One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

Kuma stated resolutely, "I am not afraid of death." He continued, "Before Dragon instructed me to abandon that plan, I had resolved to devote my life to the revolution. It's just a bit regrettable that I might not witness the victory of our cause."

Standing next to Kuma, Bai Ye looked up at his nearly 7-meter-tall figure, feeling a natural sense of awe due to Kuma's imposing presence. Yet, despite his formidable stature, Kuma's voice carried a gentleness that was almost comforting, tinged with an undertone of compassion. The moniker of Tyrant seemed an ironic contrast to his demeanor.

For the first time, Bartholomew Kuma looked directly into Bai Ye's eyes and said slowly, "So, thank you, Priest Bai Ye. Thank you for giving me this chance—a chance to see the world change."

This encounter marked the first time Bai Ye heard Bartholomew Kuma speak so extensively, and it was also the first time Bai Ye truly felt the profound impact one could have on another's destiny. It was an exhilarating feeling. "This feeling is really good," Bai Ye murmured to himself, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He looked up at Kuma, nodded in acknowledgment, and said, "Yeah!"

Suddenly feeling spirited, Bai Ye took a light step forward, his right foot initiating the Wind Trigram Qimen technique, which lifted him into the air with the wind. As he reached the level of Kuma's shoulder, Bai Ye grinned and proposed, "Since you want to thank me, how about doing me a small favor? Then, we'll be even."

-----

On the deck of the Sunshine Merry, Nami and the others stared at Bai Ye in astonishment, their disbelief evident: "What?!!!"

"You mean to say that, to get to the Sabaody Archipelago faster, we're going to have Kuma launch us there directly?!!!" Nami exclaimed, struggling to grasp the concept.

Bai Ye nodded reassuringly, "Don't worry, he's going to propel the Sunny Merry as a whole, not each of us individually."

Kuma's mastery over his powers was nothing short of astounding. For context, Luffy and Hancock's journey from Amazon Lily to Impel Down aboard a warship had taken about six days. In stark contrast, Kuma had managed to send Luffy from Sabaody Archipelago to Amazon Lily in just one day and one night, showcasing the advanced level of his control over the Paw-Paw Fruit. This was why Bai Ye had requested Kuma's assistance.

"Hahaha, flying up into the sky wrapped in bubbles? That must be fun!" Luffy, always eager for a new adventure, was immediately on board with the idea.

"Well, everyone, secure yourselves, it's going to be a bumpy ride at first," warned Bai Ye as Kuma prepared by removing his gloves.

"So..." Kuma began.

[Gomu Gomu no——Chain!!!]

As soon as Kuma spoke, Luffy sprang into action. He stretched out his arms, swiftly tying everyone together, and then secured his grip around the Merry in one fluid motion.

Without further ado, Bartholomew Kuma launched the ship. Moments after the Merry vanished, Kuma and Sabo thought they could hear an exasperated shout fading into the distance:

"Are you an idiot? Why didn't you just turn the Sunshine Merry into a sky form?!"

-----

Moments after the unconventional travel method, Luffy found himself sprawled on the ground, nursing ten large bumps on his head—a vivid reminder of his action. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew retreated to their rooms, settling into a period of dull downtime that, thankfully, did not last too long.

During this lull, Bai Ye found himself pondering a peculiar detail. The timeline of [one month] until Ace's execution troubled him. From what he recalled of the original story, when Luffy learned of Ace's execution and followed Hancock to Impel Down, there were only six days left before the event. Even accounting for all events leading up to that point, the World Government's announcement should have come no more than two weeks prior to the execution.

Now, with the timeframe inexplicably extended to a month, Bai Ye sensed something was amiss. Logically, even if the World Government intended to provoke a war with the Whitebeard Pirates, giving such a lengthy notice seemed counterproductive. It allowed too much time for preparations, which didn't align with typical strategic maneuvers.

Could it be that the World Government had more intricate schemes in play? Bai Ye couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper strategy behind this extended timeline.

-----

A few days earlier, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise within the Hall of Power, discussions among the Five Elders were intense.

"Straw Hat Boy Luffy, he should be Ace's younger brother," declared one of the heavier set Elders, referencing intelligence reports from Alabasta.

"Humph, just two bastards with sinful blood flowing in their veins," another Elder with a beard scoffed, his face contorted with evident displeasure. He bitterly recounted, "Gol D. Roger, who championed the damned ideal of free will, Monkey D. Dragon, who stirred the spirit of resistance... The D Clan is truly the enemy of the gods."

A bald Elder across the room chimed in with a sly smile, "Let's seize this chance to trap these two carriers of sinful blood in paradise together."

"Especially that Straw Hat boy," he added ominously. "If we let someone like him enter the New World, the carefully constructed cage we've built over the years could shatter."

Another Elder, arms crossed, interjected with a sideways glance, "You mean, the fruit awakens?"

The bald Elder nodded in agreement, "Exactly. Though there are still no signs, that kid is undoubtedly the most likely successor after the previous Joy Boy. If it's true..."

"Don't frighten yourself," he continued dismissively, cutting off the conversation. "You and I both know that the awakening of that fruit isn't so pivotal."

Just as he was about to elaborate, he was interrupted by another bald Elder, "Relying on others to wield your divine power does not make you a threat to the gods."

"Eight hundred years ago, those he helped failed, and eight hundred years later, it will be the same," he stated confidently.

"Are you scared?" he prodded, challenging the fear others might feel.

It was clear that this particular Elder wasn't overly concerned about the feared [Fruit Awakening] others spoke of.

However, his tightly clenched fists suggested otherwise.

"Regardless, it's pointless to argue over a foregone conclusion," he concluded dismissively, attempting to put the matter to rest.

The first of the Five Elders, a heavier-set man, sought to moderate the discussion: "Even if he does reach the awakening level, the World Government's eight hundred years of preparations will surely surprise him. The sea today is not as it was eight hundred years ago!"

"That's right, so let's return to our earlier discussion," continued the bearded Elder. "Will the Straw Hat Pirates really go?"

"Humph, that lawless young man dared to storm Enies Lobby just for some uncertain information. This time, it's his brother who will be executed," he added, his tone disdainful.

The bald Elder, appearing to see the bigger picture, added, "Moreover, if Kuma eliminates Nico Robin, it could further provoke them."

"No matter their decision, this time Marineford will be their graveyard," he concluded with certainty.

The golden-haired Elder nodded in agreement and queried, "Besides the Shichibukai, do we need anyone else? Didn't Aokiji mention that the four main battle forces of the Straw Hat Pirates could only contend with him for a short time?"

Though he did not specify names, the blond Elder's gaze remained fixed on the bald Elder across from him. Interestingly, this Elder, who seemed least concerned about the Fruit Awakening, was the one to suggest sending more formidable opponents against the Straw Hat Pirates.

Confronted with the inquisitive look of the blond Elder, the bald Elder remained calm and collected. He placed the dossier he was holding in front of everyone and slowly stated, "Because this person is unpredictable."