Chapter 92 SURPRISE!!!!

Author: Xiao Yifeng

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

"Relax, everyone," Bai Ye said, his voice a calm anchor in the growing unease. "There's no need to be so anxious. Let's not draw any more attention than we have to. The key players from Baroque Works will likely be drawn to one another soon enough."

Luffy nodded with enthusiastic agreement, though his stomach had other priorities. "You're right, Priest! But I'm starving! I really need some meat!"

Bai Ye arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I'm not worried about the others, but you, Luffy… you need to learn some self-control!"

His caution was more than just a reaction to Luffy's antics. It was a deep-seated intuition, a gut feeling that had been nagging him since they arrived on this island—a premonition that something troublesome was just around the corner.

As Luffy continued to grumble about his hunger, the group prepared to move on. That's when they noticed it. The once-bustling street had fallen unnervingly silent. It was empty, completely devoid of life.

The bizarre scene brought them to a halt, a sense of wariness settling over the crew. Even the usually oblivious Luffy could tell something was wrong. Those with Observation Haki immediately sharpened their senses, scanning their surroundings for the source of the disturbance.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The crisp sound of dress shoes on cobblestone echoed from the far end of the street, growing steadily louder. A tall, imposing figure emerged from the distance, slowly coming into focus.

Bai Ye's eyes widened in shock. What is HE doing here?!

The man who strode toward them cut a formidable figure. He was tall, with an air of relaxed confidence that bordered on arrogance. His dark hair was slicked back beneath a dark fedora hat adorned with a subtle gridline pattern, and a cocky smirk seemed permanently etched on his face, giving him a commanding presence. He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt with the sleeves partially rolled up, brown trousers, and a yellow haramaki wrapped around his waist. A pipe hung lazily from his lips, sending thin trails of smoke into the air.

Draped over his shoulders like a cape was a distinctive Marine coat with a high collar and a matching gridline design—the unmistakable symbol of justice emblazoned on its back, a mark reserved for officers of Captain rank and higher. The coat's brown sleeve cuffs complemented the overall color scheme, adding a personalized touch to the standard uniform.

His gait was assertive, almost predatory, and he exuded an aura of authority that was impossible to ignore.

"Well, well," the man chuckled, his voice smooth and laced with amusement. "Looks like I've stumbled upon quite the surprise during my little business trip." He paused, patting his pockets. "Aha, here we are."

He produced a stack of bounty posters, his smile widening. "My hunch was correct. The Straw Hat Pirates, all the way from the East Blue."

His gaze swept over them, his smile turning sinister. "Unfortunately for you," he continued, his tone dripping with mock pity, "it seems your grand adventure has reached its final stop."

He struck a pose, clearly pleased with his dramatic entrance. He wasn't, however, prepared for Luffy's complete lack of social grace.

"Who's this weird-looking guy?" Luffy blurted out.

Nami and Usopp lunged, slapping their hands over Luffy's mouth. "Read the room, you idiot!" Nami hissed. "Look at him! He's clearly a high-ranking Marine!"

"But he really does have a punchable face," Zoro and Sanji muttered in perfect unison. They exchanged a brief, surprised glance, a rare moment of agreement between the two rivals.

The man's expression remained unfazed, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He seemed to find their reactions entertaining. It was Bai Ye who finally broke the tension, his voice low and serious.

"That's Vice-Admiral Tokikake. Also known as Chaton."

As he spoke, Bai Ye subtly gestured for Vivi to get on Karoo and flee. He banked on the Vice-Admiral knowing her identity but choosing to ignore a fleeing princess for bigger targets. For the first time, Bai Ye felt a sliver of dread. Things were spiraling out of his control.

He stepped forward, his expression grave. "I never expected to find you here, Vice-Admiral."

In the original timeline, Smoker and Hina were the highest-ranking officers in Alabasta. Now, a Vice-Admiral had appeared. The third-highest rank in the entire Marine hierarchy. Below only the three Admirals and a few exceptional figures like Garp, the Vice-Admirals were the backbone of the Navy's military might.

"A Vice-Admiral?!" Nami, Usopp, and Chopper gasped in unison. Even Zoro and Sanji's expressions hardened.

They knew what this meant. Bai Ye had drilled it into them. An Admiral was the pinnacle of the Navy's power, a force of nature. He had once told them that even Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman, would be outmatched by an Admiral's overwhelming strength. A Vice-Admiral was just one step below that. Facing one was like challenging a walking catastrophe.

Instantly, Sanji and Zoro adopted fighting stances. To their credit, even Nami and Usopp braced for battle, Nami gripping her Clima-Tact and Usopp readying his slingshot. Chopper had a Rumble Ball poised in his hoof.

Only Luffy remained outwardly unfazed. But seeing his crew's reaction, he lowered the brim of his straw hat, his gaze locking onto the Vice-Admiral. "So," he asked, his voice now serious, "he's the enemy?"

Tokikake's smirk widened. "Priest Bai Ye," he addressed him, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You seem to be familiar with me. Confirms what the intelligence boys said. You appear to know quite a few things you shouldn't."

He paid no mind to Bai Ye's attempt to help Vivi escape, nor did he seem concerned by the crew's hostility. In his eyes, they were children playing at being pirates.

In a blur, Tokikake vanished, using the Soru technique. He reappeared high above them, his leg poised to strike. He gathered immense force, his kick generating a blade of golden, compressed air in the sky. With a ferocious swing, he unleashed the Haki-infused Tempest Kick, sending it crashing down upon them.

"Trigram Xun – Tiny Hurricane!"

At the last second, a swirling vortex of wind erupted from below, deflecting the deadly attack. A massive explosion of dust and debris followed as Tokikake landed gracefully, his hands never once leaving his pockets.

His sinister grin widened. "To counter my attack like that… The man with a one-hundred million Beri bounty certainly lives up to the name, Priest Bai Ye."

Despite the compliment, his tone was dismissive. As the dust settled, Bai Ye's silhouette appeared on a nearby rooftop. He mimicked the Vice-Admiral's relaxed tone, "Attacking without warning? You truly are the backbone of the Navy, Vice-Admiral."

But beneath his casual facade, Bai Ye felt a cold knot of dread. He had only seen a glimpse of Tokikake's power, but it was enough. This man could defeat them all with ease.

This Vice-Admiral was genuinely dangerous.