One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 61
Inside the villa.
The Curls family was having breakfast at the dining table.
Ronald looked at the latest newspaper headline and exclaimed, “An 8,000-member super large pirate group has appeared in the East Blue! This is astonishing!”
With his keen eyes, Curls also noticed the headline.
The William Pirates!
The new ruler of the East Blue!
“I’m heading to the naval base. If you have no urgent matters, avoid going out.”
After quickly filling his stomach, Curls stood up and walked outside.
“Okay, be careful.” Ronald, sensing the unusual situation, nodded and reminded him.
Vilshya, on the other hand, didn’t feel anything different and continued to enjoy her rich breakfast, daydreaming about when she could visit the Baratie again.
…
After leaving the villa, Curls frowned.
He didn’t expect that the William Pirates had gathered such a formidable force.
Since the newspaper reported it, it meant that the William Pirates were ready. They were likely planning a rescue operation.
When Curls arrived at the naval base, he found the naval soldiers busy.
Clearly, the naval soldiers were aware of today’s newspaper headline.
Even if they didn’t know that the William Pirates might attack here, the appearance of a new ruler in the East Blue made them more vigilant.
Instead of going to his office, Curls turned and headed to the sixth floor.
In Smoker’s office.
Curls reported to the highest officer in Loguetown, “Captain Smoker, I think we need to enter a state of emergency.”
“Why?” Smoker was puzzled.
Curls analyzed, “I’ve studied the William Pirates. They are a very united pirate group with strong bonds. One of our captives, Gin, is one of their members.”
“Based on their previous rescue attempt for Jeff, I suspect that now, with the formation of the William Pirates, they might make a big move, possibly attacking the Loguetown naval base.”
After hearing Curls’ analysis, Smoker’s expression turned serious, and the cigar in his mouth paused.
White smoke rose, covering his somewhat fierce face.
Loguetown’s stationed Marines had only about 4,000 soldiers. If the William Pirates attacked…
After careful consideration, Smoker immediately issued orders.
“Do as you said, quickly enter a state of emergency, reinforce the port, and report to the base at the first sight of the William Pirates.”
“Yes, sir.” Curls saluted.
…
Shortly after, Curls led 300 naval soldiers to guard and defend the port.
Apart from the fresh smell of seawater, there was also a fishy smell due to the fishermen who often fished and sold fish at Loguetown’s port.
Here, you could catch many special fish, not only from the East Blue but also from the West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue…
The reason for this was that Loguetown was very close to the Grand Line, and fish from other seas accidentally entered this area.
Of course, some said it was because of the “Sea of Legends,” the ocean that gathered all the ingredients from the four seas.
Sanji’s dream sea.
In short, the reason was not yet specifically proven.
As the afternoon approached, the sun hung high in the sky, making the strong light somewhat irritating and making it difficult to see the distant sea clearly.
Curls stood in the shade and took out the pocket watch from his chest pocket.
Click!
The watch cover opened, and the twelve numbers were spread across the small dial.
The minute hand moved slowly, forming a right angle with the hour hand after a circle.
The time was three o’clock in the afternoon!
…
Most of Loguetown’s residents were puzzled, not understanding why the Marines suddenly became so vigilant.
Among them, some people who loved excitement gathered to discuss.
“Why did the Marines suddenly reinforce the port so much? Even if there’s an 8,000-member super large pirate group in the East Blue, isn’t this too cautious?”
“Yeah! Isn’t the William Pirates known for not harming civilians? Isn’t the Marines overreacting?”
“Who knows, the Marines’s precautions might mean the new ruler of the East Blue is coming to attack!”
Among the discussions, a man over two meters tall, with a burly build and light blue fish-head topknot, shook his head.
“Impossible, the William Pirates don’t harm civilians. How could they attack Loguetown? Unless they saw a ghost…”
The man with the fish topknot suddenly stopped speaking.
His eyes widened as if he saw something unbelievable ahead!
Another fisherman looked forward.
His eyes were also filled with disbelief.
After seeing the scene on the sea, the man with the fish topknot felt his throat dry up and couldn’t help but swallow.
“M-my god!”
In the distance, many tiny blurry black shadows appeared on the sea with the rolling waves.
As they approached, they gradually revealed the appearance of pirate ships!
Moreover, there were not just one or two!
There were seventy to eighty ships in total!
The flags on those pirate ships were all familiar pirate flags to Curls.
It was the 8,000-member fleet of the new ruler of the East Blue, the William Pirates!
At this moment, this fleet was aggressively approaching, clearly aiming to attack Loguetown.
“Finally, they are coming?”
Curls looked at the distant fleet of the William Pirates and murmured.
The Marines guards observed the sea, and upon spotting the William Pirates, they immediately reported to Captain Smoker via Den Den Mushi.
At this moment, Smoker was leading nearly all the naval soldiers from the base.
The atmosphere at the port became tense.
Facing such a powerful new ruler of the East Blue, the naval soldiers present were anxious, unsure if they could withstand the attack.
Click, click, click!
Soon after, a series of crisp, powerful footsteps approached.
Apart from the forces left at the base, Smoker had already led nearly all the naval forces from Loguetown to the port.
The citizens at the port had been evacuated.
At the scene, only the neatly armed naval soldiers in white uniforms could be seen.
Of course, many citizens were still watching from the windows of nearby buildings, wanting to know what would happen next.
At the port, with over 3,000 naval soldiers gathered, their confidence gradually rose.
On the sea, centered around the flagship of the William Pirates, the 8,000-member fleet spread out like a migrating beast herd.
Most of the ships with pirate flags were brand new, clearly not in use for long.
From the port, it seemed as if the William Pirates’ fleet surrounded the entire Loguetown.
After all, it was an 8,000-member fleet.
Even before the battle began, the sheer size of the fleet demonstrated a formidable presence.
As they approached, the Marines could also see the many pirates on those ships, armed with sophisticated weapons, evidently well-prepared.
Under William’s plan, each ship had two veteran pirates in charge, and new pirates followed their lead and executed orders.
In ten days, the veteran pirates had become familiar with their new subordinates and could command them effectively.
The newcomers who joined the William Pirates all had certain combat capabilities comparable to regular Marines soldiers, and they did not show any weakness in battle.
For this, William had been planning in the East Blue for eight years, leading to the current situation.
The new ruler of the East Blue!
With an 8,000-member pirate fleet.
If it weren’t for the interference of the Marines officer Charlotte Curls, his plan would have been even more perfect.
But since things had come to this, there was no need for regrets!
Boom!
The flagship of the William Pirates was stopped by a cannon fired by the Marines soldiers when it was still some distance from Loguetown port!
The black cannonball hit the nearby sea, raising a spray of water and waves.
Lieutenant Colonel Morgan issued a warning as the water and spray fell back into the sea.
“Warning! Warning! William Pirates, leave immediately!”
“Or if you enter the attack zone, we will engage in battle.”
William waved his hand to signal the fleet to stop.
The entire pirate fleet quickly halted, with only the ships swaying slightly with the waves.
First mate Jeff, looking more sober than his usual drunken state, spoke to the Marines at the port.
“We will stop advancing if you release our companion Gin, or we will attack the Loguetown naval base today.”
Smoker lit his cigar, took a deep puff, and stated his stance.
“Don’t joke.”
“We won’t release him.”
Most of the Marines knew Captain Smoker’s character. Once he made a decision, it was nearly impossible to change it, even if the Marines headquarters ordered otherwise.
William knew there was no way to negotiate, so he didn’t hold out much hope. He looked at the many guarding Marines at the port and said solemnly.
“In that case, let’s fight!”
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