Naruto: Copy System

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Shin stared at the Shinigami, and the Shinigami stared back at Shin. The atmosphere grew tense.

"Don't tell me you're really just an inanimate object?" Shin asked. He honestly didn't know if the Shinigami possessed independent thought or if it was merely a puppet-like entity.

The Shinigami didn't answer. Instead, it moved. The short blade clenched in its teeth appeared in its hand, and it lunged towards Shin.

"You want to fight me? Are you really that confident?"

Shin's eyes transformed, the Nine-Tomoe Rinne-Tenseigan activating. Immense ocular power manifested as a tangible blade, blocking the Shinigami's attack.

As Shin revealed his Rinne-Tenseigan, the Shinigami's usually unchanging face flickered with a subtle change.

Shin noticed it but paid it no mind. Since it dared to attack him, it would have to pay the price.

Using his ocular power and mental energy, Shin formed an invisible blade and severed one of the Shinigami's arms.

Despite losing an arm, the Shinigami showed no sign of pain. It warily distanced itself from Shin.

"Let's talk. What's your connection to the Ōtsutsuki Clan? Don't tell me there isn't one. I sense Six Paths level power within you."

Shin held back from attacking further. He wanted to chat with the Shinigami.

He had previously suspected it was just a puppet, but the fleeting expression shift suggested otherwise. Of course, he couldn't be entirely sure. Even if it was

At the mention of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the Shinigami visibly reacted, its dark eyes fixed intently on Shin.

"How do you know about the Ōtsutsuki Clan?" The Shinigami's raspy voice finally sounded.

Records of the Ōtsutsuki Clan had practically vanished from the Shinobi world. People knew of the Sage of Six Paths, but not his name—Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.

"The destruction of the Ōtsutsuki Clan on the moon… was that your doing?" the Shinigami asked, not waiting for Shin's previous answer.

"Before you question me, shouldn't you reveal your own name? Or do you lack the courage, hiding behind the title of 'Shinigami' to deceive others?"

Shin's calm tone held a sudden edge of disdain. He was deliberately provoking it, though he didn't know if the entity would take the bait. It was a simple taunt, easily seen through, but pride might make it fall for it.

"I will remember you."

The Shinigami spoke coldly, gave Shin one last deep look, and slowly faded away.

"Whew, that pressure was intense."

After the Shinigami vanished, Kushina let out a breath, feeling much more relaxed. The Shinigami's presence had been immense, especially the pressure it exerted on the soul.

"But Shin, it seems like the Shinigami has its eyes on you now. You have to be careful," Kushina warned Shin seriously.

"It's got its eyes on me, and I've got my eyes on it too." Shin smiled faintly. He wouldn't tolerate being targeted, especially by such a dangerous entity. He'd have to eliminate it.

"Let's see if it's really you, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki." Shin suspected the Shinigami, or the one controlling it, was Hagoromo.

"Yomotsu Hirasaka!"

Shin opened a spatial portal, pulled Kushina through, and they appeared in a strange, unique space.

——

"Where is this?" Kushina asked, looking around curiously.

"This is where the Shinigami returned. When I attacked it earlier, I left a mental imprint, allowing me to track it back to its base."

Shin had used his mental energy attack to secretly mark the Shinigami. He had intentionally let it escape; otherwise, it wouldn't have gotten away.

"Come out. Hiding is pointless, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki."

Just as he was about to search for the Shinigami, someone appeared.

"Wrong. I am not my elder brother Hagoromo. I am Hamura Ōtsutsuki."

Hamura Ōtsutsuki emerged from the shadows, his white Byakugan eyes fixed on Shin.

"You're Hamura Ōtsutsuki?" Shin's face showed genuine surprise. He had been wrong. He'd always assumed the entity behind the Shinigami was Hagoromo, never considering Hamura.

First, the Uzumaki Clan were descendants of Hagoromo, not Hamura. How could their sealing techniques be connected to Hamura?

Because of this, Shin hadn't considered Hamura.

Furthermore, Shin had always assumed Hamura was dead. After all, when Shin wiped out the Ōtsutsuki Clan on the moon, Hamura never appeared.

"Since you've come here, prepare to die. Your eyes will belong to me." Hamura's face twisted with greed.

He was the one who created the Shinigami puppet. Through it, he knew the extent of Shin Uzumaki's ocular power—it surpassed his own.

Even Hamura—an Ōtsutsuki—coveted Shin's eyes.

"Oh? Quite confident, aren't you? Do you really think you can defeat me?"

Shin looked at Hamura.

The man seemed very sure of himself. Shin wondered where that confidence came from.

"This place is my domain. You're no match for me. No one is, except for my brother. And even he has to be cautious here." Hamura spoke with arrogant self-assurance.

"Surrender your eyes and pledge your loyalty, and I might spare your life."

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Kushina couldn't stand it anymore. Vast swathes of trees erupted, engulfing Hamura within the forest.

"Wood Release? A cute trick, but useless against me."

Hamura's Byakugan transformed into the Tenseigan. The dense forest was instantly obliterated by a powerful repulsive force.

"Now I believe you truly are Hamura Ōtsutsuki." Shin looked at Hamura's Tenseigan.

Only now did he truly believe Hamura's identity.

He hadn't been entirely convinced before; Hagoromo could have impersonated his brother. But seeing the Tenseigan, there was no mistake.

Of course, it didn't matter. Whether it was Hagoromo or Hamura, Shin had no intention of letting him live.

"You are of the Uzumaki Clan, correct? Tell me your name." Hamura addressed Shin with a condescending tone.

"I am Shin Uzumaki. Remember the name. It would be a tragic death if you didn't even know who killed you. Consider it a professional courtesy. You should be grateful."

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