Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
The next afternoon was a heartfelt scene.
"Big Bro!" Rika, nestled securely in her mother's arms, looked up at Zoro with wide, star-filled eyes that shimmered with hesitation. She understood, deep within her young heart, that her new friend was destined for grand sea adventures, and she found no reason—nor the desire—to hold him back.
With a burst of bravery, she announced warmly, "I made you a rice ball, Big Bro! I sweetened it with sugar, all by myself!" Her eyes sparkled with pride as she offered her homemade gift to Zoro.
Beside her, Rika's mother wore a soft smile and offered a graceful bow. "We will forever remember your kindness, Mr. Zoro."
Zoro, taking in the hopeful expressions on Rika and her mother's faces, silently took the rice ball and popped it into his mouth. "Mmm! These are truly delightful rice balls!" he praised with his mouth still full, and then, with a nod of thanks, he continued on his way without looking back.
Meanwhile, Koby, his eyes shimmering with a mix of tears and determination, faced the ever-cheerful Luffy. "Mr. Luffy, I've joined the navy!" he declared, his voice thick with gratitude. "Your help has been invaluable to me!"
Had Luffy not rescued him from the treacherous seas, Koby might still be cowering in the dark corners of a pirate ship. Without seeing Luffy's fearless chase of his dreams, Koby's own courage might have faltered.
With a determined swallow, Koby announced through his tears, "From today, we're on opposite sides, Mr. Luffy."
His voice grew firmer as he continued, "I will train rigorously, and soon, I will be catching all the pirates in this sea—including your crew—right into jail! The navy stands for justice!" Although he declared this boldly to Luffy, it was also a personal pep talk.
Luffy, grinning broadly, replied lightly, "Well, you won't be catching me until I become the Pirate King!"
With a cheerful call, Koby waved off, "Till we meet again at sea, Mr. Luffy!"
"Mr. Bai Ye," said Navy Officer Ripper, his voice heavy with conflicting emotions as he confronted Bai Ye, who was dressed in simple civilian clothes. Ripper's eyes held a complex mix of feelings as he faced the man who had heroically intervened to save Shells Town and Branch 153.
A wave of gratitude for Bai Ye's bravery clashed with Ripper's strong naval principles, which made it difficult for him to openly thank someone whose future seemed entwined with piracy.
After a moment of hesitation, Ripper made up his mind and reached out to hand Bai Ye an item. "Here's the Den Den Mushi you requested, and..." His voice faltered a bit, "the charts for the Grand Line."
Bai Ye accepted the items calmly, nodding in acknowledgment. "Seems like you kept your word."
With a rueful smile, Ripper spoke more softly, "Heroes, even those who might turn to piracy, deserve our gratitude. As long as your pirate flag isn't raised, Mr. Bai Ye, our 153rd branch will not treat you as pirates. But once it does, our agreement ends."
Bai Ye replied with a playful gleam in his eye, "Don't worry, Officer. We're just delaying our pirate debut. Soon enough, you'll see our bounties waving in the sea breeze!" Just then, Luffy's voice carried over to them.
"Hey! Bai Ye, it's time to set sail!"
Bai Ye gave Ripper a respectful fist-cupped salute. "Until our paths cross again."
"Indeed, Mr. Bai Ye. May our next meeting be as old acquaintances, not enemies," Ripper replied, bowing slightly. He then turned and disappeared into the bustling crowd as Bai Ye stepped onto the boat.
"Ho-ho!" Luffy shouted, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he watched Bai Ye casually step onto the boat. His voice boomed across the deck with a joyful declaration, "Let's hoist the sails and catch the next adventure, crew!!"
"Idiot?" Zoro, standing with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised in skepticism, glanced over at the perpetually enthusiastic Luffy. "Have you actually looked at the boat you're standing on?"
"Ah?" Luffy's gaze quickly swept across the vast deck of Alvida's swan-headed pirate ship, which was clearly too large for their small group. His puzzled look prompted Zoro to roll his eyes in exasperation.
"Three of us can't handle a ship this big, Luffy," Zoro explained bluntly. "So we need to either find a smaller ship or get some skilled sailors on board. But remember, we're pirates now; finding volunteers might be tough."
Scratching his head in a exaggerated way, Luffy pondered, "Well then, looks like we'll need a smaller boat!" He had no intention of expanding their crew too much. Influenced by his admiration for Shanks, Luffy preferred a close-knit group, sailing the seas together.
As they discussed, Bai Ye walked over and interjected, "No need for a smaller ship." He produced a sheaf of yellow paper, intricately engraved with mysterious runes and shaped like tiny people. "I have a solution for our crew shortage."
His reluctance to give up Alvida's ship was practical rather than sentimental. Bai Ye didn't want to repeat the original story's scenario of cramming onto a tiny vessel with barely enough room to sleep. Plus, the ship was integral to his plans ahead. For him, there was no good reason to abandon it.
"Whoa!!" Luffy, always excited by new and mysterious things, rushed over to Bai Ye, his eyes wide with wonder as he stared at the yellow papers. "This looks incredible! WOW!!"
Zoro, more down-to-earth, muttered under his breath, "It's just paper, Luffy. How is that incredible?" Yet, inside, his curiosity was piqued. Knowing Bai Ye's penchant for the unexpected, those papers surely held some magic.
Bai Ye, watching their differing reactions with a smirk, knew it was time for a reveal. The paper figurines were crafted using ancient Daoist techniques he had learned from old tomes. [Secret Art of Daoism · Paper-cutting into Soldiers]