Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
The impact of the collision between Merry and Burgess sent a shockwave rippling through the air, reminiscent of a cannonball hitting the sea's surface. Weaker pirates who had been watching the spectacle were caught off guard and swept away by the blast, while those further away took refuge behind buildings, their disbelief evident in their wide eyes and frantic exclamations, "Are you kidding me, RUN!!"
Amidst the chaos, a small figure in a raincoat stood tall and proud at the center of the battlefield, a testament to the unexpected victory. Burgess, on the other hand, was caught completely off guard. As their fists met, he was taken aback by the formidable power emanating from Merry's tiny form. To him, it felt as though he was wrestling with the entire pirate ship itself.
The result was inevitable. Burgess's right fist, followed by his arm, emitted a gruesome crack as they fractured under the force. His body was sent flying, a defeated puppet cut from its strings, landing heavily on the street.
Bai Ye, witnessing the scene, was both surprised and pleased with Merry's performance. The various enchantments and the crafted puppet had indeed transformed Merry into a formidable force, freeing her from the constraints of being a ship spirit. Now, she stood as the Golden Merry's protector, with each of her attacks carrying the ship's formidable impact. This development suggested a need to reevaluate the Straw Hats' hierarchy of strength, with Merry likely ascending the ranks.
As Merry completed her successful attack, she turned to Bai Ye with a triumphant expression. Bai Ye, acknowledging her achievement, smiled warmly, "That's great, Merry, I might trouble you in the future." He then decided to move on, leaving Burgess behind to doubt his life, as he and Merry continued their journey through Mock Town.
After Bai Ye and Merry departed, the stunned silence left in their wake was broken by a murmur rising from the street. "I remembered, that man is the deputy captain of the Straw Hat Pirates," someone voiced, breaking the shock. The individual, seeking to confirm their suspicion, pulled out a bounty order and held it up for all to see.
Curious and skeptical, a bystander stepped closer to examine the bounty order more closely. As they read the figures aloud, their voice escalated with each escalating digit: "Hundred, thousand, ten thousand, one hundred thousand, one million, ten million... one hundred million!!" The realization of Bai Ye's substantial bounty hit them hard. They stumbled backward, collapsing to the ground, overwhelmed by the revelation.
The onlooker lay there, dazed and repeating under their breath in disbelief, "Priest Bai Ye with a bounty of 100 million, why did he come here?"
-----
Bai Ye, unbothered by the stir they had caused in Mock Town, was already on his way to reunite with other crew members. He soon found Robin and Chopper, approaching them with a casual demeanor. "It seems that the harvest is not small," he commented with a smile, noticing that Robin had indulged in some shopping, evident from the new clothes she was wearing.
Robin, gracefully turning to face Bai Ye, confirmed, "I had indeed gained a lot. And just now, Chopper met a strange guy." Her attention then shifted to Merry, who was standing beside Bai Ye with curious, wide eyes. Robin, intrigued by the child's familiar appearance, embraced Merry and playfully remarked to Bai Ye, "Oh, is this the child of the vice-captain? It does look a bit like it."
Chopper, always quick to believe, reacted with astonishment, "What!! Bai Ye's child!" Bai Ye, faced with Robin's teasing and Chopper's shock, could only offer a wry smile in response. But he soon proceeded to clarify, "Her name is Merry, and she is our pirate ship." Chopper, with his straightforward and accepting nature, was stunned by the revelation, "What!! She's the Merry!!"
Robin, more seasoned and perceptive, took a moment to process the information before expressing her surprise, "Oh, this is really surprising news." Knowing Bai Ye's serious nature, she understood he wasn't one for frivolous jokes.
As Robin regarded Merry with a thoughtful gaze, Merry, far from being bashful or anxious, greeted them warmly, "Robin, hello Chopper, I'm the ship spirit of the Golden Merry, I'm sorry to meet you only now." For Merry, this encounter was not just an introduction but the fulfillment of a long-held dream, a moment she had imagined countless times.
Chopper, ever the inquisitive one, burst out in astonishment, "What!! Ship spirit!!" His curiosity piqued, he bombarded with questions, "What is a ship spirit? Is it really a ship spirit?" Robin, with her extensive knowledge as an archaeologist, was familiar with the concept of ship spirits. Yet, she found herself momentarily perplexed by Merry's very human-like appearance, which differed from the legends she knew.
Bai Ye took the time to explain the circumstances surrounding Merry's transformation to Robin and Chopper. Though initially taken aback, their familiarity with Bai Ye's capabilities allowed them to quickly come to terms with Merry's new form. Before long, Merry and Chopper were walking hand in hand, their budding friendship evident. "Chopper is a pretty amazing doctor. He looks the most handsome when he is doing experiments in his room," Merry complimented, to which Chopper bashfully retorted, "I hate it to death, even if you praise people like this, they won't be happy, you bastard!!"
Observing the delightful interaction between Merry and Chopper, Bai Ye allowed a smile to spread across his face, pleased by the seamless integration of Merry into the crew.
At that moment, Robin turned to Bai Ye, acknowledging his extraordinary feat with a mix of wonder and curiosity. "It's amazing to be able to make the ship spirit possess a physical body, Bai Ye," she remarked. Her gaze, analyzing and thoughtful, seemed to see Bai Ye as an endless source of surprises and mysteries yet to be uncovered. "I really want to know what else you want to do?" she inquired, genuinely intrigued by the potential depths of his abilities.
Bai Ye, calm as ever, responded to her query, "There are a couple of things, such as translating ancient texts." Robin's smile widened at his answer, and she offered, "Want to learn? I can teach you. But once you learn it, you may regret it. At that time, you may have to run away with me." Her light-hearted comment carried a serious undertone, referring to the dangerous path that her knowledge had led her down.
Bai Ye, understanding the weight of Robin's words, replied with a soft yet firm determination in his eyes, "You're our friend, Robin. The Straw Hat Pirates will never abandon their crewmates." Robin appeared slightly dazed, perhaps not expecting such a strong affirmation of camaraderie from Bai Ye.
As she was about to continue, Bai Ye gently cut her off, his expression shifting back to its usual relaxed state. "And one more thing, when you want to leave, it's best to ask the captain's advice." His smile, warm and reassuring, held a hint of playfulness. "But if that's the case, are you really willing to let everyone go?" With these words, Bai Ye turned and rejoined Merry and Chopper, calling out to them lightheartedly, "Hey Chopper, don't teach Merry these weird expressions!!" and "Hey Merry, don't let me see this obscene expression of Usopp!!"
Robin watched Bai Ye blend back into the group, his demeanor as if nothing significant had just occurred. A smile graced her lips, her thoughts reflecting her deep connection with the crew, "As expected, I can't bear to part with you."