One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 39
No rank?
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Barbarossa’s expression darkened, feeling like he had heard the world’s biggest joke.
Curls exuded an aura that was anything but weak, far from that of a mere Navy grunt.
However, Barbarossa’s greatest apprehension was directed at the black knight, as he sensed a lethal threat from him.
Curls sighed inwardly.
Even the truth isn’t believed here.
The tourists inside the Baratie were puzzled. Why would a Navy officer without a rank step forward?
Did this young man think he was stronger than Lieutenant Fullbody?
If that were true, why didn’t he have a rank yet?
Ronald watched his son step out with concern, unsure if Curls could handle Barbarossa.
Verchiel, on the other hand, was curiously pressed against the window, ignoring the delicious food on the table. She wanted to see how her brother would fight.
She had immense faith in her brother.
Because earlier, her brother had said that the Navy uncle couldn’t defeat a pirate worth 30 million Berries.
And now, it seemed he really couldn’t!
“Is that ‘Lanos’?”
Verchiel tilted her head, thinking of what her brother had mentioned before. Her blue eyes were fixed on the black knight.
Meanwhile, on the floating platform outside.
Barbarossa was rapidly calculating the possibilities, and finally, he spoke sternly, “Alright, I’ll be merciful today. You can take this Navy officer and your family and leave.”
Hearing this, Curls shook his head.
“I think you misunderstood. I’m not just here to save the Navy officer on the ground but everyone behind me as well.”
A shadow crossed Barbarossa’s eyes. “Do you think the two of you can take on my thousand-strong pirate crew?”
Behind him, the Liquor Pirates raised their weapons, laughing wildly.
“Who said it’s just two of us?” A glint appeared in Curls’ eyes.
“Stand up!”
As he spoke, a slender shadow soldier appeared on the deck of the leftmost pirate ship.
Curiously, this shadow soldier wielded a ten-bladed cat claw weapon!
He was the shadow soldier, Kuro!
After waking up in the medical room in Loguetown, Curls had gone to check on the dead Black Cat Pirates.
He then dismissed three ordinary shadow soldiers and summoned the 15-million-Berry bounty Kuro and the 7-million-Berry bounty Nyaban Brothers, Sham and Buchi.
On the pirate ship, Kuro habitually adjusted his round-framed glasses with his wrist.
Then, the pirates on that ship saw a blur as Kuro vanished from sight.
Suddenly, a pirate’s shoulder sprouted a wound, followed by others on the deck, mast, and everywhere.
Pirates screamed, trying to retaliate, but couldn’t touch Kuro.
In addition, three other pirate ships had shadow soldiers appear.
Three precise swordsmen-level shadow knights, alongside other shadow soldiers, began attacking the Liquor Pirates.
Barbarossa, watching the scene on the pirate ships, suddenly realized the truth.
“You’re a Devil Fruit user too?”
Curls didn’t deny it.
Nor did he delay. He simply waved at Lanos beside him.
“Finish him.”
“Understood!”
Lanos’ voice was deep and ancient.
Swish!
In the next moment.
Lanos lunged, his black longsword slashing out.
Before Barbarossa could react, he was sent flying, his chest armor sliced open, blood gushing out.
Barbarossa’s face was twisted in terror.
He never expected the black knight to inflict such a severe wound with one strike.
But he had no time to think as Lanos was already upon him, his black sword piercing Barbarossa’s chest.
Barbarossa coughed up a mouthful of blood and, without uttering a final word, died instantly.
Everyone, from chefs to tourists to pirates, was in shock.
In mere moments.
The once-invincible Barbarossa, who had seemed unbeatable, was killed as soon as the rankless Navy officer intervened!
It was unimaginable.
On the main ship of the Liquor Pirates, the remaining pirates, seeing their leader dead, looked at Curls with utter fear.
Without hesitation.
The remaining officers ordered a retreat. Staying would mean certain death.
But it was too late as Lanos unleashed a flying slash.
The blade light sliced through the main ship of the Liquor Pirates, splitting it in half and revealing its interior.
Without stability, the pirates and the ship sank into the sea.
The threat from the Liquor Pirates had vanished.
In this battle.
Curls didn’t fight himself, instead letting the shadow soldiers overwhelm the enemy, knowing he couldn’t defeat Barbarossa alone.
Curls had a clear understanding of his strength. After three months of basic training, his physical abilities had improved, his swordsmanship was at the basic level, and his Devil Fruit power was ordinary.
Besides summoning shadow soldiers, he couldn’t defeat Barbarossa.
Especially considering Barbarossa’s distilled state, similar to Luffy’s Gear Second, greatly enhancing his power.
To avoid any accidents, Curls had Lanos handle him directly.
Curls looked up slightly. In the sky, black smoke rose from the Baratie, resembling a wavering black line.
The chefs of the Baratie quickly responded, rushing with buckets of water to extinguish the flames.
By sunset.
The fire was finally out, leaving the Baratie looking like a blackened carp from afar.
With Sanji’s help, Zeff slowly approached Curls and bowed sincerely, “Thank you for saving my restaurant.”
Curls replied calmly.
“Just doing my duty.”
Zeff, with a serious expression, continued, “Regardless, we’re very grateful. How can we repay you? We’ll do whatever we can.”
Faced with Zeff’s sincere thanks.
Curls thought for a moment and said, “If it’s not too much trouble, could you waive the cost of our meals while we stay for a day or two?”
Curls wasn’t interested in money but, considering the Baratie’s notorious prices and his sister’s huge appetite, decided to ask this favor.
Zeff was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a simple request.
He quickly agreed.
“That’s no problem at all!”
…
Although the Liquor Pirates were defeated, many follow-up issues remained.
Curls used the Baratie’s Transponder Snail to contact the Navy base in Loguetown.
Brrr, brrr!
At the Loguetown Navy base, the communication room.
The Transponder Snail rang for about three or four seconds before the duty officer answered.
“Hello, Loguetown Navy base.”
Curls briefly explained.
“Hello, this is the Baratie. I’m Navy Seaman Recruit Curls. The Liquor Pirates attacked here, but I have defeated them, including Red-Beard Barbarossa.”
“There are about three to four hundred pirate captives. Requesting a Navy ship from Loguetown to transport these prisoners.”
Clunk!
Hearing this, the duty officer was so shocked he dropped the receiver.
He swallowed hard, hardly believing it. The Liquor Pirates were a major crew in the East Blue, defeated by Curls alone!
Curls, puzzled, asked.
“Hello, can you hear me?”
The duty officer quickly picked up the receiver.
“Yes, I can hear you. Are you sure of what you’re saying?”
Curls confirmed.
“Yes.”
Assured of the message, the duty officer didn’t hesitate, rushing to report this incredible news to Captain Smoker.
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