Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
On the west coast of Jaya Island lies a notorious spot known as Mock Town, a haven for outlaws and pirates from all corners of the sea. Over time, its reputation as a lawless locale grew, to the point where even the world government relinquished its jurisdiction over the area. The town's infamy continued to attract an ever-growing number of pirates, turning it into a hotbed of violence and chaos. As Mock Town's notoriety spread, it became synonymous with danger and the untamed spirit of the sea, a place where only the bold or desperate dare to tread.
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Luffy, perched on the bow of the ship, took in the sight of numerous pirate ships docked at the port and couldn't help but exclaim, "That is a lot of pirate ships!" Nami, observing the same scene, heard the intermittent sounds of aggression and conflict, her expression a mix of resignation and apprehension. "Sure enough, it's just like what the orangutan said, it's a pirate town."
Zoro, ever the fighter, couldn't hide his enthusiasm at the prospect of a challenge, his mouth curling into a satisfied grin. "A town full of pirates? Sounds good," he mused, already considering the potential skirmishes that awaited them onshore.
After some discussion, the Straw Hat crew unanimously decided to venture into the town. Bai Ye, knowing that Mont Blanc was on the other side of the island, hesitated to share this information, instead choosing to motivate the crew to explore together. Luffy, intrigued by the town, was keen on the visit, hopeful it might yield useful information.
However, not everyone was eager to set foot on the island. Nami, Usopp, and Chopper were notably reluctant, their aversion to violence and lawlessness evident. It wasn't a matter of fearing defeat; rather, they disliked the very nature of such a chaotic environment. Zoro playfully pointed out Nami's own occasional bouts of violence aboard the ship, which promptly earned him a swift punch from her.
Despite their initial reservations, the crew soon realized that staying aboard wouldn't spare them from the town's turbulent nature. Reluctantly agreeing that they were better off facing the challenges together, they decided to disembark as a united front.
As they prepared to explore the bustling Mock Town, the Straw Hat crew decided to split into smaller groups. This strategy would not only save time but also help them blend in more effectively, drawing less attention in the pirate-infested town.
Nami, sensing potential trouble, opted to stick with Luffy and Zoro. She knew these two were prone to getting into fights and causing conflicts, so she wanted to keep a close eye on them. Sanji, tasked with the important job of buying ingredients, had to part ways with Nami and Robin. Usopp, perhaps seeking a bit of safety, chose to accompany Sanji.
The final group consisted of Robin, Chopper, and Bai Ye. As the first two groups set off in their respective directions, the last group encountered an unexpected issue. Normally, Bai Ye wouldn't store the ship in his interior world, but this time, at Usopp's request, he attempted to do so to protect the Golden Merry from the interest of other pirates. However, things didn't go as planned.
Chopper, observing Bai Ye's prolonged effort, tilted his head in confusion and asked, "Bai Ye, what's wrong?" Robin also noticed the delay. Usually, Bai Ye could store the Merry quite quickly, so the extended time was unusual.
Inside, Bai Ye was experiencing a whirlwind of thoughts. He contemplated a possibility that excited him greatly. Looking up at his crewmates, he tried to downplay the situation, "Nothing, just a small problem. You go first, and I'll follow after I solve it." His speech was quicker than usual, betraying a hint of anxiety.
Chopper, trusting Bai Ye's reliability, didn't question further and nodded in agreement. Robin, more observant and perceptive, also noticed Bai Ye's unease but chose not to probe. Over time, she had come to understand that Bai Ye, despite his secrets, always had the crew's best interests at heart. "Okay, then let's go first," she said, taking Chopper by the hand and leading him away, leaving Bai Ye to resolve the issue with the Merry.
As Robin and Chopper departed, Bai Ye turned his full attention back to the Golden Merry. He mulled over the possibilities, his thoughts tinged with a mix of confidence and apprehension. "Although I have great confidence, I am still afraid of getting another result," he pondered. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he boarded the Merry and began to speak as if addressing someone or something, "My interior world can accommodate everything, but it has two limitations."
He continued, outlining the constraints of his ability, "The first one is that the interior world has limited capacity. But I probably never fill it up." Utilizing his Qimen technique, a dense fog enveloped the port area. Bai Ye, positioned in the middle of the deck and leaning against the mast, let a small, knowing smile play at the corner of his mouth as he addressed the second limitation, "The other one is that it cannot store living objects."
Excitement crept into his voice as he posed a seemingly rhetorical question, "So, do you want to come out and meet with me? Golden Merry?" The ship was silent for a moment until a light, buoyant voice responded, "As expected of you, Vice-captain!" From the dense fog, a small figure emerged, jumping around energetically. As it came into clearer view, Bai Ye observed a child-sized figure, clad in a raincoat, wielding a mallet.
Despite his keen observation, Bai Ye couldn't discern the face hidden beneath the raincoat and hat. Only a small, crescent moon-like gap revealed a smile to him. The figure then assumed a playful stance before Bai Ye and said with a gentle voice, "Sure enough, you were the first one to find me."
Bai Ye's smile broadened, a sense of fulfillment washing over him as one of his grandest dreams since arriving in the One Piece world came true. He had encountered the ship spirit of the Golden Merry, a mythical entity unique to this world, an ethereal being born from the ship itself. The ship spirits, as they were known, were said to emerge from ships that received unwavering affection and devotion from their crew.
According to the lore, these spirits manifested themselves in times of danger, scurrying about the ship to alert the crew, and sometimes even aiding in repairing the hull. Now, Bai Ye found himself side by side with the Merry's spirit, a surreal yet heartwarming moment.
"Just call me Bai Ye, Merry," he spoke gently to the spirit. The Golden Merry, pausing her playful movements, turned to Bai Ye, the gap in her face widening to symbolize joy. "Thank you, Bai Ye," Merry's voice resonated with gratitude, "On this journey, without you, I might not be able to send you guys to so many places." She tenderly caressed the side of the ship, feeling the enchantment attached to it, her spirit filled with contentment.
Bai Ye, his legs swinging slightly, looked into the distance, his voice laden with emotion, "Because you are also our friend! I will never let you disappear." Merry, curious and childlike, tilted her head, "What did Bai Ye just say?" Unable to catch his last words.
Bai Ye, charmed by Merry's endearing demeanor, reached out to touch her, only to remember that she was a spectral entity, his hand passing right through her. The realization brought a moment of poignancy as he understood the ephemeral nature of Merry's existence. Merry, sensing Bai Ye's bemusement and his attempt at contact, bashfully lowered her head. Even as a spirit, she felt a sense of shyness and connection with Bai Ye, a testament to the profound bond between the crew and their beloved ship.
A hint of sorrow tinged Merry's voice as she spoke to Bai Ye, "I can't meet with you often, even if there are not too many people. I'm sorry, Bai Ye." She expressed a wish, perhaps a bit reluctantly, "If possible, I hope you can hide my existence. After all, knowing everyone's temperament, if they knew what I look like, they might be unhappy. I don't want to make anyone feel sad."
Golden Merry's gaze dropped to her own swaying toes, a gesture reflecting her somber mood, "Being able to sail with everyone is the happiest thing for me." Despite her newly awakened state, Merry was intimately aware of the quirks and habits of each crew member. She knew Luffy's penchant for enjoying the view from the bow, Bai Ye's fondness for leaning against the boat and savoring the sea breeze, Zoro's routine naps in the watchtower, and Nami's diligent charting of their course in the captain's room. She was familiar with Usopp's stories, Sanji's cooking, Chopper's medical activities, and Robin's quiet moments of reading. Even Vivi and Karoo were etched in her memories.
Merry cherished these details, each crew member's presence contributing to her sense of belonging and joy. Yet, she preferred to remain a silent guardian, her existence known only to Bai Ye. Her reluctance to reveal herself stemmed from a desire to preserve the crew's happiness.
Golden Merry was surprised to feel a gentle touch on her head. She looked up to see Bai Ye smiling down at her. "Really, why do you, like Nami, always like to make your own decisions?" Bai Ye playfully chided. His ability to interact with spirit bodies, a rare skill among Daoist sects, allowed him to easily touch Merry's ethereal form. To his surprise, her form felt moist, quite unlike what one would expect from a spirit.
Merry, caught off guard by the contact, didn't resist. Instead, she reveled in the sensation, a dream come true for a spirit body. Her joy was evident in her tone, "Huh?" as she expressed her delight.
Bai Ye, with a warm smile, playfully suggested, "As a tradition of this pirate group, after you get a body, remember to give Luffy a hard punch." His casual remark about Merry having a body took her completely by surprise. "Eh?!!" she exclaimed, so startled that she momentarily disappeared over the side of the boat. But being a ship spirit, she reappeared on the deck behind Bai Ye.
"Can I have a body? Bai Ye. Is it really okay? Can I meet with everyone? Really?" Merry asked, her voice filled with excitement and disbelief, as she bounced around in a flurry of questions.
Bai Ye, unbothered by her enthusiasm, added another surprising revelation, "It's not just about meeting them; you can also enjoy the delicious food made by Sanji." This news overwhelmed Merry, rendering her speechless as she processed the possibility of such a profound change.
"Eh!!" she gasped again, still in shock when Bai Ye produced a puppet. In the world of ancient Qi practitioners, spirits like Merry, and even those born from a mere gust of wind, could obtain physical bodies. Bai Ye had been searching for a suitable method to make this a reality for Merry since her birth, and now, it seemed, he had finally found the answer. This breakthrough promised a future where Merry could not only interact with the crew but also experience the world in a way she never thought possible.