Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
On the ship's deck, excitement radiated from Luffy.
"Alright!" he exclaimed, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "To celebrate our new mate, Usopp, we're throwing a feast!"
It was unclear whether his excitement stemmed from welcoming a new friend or the mere prospect of a party. Perhaps, it was a bit of both. Regardless, even with just five people, the ship was alive with a heartwarming buzz.
"To friendship!" they cheered, their laughter contagious.
"Hahaha!" The sound of joyful chuckles blended with the melody of their celebration as the Straw Hat crew indulged in the feast, unreserved and carefree.
"Ah, Bai Ye's cooking never disappoints," Luffy remarked, contentedly patting his belly before lounging back in his chair, a picture of satisfaction.
"Even the simplest dishes are somehow good," Nami added, her experiences as Cat Burglar having made her a tough critic.
"For me, nothing beats Bai Ye's wine," Zoro chimed in, unusually relaxed and forgoing training to comfortably cradle a jar of wine.
"This is amazing! So, Bai Ye, are you our cook?" Usopp inquired between mouthfuls.
"I merely know my way around the kitchen," Bai Ye clarified with a modest shake of his head. "Out here on the sea, the role of a cook is pivotal, not a task for just anyone. A true chef skillfully combines ingredients, creating not only food but culinary art. There's a vast difference between eating to be full and dining for pleasure."
Knowing the original storyline, Bai Ye recognized the significance of a dedicated chef in the One Piece world. If he assumed the role, the crew might never feel the need to recruit Sanji. Besides, he wasn't keen on taking on extra duties. That chef's hat was reserved for Sanji, he thought.
Seized by a new idea, Luffy abruptly sat up, clapping his hands together in determination, "Alright! Next up, we need to find a cook for our crew! And musicians! What's a pirate feast without the rhythm of music?!"
Their merry celebration stretched into the night until, one by one, they retreated to their quarters, hearts full and ready for rest.
-----
In the tranquil embrace of a moonless sky, the Golden Merry glided gently across the serene, undulating embrace of the deep blue sea, a rare peace settling over the vessel.
The calm, however, shattered abruptly with the crunching sound of the door being thrust open.
Emerging from her quarters, Nami walked to the deck's edge, her gaze lost in the ocean's infinite horizon, her mind seemingly adrift. The festivity's laughter had faded, leaving a shadow of melancholy in her eyes.
"I wish moments like this would never end," she whispered to the breeze.
"Why can't they, Nami?" Bai Ye's voice materialized out of the quiet night, not startling her; she turned, an acknowledgment in her eyes.
"I had a feeling you'd show up."
Bai Ye offered a nonchalant shrug in response. "Well, Luffy's not the sharpest tool in the shed, Zoro's obsessed with training, and Usopp's still the new guy. So, it falls to me, doesn't it?" His smile was gentle, reassuring. "You're part of this crew, after all, aren't you?"
Advancing, he placed a tender hand atop Nami's head. "You've been alone in your battles for far too long. It must have been... incredibly tough."
His words, though simple, seemed to unlock something within her. Tears welled up, breaking the dams of her eyes, cascading unchecked down her cheeks, spattering silently on the deck below. She felt exposed, as if Bai Ye had seen through her façade from their very first encounter.
"I... everyone else is okay, but I—" Her voice broke, her head shaking, the scars of a childhood terrorized by Arlong resurfacing. The haunting belief clung to her: "No one can defeat Arlong."
"I can't stay here. He'll kill you all," she choked out, collapsing to the deck, one hand braced against the wood, the other futilely trying to stem her tears.
She couldn't let her past endanger them. Not before she freed her village. Not before the tyranny of the Arlong Pirates ended. She couldn't permit any more suffering.
"Seriously, stop deciding everything on your own," came Bai Ye's soft admonition, pulling Nami's tearful gaze upward in confusion.
Crouching to her level, Bai Ye tousled her hair gently, his voice earnest. "Luffy and the rest, they see you as a genuine crewmate, a friend. True crewmates trust each other, completely."
He tenderly dabbed her tears with a tissue. "So, before you make any decisions, promise you'll discuss them with everyone?"
His eyes bore into hers as he gripped her shoulders. "Remember, we're all here, ready to lay down our lives for our friends!"
"Bai Ye..." Nami's resolve wavered. She considered fleeing, leaving the ship, leaving everything behind. Yet, whether due to his words or some inexplicable force, she stayed, eventually surrendering to the warmth of Bai Ye's embrace, her tears a release from years of pent-up fear and frustration.
He held her, feeling the tremors of her sobs, his heart aching. The original narrative, a shounen manga, often glossed over the world's harsh realities. It touched only superficially on Nami's tribulations. But even a fleeting thought spared for her plight revealed the immense burden she bore, the indignities and silent grievances endured over the years.
Arlong, Bai Ye mused, your reckoning approaches. And it'll be tenfold harsher.
He already anticipated the surprise awaiting that tyrant.
Ultimately, an understanding was reached between Bai Ye and Nami. She would share her entire story after they recruited their next crew member, allowing the whole team to weigh in on the decision.
This resolution pleased Bai Ye. As long as she refrain from going back there and be humiliated again, everything will be fine. He remembered the original story, how it had gnawed at his sense of justice.
Having escorted Nami back to her room, Bai Ye stepped out, casting a glance at the observation deck before shaking his head with a light laugh and making his exit.
There, amid the solitude, stood Zoro, a trio of swords and a jug of wine his only company, his gaze profound.
"Ah, this wine is excellent," he murmured, unbothered by the emotional undercurrents around him.