[Are you sure about this?] Shun asked the fool as he lost control of his body.
"Teresa… You are as beautiful as the day I last saw you." Shun the fool version ignored his other self, as he spoke like the simp he was.
"!"
The woman recognized Shun's face now that he had become shorter and black-haired.
Teresa stared down in shame…
'It's all the same as that cursed day…'
[Yes. So… Sorry but let me take over for the last time.]
[…]
Shun fell silent hearing the fool's words, he could already see where this was going with his advanced observation haki.
"Hey! Hurry up!"
"…"
The north god seemed to be in a hurry but…
POP-!
"Gah-!"
The fool sent six pad cannons at the attackers.
A paw-shaped shockwave passed through their bodies, leaving a paw mark on their chests, easily taking them out.
"…"
[This guy is surprisingly decent at fighting, the control is immaculate.]
"Teresa…" the fool approached the woman and untied her.
"…"
The two didn't speak and just stood in silence.
Eris and Rudeus, who were ready to jump in to help at any moment, were caught off guard.
"How have you been?"
"…"
The fool struck up some small talk.
"…You were alive. I'm glad." Teresa finally spoke with a sharp tone.
"It's a bit complicated but yes."
Meanwhile Shun, who was listening… was thinking over his whole life.
[Is this how normal talk goes between couples? Was I the weird one?]
Suddenly, Teresa, who had been holding back her feelings…
"…Why did you do it?"
"…"
"Who asked you to save me?"
Thud-!
She punched weakly as tears welled up in her eyes.
Shun's original team plus Roxy were completely clueless about what this sudden situation even was.
"Don't expect any gratitude, no one asked you to save me!"
"…"
[So this fool has this kind of hobby huh? He must've loved watching Daki.]
[What are you waiting for? Hug her forcefully!] Unable to hold back, Shun started giving advice, whether it was good advice or bad depended on the other party.
The fool followed the advice and hugged her.
"!"
Teresa cried without stopping as she hugged him back.
"…"
Right when the spectators thought it was a happy ending…
"…Teresa, I'm running out of time."
[…]
"Mm, I've already died on that day. I'll follow you soon."
"…"
[So this girl had a hunch that this was going to happen… that explains her earlier burst of emotions.]
The fool's body started glowing as he began to literally get erased.
"…Shun-san!! What's happening?!"
[Sorry, I'll be in bad condition again when I give you the control back.]
As soon as the fool spoke, the knocked-out north god had already woken up and… slashed at Shun, aiming for his vitals.
"…The god was right! He said today the magic god will die!" Aleksander Ryback laughed madly as he slashed down.
Shun got slashed diagonally across from his chest down.
Drip.
Blood dripped creating a small puddle.
"I'll be waiting for you." The fool said as he started turning into magical particles, eventually disappearing.
"…"
When he disappeared, Shun's body turned back to his usual height and his hair turned back to white.
"!"
While they were distracted by this weird phenomenon happening to Shun, Teresa had grabbed the knife that was thrown at the fool earlier and… stabbed the north god in the neck.
"Aaghh-!"
The north god screamed in shock and pain.
'She is indeed a crazy woman like Daki.'
Shun, now in his body, had full control. His wound had already healed.
"I-I'm a hero! I can't be taken down by a random nun!"
The north god raised his sword and… cut her in halves.
"!"
Shun didn't protect or try to heal her, because no matter how many times he looked into the future, she would die.
If Shun had protected her, she would've stabbed herself instead.
If Shun heals her, it will only torture her more. As she said it already, she is planning to die today.
"…I am actually a reincarnator." Shun suddenly broke the brutal silence.
"So, I can guarantee you there is an afterlife. You two will meet and have a peaceful life."
"…I-I see. That's wonderful." Teresa's expression turned serene as she closed her eyes.
The fool and his lover had passed away. It was unavoidable.
Even with Shun's strength now increased even more with Acnologia's power, he couldn't save a couple that was determined to die.
Though he knew it was unavoidable… Shun felt an indescribable emptiness in his heart.
The north god pulled out the knife stabbed in his own neck and rushed to kill Shun too.
Only for his sword to break after meeting Shun's fist imbued with internal destruction.
"!"
"Gah-!" Shun grabbed him by the collar as he lifted him, then… he created a pistol.
Bang-! Bang-! Bang-! Bang-!
The bullets strengthened by haki were nothing but simple, each bullet broke apart part of Aleksander's body.
The last bullet broke open his skull… Shun took a peek at it.
"…So you got a brain after all."
"…"
"Then… Why do you get manipulated so easily?"
Bang-! Bang-! Bang-! Bang-!
"…"
Under the watch of Rudeus and the others, Shun kept firing bullets until there was almost nothing left of the so-called 'hero.'
—————
After burning everyone's bodies, the group returned to Ranoa.
The group helped the still unconscious Zenith lay down on a bed in Shun's house.
The group didn't know what to say at this moment.
In Zenith's room everyone had gathered.
"…Sorry that you guys had to see that." Shun said, breaking the long settled silence.
"N-No, it's all Hitogami's fault!" Rudeus said.
"…I am actually not the magic god."
"…"
"By some accident, this body ended up with two souls, mine and the original magic god's."
"…Does that mean you stole his body?" Rudeus asked, finally getting some clues about what was happening.
"A body can't contain two souls, just like how it should be the original is in control but… he gave me his body."
"Eh?"
"Like you saw earlier he could take over anytime, but he gave me his body. He has disappeared now completely."
"Then that woman earlier…"
"She is the magic god's lover, they have a complicated past. But it's not my place to be revealing it."
"Yes…"
"But they will surely meet in the afterlife." Shun suddenly said with confidence.
'Am I right?' Shun asked the only one left in his body now, the so-called dumbass system.
[Always sir, with my last bit of power I made sure they will reincarnate together in my world.]
'Good.'
The system thing became respectful after realizing Shun wasn't actually the fool. Then it became even more respectful after the fool was gone.
Though Shun realized the system thing pulled some tricks by making the fool reincarnate in his own world. Because despite being a fool, that guy was a genius in combat. Shun didn't mind it. They were strangers now, they would go their separate paths now.
'But… I'm really alone now huh?' Shun felt like there was a hole in his body, despite never being that close with the fool.
"For me… I don't care about Shun-san's past. I only care about our current friendship." Rudeus started to blabber like he was from the fairy tail guild.
"Ah, it's this late now. Rudeus take your friends and go to your house." Suddenly Hilda spoke up.
"Aisha, you too." This time Lilia spoke.
"…"
Without being able to resist, Eris, Sylphie, Roxy, Elinalise, Cliff, Aisha and Rudeus had to stay at Rudeus' house for the night.
Once they left… Hilda, Ariel, Lilia and Nina agreed to team up to comfort Shun. If they had to be honest, their opinions were the same as Rudeus'. They never even met the magic god, they didn't care about him at all. Though it was cruel, they were glad that it was Shun who survived.
Only one person had doubts at this moment.
"Uhm, should I go with them?" Nina said, unsure of what she wanted to do.
"What are you talking about, aren't you one of us?" Hilda asked as she dragged her along for everyone's first ever five-person game.
——
Next morning Shun woke up feeling empty with four women beside him.
Remembering what happened yesterday, Shun felt a bit awkward.
'Was I that attached to that guy?' Shun shook his head and got up.
'…What's gone is gone.'
Shun did feel sad that he was alone now, but about half of the frustration came from being helpless for the first time in a long time.
Aisha was told to go sleep at Rudeus' house but she was cooking breakfast when Shun woke up.
'This girl memorized the exact time I wake up, and started scheduling the breakfast around that time… she scares me sometimes.'
"Morning." Shun waved at Aisha.
"Good morning, Master!"
Shun ate breakfast with everyone and hopped into the One Piece world, because there was a small event that needed his attention.
——
POP-!
With his signature sound, Shun arrived at Marineford.
'Ah-! I completely forgot about Zenith's situation.'
'Well that can wait for later.'
"Did the prisoners get caught?" Shun asked, despite all the chaos he didn't forget about them.
"Yes… but instead of 'caught' they came back on their own volition." Hibari explained, though a slow starter, she was getting better at her job.
"Good."
"What about the neo marines and the forest forest fruit eater?" Shun asked, this time he came for the two admirals that might join his cause.
"The forest forest fruit eater, Aramaki is willing to join but he has a condition."
"Condition?"
"…He wants to join Admiral Akainu's team, if not he wouldn't join."
"…"
"Apparently he is a big fan, according to his own words."
"I see. Where is he?"
"He is at the headquarters sparring with vice admirals and captains right now." Kalifa informed.
"Let's go meet him."
"…"
Kalifa didn't know why but she was starting to feel pity for Aramaki.
Thus the three of them headed towards the sparring area.
Before long they started to hear the noises of screams and confident laughter.
"Aramaki-san is really strong!"
"Yeah, it's reassuring that the marines are getting stronger and stronger."
"Hahahaha." Aramaki just laughed in response.
Step. Step.
The harmonious sparring fell to a dead silence the moment they heard the footsteps of three people.
"F-Fleet admiral!!" Everyone except the newbie Aramaki saluted.
Shun nodded and spoke.
"You're Aramaki?"
"Yes. I am."
"What does the great fleet admiral want from me?"
Aramaki spoke with a mocking smile.
"…"
'I came to invite him but he's kind of annoying.'
"Since you seem to be quite strong, you must be unsatisfied right?"
"Eh?"
"Let's spar. You and me."
Shun was in a bad mood, if he won't join peacefully. He will force him to join his cause.
"F-Fleet admiral is having a spar!"
"Spread the news."
"Call the others, it's a rare event!"
Shun patiently waited for the sparring hall to be filled. The hall was like a mini colosseum, with seats surrounding the center.
Shun threw his jacket to Hibari, causing her to be flustered. Hibari folded the jacket and held it as if it was a precious thing.
Shun pretended not to notice her smelling the jacket.
'Is Hibari actually a dangerous girl?' Shun was only noticing it now.
"Oi! Brat, we already caught the prison escapees! Increase our salary."
"Bwahahaha-!"
In the front seats sat two old men eating rice crackers. Sengoku seemed to be having the time of his life after retiring from fleet admiral. He was now a free agent within the marines, he would do whatever he wanted. He would help whichever department he was feeling like on the day. In fact he was freer than Shun.
Now that the spectator seats were filled, Shun stepped up.
"Oh! Finally ready?" Aramaki was overflowing with confidence.
"Yes. To make things fun, Let's make a bet."
"Bet?!" Aramaki now was more attracted to this spar than ever.
"If I win, you will work for the marines under my command for a year. After that do whatever you want."
"If you win…"
"If I win?" Aramaki gulped, he knew Shun was the most influential person right now in the world. Just imagining the reward was making him drool.
"I'll grant you one wish."
"!"
"A wish?"
"Yes. Anything."
"…"
"From wealth to eternal life. Whatever you wish for."
"!"
'Eternal life? Does he have an ability or… the myth that says the treasure that can buy the whole world?'
'Even if I lost it's just a year of employment! What kind of idiot would refuse this bet?'
The World Government and the marines both asked for him to join at the same time. If the marines didn't provide good benefits he would simply go to the World Government.
"I agree!! Let's start right now!"
"Okay." Shun nodded and gave Kalifa a sign.
"Ding-!"
Despite the jokes, even Garp and Sengoku were looking forward to this spar.
Sengoku would never admit it but he loved watching Shun's fights, like a passionate sports fan.
Hearing the bell ring, Aramaki smiled wildly.
"Groves of WRATH!!" Aramaki shouted as he started turning into a tree monster.
Meanwhile from Shun's side there was no sign of using any fruit ability. Just a sudden terrifying blur of motion that defied even the admiral level people's eyes. Shun moved so fast that he literally bent the air, closing the distance in less than a heartbeat.
RIP-!
The sound of tearing flesh echoed across the silent sparring hall. In a single fluid motion, Shun's bare hand covered in armament haki plunged straight through Aramaki's torso.
THUD-!
The arrogant smile on Aramaki's face froze as his tree monster form slowly reversed and he turned back to his human form. His eyes widened in pure shock as blood splattered on the ground.
The confident Aramaki was dying in real time, just a few more seconds and he would die.
"…"
The excitement and cheers completely cooled down as the hall turned dead silent.
"Ah, my bad. Restore." Shun healed Aramaki under the eyes of everyone gulping in shock.
'…I am still not emotionally stable, better not have any spars in the near future.' Shun sighed as he didn't count his strength boosted by the black dragon of apocalypse and accidentally went overboard.
"Kah-!" Aramaki regained consciousness, his strength as an admiral level individual wasn't a lie. Anyone else would've fallen into a coma for a few days after experiencing death and coming back within less than a minute.
"Welcome to the marines. I'll call you when I have work for you." Shun patted Aramaki on the shoulder as he left with Kalifa and Hibari.
"Y-Y-Yeah…"
Step. Step.
The small group of three went back to their office.
Meanwhile the spectators still couldn't find a word to describe what they were feeling. But one thing that was sure was that it wasn't a negative feeling.
The arrogant bastard that suddenly arrived, called Aramaki, got trashed by their fleet admiral.
"The brat's expression was tense… something must've happened." Garp muttered.
"Yeah… and he got even stronger." Sengoku was exhilarated, he was a man that gambled everything on Shun.
And Shun got even stronger? Sengoku was barely holding back his laughter.
——
"This is how you recruit someone." Shun spoke in his office to Kalifa and Hibari.
"…"
"A rookie saying he doesn't wanna work for me but will work under Akainu?" Shun was a bit offended as he slapped the rear of Akainu's daughter.
"…"
'If he doesn't act like this, he really is a leader worth serving for…' Kalifa sighed.
Kalifa was really captivated by the sparring… until Shun started harassing Hibari for being Akainu's daughter.
"What about the neo marines?" Shun asked after bullying Hibari for a while.
The neo marines were the group under the command of the previous admiral Zephyr.
"Zephyr… no, their leader Z wants to meet you in private."
"Huh? Where is he?"
"He sent a piece of vivre card with a letter saying that he would wait there for a week."
"…Let's meet him then."
Shun said and got up. He was a really hard working fleet admiral.
"Oh, almost forgot. Make a vivre card out of this." Shun said as he handed Kalifa a hair.
"Is this…?" Kalifa's face turned pale as she realized.
"Just in case he runs away." Shun shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes…"
——
"This is called Secon Island. It's connected by sea trains, also has a volcano and is famous for its hot springs." Kalifa explained as she lifted her glasses.
"I see."
The vivre card was moving towards the hot springs.
Shun didn't hide himself as they floated around rapidly with paw bubbles.
Before long… Shun located a man with purple hair.
"Hello." Shun waved casually.
"Hmm? You are…" Zephyr, who was an old man taking a nap, pretended to be cool with his sunglasses.
"I won't beat around the bush. Join me, in two months the world will change."
"…"
'Two months? Is he referring to the Reverie?'
Due to the time difference, it was still more than a month left until the Reverie.
If Zephyr had to be honest… he was a big fan of the current marines. Every single demand of Shun, he loved them.
'Disbanding the warlords, and abolishing the slave system…'
"…How many have joined your cause?" Zephyr asked, he wanted to agree right away but that wouldn't sit right with his allies that trusted him from day one.
"Among the vice admirals… Garp and Tsuru. As for the admirals… everyone."
"!"
'Those stubborn bastards joined him already?' Zephyr was surprised, then tossed him a dendenmushi.
"…Give me a call when the time comes." Zephyr said then left.
After confirming that he had left, Shun spoke once again.
"This is how you recruit people."
"…"
"Should we return?" Hibari asked.
"Hmm, since we're here let's try this famous hot spring."
"Welcome!"
The old owner welcomed them in, Shun gave him a bundle of cash.
"!"
"Don't allow anyone else in, close the shop for the day."
"Y-Yes!"
Kalifa and Hibari's cheeks blushed, hearing Shun's words they could already imagine their future.