Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Bai Ye, looking around at the group with a hint of uncertainty, raised a question, "Speaking of which, what happened to Dalton, and the Isshi-20 who were captured earlier?"
Nami provided a straightforward explanation. "We handed everyone from Wapol's crew over to Dalton," she said. "This included the Isshi-20 group, who were the last doctors on this island. They had been forced to work for Wapol before." She continued, "So, after we gave Dalton control of Wapol's ship, he set them free and told them to join Dr. Kureha."
Bai Ye nodded in understanding upon hearing this. The Isshi-20, he knew, were not inherently bad people. He remembered how they had been inspired by Dr. Hiriluk's noble sacrifice and had remained committed to their medical work, even under Wapol's oppressive rule, with the hope of someday aiding their fellow islanders. He had no qualms about their intentions.
In fact, Bai Ye thought to himself, even if Nami hadn't taken this action, he would have likely made the same decision, handing over the entire pirate crew to the island's inhabitants, Wapol being the only exception.
His gaze then drifted to the highest mountain on the island, a symbol of their recent journey and struggles. With the matters resolved up there, he felt a sense of closure, confident that things on the island would now be alright.
-----
On the deck of the Golden Merry, Luffy stood confidently at the bow, hands on his hips, and announced with great enthusiasm, "Okay, crew!! To celebrate Chopper joining us, let's have a big feast!" His voice boomed across the ship, full of excitement and anticipation.
The crew responded in unison, their voices ringing out in agreement, "AYE AYE CAPTAIN!" Their energy and excitement matched their captain's.
Sanji, ever the skilled cook, soon emerged from the kitchen with an array of delicious food and drinks, signaling the start of the small but lively banquet. Laughter filled the air, "Hahahahaha!!", as the atmosphere aboard the ship turned festive.
At the heart of the banquet, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper quickly formed a close-knit trio, their camaraderie evident. Luffy, much to everyone's amusement (and perhaps a bit of their bemusement), performed his unique nostril chopsticks dance, drawing laughter and cheers from the crew.
The entire boat was engulfed in a joyful, celebratory mood, a stark contrast to the challenges they had faced not so long ago. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to many of them, the paper soldiers had already begun to steer the Golden Merry gently out of the port.
Bai Ye stood apart from the festivities for a moment, his gaze lingering on Drum Island as they slowly sailed away.
As Bai Ye stood contemplating, Nami approached him, her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. She handed him a drink and remarked, "It's kind of strange." Her gaze was fixed on the serene Drum Island. "Isn't there anyone coming out to see Chopper off?" she wondered aloud.
But before Bai Ye could respond, a sudden BOOM! echoed from the highest peak of the island, capturing everyone's attention. The noise was so loud and unexpected that everyone on the boat halted their activities and turned their eyes towards Drum Island.
What they witnessed next was a sight they would remember for years to come. The source of the noise was a cannon, and as its shell soared into the air and exploded, something remarkable happened. The white snow covering the entire island began to change color, transforming into a sea of pink.
At this magical sight, two members of the crew, Chopper and Luffy, were the most elated. Their excitement was uncontainable as they exclaimed in unison, stretching out their words in awe, "Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!!" The spectacle was a fitting, unforgettable farewell to Chopper from his homeland.
Kureha, seated at the gate of the castle, took another sip of her wine, reflecting quietly. She murmured to herself, a blend of fondness and resignation in her tone, "Go, silly boy."
Dalton approached Kureha, his expression showing a mix of concern and curiosity. "Is that really okay? Don't you want to say goodbye to him?" he asked.
Kureha, with her typical straightforwardness, responded, "Huh? You don't need to tell me what to do." She continued, a sense of relief evident in her voice, "I am very content that he's become a member of Luffy's crew." Her thoughts drifted to the young man in the straw hat, and a small smile formed at the corner of her mouth. "He's the kid who inherited the will of 'D.'"
Dalton, nodding in understanding, suddenly remembered something important. "Monkey D. Luffy?" he mused aloud. He recalled an encounter from just a week ago with a man who had come to the island in pursuit of Blackbeard. After finding out that Blackbeard had already left, the man hadn't lingered. Instead, he had shown a bounty poster, asking everyone if they had seen the person depicted. Upon receiving negative responses, he left a message: "If he comes here, tell him to head to Alabasta. I can only wait ten days; no longer."
Dalton realized that this timeline suggested the Straw Hat Pirates would likely encounter this man in Alabasta. He thought back to the man's smiling face, a detail that helped him finally recall the man's name.
-----
On a warship navigating the turbulent waters of the Grand Line, Smoker was caught off guard by a report from one of his subordinates. The name mentioned in the report made him pause, "Ace? The captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates."
He took a deep puff from his trio of cigars, a cloud of smoke swirling around him as he pondered the situation. "How could someone like him come here?" he mused quietly to himself. "And he's headed to Alabasta, of all places."
The news set Smoker's mind racing with theories. "Is he involved in the kingdom's rebellion?" he speculated. "Could he possibly be Mr. 0?" The possibilities seemed endless, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt a headache coming on.
Turning his attention to Tashigi, who was diligently practicing her sword skills nearby, Smoker asked, "Tashigi, how long until we reach Alabasta?"
Without missing a beat, Tashigi responded, "Captain Smoker, we should be there in three days!"
Smoker nodded thoughtfully. "Three days? That should be enough time." He knew that if Ace was indeed involved in whatever was unfolding in Alabasta, it could be a situation beyond his capability to handle alone. "Hey Tashigi, get me on the phone with headquarters," he instructed.
"Yes, Captain Smoker," Tashigi replied promptly.
As Smoker gazed out at the endless ocean horizon, he sensed the brewing of a storm, a prelude to the chaos that might await them. "Let headquarters know we'll need additional support. Things are becoming increasingly complex," he said, his voice carried away by the sea breeze. His whisper seemed to merge with the sound of the waves, a testament to the growing tension and uncertainty of their mission.
-----
Smoker wasn't the only one sensing the increasing complexities of the situation. In the port of Alabasta, another character, the notorious "Desert King" Sir Crocodile, was also grappling with his own set of challenges.
Crocodile, with a look of resignation, addressed a pirate who had been easily defeated by him. "You and I are not on the same level," he said, indicating the vast gap in their strengths. This display of power led everyone at the port to shout his name in awe and respect, "Sir Crocodile!!"
Despite the ceasefire between the king's army and the rebel forces, Crocodile's ambitions remained unchanged. He was still intent on seizing control of the country, plotting to take it over in what he envisioned as a legitimate manner.
Basking momentarily in the adulation of the crowd, Crocodile turned to leave. However, the moment he turned, his demeanor shifted drastically. His face, unseen by the crowd, became extremely serious. A sense of foreboding crossed his mind as he pondered, "Why did that guy come here? The son of the one who defeated me before..."
But soon, he composed himself, suppressing his deep-seated hatred. He understood that now was not the time for rash actions driven by emotion. His focus remained on the grander scheme – to acquire Pluton, one of the ancient weapons. All he needed to do was wait patiently for the key figures essential to his plan to make their arrival, setting the stage for his ambitious plot.
-----
Between the islands of Little Garden and Alabasta, a unique ship shaped like a swan floated on the ocean. This was the current location of Mr. 2, a distinctive and flamboyant figure.
"Mr. 2!! We still haven't found the ship," came the report from one of his subordinates, conveying the urgency of their search.
Mr. 2, anxious and impatient, responded, "Keep looking for me! If we don't find Mr. 3 soon, I'm in big trouble!!" Known for his extravagant and colorful appearance, Mr. 2 was a tall male crossdresser, often seen in vibrant ballet attire adorned with a swan motif. His usual outfit consisted of a pink overcoat and blue medieval-style garments. His face was heavily made up, and he was known for his wide, distinctive grin, a feature that remained consistent even when he changed his appearance using his unique abilities. Notably, his legs were hairy, often exposed due to his clothing choices.
At this moment, Mr. 2 was issuing orders to his crew with a sense of urgency. Time was ticking since he had received his mission, and the inability to locate Mr. 3 was causing him significant stress. He feared the consequences of not completing his task in time.
The thought of failing his mission brought Mr. 2 to the brink of tears, reflecting his deep concern and the awkward position he found himself in.