Chapter 101 Ace - Luffy's Brother

Author: Xiao Yifeng

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

The situation had reached a delicate impasse. On one side, Princess Vivi stood as a shield, desperate to protect both the Straw Hat Pirates and her beloved kingdom. On the other, Captain Hina was caught between her duty and the looming shadow of a public relations disaster for the Navy. Neither was willing to yield.

Into this tense stalemate, Pell, still in his majestic falcon form, offered a pragmatic solution. "You two Navy captains," he announced, his voice sharp and clear. "Instead of wasting your efforts fighting us here in Alabasta, perhaps you should attend to your fallen Vice Admiral and depart."

Luffy, hearing the bird speak from beneath Vivi, was utterly floored. "Whoa!! A talking bird!" he marveled, his amazement completely lost on Hina and Smoker. Their attention snapped to where Pell had indicated.

There, on the sand, lay Vice Admiral Tokikake. He had been down for some time, his condition unaddressed amidst the chaos. Hina and Smoker exchanged a loaded glance and gave a reluctant nod. They hadn't ignored him out of malice; Smoker had already assessed his condition. Tokikake had lost his right arm and leg in his clash with the Priest, Bai Ye, but his vital signs were stable. He was in no immediate danger of dying.

For Smoker, the primary concern remained the Straw Hat Pirates. He knew further combat was pointless now. Their best move was a tactical retreat with their wounded officer. Besides, he was intensely curious about the battle that had transpired here. The sheer scale of the injuries on both sides, and above all, the mysterious cocoon that Bai Ye had become, presented a puzzle he was determined to solve.

-----

Smack!

The sharp sting of a ruler against his head yanked Bai Ye from his thoughts. He clutched his head, looking up at an old man with a strangely youthful face and stark white hair. The ruler was still in the man's hand.

"Bai Ye," the old man sighed "Your head is in the clouds again. Are you still lost in that dream?"

Despite the pain, Bai Ye dared not talk back. He bowed respectfully. "Master, this disciple… simply cannot understand."

It had been three days since he had woken up in this room. Three days to process the impossible—his "journey" through time. He had spent months in the world of One Piece, yet only a single month had passed here in the Daoist temple. Everything around him was just as he remembered. He was home. He had truly returned.

"Cannot understand what?" his master asked, stepping closer. It was the eighty-eighth time he had asked that question.

Bai Ye met his gaze. "I cannot understand many things," he said slowly. He paused, then looked up at the crimson sun hanging high in the sky, its light bathing the world. "But there is one thing that confuses me most of all."

A flicker of genuine curiosity crossed his face as he voiced the question that echoed in his soul.

"Where in the world am I?"

-----

With the Navy gone, Nami and Vivi rushed toward Luffy, their emotions running high. "Where is Bai Ye?" Nami asked, tears welling in her eyes.

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Ace silently stepped aside, revealing the massive, pulsating cocoon that now dominated the space. In perfect, solemn unison, they pointed. "In there."

The synchronized gesture left Vivi and the others momentarily speechless. Then, a collective cry of disbelief erupted.

"WHAT?! That thing is Bai Ye?!"

It took a lengthy, patient explanation from Sanji for the reality to sink in: their friend, the Priest, had somehow transformed into the enormous cocoon now lying on the ground.

"That huge white thing… is really Bai Ye?" Vivi whispered, unable to believe her eyes.

"What in the world did I miss?!" Usopp exclaimed, his jaw on the floor.

"Did I guess right?" Nami wondered aloud, deep in thought. "Is Bai Ye… not human?"

"A human turned into a cocoon?" Chopper added, utterly baffled. "Dr. Kureha never taught me anything like this!"

Luffy leaned in close to their doctor, his expression hopeful. "Chopper, fix him! Make him come out!"

But Chopper could only shake his head helplessly. "I've never even heard of a condition like this. I wouldn't know where to start."

Disappointed, Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Guess I'll just have to pull him out myself."

Before he could take a step, he was met with Nami's 'Iron Fist of Love.' BANG! A large lump instantly formed on his head.

"I'm so sorry!" he yelped, backing away.

At that moment, the stranger who had been observing the scene could no longer contain himself. He burst into roaring laughter. "Hahahaha! Luffy, your friends are a riot!"

His laughter finally snapped the crew out of their shock. They all turned to face him, asking in unison, "By the way, who are you?!"

Luffy, sporting a fresh bruise, proudly made the introduction. "This is Ace. He's my big brother."

The revelation sent another shockwave through the crew.

Ace offered a polite bow. "Portgas D. Ace," he said, placing a hand on Luffy's head with a warm smile. "And yes, I'm this guy's brother."

"Impossible..." Usopp muttered, not because they didn't look alike, but because he couldn't fathom how someone like Luffy could have such a well-mannered sibling.

Ace chuckled, understanding the sentiment. "This is my reckless little brother. He gives me plenty to worry about. Thank you all for putting up with him." He affectionately ruffled Luffy's hair.

"Huh?" Luffy retorted, picking his nose. "Ace is always praising me!"

Zoro just grunted. "I'm lost."

Ace simply laughed, all too familiar with his brother's antics. His gaze then shifted to the cocoon on the ground. He felt a pang of regret that he wouldn't get to meet the famous Priest. Shaking it off, he turned back to Luffy, his expression becoming more serious.

"I think I already know the answer, but I have to ask. Do you want to join the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Whitebeard?!" Usopp was the first to react. "As in, one of the Four Emperors? Wait… that tattoo on your back…"

Ace smiled with immense pride. "That's right. This mark is my pride and joy. I forgot my full introduction. I am Portgas D. Ace, Commander of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates."

The crew was stunned into silence. Luffy's brother was a top commander for one of the most powerful pirate crews in the world.

But Luffy, completely unfazed, gave his immediate answer. "Nope! I've already got my crew. And I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"

Ace roared with laughter again. "Pops is the man who's going to be King, Luffy, not you."

"Whatever," Luffy shot back, undeterred. "I'm still gonna be the Pirate King. We can fight about it then."

Ace's laughter softened into a look of genuine admiration. He looked at his little brother, seeing the unshakeable will in his eyes. "That's my brother," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You've really grown, kid."