The next morning, Shanks woke up only to find that Mikoto was not sleeping beside him. He wasn't surprised by this—after all, most of the time Mikoto woke up earlier than him. So he didn't think much of it.
Shanks walked out of his room and saw Mikoto sitting while Erza carefully checked her condition. The faint morning light filtered in through the windows, casting a soft glow over them. Watching Erza's focused expression, Shanks asked, "How is it? Everything is fine, right?"
Erza straightened up slightly and replied, "Yes, Onii-chan, everything is absolutely fine. The due date for sister-in-law's delivery is getting nearer in the next few days, I guess. She can deliver anytime now."
Hearing this, Shanks felt a quiet wave of happiness settle in his chest. "Very well. You keep an eye on her," he said.
Erza nodded firmly. "Definitely. I am going to stay close by, and anything sister-in-law needs, I will fulfil it. You don't have to worry. After all, they are also my niece and nephew."
Shanks nodded at her reassurance. After a brief pause, he added, "By the way, when are you and Guy planning to get married? You both have finalized your relationship, so it will be good if you both marry as soon as possible."
At those words, Erza blushed slightly, her composure slipping just a little. "Let's talk about this later," she said, averting her gaze for a moment. "First, let your baby be born. We will talk about my marriage after that."
Shanks gave a small nod. "It's up to you both. Whenever you both want to marry."
After saying this, Shanks went to freshen up. While he was getting ready, he paused in front of the mirror. His eyes slowly drifted to his missing left arm. He stared at the empty space where it once had been, his reflection unwavering.
It would be best if I had the ability to regrow my arm, he thought quietly. With both my arms, I would be even more powerful.
Although Shanks had long ago come to terms with the fact that he had completely lost his left arm, the sight of it in the mirror still stirred something within him. A faint ache. A subtle emptiness that lingered in his heart.
And after all… who doesn't want to be complete?
Shanks shook his head lightly and thought to himself, Now what am I even thinking?
"Anyways," he muttered under his breath, exhaling slowly, "even if I won't be able to become as strong as Guy and Antares or Benimaru, that doesn't matter. After all, they are my siblings. I will just do the job of being the Uzukage and let them be the main frontline warriors. I do not need to always stand on the front."
Thinking like this, Shanks consoled himself. The faint heaviness in his chest eased just a little as he straightened his posture. Strength isn't only about standing at the very front, he reminded himself silently. Someone has to lead.
Just at this moment, he felt the familiar call of the System echo inside his spiritual space—a subtle yet unmistakable pull, like a ripple across still water.
Without hesitation, his consciousness shifted inward, and he immediately entered his spiritual space. The vast inner world unfolded before him, and at its center stood his large template panel, grand and radiant as always.
======
Name: Shanks Uzumaki
Strength: Legendary
Abilities:
• Armament Haki (Level 6): Complete mastery and absolute control
• Observation Haki (Level 6): Foresight up to 10 seconds into the future
• Conqueror's Haki (Level 6): Overwhelms opponents, capable of severing their sensory perception
• Lightning Release: Thunder God's Sword
• Flying Thunder God Technique
=======
(Image in Comment Area).
Looking at the luxurious template panel filled with intricate data and glowing lines, a small smile formed on Shanks' face. Even now, the sight of it gave him a sense of accomplishment.
But then he spoke, his tone steady.
"Why were you calling me, System? Since the time when I last distributed the multiple template systems to my different Uzumaki siblings, you haven't called for me. What happened now?"
The System responded in its usual calm, emotionless voice, the sound reverberating evenly throughout the mental space.
"You have reached the peak strength of Red-Haired Emperor Shanks. To become stronger, you would definitely need another skill. That is your prize after you have become as strong as Red-Haired Emperor Shanks."
Shanks, after listening to the System's voice, said, "If you are being generous, then there isn't any reason for me to deny your generosity. If I can gain another ability which will boost my strength, then it will be best for me."
The System did not reply to his words. Instead, immediately in front of Shanks, a large roulette appeared. It manifested out of thin air, radiant and imposing, its surface glowing with countless symbols and names.
On the roulette, he could see multiple abilities—Great Sage, Raphael, Almighty, Ciel, Shadow Monarch, Gluttony, Instantaneous Recovery, Dragon-Slayer Magic and many more. All powerful abilities from different worlds, abilities whose templates his siblings already possessed.
(Image in Comment Area).
The System's calm voice echoed through the mental space. "Would you like to start the lottery?"
Shanks' lips curved slightly. "Yes, start the lottery. Let's see how lucky I am and if I will be able to get any powerful ability or not."
As soon as Shanks' words fell, the roulette in front of him came to life. It began spinning at a rapid pace, the names blurring into streaks of light. A faint humming sound filled the mental space as the wheel rotated faster and faster.
After spinning for almost a minute, the roulette gradually began to slow down. The clicking sound of the pointer became distinct. It passed over the Almighty ability of Yhwach—an ability Shanks truly wanted. His eyes followed it closely.
If I could get that…
But the pointer did not stop.
It continued to move, slower and slower, until finally the roulette came to a halt.
Raphael.
Seeing the skill he would be getting, Shanks felt a surge of thrill run through him. Although he did not obtain the Almighty—an undeniably broken ability he would have loved to possess—Raphael was not a bad skill at all. In fact, it held immense potential.
With Raphael, he could create multiple skills by combining the abilities he already had. The possibilities alone were overwhelming.
The System's voice resounded once more. "Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the S-tier skill, Raphael."
As soon as the System's voice faded, Shanks felt his consciousness shift, and he was gently pushed out of the spiritual space.
He found himself once again standing in front of the mirror. His reflection stared back at him calmly.
Then a voice sounded in his mind.
"It is my honor to serve you, my Master."
The voice resembled the System's tone, but there was something slightly different about it—more refined, more precise.
Shanks' eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you Raphael?" he asked within his mind.
"Yes, Master. I am Raphael, the S-rank skill," the voice replied smoothly.
Shanks did not waste time. "What can you do?"
"Analyzing the memories of the Master to gather information about this world and analyze everything about it."
The moment Raphael spoke, Shanks felt a subtle sensation in his mind—as if countless streams of data were flowing at incredible speed.
Within moments, Raphael spoke again.
"Analysis complete. Creating a list of skills mastered by Master. Detecting regret within Master for not having his left arm. Should I create a method based on your memories and the different skills you possess to heal your left hand?"
As soon as Shanks heard this, his heart skipped a beat. His gaze instinctively dropped to the empty space at his left side.
Regrow… my arm?
Excitement surged through him without restraint.
"Go ahead and do it," Shanks said immediately, his voice firm.
"Analyzing the base required to heal Master's left hand. Creating a new skill for regrowing the hand."
A brief silence followed, though within that silence, Shanks could almost feel the rapid calculations taking place.
"Creation complete. Acquired skill: <
The words echoed in his mind like a melody.
----
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