One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

After Bai Ye's revealing remarks, the tavern fell into a heavy silence. Sanji, Robin, and Shakky, all deep in thought, turned their attention to Luffy, who continued to eat and drink obliviously. They recognized that Bai Ye's decision to join the Straw Hat Pirates as vice-captain was a calculated gamble on Luffy's potential.

"Haha, that's quite the ambition," Robin mused, her hand supporting her chin, her tone laced with intrigue.

"It seems the information I gathered earlier was insufficient," Shakky remarked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Bai Ye more closely.

Meanwhile, Coby, who had just had his ideals upended, sat slumped on the floor, overwhelmed by the revelations. He had always held the Marines in high esteem as paragons of justice, only to learn they might be perpetuating the greatest evil. This realization was too much, and he felt his world crumbling.

"Don't embarrass yourself, kid!" Garp's voice suddenly boomed through the tavern. In a swift motion, he scooped up Coby with one hand and delivered his trademark Fist of Love.

Boom! Bang!

Coby, newly patched up from his previous wall-repair efforts, found himself hurtling through the same wall again.

Shakky winced slightly at the destruction but held back any comment, catching Garp's stern gaze and choosing to remain silent.

In a moment heavy with disillusionment, Garp confronted Coby, who seemed to have lost all his faith. He picked up the young Marine and, seeing his tears, punched him again in a tough display of love.

"What do you think Marine justice is, huh?!!!" Garp's voice boomed as he challenged Coby to rethink his ideals.

Coby, overwhelmed and struggling, looked up and asked, "Does justice still exist in the Marines if they protect the World Government?" The question was a heavy one, reflecting his doubts about the Marines' role under the World Government's dominance.

In Coby's eyes, the Marines he had admired seemed no better than the corrupt forces he had encountered in Shells Town under Captain Morgan. It pained him to see similarities—compliance in the face of tyranny, a continuous cycle of compromises.

"Are we just cowards then?!!!" Coby's voice cracked under the strain of his internal conflict.

Garp, furious yet passionate, responded vehemently, "Do you have any idea how many Marines sacrifice themselves every year to maintain peace?!!! Are those Marines who fight for justice and protect people cowards too?!!!"

"If we compromise because we can't eradicate the greatest evil, does that make us cowards? Does that mean we aren't fighting for justice?!!! That's why I said—you don't understand Marine justice!!!"

Garp's rebuke was so powerful that even Bai Ye was taken aback. He hadn't expected such depth from the man who always seemed so jovial and carefree in the stories. But reflecting on it, Bai Ye realized it made sense. Garp had consistently refused promotion to admiral, likely because he saw through the complications and corruptions of power—a man truly aware of the harsh realities of their world.

Bai Ye's face held a touch of awkwardness as Garp's piercing words seemed to target him too. Though the criticism stung, Bai Ye had never believed the Marines were devoid of justice; he simply felt their hands were tied by the World Government.

"Compromise... Justice..." Coby mulled over Garp's words, his gaze sharpening as clarity returned. "Has the Navy always been compromising?"

Helmeppo chimed in, driven by a mix of curiosity and frustration. "The Marines are so powerful, so why should they compromise?"

"This isn't something you two should know," Garp dismissed with a wave of his hand, his demeanor shifting back to his usual nonchalant self. "Go catch more pirates first."

Then, turning towards Bai Ye with a broad grin, Garp added, "You kid, you really gave me a big surprise! Hahahaha!!!"

"That's right, Grandpa! Bai Ye is the crewmate I invited to join us!" Luffy interjected with pride.

"You little bastard, if you were half as reliable as Bai Ye, I wouldn't be so worried!" Garp retorted. No sooner had Luffy spoken than he found himself on the receiving end of another of Garp's 'Fist of Love'.

After the meal and the tumultuous exchange, the group remembered their primary goal for coming to the bar.

It was time to find Rayleigh.

Upon learning that Rayleigh might be around, Garp couldn't contain his excitement and requested Shakky to relay a challenge for a friendly duel when he had the time. However, Shakky quickly dismissed the idea with a firm refusal.

"We need to find Rayleigh quickly," Bai Ye suggested. "Let's split up and search the locations Shakky mentioned. If you find him, use a talisman to signal the rest of us, and we'll all regroup."

He added a caution: "Once you're on your own, stay alert for the Marines, bounty hunters, and any Supernovas. Signal immediately if you face any danger."

As the group acknowledged and prepared to depart, Shakky halted them with a serious warning. "Aside from those threats, there's one group you must avoid at all costs—the Celestial Dragons, whom Bai Ye called the greatest evil."

Shakky explained the origins of the Celestial Dragons: "Eight hundred years ago, 20 royal families formed the World Government. Nineteen of those families moved to Mary Geoise and now live as 'descendants of the creators,' enjoying extreme privileges."

"If they're even slightly offended, an Admiral or CP0 might be dispatched for their protection."

Usopp reacted with disbelief: "An Admiral? Just for offending them?!"

Sanji added disdainfully, "No wonder Bai Ye calls them pigs. They wield such privileges without any care for ordinary people."

Shakky painted a vivid picture of the danger: "Here on the Sabaody Archipelago, it's one of their favorite haunts. If you see someone in white robes, with a hood and leading slaves, steer clear. Don't engage."

She then turned to Luffy, knowing his impulsive nature posed a risk. At the same time, Nami, fully aware of Luffy's tendency to attract trouble, declared she would stick close to him to keep him out of mischief.

With their tasks clear, the crew dispersed on their mission, leaving Bai Ye and Vice Admiral Garp alone in the tavern.