Naruto: Copy System

Chapter 869 - 869: [869] : Gave You the Impression I Wouldn't Attack You?

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The sudden reappearance of Shutara Senjumaru was not a welcome sight for Shin. He made no effort to hide his displeasure, his expression souring as she approached.

"I've got a bad feeling about your visit," Shin said, waving a dismissive hand.

"Some people have a lot of nerve," Yoruichi cut in, her words pulling no punches. "They know they're not welcome, but they show up anyway. Do you really need someone to spell out that they hate you before you'll leave?"

Yoruichi's bluntness was unmistakable, but the woman she was addressing, Shutara Senjumaru, showed no visible reaction. On the surface, she was calm, but who knew what was going on in her head. Even Shin couldn't tell; the woman was an expert at hiding her true intentions.

"I've come to ask for your help, Shin," she said, getting straight to the point.

"Oh? You need my help? Now I'm curious. What could possibly require my assistance?" Shin raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "But you'll have to tell me what it is first. I'm not about to agree to anything sight unseen. Lay it all out, and then I'll consider it."

"So you're saying you might agree?" A flicker of light appeared in Shutara's eyes.

"No, you've misunderstood. I'm saying you should make your pitch. If it interests me, I might help."

"I see. Well, I'm certain you'll be interested. You're familiar with Sōsuke Aizen, I presume?"

"Ah, so you're finally making a move on Aizen," Shin said with a knowing smile. He was surprised the Royal Guard was targeting Aizen already.

"That's right. We need your help to deal with him. The Head Monk says Aizen possesses something incredibly powerful—enough to upend the world." Shutara's expression was grave.

"You're talking about the Hōgyoku," Shin stated, slightly surprised. 'So that old monk knows about the Hōgyoku. Does that mean he's going to get involved?'

"Yes. I want you to help me retrieve it."

"And what's my reward? I'm not doing this for free," Shin told her. He had his principles, and he wasn't about to do their dirty work without getting something in return.

"There will be a reward, of course. One that is sure to satisfy you, I promise," Shutara assured him.

"Heh, I'm not satisfied at all. You won't even tell me what the reward is, just that I'll be happy with it? You're just selling me a pipe dream, and I'm not buying." Shin waved her off, gesturing for her to leave. He had no intention of going easy on her just because she was a woman.

"Must you be so heartless?" Shutara asked, her voice filled with a feigned sorrow.

"Cut the act. Heartless? We'd have to have some kind of relationship for that to even be possible." Shin's words were sharp, cutting her down without a second thought.

This woman might be beautiful, but she was a born manipulator. If he agreed to help her now, he knew he'd end up with nothing. She thought she could just waltz in here and get his help for free? She was dreaming.

"Yoruichi, get her out of here."

"If you throw me out, I'll immediately reveal her identity," Shutara said with a saccharine smile. "The entire Soul Society will know you're harboring an Arrancar."

Yoruichi gave Shutara a sympathetic look, then took several steps back, putting distance between them.

Shin's previously calm expression turned terrifyingly cold.

He didn't care if Nelliel's identity was exposed—no one could touch him. But he had a zero-tolerance policy for threats, and Shutara had just crossed a line.

"Well now, it seems you have a death wish."

A terrifying pressure descended upon Shutara, causing her face to drain of color. The Shin before her was a complete stranger. She thought she understood him, but she had only seen the tip of the iceberg.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

A Cero blasted into Shutara, sending her flying and severely injuring her in a single blow.

"You actually attacked me?" she asked, looking up in disbelief. And he had used a Cero—the power of a Hollow.

"What on earth gave you the impression I wouldn't attack you?" Shin sneered.

"Aren't we... friends?"

The pain in Shutara's heart was even greater than the wounds on her body. All this time, she had considered Shin a friend. She didn't have many, and now, to be attacked by him... it felt like her heart was being torn apart.

"Friends? Don't be ridiculous. We were never friends. Weren't you just trying to use my power? Now get the hell out."

Shin gestured to Yoruichi, who looked at him with wide eyes. She knew he would be angry about the threat, but she hadn't expected him to attack so viciously.

Seeing how furious he was, she didn't dare provoke him. She grabbed Shutara and prepared to throw her out.

"Wait," Shutara called out weakly.

"Why?" she asked Yoruichi. Why had he attacked her so ruthlessly? Did their past friendship mean nothing?

"You're asking me why? You should be asking yourself. If you really considered Shin a friend, you wouldn't have come here to use him against Aizen," Yoruichi said, her voice flat. "And he has a zero-tolerance policy for threats. If I crossed that line, he'd turn on me too, let alone you."

With that, Yoruichi turned and left. Her relationship with Shutara wasn't exactly friendly. Seeing her in trouble, while not a cause for celebration, was certainly something she could watch with detached amusement. But there was no point wasting any more words on her. She needed to check on Shin.

He had been genuinely angry—the first time Yoruichi had ever seen him truly lose his temper. It was a terrifying sight.

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