Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Gomu Gomu no Mi - Gatling! Xun Gua - Wind Blade! When Luffy and Bai Ye unrolled their attacks, despair cascaded amongst the dozens of soldiers that Morgan had brought. Regardless of their weapons, they were just ordinary folks. How could they possibly compete against the likes of Luffy and Bai Ye? The former, a devil fruit user with the power of rubber; the latter, Bai Ye, a strong daoist! It was like trying to find darkness in a brightly lit room - futile and comedic in its efforts. So, amidst a chorus of desperate wails, soldiers were neatly dispatched, knocked unconscious by Luffy or injured by Bai Ye's wind blade.
Meanwhile, Zoro found himself square off against Morgan. A high-stakes battle seemed imminent if you just judged by the energy in the air. But in reality? 'Three Swords Style - Oni Giri!' A single attack from Zoro and Morgan found himself slashed across the chest, blood making a hurried exit from his body as he slumped to the ground, unconscious.
And then there were five: Bai Ye, Zoro, Luffy, Koby, and a safe-in-arms Rika, standing amidst an eerily silent execution ground.
Luffy piped up, playful pout on his lips: "Hey, Bai Ye, your strength is a bit...over the top, don't you think?"
With a flick of his brows and a smug grin, Bai Ye responded, "Hahaha, Mr. Captain, it is what it is."
"Luffy, Bai Ye." Zoro, sheathing his knife, approached the pair: "We should run before the rest of the naval base catches up, hmm?"
Luffy, ever the enthusiastic leader, agreed, "OK! No need to stay here now that Zoro's part of the crew." A mischievous gleam sparked in his eye...
In a fast dash, Luffy stretched out his arms, grabbing Bai Ye and Zoro and initiating an escape.
"Hello! Are you--" Zoro began.
"Luffy, hang on, we don't--" Bai Ye tried to interject.
[Gomu Gomu no Rocket]
But off they went, leaving sentences unfinished and an empty execution ground behind them.
Koby, witnessing the scene of Zoro and Bai Ye being unexpectedly catapulted by Luffy's mischievous move, could only swallow his disbelief. A single thought flashed through his mind - thank heavens Luffy isn't equipped with a third arm! That mental image promptly urged Koby into motion, swiftly leaving the naval base along with Rika.
After evacuation a brigade of marines stormed through the path previously tread by Bai Ye and the friends, executing a swift and systematic roundup of everyone in the open space.
Their leader, with a purposeful stride, approached Morgan, offering not a salute, but an arrest. "Captain Morgan...or, no, just Morgan," he clarified, stiffening his collar and amplifying his voice with a mixture of years' worth of pent-up frustrations and triumph. "Your transgressions, along with those of your accomplices, have been formally dispatched to the Navy Headquarters. You are hereby under arrest!"
The leader's resounding declaration was potent enough to stir Morgan from his unconscious state, albeit barely. Struggling to pry his eyes open, Morgan squinted into the unrelenting sunlight, recognizing the voice that had always seemed to stand in resistance against him. "Lieutenant Ripper, it seems like you have reached an agreement with the pirates" Morgan hoarsely observed.
In that moment, a familiar silhouette sauntered forward, obscuring the blinding sunlight. The face of the man gradually came into focus in Morgan's eyes - it was the navy officer who had previously interacted with Bai Ye.
Flashback to a previous exchange:
Soldier, perplexed: "Help you? Mr. Bai Ye, what do you mean?"
Bai Ye, cradling a gentle, almost enigmatic smile, replied, "Ah, perhaps 'help' is too straightforward a term, hm?"
Eyes twinkling with amiable mischief, he continued, "Maybe, let's say it is a 'mutually beneficial cooperation,' shall we?"
Puzzlement flickered across the Soldier's features: "What?"
-------
Inside Rika's cozy tavern, a burst of Luffy's juice went airborne, prompting a mix of shock and laughter amongst the crew.
"Bai Ye, you...collaborated with the Navy?" Luffy stuttered, his words a blend of astonishment and mischief.
The usually calm Zoro couldn't hide his own surprise, although the day had been anything but ordinary.
Splattered with juice, Bai Ye simply wiped his face, his voice tinted with playful annoyance. "Got a problem with that, Captain?"
Luffy's voice scaled higher. "We're pirates!" He paused for a second, before continuing, "How can the navy cooperate with us bad guys?"
Bai Ye paused, an amused smile curling at the edge of his lips. "You are pretty self-aware."
He continued, slowly articulating his points, "Let's start with the basics: no Pirate Flag, no Pirate Ship, and a grand total of three crew members. To the navy, and technically speaking, we're not quite pirates. More like...pirate enthusiasts or ambitious bystanders?"
Luffy, now thoroughly confused, scratched his head. "We aren't considered pirates?"
He slapped his palm, a light bulb moment gleaming in his eyes. "Ah, that must be why there's no bounty on my head yet!"
Bai Ye could only sigh, the irony of it all painting a subtle grin on his face. "Which is why teaming up with the navy isn't exactly off the table."
Luffy's face lit up like the moon, "Ah! Bai Ye, your brains are as big as the ocean!"
Bai Ye coyly responded, "A compliment from you, Captain, is a curious treasure indeed. But tell me, do you realize your blunder?"
With a puzzled look adorning his features, Luffy tilted his head, "Eh?"
Bai Ye, barely containing his laughter, exclaimed, "We didn't need to be flung over the wall, you rascal!!"
A golden light flickered momentarily around Bai Ye, and a moment later...
Luffy, on the floor: "Oof."
Zoro, with a hearty chuckle and mug in hand, observed the endearing scuffle. He mulled over the peculiar charm of these two - Luffy, the charmingly unreliable captain, and Bai Ye, the mysteriously whimsical treasure box of a man.
An epiphany seemed to strike Zoro. SHINK!! He unsheathed his katana and, with a slightly accusatory yet playful tone, called out, "Bai Ye, you scoundrel!"
Bai Ye, raising an eyebrow, inquired, "Hey, Zoro, did the sake hit you a bit too hard?"
Zoro pointed the sword towards Bai Ye, a mock threat lingering in his voice, "You stage a whole show, just to swindle me into joining your crew, huh?"
Bai Ye internally cursed, "Damn, why does his sword-crazy brain always work so well at the weirdest times."
Luffy chimed in, "Yeah, Bai Ye, tricking Zoro wasn't very nice!"
Bai Ye, feigning outrage, declared, "Luffy, whose side are you on?! You're dead too!"
As the trio descended into an energetic fight but not a single item in the tavern was destroyed, much to the amusement of Rika and her mother.
Watching the boisterous trio, Rika couldn't help but gleefully comment, "Mom, Mr. Bai Ye and his friends are really kind-hearted souls, aren't they?"
Her mother nodded, her eyes reflecting the lively scene before them, "Yes, darling Rika, and you'll grow up to be just as kind and spirited as them."
Rika beamed, her voice singing with excitement, "I will, Mom, I promise!"
For a while, the tavern basked in a vibrant, jovial atmosphere, the walls echoing with laughter, playful bickering, and the clinking of glasses.