Naruto: Copy System

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In the prison cell, Hina gazed at Nami with speechless exasperation. Typical small-town East Blue mentality—her worldview really is pathetically limited.

Though Hina remained silent, Nami could clearly sense the contempt radiating from her.

The disdain was practically tangible.

"Hmph! You Marines are all the same—a bunch of rotten apples." Nami suddenly snapped, her voice filled with anger. She was annoyed by Hina's contempt, but it also stirred up old resentments.

"What did you say?" Hina glared at Nami, furious.

"Am I wrong? You Marines are all in bed with pirates anyway." Nami's words dripped with bitterness.

From what Nami knew, Arlong had connections with Captain Nezumi—they were business partners.

"That's slander. Hina won't tolerate such accusations." Hina tried to surge to her feet in anger. But the Seastone cuffs drained her strength, she couldn't even get to her feet. This feeling of helplessness made Hina's heart ache.

Damn that Shin Uzumaki—absolutely infuriating.

"Slander? I have proof!"

Nami then told Hina about Arlong's dealings with Captain Nezumi—information she'd stumbled upon by accident.

Nami had once hoped the Marines would drive Arlong away and save Cocoyasi Village. But then she learned that even the Marines were colluding with him.

Hina gritted her teeth. She hadn't expected there to be so many traitors. This was a stain on the Marines' reputation.

"If Hina ever gets out, she'll make those Marine scum pay."

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Hina's confidence evaporated. Given her current predicament, where did she get the nerve to make such promises?

She was still a prisoner herself. Escaping would be miracle enough.

No, it was impossible to escape. She didn't know if she would be imprisoned here for the rest of her life.

"Oh please, you talk big now, but can you even get out?" Nami scoffed. All talk when you're in the same boat as me.

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps approached.

Shin's figure appeared in the prison, and he saw Nami and Hina talking.

Seeing Nami confirmed it—she really had delivered herself right to him. Though why was Nami in Loguetown? Whatever. Her reasons for being here weren't his concern.

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"Shin Uzumaki! Release Hina immediately!" Hina shouted at Shin upon seeing him.

"It's not impossible to let you go. Here's the deal—join the Kuja Pirates, and I'll release you. What do you say?" Shin said to Hina with a faint smile.

"In your dreams. Hina will never join you—never become a notorious pirate." Hina's stubbornness ran deep.

Nami's eyes lit up slightly. She immediately shouted to Shin, "Um, how about I join the Kuja Pirates?"

"Typical thief. Scum."

Hina snorted at Nami's eagerness to join, her voice thick with disdain.

Nami completely ignored Hina's contempt. She didn't care what Hina said—right now, Nami was focused on joining the Kuja Pirates.

If she could join them, she wouldn't need to fear Arlong's crew anymore. She could reclaim Cocoyashi Village openly.

Shin was genuinely surprised. He had originally wanted Nami to join him, to become his navigator.

He hadn't expected her to volunteer before he could even make the offer.

Hina glanced at Nami dismissively. In her view, Nami joining the Kuja Pirates was basically impossible.

The reason was simple—Nami was too weak.

Hina could gauge Nami's strength at a glance. With such pitiful abilities, why would the Kuja Pirates accept her?

Countless people wanted to join the Kuja Pirates, but how many actually succeeded?

"Good. Since you want to join, that saves me the trouble of asking." Shin nodded calmly.

"You're agreeing? Just like that?"

Nami's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't expected such easy acceptance.

"Um, I have a favor to ask." Nami hesitated for a moment, then stated her purpose.

Her real reason for joining the Kuja Pirates—she needed Shin's help against Arlong's crew.

For Nami, this was a matter of life and death. But for Shin, it was trivial.

A small-time crew like Arlong's could be wiped out effortlessly. Agreeing meant nothing to him.

"Just the Arlong Pirates? Alright, I'll help you destroy them." Shin nodded calmly.

Nami was stunned upon hearing this. She didn't say to destroy the Arlong Pirates. She just wanted Shin to help her get back Cocoyasi Village.

But thinking it through, destroying Arlong's crew entirely was better. Even if they reclaimed the village, Arlong might return to steal it back later.

Complete elimination would solve that problem permanently.

However, Nami was a little skeptical of Shin's strength. Though Hina had claimed he was stronger than Arlong's crew, could she trust that?

Arlong had boasted about fish-men's natural superiority—strength ten times that of humans.

"Um, can you really deal with the Arlong Pirates?" Nami asked Shin.

Her tone inevitably carried some doubt.

"Hahaha! You don't know the Kuja Pirates' reputation? Seems our fame needs work."

Shin laughed heartily.

Worried about him handling Arlong? Honestly, anyone on his ship could solo that entire crew.

"Don't think of fish-men as too strong. Their strength is nothing special." Shin said to Nami.

Though he understood she wouldn't fully believe him yet.

No matter. Once she witnessed it firsthand, she'd understand—small fry like Arlong weren't worth mentioning.

If Arlong were really powerful, he wouldn't be hiding in the East Blue. In any other ocean, Arlong's strength would be laughable.

"And you, Hina—are you really not considering joining the Kuja Pirates? Our benefits package is excellent." Shin continued to say to Hina.

"Hina will never sink to your level. Hina serves justice as a Marine. One day, she'll drag you to Impel Down." Hina declared coldly.

"Fine. Since you're so stubborn, I won't force you. Stay here alone then. Hope you don't get too lonely."

Without another word, Shin led Nami away.

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