenly appeared. Was he also here to deal with Zephyr? Smoker was Zephyr's student too.

Zephyr's life was truly tragic. His students were scattered throughout the Marines, but now, few were willing to help him. Kizaru was determined to kill him, and only Aokiji had stepped in to help.

"Captain, can you help?" Just then, Hina came to Shin's side and whispered.

"I can, but first, I want to know—what's in it for me?"

Shin chuckled lightly and asked Hina.

Hina gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "I'll do anything you want."

"What are you two whispering about?" Momousagi suddenly asked Shin and Hina, her face filled with curiosity.

"Nothing." Shin smiled faintly and didn't continue his conversation with Hina.

Hina was confused. Had Shin agreed or refused? She hoped he would agree to help, if only to repay her teacher's kindness.

————

"Vice Admiral Smoker, why are you here?" Kizaru asked Smoker.

At the same time, Kizaru intended to ask Smoker for help. After all, he was currently being blocked by Aokiji and couldn't easily make a move against Zephyr.

Smoker had already been promoted to Vice Admiral, but he was the Vice Admiral of the G-5 Marine Base, not a Headquarters Vice Admiral.

"I'm here to hunt Shin Uzumaki," Smoker said, his eyes fixed on Shin.

Shin was stunned. Was this guy's brain broken? He was starting to suspect there was something wrong with Smoker.

Not just Shin—even Kizaru gave Smoker a strange look. 'Smoker, you've got balls. I respect that. You're willing to hunt down Shin Uzumaki when even I wouldn't touch him? I hereby declare you the bravest man alive.'

"Smoker, my boy, you're quite impressive. Have you gotten that much stronger?"

Kizaru was unusually polite to Smoker. Based on Smoker's courage alone, he deserved his respect. Besides, Smoker probably wouldn't be living much longer. Kizaru offered a silent moment of mourning for him.

"So you came to hunt me down? I'm right here. Show me what you've got," Shin said to Smoker with a faint smile.

"DON'T TREAT ME LIKE A SMALL FRY." Smoke billowed from Smoker's mouth, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

"Sorry, but I do see you as a small fry."

Shin's expression was completely flat. 'With your level of strength, how can I not see you as a small fry?'

————

"Smoker, you should calm down," Aokiji advised Smoker kindly.

He was once his junior, and though their relationship wasn't particularly close, they could still exchange a few words. Aokiji didn't want to see him get himself killed, and he still saw great potential in Smoker. Even though he had left the Marines, his heart was still with them.

'Are they all looking down on me?' Smoker thought, a little annoyed.

"I'm not the same person I was before, Shin Uzumaki. Let me show you my power—the power I've worked so hard for."

From a distance, Smoker threw a punch at Shin, his arms turning into smoke and extending towards him.

"This reminds me of Orochimaru's outstretched neck."

Shin couldn't help but comment as he watched Smoker's fists.

From Smoker's performance, it seemed his strength had improved quite a bit. But to think that was enough to challenge him?

"Not bad, but still not enough. I don't even need to make a move."

Shin had no intention of acting. Against someone like Smoker, why would he need to?

BAM!

Smoker's attacks were all blocked. A defensive barrier of lightning appeared in front of Shin—a masterpiece by Olvia. Smoker's hands were charred black, his brow twitching.

It was clear he was in considerable pain.

"The audacity..." Robin drew her sword.

She'd trained in swordsmanship as well—nothing exceptional, but she'd reached master level, capable of unleashing a flying slash that could cleave a warship clean in half.

Robin swung her blade at Smoker. The sea itself split under the strike, and in an instant, the sword energy shot toward him.

"Shit." Smoker immediately raised his Jitte to block.

The weapon was forged from Seastone, one of the hardest materials in existence. It could clash with even Supreme Grade blades without a scratch—yet Robin's slash had chipped it.

The damage wasn't severe, but the notch was unmistakable. And this was with Robin's swordsmanship being far from her peak. If she'd reached great swordsman level, that single strike would've killed him outright.

The webbing of Smoker's hand was torn, his trembling hand unable to hold his weapon.

"I thought Smoker had gotten stronger. Turns out he's still far from it," Kizaru shook his head.

————

Watching Smoker get injured, Kizaru had no intention of intervening; self-preservation was clearly his priority. He would not save Smoker—he could not, even if he tried.

Aokiji only shook his head and moved to help instead. It was not out of meddling but because he could not bear to see the Marines lose another capable officer.

Had things not gone so poorly with Akainu, he would never have left in the first place. Even now, his attachment to the Marines ran deep. That would never change.

Seeing Robin attack again, Aokiji acted without hesitation, helping Smoker block her attack.

"Aokiji, are you getting involved too? You sure like to stick your nose in other people's business, don't you?" Shin looked at Aokiji, his face unchanging.

But Aokiji could sense the danger in Shin's words. At this moment, Shin's words gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.

"Perhaps I shouldn't, but right now, I have to," Aokiji said.

Having left the Marines, he shouldn't have been drawn into this whirlpool. He had even planned to retire completely, but now it seemed escaping this whirlpool wasn't going to be so easy.

"Aokiji, you know, your little hero act is making things very awkward for me."

Kizaru watched Aokiji and couldn't stay quiet. Even Aokiji, who'd abandoned the Marines, was jumping in to save Smoker.