Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
As the Straw Hat Pirates stepped off their ship one by one, there was something important they had all overlooked. They didn't realize how much their fame had grown in the East Blue, becoming quite terrifying indeed. In just a matter of moments, word had spread throughout the town that the new overlords of the East Blue, the Straw Hat Pirates, had arrived on the island.
-----
In a room within the small town, a man with hair the same shade as Zoro's sat. His demeanor changed quickly when someone burst into the room, breathless with news.
"Boss, the Straw Hat Pirates have just arrived in Loguetown," the person announced urgently.
"Really?" The man, Bartolomeo, leader of the underworld controlling many towns, stood up, his expression lighting up with excitement. "Let's go then. I want to see for myself the strength of this pirate group, valued at 200 million Bellys."
-----
Meanwhile, at the Naval Base, Tashigi rushed into a room, mistakenly addressing a pillar instead of her captain. "Captain Smoker, the Straw Hat Pirates have made it to Loguetown."
Smoker, unfazed and used to Tashigi's occasional disorientation, responded dryly, "Who are you talking to?"
Realizing her mistake, Tashigi quickly turned to face Smoker and apologized, "Ah, I'm sorry, Captain Smoker."
Smoker, choosing to overlook the blunder, focused on the matter at hand. "The Straw Hat Pirates," he mused aloud, almost to himself. "I thought they'd head straight to the Grand Line after getting their bounty orders, to save time. But they've dared to come here instead."
"You're not taking me seriously enough," Smoker murmured, an image of Bai Ye appearing in his mind. He felt a personal responsibility in this situation.
With a snort, he turned to Tashigi, issuing a command, "Order all the navy at the base to quickly locate the Straw Hat crew and evacuate the civilians."
"Yes, Captain Smoker!" Tashigi responded promptly, though a hint of hesitation crept into her voice as she added, "But Captain, the reinforcements from headquarters haven't arrived yet. Should we..."
Smoker cut her off, his decision firm. "It's too late for that. They're likely to head straight for Reverse Mountain after leaving Loguetown. If we don't catch them here, once they enter Reverse Mountain, finding them will be like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Understanding the urgency, Tashigi had no choice but to immediately relay the orders to the rest of the soldiers.
-----
In the heart of the town, after meandering through various streets and alleyways, Bai Ye found himself standing in front of an underground bar named "Gold Roger." With a sense of curiosity, he pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside.
Inside, an elderly man was diligently polishing wine glasses behind the bar. He looked up, surprised at the new visitor, before breaking into a hearty laugh. "Well, what do we have here? Has another renowned pirate decided to grace us with their presence?" he exclaimed.
His eyes twinkling with amusement, he recognized Bai Ye, "Ah, if it isn't Priest Bai Ye himself, carrying a bounty of a whopping 100 million Berries."
Bai Ye wasn't taken aback by the bar owner's knowledge of him. Instead, he simply flashed a smile and took a seat at the bar. "Since you know who I am, old man, you must've met my captain," he said, his tone light and easygoing.
The old man nodded, a nostalgic look crossing his face. "Yeah, that young lad has sat here and listened to my tales about Roger," he shared, pouring a glass of wine and placing it before Bai Ye.
"He headed towards the execution platform where Roger met his end, last I saw of him," the bar owner continued, his voice laced with a hint of emotion. He had once been good friends with Roger, and the memories seemed to flood back to him. "It's been quite some time since I've seen a pirate with a spark like Roger's. The world's changed; it's lost its shine."
He shook his head, frustration evident in his tone. "Nowadays, every pirate with a hint of strength thinks they can conquer the Grand Line and claim the One Piece. It's laughable, really."
His voice rose in anger as he continued, "The Grand Line is a devil's sea, a challenge only a man of Roger's caliber could hope to conquer. One Piece? It's not something just any pirate can claim!"
Bai Ye sensed the anger and passion in the old man's voice, but he remained unphased, simply shrugging his shoulders as he continued to enjoy his drink, letting the bar owner's words wash over him.
In that particular moment, the bar, which its owner had previously closed for the day, unexpectedly welcomed its third visitor. Bai Ye, quite taken aback, raised an eyebrow as he took in the sight of the new guest.
"It seems you've come here specifically seeking me out, haven't you?" Bai Ye remarked, a hint of surprise lacing his words.
The stranger, a man of significant notoriety, responded, "Indeed. The information we've gathered suggested as much, and it appears you're quite well-informed."
The man standing before Bai Ye was none other than Monkey D. Dragon, the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, son of Monkey D. Garp, and father to Monkey D. Luffy. Bai Ye, having a bit of a startle upon recognizing him, decided to engage in conversation, knowing that Dragon was aware of his own identity.
"Well, it's only natural for a Daoist priest like me to be privy to a few secrets of destiny," Bai Ye said, taking a casual sip of his wine, his words carrying a mixture of truth and lie.
Fenghou Qimen, a high-level technique known to those like Bai Ye, does indeed have the potential to unveil glimpses of the future, though it comes with numerous restrictions and a hefty price. Bai Ye, mindful of these limitations, had yet to employ this technique.
"A Daoist priest, you say?" Dragon mused, ordering a glass of wine for himself without probing further.
Curiosity piqued, Bai Ye couldn't help but ask, "Is there something you wish to inquire about?"
Dragon simply responded, "Indeed."
In that moment, amidst Bai Ye's uncertainty, Dragon placed his wine glass down, fixed his gaze upon Bai Ye, and posed a direct question, "Why did you choose him? Why did you decide to sail alongside Luffy?"
Bai Ye, momentarily speechless and slightly amused, pondered on Dragon's cryptic manner of speaking. Nevertheless, he addressed the question at hand, "I joined him because he extended the invitation."
"You, with your capabilities, could easily captain your own crew," Dragon pointed out.
Bai Ye shrugged, "I'm not interested in that. Besides, I find my captain to be quite dependable."
"Do you have an ulterior motive?" Dragon pressed on, his tone laced with a father's concern.
Suppressing a smile, aware of Dragon's paternal instincts kicking in, Bai Ye reassured, "Rest assured, I harbor no ill intentions. If I must admit to having a purpose…"
He paused, locking eyes with Dragon, and declared, "I wish to change the world. I believe in Luffy; I believe he is the Joy Boy of our time."
Dragon's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the high praise bestowed upon his son. Just as he was about to delve deeper, his Observation Haki alerted him to something, prompting him to abruptly stand and make his exit.
Bai Ye, not missing a beat, left some Bellys on the counter for the bar owner and swiftly followed Dragon out.
"It seems the concern you have is related to my captain," Bai Ye noted, reading the situation.
"I can't stand idly by when such matters arise," Dragon responded, his voice laced with determination.
Without another word, he harnessed the wind and soared in a specific direction. Bai Ye watched, a smirk playing on his lips, as he thought to himself, "You're not the only one with the ability to fly."
Xun Gua – Glorious Phoenix