Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"Unbelievable! Bai Ye, you're truly incredible!" Luffy's eyes sparkled like the night sky filled with stars as he exclaimed in awe.
"Facing off against the world's most formidable swordsman... Bai Ye, you've honestly left me a bit frightened," Nami admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of shock and disbelief.
Usopp, never one to be left out of a conversation, chimed in with his habitual bravado. "Ha! That's hardly surprising! After all, I was the revered leader of 80 million followers in my time," he boasted, though everyone knew his relationship with the truth was shaky at best.
"But how? Why are you this powerful?" Sanji interjected, his curiosity piqued. He had previously set Bai Ye as someone akin to support staff on the ship, never anticipating such formidable combat prowess.
Zoro, visibly irritated and somewhat peeved, confronted Bai Ye. "You knew all along you wielded such power, yet you chose to pretend belief in my abilities," he accused, his tone betraying annoyance and frustration. "Are you trying to mock me?"
Bai Ye, nonchalant, simply shrugged in response. "Look, the duel you witnessed was solely based on sword techniques," he began his explanation. "And, frankly, my ambition doesn't lie in becoming the world's greatest swordsman. I've never planned to delve too deeply into the realm of swordsmanship."
He continued, "Regarding the style itself, my Tai Chi technique doesn't quite align with your unique three-sword style. However, should you seek further insight, my door is always open for discussion."
Zoro, left somewhat speechless by the candid response, could only huff in mild frustration and turn his head away, choosing silence over further dialogue.
Their attention was soon diverted by the imminent melting of the icy terrain they were precariously perched upon.
"Hey, you perverted cook, lend me a hand back to the ship, can't you see the ice dissolving?" Zoro grunted, his request more a demand.
"What? Struggling, are we, Mosshead? Test me, and you'll find yourself swimming with the fishes!" Sanji retorted, his threat half-hearted yet laced with his usual irritation towards Zoro.
"Mr. Nosebleed!!" Zoro shot back, his insult sharp.
"ZOLO!!" Sanji countered, equally heated.
Witnessing yet another round of their endless bickering, Bai Ye and the crew couldn't help but feel a sense of exasperation. Luffy, however, wore a broad grin, finding the situation positively delightful. "Zoro and Sanji are the best of friends, aren't they?"
How on earth does he perceive their constant squabbling as friendship?!
-----
With their recent escapade drawing to a close, they returned to Baratie, marking the end of the fighting. Bai Ye took charge of transferring the captured pirates to Fullbody's custody.
Krieg, the notorious leader of the Krieg Pirates, brought in a bounty of 17 million, while his accomplice, Jin, added another 12 million to their earnings. In a single day, the Straw Hat Pirates' coffers swelled by 29 million. After accounting for recent expenses, their net total soared once more, surpassing 55 million Belly's.
-----
Once all affairs were in order, it was time for the Straw Hats and their companions to embark on their journey anew. The Baratie, in a rare moment of tranquility, ceased its bustling activities for the day. The ship's cooks lined up in two silent rows on the deck, their quiet presence speaking volumes. The moment had come for the sous chef to venture into the sea.
In the midst of this solemn atmosphere, Patty mustered the courage for one final duel with Sanji. However, the outcome was predictably the same, with Patty easily bested and left sprawled on the deck, tears streaming down his face. When, or even if, they'd cross paths again remained a mystery, shrouded in the uncertainty of life's many voyages.
As Sanji, cigarette in mouth and luggage slung over his shoulder, strode toward the Golden Merry, a tender voice drifted down from the second-floor balcony behind him: "Hey Sanji, don't catch cold" The words struck a chord deep within him, and unable to contain his emotions, Sanji fell to his knees. His forehead met the floor as he cried out, "Owner Zeff, Thank you for all the damn things you've done for me over all those years!!" He raised his voice for all to hear, "This I, Sanji, will never forget your kindness for rest of my life!!" And with those parting words, he leapt onto the Merry, resolved not to look back.
However, he couldn't help but steal a glance as the ship began its departure. Bai Ye, perceptive as ever, clapped Sanji on the back, offering comforting words: "Once our journey concludes, we'll return to Baratie and share a meal, all of us together." Sanji hummed in agreement, his spirits lifting as he declared to the crew gathered around, "From this day forth, I'll be the chef of this ship!!"
Luffy's excitement was palpable as he bounced up, exclaiming, "Sanji! I want meat!!" Usopp, dumbfounded, reminded him, "We've just eaten!!" But Sanji had already diverted his attention to Nami, twisting himself, his eyes shaped like hearts as he offered, "Nami-san, may I entice you with some afternoon tea?" His mood had shifted dramatically from the tears of mere moments ago, now teetering on the edge of lewdness.
Zoro couldn't mask his disdain, muttering, "Perverted troll!" To which Sanji retorted without missing a beat, "Cactus head, your words are as empty as your thoughts!" But their banter was cut short by Bai Ye's interjection, "We have an urgent matter to discuss, everyone."
The gravity in Bai Ye's voice even drew Luffy into seriousness. They all knew Bai Ye well enough; if he stressed the importance of something, it demanded attention. The group hushed in anticipation, and Bai Ye nodded in approval before turning his gaze to Nami. "Now that Sanji is with us, Nami, it's time for you to honor your promise."
Faced with Bai Ye's earnest stare, Nami found no room for evasion. Her agreement had been not just a matter of her promise, but more so because her heart had warmed to this band of pirates. She stepped forward, pulled up her sleeve, and revealed the tattoo on her left arm.
"Wow!! A tattooed Nami-san is even more enchanting!" Sanji didn't hesitate to shower her with compliments. But his words seemed to trigger something within her, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.
Zoro, eyeing the tattoo, recognized it. "That mark... it's the emblem of a pirate crew, isn't it?" His words sent a shockwave through the crew.
"Wait, what!?" Usopp stammered, realization dawning on him. "Does this mean Nami's part of another pirate crew?"
The mood shifted palpably. Luffy's smile faded into a calm, steady gaze directed at Nami. Sanji's eyes were wide with shock. Zoro looked at Bai Ye. Usopp, fearing the consequences of his outburst, was visibly trembling.
It was then that Bai Ye approached Nami and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We had a deal, remember? It's best to be open with our crew about such matters." His smile was gentle, his tone encouraging. "Believe in the bond we share with our crewmates. Trust me, as I trust you."
Gathering courage from Bai Ye's words, Nami took a deep breath, ready to divulge the secrets of her past that had long shrouded her in solitude. "Eight years ago, my village, Cocoyasi Village, fell under the shadow of a band of ruthless fish-men pirates..."
As Nami recounted her harrowing tale, the crew learned of the desperate truth behind her insatiable greed. The fish-men pirates hadn't come to Cocoyasi Village with the intention of mindless slaughter; rather, they sought to establish a tyrannical rule. The villagers were subjected to a monthly tribute of 100,000 Belly's for each adult and 50,000 for every child. This terror wasn't unique to her village but was a reality for many others.
In a brave act of defiance, a retired navy soldier named Bellemere stood against them. Despite her courage, she was but one against many. At the end she was killed in front of the eyes of her two adopted daughters. Her kids were left at the mercy of these pirates, and the one skilled in mapmaking was taken. They offered her a glimmer of hope, a condition she could hardly refuse: her continuous service in charting maps would ensure the safety of her fellow villagers.
Furthermore, they presented her with a daunting opportunity: the freedom of her village for a ransom of 100 million Baileys. The weight of this promise rested heavily on Nami's shoulders, a burden she carried every day since.