One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 43
The weather was clear.
A few white seagulls skimmed over the sea, their crisp calls lifting spirits.
In Loguetown, at a villa on the west side.
The gate opened, and Curls, dressed in a white Marine uniform, slowly walked out.
Compared to three months ago.
He was now more robust, his height had grown from 180 cm to 183 cm, and the youthful innocence on his face was gradually fading.
After bidding farewell to his father and sister.
Curls walked steadily towards the Marine base in Loguetown.
The three-day holiday had ended.
It was time for him to return to the base.
He wondered if his rank had been reviewed yet.
With this expectation in mind.
Curls returned to the blue-themed Marine base.
Upon entering the base, he initially planned to report to the duty office to see which department he had been assigned to.
However, as soon as he stepped into the hallway, he was called by Tashigi.
“Curls, Captain Smoker wants you to go to his office.”
“Okay.”
Led by Tashigi, Curls headed to the sixth floor of the Marine building.
Along the way.
Tashigi explained the information about each floor of the Marine building to Curls.
Because of her hard work, Tashigi was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer First Class after completing her recruit training.
To further advance, one had to go through the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Warrant Officer…
Three years later, Tashigi’s rank would only reach Sergeant.
It showed.
Without significant merits, it was extremely difficult to advance in the Marines.
Soon, the two arrived at the door of Smoker’s office.
As the wooden door opened.
The interior became visible.
Sofa, desk, bookshelf, and a ten-hand weapon hanging on the wall…
Today, Smoker, unusually, was not smoking.
A rare occurrence.
Behind the desk, Smoker sat quietly, reading a notice.
As the door opened.
Their eyes met.
Curls had seen Smoker many times before, and three months ago, they had a conversation under the execution platform about why he wanted to become stronger.
He hadn’t expected to encounter the William Pirates on his first day as a recruit, making the promise to meet the next day empty.
“Captain Smoker.” Curls immediately gave a standard salute.
“Mm.” Smoker looked at the young, almost unnaturally handsome Marine before him.
He hadn’t expected.
This young man, who was just an ordinary boy three months ago, had quickly become a rising star in the Marines.
After examining him.
Smoker handed over the notice.
“Congratulations, Charlotte Curls.”
“Due to your outstanding performance during recruit training and the numerous merits you’ve achieved, the Marines have awarded you the rank of ‘Marine Headquarters Ensign.'”
“Headquarters Ensign!” Tashigi exclaimed in surprise.
She understood the Marine rank system.
A Marine Headquarters Ensign was equivalent to a Major in the East Blue!
Curls’s first rank assignment had given him such a high grade?
Smoker was also shocked when he saw the rank notice.
But on second thought, it made sense.
In the tumultuous Great Pirate Era, the Marines were showing signs of weakening.
In response, the Marine Headquarters had adjusted the system, allowing promotions based on merit rather than seniority.
Curls was stunned.
But what surprised him wasn’t the rank, but the word “Headquarters.”
Did this mean he would be sent to Marine Headquarters in the Grand Line for training?
Smoker handed him a finely crafted box: “Here’s your rank insignia notice and this Marine coat. You’re now eligible to wear it on your shoulders.”
“Tashigi, go to the office on the third floor, far right, and tidy it up. That will be Curls’s office from now on.”
Following Smoker’s order, Tashigi diligently went to execute the command.
“Huh?”
Curls was puzzled, “Captain Smoker, what’s this about?”
Smoker leaned back in his chair, explaining, “Oh, the higher-ups decided to keep you stationed in East Blue for a while. You’ll be called to Marine Headquarters for elite training next year.”
“I don’t know what they’re thinking, but it’s good you’re staying. We need more hands. You’ll be in charge of patrolling and preventing pirates from landing in Loguetown.”
Curls saluted.
“Yes, sir.”
……
After leaving Smoker’s office, Curls headed to the far right room on the third floor.
Although he would eventually go to Marine Headquarters, it was still far off, allowing him more time to stay in Loguetown with his family.
This was the best outcome.
Curls remembered what Major Karn had told him yesterday; this must be the result of Karn’s help. But how had he managed it?
Thinking of Major Karn.
Curls recalled that the office on the far right of the third floor used to be Karn’s.
Had Karn moved his office to another floor due to his promotion?
As he walked, he encountered Tashigi coming back up the stairs.
Curls asked, “Why are you coming back up?”
Tashigi replied, “The office didn’t need cleaning; Major Karn had already tidied it up.”
“Oh.”
Curls nodded, then inquired, “Where is Major Karn’s new office? I didn’t see him.”
Tashigi looked surprised, “You don’t know? Major Karn’s rank has been promoted to Marine Headquarters Major, and he’s been transferred to Marine Headquarters.”
“Transferred to Marine Headquarters?”
Curls was surprised. He hadn’t been transferred to Marine Headquarters, but Major Karn had been.
“When is Major Karn leaving?”
Tashigi: “This morning. Many people went to see him off. I couldn’t go because I had to call you to receive your rank.”
Today?
Why hadn’t Major Karn told him yesterday?
“I need to see Major Karn off.”
Curls handed his items to Tashigi and hurriedly ran towards the port of Loguetown.
“Hey, now…”
“The warship to Marine Headquarters should have set sail by now.”
Tashigi wanted to stop Curls, but he was too fast. In the blink of an eye, he was out of sight.
She sighed, wondering if Curls had heard her reminder.
……
On the street.
Curls moved quickly.
Trees, houses, and people flashed past him.
Major Karn was his recruit training instructor, who taught him a lot. Although they had only been together for three months, this gentle instructor felt particularly close to him.
Moreover, Major Karn had saved his life twice.
No matter what.
Curls had to see Major Karn off personally as he left Loguetown.
Meanwhile, at the port of Loguetown.
Amid the tearful farewells of a group of Marine soldiers, Karn boarded the warship heading to Marine Headquarters.
During his tenure, Karn had always treated his subordinates kindly, standing in front of them during danger.
His promotion delighted his subordinates, but they were also reluctant to see their long-time superior leave.
After saying goodbye to his subordinates, the warship officially set sail.
This warship was not solely for Karn’s transport. The hold also contained some vicious pirates who were being transported to Enies Lobby for trial and eventual imprisonment in Impel Down.
Karn was also accompanying this escort mission to the Grand Line.
Karn had known about today’s departure since yesterday, but he chose not to tell Curls because he didn’t want to implicate this rising star.
As an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army.
His mission was to infiltrate Marine Headquarters, where security was tight and strong individuals abounded. One wrong move could expose him.
The danger was immense.
Karn didn’t know his future, so he distanced himself from Curls, not telling him about today’s departure.
In fact, during the recruit training observation period, Karn had keenly noticed that Curls’s ideals were different from others, making him a suitable candidate for the Revolutionary Army.
But he didn’t influence Curls.
Because Karn believed.
Whatever Curls chose to become should be his decision.
It was everyone’s right!
……
By the time Curls reached the port.
The warship had already left.
In the vast blue sea ahead, he could only see a diminishing black dot.
Standing at the port, the sea breeze ruffled Curls’s black hair.
“I couldn’t say goodbye to Major Karn!”
“But, it’s okay.”
“We will meet again next year, probably at Marine Headquarters.”
……
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