Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Mock Town's reputation as a pirate haven was well-deserved, with its local culture being decidedly rough and straightforward. As Bai Ye and Merry strolled into town, they were met with jeers and ridicule from the locals. Some taunted Bai Ye for his youthful appearance, calling him a kid, while others mocked him for bringing along a child, referring to Merry. Bai Ye, however, remained indifferent to the provocations, understanding the disillusioned nature of the pirates who had given up on their dreams.
Mock Town's pirates were no strangers to conflict, but as a few of them pushed their luck too far and faced consequences, rumors began to circulate that Bai Ye was responsible for their misfortunes. Despite these incidents, Bai Ye and his crew's notorious deeds from Alabasta had not yet made them widely feared in this town. In a place swarming with pirates, news carriers like news birds often found it unprofitable or too dangerous to deliver updates, leading to a significant delay in information. As a result, the latest bounties and news regarding the Straw Hat crew circulating in Mock Town were outdated, dating back to their escapades in the East Blue.
This lack of current information meant that many of the town's residents were unaware of the true dangers the Straw Hats and their associates posed. For Bai Ye and Merry, this situation allowed them to navigate the town with a bit more ease, despite the initial mockery, as they continued to explore Mock Town and prepare for the next phase of their adventure.
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A hulking figure wearing a wrestler's mask abruptly blocked Bai Ye and Merry's path, inquiring in a gruff voice, "Hey, you guy, have you seen a kid wearing a straw hat?" The sudden confrontation drew the attention of nearby pirates, all curious to see who would become the next spectacle. However, as they caught sight of the strong man, their expressions turned to fear, indicating he was a more formidable presence than Bai Ye.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, someone murmuring fearfully, "Yes...it's the guy who just vanquished the Roshio Pirates." The strong man, with his purple hair and towering three-meter stature, exuded an intimidating aura, his muscles bulging with evident strength.
Bai Ye, suppressing any annoyance, looked up at the formidable figure and replied with a restrained smile, "If there are no problems, the boy wearing the straw hat should be my crewmate." The strong man paused, seemingly surprised by Bai Ye's association with the one he was seeking, uttering a cautious "Yeah?"
Suddenly, the strong man reached out to grab Bai Ye's head. Bai Ye, with a predatory smile flickering across his face, quickly pulled Merry back. The strong man declared his intentions, "As long as I catch you and defeat that kid with the straw hat, I will take back my championship belt!" Bai Ye, now on the defensive, observed the man closely.
Initially, Bai Ye didn't recognize the strong man, but the mention of a championship belt triggered a realization. He understood that he was facing "Champion" Jesus Burgess, one of the earliest members to join the notorious Blackbeard Pirates.
Burgess's combative nature and readiness to resort to unscrupulous tactics were well-known traits. Bai Ye, assessing the situation, realized that Luffy, likely goaded by Burgess's display of his champion status, felt compelled to challenge him. Reflecting on the scenario, Bai Ye shook his head. In the original story, Nami, cautious due to her relative weakness, asked Luffy not to engage in unnecessary fights, particularly during their visit here. However, this time around, that conversation hadn't occurred, and Luffy had managed to defeat Burgess.
As Burgess confronted them, Bai Ye positioned himself protectively in front of Merry, adopting a fighting stance, ready to face whatever came their way. "Want to use me against my friend? Then we can only fight," Bai Ye declared firmly. Burgess responded with a loud, mocking laugh, "Weihahahaha! Little weakling, it seems that you are very brave!" He then snapped his fingers and challenged Bai Ye, "Then let's try it!"
However, before Bai Ye could make his move, Merry pulled at him from behind, expressing her desire to confront Burgess. Bai Ye turned to see Merry, small in stature but filled with determination. "I always feel that if it's just a competition of strength, I won't lose," she stated confidently. Seeing the fighting spirit in Merry's eyes, Bai Ye smiled and stepped back, leaving the field to her. "Well, I'll leave it to you, Merry."
Burgess, overhearing their conversation, was instantly infuriated. In his view, Bai Ye's decision to fight would have been an act of bravery, but Merry's challenge was an affront to his pride. His anger was further fueled by the crowd's reactions and comments, which seemed to ridicule him.
As Burgess clenched his fists and contorted his face into a snarl, he shouted with rising fury, "Everyone talking trash, who do you think I am!" His anger surged, and he erupted with force. His muscular legs thickened visibly as he prepared to launch himself into action. With a mighty stomp, he kicked the ground, causing it to crack and rupture, forming a deep pit in an instant. Propelled by this force, Burgess charged towards Bai Ye, bellowing, "I'm Champion Burgess!!"
Fueled by his rage, Burgess unleashed his full strength, channeling the momentum of his charge into his right fist. "Go smell the flowers from underneath, white-haired boy!!" he roared, aiming a colossal punch at Bai Ye. However, Bai Ye remained calm, confident in his response. At that critical moment, Merry leaped into the fray, confronting the massive fist that dwarfed her small frame.
As she soared through the air, Merry's mind flashed back to a training session with Bai Ye and the others. She recalled Bai Ye's instructions on the deck: "What I want to teach you today is how to make your fists stronger. Punching is not just about waving your arms, it's about coordinating your whole body and letting your strength go through layers... In short, hold your breath and focus on one point."
Muttering these words to herself, Merry executed the move flawlessly. She seemed to pivot on an invisible fulcrum in mid-air, her left leg leading the twist of her waist, and then unleashed a fierce straight punch. [Straight Punch - Ship Power!] Her small fist was imbued with the strength of the Golden Merry, embodying the ship's resilience against the wind and waves.
In the next second, Merry's punch collided with Burgess's.
Boom!