One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 57
Under the night sky, a bright full moon emerged from behind the dark clouds, casting its clear, bright light down onto the world below. The sea glistened with a shimmering glow, filling the night with a sense of solitude.
On the main ship of the Krieg Pirates, the clear moonlight illuminated Curls, and the cursed blade in his hand underwent a strange transformation. The blade’s edge grew even redder, exuding a powerful attraction that made it hard to look away.
Bathed in the eerie red light, Curls’ aura underwent a dramatic change. If before he was like a calm eagle, now he had transformed into a ferocious bird of prey.
William’s aura also rose, but he was merely displaying his true strength. In contrast, Curls’ transformation…
William’s gaze fixed on the crimson blade, and he surmised the source of this bizarre power. It was the cursed blade’s doing. Many things defied understanding in this world—Devil Fruits, legendary curses, mysterious sea areas…
Despite this, William was not overly shocked.
Standing atop the upper structure, Curls let the sea breeze blow his black hair and Marine coat. Under the moon’s enhancement, the cursed blade Red Moon revealed its true power. At the same time, countless distracting thoughts flooded Curls’ mind, attempting to control him.
He needed to end this quickly.
Curls didn’t hesitate. His grip on the blade tightened, his right hand bulging with veins as he struggled to wield the increased power. The surrounding wind grew fiercer, and the red energy swirled around.
“Whirlwind Slash!”
Curls unleashed the technique he had used before, now enhanced by the cursed blade’s power. The swirling wind seemed tinged with red. William looked up just in time to see Curls leaping, the crimson blade crossing the moon before descending rapidly.
This strike’s power was far beyond the previous one, but William did not evade it. Having unleashed his full strength, he had complete confidence in himself.
His famous sword, Raging Wave, intercepted Curls’ Whirlwind Slash.
Boom!
The immense force transmitted through the blade caused the deck beneath William’s feet to crack and splinter. The violent wind spread in all directions, making it difficult for the surrounding pirates and Marines to keep their eyes open.
Even with the enhanced power of the cursed blade, Curls’ Whirlwind Slash was not enough to defeat a swordsman of William’s caliber. After the first attack failed, Curls leaped again to continue his assault.
“Shadow Knight Spear!”
In the sky, a two-meter-long spear made of black shadow energy appeared and hurtled towards William at high speed. Betting his life on this battle, Curls spared no effort, using his Devil Fruit abilities alongside his swordsmanship.
The approaching shadow spear made William sense danger, and he quickly dodged.
Bang!
The shadow spear embedded itself in the spot where William had stood, its tip penetrating deep into the deck, showcasing its formidable power. William then launched a counterattack, slashing at the broken mast where Curls stood.
Swish!
A blue slash, imbued with surging power, flew towards Curls. This flying slash, or sword energy, was the hallmark of a master swordsman.
Even with the cursed blade’s power nearly doubling his strength, Curls hadn’t reached the level of a master swordsman.
Boom!
The blue slash cut the remaining mast in half, leaving a long gash in the deck. Watching this, the Marines swallowed hard, awed by the power.
Could Curls really handle such strength?
As the Marines speculated, Curls launched another attack.
“Silent Slash!”
Appearing silently beside William, Curls aimed a diagonal slash at William’s left side. But William had already anticipated this and blocked the attack.
The Silent Slash had been foiled!
Curls’ Silent Slash, a technique he had created by analyzing Kuro’s Silent Step and Spoon, had always swiftly killed his enemies. Today, it was easily blocked by William.
This was expected. The Silent Slash, though effective, was not a top-tier technique, and William, a master swordsman, easily countered it.
After blocking, William countered with a slash aimed at Curls’ neck. Curls quickly used “Soru” to vanish and dodge the attack.
“Soru” again!
Curls’ figure flickered across the deck, and William’s expression remained unchanged. After a few breaths, William preemptively slashed in the direction where Curls appeared. Though Curls twisted his body to avoid it, he was still hit.
Curls was sent flying, his white Marine uniform cut open, blood seeping from the wound on his shoulder.
Finally injured!
Since his recruit days, Curls had rarely been hurt. This was the feeling of danger!
An unnamed fury mixed with his thoughts, driving him to want to kill, to hurt William, his killing intent surging.
This was the influence of the cursed blade!
Curls quickly suppressed these intrusive thoughts, but his eyes widened as William’s flying slash approached.
“Watch out, Lieutenant!”
The Marines shouted in panic. They had seen the destructive power of William’s sword energy.
Unable to dodge, Curls braced himself. He met the attack head-on with the cursed blade Red Moon, blocking the fierce energy. The impact pushed him back several meters, the sword energy dissipating, but leaving his arm aching as if struck by a boulder.
He had blocked it!
The Marines were stunned. They hadn’t expected Curls to withstand such a powerful slash.
On the other hand, the pirates of the William Pirates were puzzled. Despite William’s full power, why could Curls still hold his own? William was nearly unbeatable in their eyes, yet this young Marine was matching him blow for blow.
It was incredible!
Curls had been training in swordsmanship under Major Kain, focusing on “position” and meditation, while constantly sparring with the master swordsman Larlos. This experience and the cursed blade’s power allowed him to hold his own against William.
But as time passed, the cursed blade’s intrusive thoughts grew stronger.
If this continued, the cursed blade would control him!
He needed to take a decisive action.
Determined, Curls sheathed the cursed blade of Red Moon, calming his mind. Everything around him fell silent.
Then, he dashed towards William.
“Ry?giri: Knight’s Requiem!”
…
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