One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 45
Reality is never a fairy tale.
After failing to complete the news assignment given by his editor, the middle-aged reporter was eventually fired.
How the middle-aged man felt after losing his job.
Curls didn’t know, nor did he want to know, because the sorrows of different people are not shared. He just found it all a bit noisy.
Of course, these words were not his creation.
In the following days.
Curls continued his patrol duties.
The Marines patrolling with him, including Tashigi, gradually realized that Ensign Curls was not a cold-hearted person.
Because the Ensign would help chop wood for the elderly who lost their ability to work, catch thieves who stole wallets, and do everything to stop pirates from landing…
But Ensign Curls would never allow his family to be in danger. The destruction of the Loguetown gang was a lesson learned!
……
Rumble!
The sky was dark and gloomy.
A sudden flash of lightning appeared in the cloud-covered sky.
The wind blew through the window.
The curtains fluttered constantly.
Bartolomeo suddenly sat up in bed, his tattooed face filled with fear, his clothes soaked in cold sweat.
He couldn’t help but swallow heavily, getting out of bed to find hot water to quench his thirst.
As the steaming hot water flowed down his throat, the fear in his heart gradually subsided.
Yes, he had dreamed again!
Although it had been more than ten days.
The scenes that happened in the gang that day still lingered in his mind, often replaying in his dreams.
That terrifying knight in black armor, swinging his sword in the dark restaurant, taking the lives of the gang’s high-ranking members.
But what terrified Bartolomeo the most was the young man wielding the eerie red sword.
With a simple slash, the powerful boss Grey was instantly killed!
That cold and chilling feeling still terrified him even now.
It was like facing the King of the Underworld!
Bartolomeo’s throat felt dry again, and he drank more hot water.
No, he couldn’t continue like this!
He had to overcome his fear, and face it head-on!
……
The next morning.
Loguetown, west villa.
After breakfast, Curls walked out of the villa gate with his sister Vilsia.
As a Marine Headquarters Ensign, Curls received excellent treatment in Loguetown.
He didn’t have to live in the Marine base, just needed to report for duty every day.
Moreover, his daily duty time was half an hour less than that of regular Marines.
This was the benefit of rank.
Curls was very satisfied with this.
A life where he could spend every day with his family and conveniently go to work was very comfortable.
However, as Curls walked not far from the villa, he saw a green-haired young man squatting on a patch of grass.
Vilsia recognized the young man and asked curiously, “Brother, isn’t this the green-haired weirdo from before?”
Curls guessed that Bartolomeo must have something to discuss with him, so he told Vilsia.
“Today, brother won’t take you to school, okay?”
“Why?” Vilsia was puzzled.
“Because you need to learn to be independent!” Curls tapped his sister’s fair nose with his finger.
“Okay.” Vilsia nodded seriously and then boarded the school carriage.
As the carriage drove away.
Curls’s eyes flashed, and two [Shadow Knights] merged into the shadows of the carriage.
If his sister faced any life-threatening danger, they would immediately protect Vilsia.
This vigilance was born from the Loguetown gang incident.
Similarly, there were two [Shadow Knights] hidden in the shadows around his father, Ronald.
Though they didn’t know about it.
After his sister’s carriage left, Curls approached Bartolomeo.
A silver pocket watch hung on Curls’s chest, with the silver chain forming a half “U” shape.
This was a gift from his father, who had spent two hours picking it out at a watch shop.
The purpose was to help Curls keep track of time.
To be punctual for work.
Although the watches in the shop were quite similar, the shopkeeper’s thorough introductions and his father’s indecisiveness made the selection take a long time.
Curls appreciated his father’s “kind gesture” and wore it on his chest.
Marines below Petty Officer First Class wore basic uniforms and caps. After promotion, they could choose various attire, even casual clothes, but inappropriate clothing was prohibited.
Officers were allowed to wear coats with “Justice” written on the back with standard uniforms, while higher-ranked officers could wear personalized outfits with the Justice coat.
Curls wore a standard uniform with the Marine “Justice” coat, and the silver pocket watch on his chest wasn’t an issue.
After taking out his pocket watch, Curls opened the cover, glanced at the time, and put it back in his pocket.
Hearing the familiar cold voice.
Bartolomeo felt as if he were back that night when he was spared by the other party.
Thud!
Bartolomeo fell to his knees, pleading earnestly, “Ensign Curls, I’ve been living in torment every day. Please show me a way out!”
Because he had kidnapped Curls’s sister.
The gang in Loguetown was wiped out in his fury, becoming a thing of the past.
A few days after the incident, this young man had become a Marine Headquarters Ensign, patrolling Loguetown daily.
Though Bartolomeo was spared, fear and anxiety had left him uncertain of his future, so he came seeking clarity.
Curls was taken aback.
He wanted him to show the way?
However, he quickly sensed the fear in Bartolomeo’s heart.
It was evidently caused by his cold actions at the gang casino, leaving Bartolomeo with deep psychological pressure.
If Bartolomeo’s mindset could change now, would he not become the notorious “Cannibal” in the future?
After thinking it through, Curls believed it was highly likely, so he decided to influence the young Bartolomeo.
“Go to the church and read the ‘Bible’ more often. The path of redemption lies within.” (Bartholomew Kuma holds a book with “BIBLE” written on the cover.)
After saying this.
Curls said nothing more and turned to head to the Marine base for duty.
Whether Bartolomeo would change because of his words, he didn’t know.
If Bartolomeo could change, that would be great. If not, it didn’t matter much. Curls would sigh and kill him the next time he caused trouble.
“The Bible?”
Bartolomeo looked up at Curls walking into the sunrise, feeling particularly dazzled.
Although he didn’t understand what Curls meant by reading the Bible, Bartolomeo decided to give it a try.
As for the Bible, there was a large church in the northern part of Loguetown.
They must have the Bible.
Ten minutes later.
Bartolomeo arrived outside the large church, where the faint sound of bells calmed him.
Finally, he walked into the church with an uneasy heart.
Maybe because it was early morning.
The church was empty, with few people.
Only an old man with white hair was sweeping the floor.
“What are you here for, to pray or to listen to the priest’s blessings?”
Bartolomeo instinctively replied.
“I’m here to read the Bible.”
Hearing this, the old man sweeping the floor lost interest and pointed casually at a table.
“There’s one over there, read it yourself.”
Bartolomeo didn’t mind his reaction and slowly approached the priest’s position.
On the table was a heavy book with a purple cover, titled “Bible.”
As Bartolomeo opened the cover, the contents came into view.
Simultaneously, he recalled Curls’s earlier words.
“The path of redemption lies within.”
————
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