One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 16
As the ghost ship drew closer, the crew of the patrol ship felt a chill run down their spines.
The ancient, dilapidated vessel!
The eerily quiet deck!
The sails are moving on their own!
Everything about this ship screamed otherworldly and bizarre!
A shadow covered the moon, making the decrepit ship even more shadowy and ominous.
“This… could it be a ghost ship?” Mod finally broke the tense silence, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer.
His question only deepened the eerie stillness on board. According to legend, encountering a ghost ship meant that few would escape alive.
Would they die?
Many marines swallowed hard, their fear growing by the minute.
Kahn stood at the prow, scrutinizing the ancient ship ahead. He knew the rumors about ghost ships well. To solve this mystery, they would need to board and investigate.
“The situation is unclear. You all stay here while I go over to take a look.”
To avoid potential dangers on the ghost ship, Kahn decided to go alone.
“Yes, sir.”
The other marines breathed a sigh of relief. After all, it was a ghost ship, highly dangerous and terrifying. Those lacking sufficient strength were more than willing to follow orders and wait on the patrol ship.
Kahn lowered a small boat into the sea, intending to use it to approach the ghost ship. As he jumped down to the boat, a young marine leaped down from the deck as well.
The boat dipped slightly with the added weight, sending a seawater spray up around them.
Kahn was surprised. “Why did you come down?”
Curls explained, “Lieutenant Kahn, my abilities are related to the dead. If I go with you, I might be able to detect something beforehand.”
Kahn asked, “Aren’t you afraid?”
Curls responded with a charming smile, “If I fear a ghost ship and dare not move forward, I’ll never become stronger.”
Kahn’s respect for Curls grew. He hadn’t expected such determination in his quest for strength.
“Alright, but stay close behind me.”
After a brief consideration, Kahn agreed but insisted Curls follow closely to ensure he could protect him in case of danger.
“Yes, sir.”
Curls began rowing, steering the boat toward the ghost ship. The sea was calm, yet the ghost ship continued moving steadily.
With Curls’ efforts, they neared the ghost ship, finally arriving beneath its prow.
The ghost ship was larger than the patrol ship, comparable to a full-fledged warship, capable of carrying nearly a thousand people. The original purpose of such a large vessel remained a mystery.
Kahn grabbed a rope ladder hanging from the ship’s side and pulled gently. The ropes snapped like brittle threads, dropping into the sea.
Kahn sighed. “It’s been too long. The ropes have decayed, even though they still hold their shape.”
But they had come prepared. Curls took a hook from the boat, wound a rope around it, and swung it up.
The hook caught the ship’s railing securely. Curls tugged to ensure it was firm, then handed it to Kahn.
“All set, sir.”
Kahn nodded, grabbed the rope, and climbed up. After securing the deck, he called down to Curls, “You can come up now.”
Curls scaled the rope with ease and joined Kahn on the deck. A sudden gust of cold wind whipped through, making Kahn’s coat flap wildly.
The deck was devoid of life, even the steering wheel was shattered. Kahn and Curls advanced cautiously, scanning their surroundings.
A cold wind blew sporadically.
Suddenly, a chilling sound echoed. The ship seemed to tilt slightly as a round skull rolled across the deck.
Curls had anticipated such scenes and remained unfazed. They continued moving forward, gradually seeing more of the deck.
Aside from Kahn and Curls, there were only skeletal remains scattered across the deck. Rusty weapons lay abandoned, and the ship’s hull bore the marks of ancient battles.
There was nothing unusual on the deserted deck, only an eerie silence.
“Let’s go,” Kahn said, leading Curls to the cabin door.
Just as Kahn was about to push the door open, Curls’ expression shifted, and he warned, “Lieutenant, be careful.”
Unnoticed, a shadow had crept up from the portside corridor. The shadow lunged at them with incredible speed, intent on killing.
Kahn noticed just in time, drawing his black-bladed sword, Yujin.
The sound of clashing steel echoed!
Kahn parried the attack, but another shadow appeared on the starboard side.
The second shadow lifted a massive black sword, ready to strike Kahn.
On the eerie ghost ship, Curls called out, “Yulong, come forth!”
A towering shadow over four meters tall emerged from the darkness.
Under Curls’ command, Yulong’s form intercepted the attack aimed at Kahn.
A faint cracking sound followed as Yulong’s form absorbed the blow. Despite being shattered, Yulong would regenerate, being an immortal shadow soldier.
With the faint starlight, Kahn and Curls could see their assailants clearly: two knights clad in ancient, battered armor.
The armor’s design was old-fashioned, indicating it was from a distant past.
“Who are you?” Kahn demanded, eyes cold.
The armored knights remained silent, showing no emotion, and attacked again.
This time, Curls met the assault with his sword, staring into the darkness behind the knight’s visor. He saw only blackness.
The force of the blow pushed Curls back, but he confirmed something crucial.
“Lieutenant, these knights are animated by the power of the dead!”
The idea of “Death Knights” on a ghost ship was astonishing. But instead of fear, Curls felt a surge of excitement—a thirst for battle!
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.
