Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"Haki?" Smoker's voice revealed a touch of astonishment, even more so than when he had witnessed Luffy's burst of speed just moments before. He grew more convinced of his theory. Bai Ye's background wasn't ordinary; he might hail from the Grand Line, possibly even the New World.
Although many of Bai Ye's unique skills could be attributed to typical adventures, the power of Haki was something often linked to the Grand Line, perhaps even the distant New World. An inner voice nagged at Smoker: Could Bai Ye originate from an island akin to the Wano country in the New World?
Such a notion wasn't unfounded for Smoker. The navy largely governed the four seas and the initial stretch of the Grand Line. They were fairly familiar with the layout and distribution of the islands there. However, the New World was a different story. Dominated by four emperors, the navy's influence was minimal.
The mention of the Wano country was significant. Not only was it under Kaido of the Beasts' domain, but its long-standing isolationist policy and its distinct ninja population made it stand out. These characteristics inevitably drew parallels between Wano and Bai Ye in Smoker's mind. He pondered: Maybe, in some uncharted corner of the New World, there exists a land filled with Daoist monks.
This train of thought made Smoker eye Bai Ye with renewed curiosity. Was Bai Ye an emissary of such a place? Possessing profound abilities and yet behaving so conspicuously, was everything really as straightforward as it appeared? The idea that Bai Ye was the world's sole Daoist monk seemed unlikely to Smoker.
Bai Ye's hands glowed with a brilliant golden hue, which swiftly encompassed him. "By your description, naming it Haki isn't inaccurate," he said. "However, in the parlance of our Daoist tradition, I'd rather term it Qi." He continued, a teasing tone evident, "You certainly showcased an impressive feat earlier using your elementalization on my comrades."
Having honed the Golden Light Curse, Bai Ye relied on the rapid buildup of pure Yang Wuji Kung-Fu. This stored energy enabled him to elevate the Golden Light Curse. As he spoke, a rod of shimmering gold materialized in his grasp.
"Now, witness my move," he declared, "Self-made technique – EAT MY STICK!"
In an instant, Bai Ye vanished from where he stood, only to reappear above Smoker a moment later. The golden rod in his hand grew in size and swiftly descended towards Smoker's head.
"Such speed!" Smoker exclaimed, his eyes widening with shock.
Now, Bai Ye moved even more quickly than Luffy. But it wasn't just Bai Ye's speed that startled Smoker; it was also the golden rod in his hand. While Bai Ye had referred to its power as Qi, Smoker couldn't help but think of it as Haki. The widely accepted belief was that only Haki could counter those with logia fruit abilities. Despite Bai Ye's insistence on a different name, Smoker wasn't bothered. He knew that in Wano Country, Haki went by another name: Ryuo. This only strengthened his suspicion that Bai Ye hailed from a land reminiscent of Wano, perhaps even more enigmatic and formidable.
What really intrigued Smoker was Bai Ye's unique application of Haki. Typically, there are four methods to harness Armament Haki: "Hardening", "Imbuement", "Emission", and "Internal Destruction". Smoker had never encountered anyone who could shape Haki into a tangible weapon, even if it was as basic as a stick.
With a resonating BOOM, the golden rod struck the ground, raising a cloud of smoke and dust. Bai Ye calmly landed and waited. As the dust settled, Smoker emerged, grimacing and clutching his right shoulder.
Logia fruit users, with their elemental abilities, often evade Haki-infused attacks by transforming parts of their bodies, especially when faced with focused strikes like punches or sword slashes. However, the swift and expansive sweep of Bai Ye's rod left Smoker with little time to react. Despite his best efforts to dodge, the blow landed squarely on his right shoulder.
Bai Ye gazed at Smoker, nodding slightly. "Now we're even," he declared. Smoker's expression shifted, a hint of irritation evident. He felt the difference in the damages they sustained was glaring. While Smoker's injuries were substantial, those with Bai Ye were relatively minor. Even bystanders like Nami thought Bai Ye might be pushing his luck. After all, Smoker appeared quite battered.
However, a realization struck: Smoker had removed his shirt earlier, making his injuries seem worse than they were. Amidst the murmurs, Luffy's voice rang out, praising Bai Ye's prowess. "Bai Ye is incredible!" he exclaimed, admiration clear in his eyes.
Sanji, lighting a cigarette, remarked, "It looks like this Haki energy can affect those with logia abilities." Zoro, ever the swordsman, pondered aloud, "I wonder if it can be used with a sword."
Bai Ye addressed Smoker, suggesting that he now had a grasp of their capabilities. He then tossed a pouch containing a medicinal elixir to Smoker, advising him to apply it to his wounds. Bai Ye felt a twinge of regret. This medicine was precious, derived from the remnants of healing pills. Its origins were significant, and while it had a reduced effect compared to the original pill, the effort that went into its creation was substantial.
Bai Ye didn't want to squander his supplies because with his current resources, he could produce it for another 10,000 years at most. The thought of asking for compensation flitted across Bai Ye's mind, but he dismissed it, deeming it beneath him.
Without hesitation, Smoker applied the medicine. A rejuvenating sensation washed over him, and in moments, his wounds began to heal. He felt revitalized. Suiting up once more and lighting his cigars, he regarded the Straw Hat crew. He no longer wished to engage in battle. The capabilities of Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro were undeniably impressive. But his gaze lingered on Bai Ye, filled with intrigue.
"You should be wary of revealing your true strength so openly," Smoker cautioned. Despite being taken aback by their prowess, he knew that in the grander scheme of the navy, their strength was still weak.
Bai Ye responded with a gracious smile. "Thanks for the advice, but we're not overly concerned." His confidence suggested he had his reasons for such boldness.