Naruto: Copy System#621+622: This Kingdom is Mine Now! Girl, You Have No Way Out

Back at Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Sengoku’s brow was furrowed. He’d just received intel that one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile, was dead.

When the report first came in, Sengoku was stunned. Sure, Crocodile’s bounty was less than 100 million, but a wanted poster isn’t the whole story.

His bounty had been frozen the moment he joined the Warlords. At his current strength, he was easily worth over 300 million.

That might put him in danger in the New World, but Crocodile was operating in the first half of the Grand Line. He should have been safe—getting killed was the last thing anyone expected.

At first, Sengoku thought it had to be a joke. But then a second, more reliable report confirmed it: Crocodile was really dead.

“Shin Uzumaki’s Kuja Pirates took him out? What the hell does that mean? Did Crocodile piss Shin off, or is this part of some other scheme?”

Sengoku’s mind started racing.

From what he knew, it was highly likely Crocodile had done something to provoke Shin. As for whether Shin was plotting something bigger... Sengoku couldn’t rule it out.

If Shin could hear Sengoku’s paranoid ramblings, he’d probably just laugh.

A guy with his power doesn't need schemes. Only the weak rely on conspiracies. If Shin really wanted to do something, who in the world could stop him?

“This is a big deal. We need to call a meeting.”

Sengoku decided.

Meetings weren’t called for just anything, but when it came to Shin Uzumaki, it was mandatory.

Anything involving him was a major incident.

————

Meanwhile, in the Alabasta Kingdom, the civil war was over.

The internal conflict had been quelled.

Putting down the rebellion had been surprisingly easy—all it took was a decisive strike against the leaders. Of course, the Kuja Pirates had a hand in that.

Vivi had pleaded with Shin for help.

Naturally, Shin himself didn't lift a finger—those guys weren't worthy of his time. Olvia alone was enough. Using her Rumble-Rumble Fruit—she summoned a storm cloud and obliterated the rebel leaders with a bolt of lightning.

Bon Clay—the user of the Clone-Clone Fruit—hadn't been killed in the initial strike, but he was now locked away.

And Cobra, Vivi’s father, had been rescued.

————

“Shin-sama, thank you for your help. I am eternally grateful,” Cobra said, bowing deeply. He truly meant it. If it weren't for Shin, his kingdom would have fallen into Crocodile’s hands.

“Cobra, do you know the secret of Pluton?”

Shin stared at him, his question direct and sharp.

“...” Cobra’s face changed instantly. He stared back at Shin, trying desperately to read his intentions. Had they just escaped one nightmare only to stumble into something worse?

“You don’t want to say? Fine. I’m not really interested anyway.”

Honestly, Shin couldn't care less about some legendary weapon. He already had Pluton—there wasn't much difference between the two anyway.

“But Cobra, how exactly do you plan on thanking me?”

Shin hadn't forgotten Cobra’s earlier promise of gratitude.

Words were cheap...

Even though it was Shirahoshi who had asked him to help Vivi, Shin wasn't about to do it for free.

A troubled look crossed Cobra’s face. The truth was, the Alabasta Kingdom had nothing to offer. The country was so poor it was almost unbelievable.

If their national finances were made public, no one would believe a kingdom could be so broke.

They were worse off than some smaller nations.

“Shin-sama, please don't misunderstand—I'm incredibly grateful, but the Alabasta Kingdom... have no money.”

Cobra's voice was heavy with regret.

As for other treasures—famous swords, Devil Fruits—they had nothing. Devil Fruits were impossibly rare, and even if they'd possessed one, it would've gone to someone crucial for national defense.

“Shin-sama, I will repay you,” Vivi said, stepping forward.

“VIVI!” Cobra’s face paled as he looked at his daughter.

“From now on... I am no longer the princess of Alabasta. I will serve on the Kuja pirate ship as Shin-sama’s maid,” Vivi said, her voice firm.

It was a decision she had made long ago. It was the only way she could truly repay him.

“I think she’ll do—” Hancock said, looking Vivi over. Her eyes lit up. Vivi was pretty enough to be Shin’s maid. Hancock approved.

“Alright. But from now on, the Alabasta Kingdom belongs to the Kuja Pirates,” Shin said, glancing at Cobra.

Cobra's face went pale, but all he could manage was a bitter smile. He didn't protest. One wrong word would doom his kingdom.

His nation now served under a pirate flag, his daughter was lost to him, and the weight of his failures was suffocating.

“Fine. I agree on my father’s behalf,” Vivi said with grim determination. She had agreed because, in her time with them, she had come to understand Shin.

She knew he wasn’t a bad person.

Even if Alabasta belonged to the Kuja Pirates, they wouldn’t suffer.

It was common for kingdoms in the New World to seek the protection of the Four Emperors. Without it, they’d be devoured by other, more ruthless pirates.

————

Afterward, Cobra arranged for his men to host Shin and his crew while he and Vivi had a private talk.

“Vivi, are you sure about this??” Cobra asked his daughter.

“Yes. From now on, the Alabasta Kingdom has a protector, right? And I know... Captain Shin isn’t a bad person,” she said, her resolve unshaken.

“Sigh... alright. If you’ve made up your mind.”

Cobra looked at her, seeing no reluctance in her eyes. He sighed again, his voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, Vivi. It’s because your father is useless. I’ve failed you.”

Vivi just smiled and shook her head. She didn’t feel wronged at all. Many people would kill for a chance to board the Kuja Pirates’ ship.

In a way, this might even be a stroke of luck.

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

After their talk, Cobra and Vivi returned to host Shin and his crew.

They stayed in the Alabasta Kingdom for a few days before preparing to leave.

Vivi, now a maid, boarded the ship with them.

“What the hell? Is she here to take our jobs?” Baby-5 looked at Vivi with hostility. She didn’t like anyone who threatened her position.

“She’s here to take 'your' job. Don’t drag me into this,” Monet said coolly.

“Aren’t you a maid too?” Baby-5 asked, confused.

“Hmph. I’m a combatant,” Monet said, lifting her chin proudly.

“Heh, I don’t need a combatant as weak as you,” Shin said with a chuckle.

“...” Monet looked hurt. She wondered if she really appeared that weak to him. After all, she could probably take on a Marine Vice Admiral. But she had no idea that in Shin's eyes, even a Marine Admiral was considered weak.

Vivi stood on the deck, watching her homeland grow smaller in the distance, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“If you don’t want to stay, we can still send you back,” Shin told her.

“No. I’ve decided to be your maid. I will stay with the Kuja Pirates for the rest of my life,” Vivi said with unwavering conviction.

Hancock listened and nodded with satisfaction. If Vivi had really wanted to leave, she wouldn’t have let her go so easily.

“Baby-5, you’re the senior here. You can teach her,” Hancock said.

“Me? Teach her?” Baby-5’s face lit up. She looked at Vivi with excitement and nodded eagerly at Hancock.

————

The flag of the Kuja Pirates now flew over the Alabasta Kingdom.

The news spread quickly, even reaching the ears of the Five Elders.

“What are your thoughts on this?” Saint Jaygarcia Saturn asked the others, his face grim.

More than a decade had passed, but the Five Elders looked the same, their life force still incredibly strong despite their aged appearance.

“The Nefertari family of Alabasta is one of the twenty royal families. If they hadn’t refused to move to the Holy Land, they’d be Celestial Dragons now. I never thought they’d align themselves with Shin Uzumaki,” Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said gravely.

Although Alabasta was still technically part of the World Government, the Five Elders knew their first loyalty was now to the Kuja Pirates.

"Shin Uzumaki is getting too bold. It's time we put him in his place," Saint Marcus Mars said coldly.

To be honest, the Five Elders had been sick of Shin for months.

He'd leveled Enies Lobby and murdered Celestial Dragons, earning them a brutal tongue-lashing from Imu.

Then there was Shin himself—he'd grown too powerful, become a threat that needed to be eliminated.

But taking him down required serious planning. They were still working out the details.

————

Shin, naturally, had no clue the Five Elders were scheming against him.

Not that he'd give a damn if he knew.

He was strong enough now that a single Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack could probably reduce all of Mary Geoise to rubble.

At the moment, Shin was in Pluton's prison, looking at Hina.

“Feeling lonely all by yourself in here?” Shin asked her.

“Just let Hina out already,” Hina said, glaring at him angrily.

She was indeed lonely. Besides the person who brought her food, no one ever came to see her. The days of her confinement were incredibly dull.

“I can let you out, but how about you join the Kuja Pirates?” Shin asked, his arms crossed.

“In your dreams. I’ll never join you,” Hina replied stubbornly.

“What’s the point? You really think you can escape? If that’s what you’re thinking, you should give up now.”

Escaping from here was harder than breaking out of Impel Down. From Impel Down, there was still a chance. From his ship, it was impossible.

Hina already knew that.

“Even if I can’t escape, Hina will never join a pirate crew,” she snorted.

“Alright then. Looks like you’re not joining. You can just stay here.”

Shin turned to leave.

“W-WAIT,”

Hina called out as he was about to go. She had been locked up for half a month and was desperate for someone to talk to. Seeing him about to leave, she couldn’t help but call out.

“What, changed your mind?”

“Fine... Hina will join the Kuja Pirates.”

After some hesitation, she agreed. Of course, she wasn't really agreeing. She was just pretending so she could find a chance to escape.

If she stayed locked up, she’d never get out.

“Alright.” Shin smiled faintly, then drew his sword and cut the Seastone cuffs, releasing her.

Hina looked at him, surprised and a little suspicious.

He was letting her out just like that? Was he serious? She couldn’t help but wonder if he had some other scheme in mind.

“Let’s go.” Shin just smiled and motioned for her to follow.

He knew exactly what was going through her head, but he'd already leaked the news that Hina had joined the Kuja Pirates.

She was trapped. Even if she managed to escape, would the Marines believe her story?

Sengoku sure as hell wouldn't. He'd probably assume she was a double agent working for Shin.

“Your strength isn’t bad. From now on, you’re on floor duty.”

After leading her out, Shin patted her shoulder with a look that said—I have high hopes for you.

“...” Hina took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.

Floor duty?? Was he looking down on her?

Whatever... She wasn't planning on staying anyway. Besides, interns on any ship were always given the grunt work. Even Shanks had to do all the hard labor when he was an apprentice on Roger's ship.