Chapter 95 Bai Ye Attack

Author: Xiao Yifeng

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

Tokikake stood before the Straw Hat Pirates, radiating confidence mixed with a clear disdain as he awaited their decision. The crew was cornered, facing the stark reality of arrest.

Sanji, visibly shaken by the predicament, lit a cigarette with trembling hands. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady his nerves, and muttered with a sense of resignation, "It seems we're truly finished this time."

Zoro, his gaze fixed on Tokikake, showed a mix of frustration and defiance. "Damn it all!" he grumbled, clearly unwilling to yield without a fight.

Nami, Usopp, and Chopper, usually the more cautious members of the crew, were overwhelmed by despair. They huddled together, their emotions spilling over into desperate embraces and sobs, confronted by the gravity of their predicament.

Luffy, despite his bruised face, grinned defiantly, staring directly at Tokikake. With fierce determination, he challenged the Vice Admiral. "Stop your empty talk! I'll knock you flat! Don't even think about capturing us and dragging us to the city!"

Bai Ye, the Priest, who had been thrown to the ground, slowly rose, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, he remained unbroken. "How could the Straw Hat Pirates' adventure ever end here?" he declared, his words echoing the unyielding spirit of his crew.

Then, with a sudden, unsettling grin, Bai Ye addressed Tokikake directly, "Excuse me, Vice Admiral, might you spare a moment for me?"

In a bold and desperate move, Bai Ye stepped forward, pressing his hands against the ground and unleashing his technique. "Gen Hexagram - Overturning the Mountain!" With a powerful lift of his hands, a colossal rock formation, nearly twenty meters high and composed of immensely thick stone, burst forth from the battlefield.

Tokikake watched, initially amused by Bai Ye's unconventional tactic. He didn't need Observation Haki to grasp Bai Ye's intent. "You mean to block me so you can escape? That's utterly pointless," Tokikake remarked, already drawing his katana for a decisive strike.

However, before Tokikake could even move, Bai Ye unleashed another technique. "Zhen Gua - Luminous Thunder!" A thick bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the newly formed mountain with immense force.

RUMBLE!

The thunder, carrying immense destructive power, bombarded the rocks, causing them to crack and then shatter. BOOM! The once-solid mountain of stone crumbled, exploding into massive boulders that soared into the air.

Both Tokikake and the Straw Hats looked on, a flicker of bewilderment crossing their faces. Bai Ye, however, remained intensely focused and serious. He swiftly followed up with another technique.

"Li Gua - Explosive Flame!"

A blinding inferno erupted before him, instantly engulfing the airborne rubble. The searing heat generated by the flames warped the very air around them, causing the rocks, already weakened by the thunder, to begin melting under the scorching temperature.

In mere moments, the boulders transformed into molten lava, wreathed in fierce flames. Tokikake's demeanor shifted from amusement to grim seriousness. He instinctively tightened his grip on his sword, his full attention now fixated on Bai Ye's shocking display of power.

Bai Ye, with bloodshot eyes and a relentless will to defy the impossible, shifted his technique once more. "Xun Gua - Tornado!" he bellowed, and a howling gale instantly arose. The molten lava, still wrapped in scorching flames, was caught in the hurricane's grip and hurled skyward. As the lava reached its apex, the violent flames not only illuminated the entire sky but also caused the clouds to disperse dramatically, as if being ripped apart, utterly transforming the heavens!

For the first time, a look of genuine shock marred Tokikake's face. The terrifying spectacle unfolding before him bore an unsettling resemblance to Akainu's notorious Devil Fruit abilities.

Bai Ye, channeling every ounce of his energy and resolve, let out a guttural growl. He pressed his hands into the air, then swept them down sharply. Utilizing his mastery of Qimen techniques, Bai Ye astonishingly replicated one of Admiral Akainu's most formidable attacks—a full-blown Meteor Volcano—right there on the battlefield! Molten lava rained down from the sky like a cataclysmic waterfall, creating a breathtaking and terrifying display that filled the air.

Simultaneously, Bai Ye was wracked with a sudden, intense surge of pain, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood. Following this, the numerous wounds on his body, previously inflicted by Tokikake, tore open anew. Blood flowed freely from these reopened gashes, drenching Bai Ye's Daoist robe in crimson. In an instant, Bai Ye's appearance transformed dramatically, as he became completely covered in his own blood. This intense loss of blood brought him to the very edge of unconsciousness, leaving him on the verge of collapsing.

The Qimen technique utilizes Qi, an internal energy, to create a unique formation upon the ground. This mysterious pattern is laid out in a specific area beneath the user's feet. Depending on the direction chosen, the user can activate one of eight distinct diagrams from the Qimen Technique. These diagrams are intricately interconnected and demand considerable skill and practice to master.

With sufficient practice, one can become highly adept at employing these formations, switching effortlessly between any of the eight diagrams at will. However, Bai Ye struggles even with the basic combination of the Qian and Kun Diagrams from the Qimen Technique, which significantly limits his effective use of the art.

Incorrect use of the Qimen Technique carries grave consequences. If the proper methods are not followed, or if one attempts to force the use of these techniques, the diagrams may fail to align correctly. They could even turn against each other, generating a dangerous backlash that harms the very person wielding them.

In past conflicts, Bai Ye was forced to restrict himself to activating only one type of diagram at a time due to the inherent risks. However, in this dire situation, Bai Ye found himself with no other option but to forcefully engage the formation, despite the profound dangers involved.

The Straw Hat crew, witnessing Bai Ye in a state they had never seen before, were consumed by profound concern. "Bai Ye!" they cried out in unison, their voices laced with worry.

Luffy, his eyes widening in shock, felt a sharp pain in his heart as he saw Bai Ye vomit blood. In all their previous trials, Bai Ye had always been the one to effortlessly resolve problems with a reassuring smile. But now, the situation was starkly different, and for the first time, Luffy felt a suffocating sense of powerlessness and anguish.

Zoro and Sanji, too, wore expressions of deep worry. They inwardly chastised themselves, feeling inadequate as the combatants of the crew for being unable to assist their Priest in his dire hour of need.

Nami, Usopp, and Chopper, typically more cautious and reserved, also felt a surge of concern upon witnessing Bai Ye's condition. Despite their usual timidity, they desperately wished they could do something to help.

Meanwhile, Bai Ye, oblivious to his crew's distressed reactions, focused solely on his immediate predicament. He bit into a Healing Pill, feeling its potent aura begin to mend some of his injuries. Slowly, he rose to his feet and turned to face Tokikake.

Tokikake was now confronting Bai Ye's version of Meteor Volcano, an attack of immense coverage and destructive power. Bai Ye knew that if Admiral Kizaru were present, he could easily evade the assault with his light-speed movements and counter the lava with his light-based powers. Similarly, Admiral Aokiji, with his Ice-Ice Fruit abilities, could effortlessly neutralize such an attack by freezing the molten rock. But Tokikake was neither Kizaru nor Aokiji, and that stark reality made the situation profoundly different.

Tokikake, faced with a critical decision, realized he could retreat from the lava attack, but he was acutely aware of the devastating consequences. This was not a desolate island, but a thriving port city on a densely populated landmass. If he allowed the lava to reach the ground, the impact on the civilian population would be catastrophic. Determined to prevent such a disaster, Tokikake resolved to confront the threat in the air.

With this in mind, he utilized Rokushiki – Moonwalk to propel himself towards the lava in the sky. His sword, now imbued with Haki, was poised for action. With a fierce slash, he aimed at the nearest molten mass, his resolve evident in his thunderous shout, "Break for me!"

Meanwhile, Bai Ye, seeing Tokikake's intervention, felt a wave of relief. He crushed another Healing Pill and turned to face Luffy and the rest of the crew. Despite his wounds and the intense situation, Bai Ye managed a faint smile. "Wasn't my little trick just now super impressive?! Hahaha," he said, attempting to lighten the heavy mood.

Luffy, overwhelmed with emotion, suddenly embraced Bai Ye tightly, tears and snot streaming down his face. He said nothing, but simply looked at Bai Ye, his actions speaking volumes about his profound relief and deep concern.

Bai Ye, initially taken aback by the sudden embrace, slowly softened his expression. He spoke helplessly, "Truly, I can't exactly return your hug right now, Captain." He then jokingly added, "So, if you please... step away from me, you fool!"