Chapter 101 Ace - Luffy's Brother

Author: Xiao Yifeng

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

The situation had reached a delicate point, with both sides facing significant challenges. Vivi was trying to protect both the Straw Hats and Alabasta, while Hina was concerned about maintaining the navy's reputation. Neither side wanted to be the first to show signs of weakness or concede.

Amidst this tense stalemate, Pell, still in his bird form, intervened with a practical suggestion. "You two navy's captains," he said, "instead of trying every means to fight against us in Alabasta, it would be better to take the Vice Admiral lying over there and leave."

Luffy, hearing the talking bird beneath Vivi, was astounded. "Wow!!" he exclaimed in amazement, repeatedly expressing his surprise at Pell's ability to speak. His reaction, however, went largely ignored by Hina and Smoker, who turned their attention to where Pell had directed.

They saw the Vice Admiral, Stainless, who had been lying prone for quite some time, his condition unnoticed and uncertain. Hina and Smoker exchanged glances and reluctantly nodded in agreement with Pell's suggestion. Their lack of attention to Stainless was partly because Smoker had assessed his injuries; though Stainless had lost his right hand and leg in the battle with Bai Ye, his vital organs were unharmed. Smoker concluded that Stainless was not in immediate danger.

Therefore, Smoker's primary concern remained the Straw Hat Pirates. Recognizing that further combat was not feasible at the moment, he decided that their best course of action was to retreat with Stainless. Smoker was also intrigued by the extent of the injuries on both sides and curious about the nature of the battle that had taken place. Additionally, the mysterious transformation of Bai Ye into a cocoon added another layer of intrigue that Smoker was keen to understand.

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Slap! The sound of a ruler hitting skin echoed as Bai Ye clutched his head in pain. An old man with white hair and a youthful face, ruler in hand, looked at the young boy before him and sighed. "Bai Ye. You have your head in the clouds again!" he said, a mix of reproach and concern in his voice. "Are you addicted to your previous dream?"

Despite the sting from the ruler's strike, Bai Ye didn't dare to retaliate. Instead, he respectfully bowed to the old man and replied, "Master, the disciple just can't figure it out." It had been three days since Bai Ye had woken up in his room, and during this time, he had come to understand what had happened during his extraordinary "time travel" experience.

He had spent several months in the world of One Piece, but only one month had passed in the Daoist temple. Over these three days, Bai Ye realized that he seemed to have truly returned to his original world. Everything around him was exactly as he remembered the Daoist temple to be.

"Can't figure out what?" the old man asked, approaching Bai Ye. It was the 88th time he had asked this question in the past few days. Bai Ye met the old man's gaze and replied slowly, "I can't figure out a lot of things." He paused, then added, "But there is one thing that I can't figure out the most."

Bai Ye looked up at the sky, where the red sun hung high, casting its light over every corner of the world. With a hint of confusion and curiosity, he pondered aloud, "Where the hell am I?" 

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After the navy's departure, Nami and Vivi approached Luffy, visibly emotional. Nami, with tears in her eyes, choked up as she asked, "Where is Bai Ye?" Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Ace stepped aside, revealing the large cocoon that was now the center of everyone's attention. Together, they pointed at the cocoon and said in unison, "In this." Their synchronized response left Vivi and the others momentarily stunned. Then, in a burst of surprise, Vivi and the Straw Hats exclaimed, "What!! Bai Ye is this stuff?!"

It took a further explanation from Sanji for the group to come to terms with the reality: Bai Ye had transformed into the big cocoon on the ground.

Vivi was in disbelief. "That big white cocoon is actually Bai Ye?" she questioned.

Usopp, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "What the heck did I miss?"

Nami, deep in thought, pondered, "Did I guess right before? Is Bai Ye not actually a human?"

Chopper, equally shocked, added, "Human turns into a cocoon??? Miss Kureha never taught me that humans can do things like this."

Luffy, ever hopeful, leaned in close to Chopper and said expectantly, "Chopper, quickly cure Bai Ye and let him come out." But Chopper shook his head, admitting, "I've never heard of this disease and don't know how to treat it." Disappointed, Luffy mumbled to the group, "Or let me just pull Bai Ye out."

As Luffy was about to make his move, he was met with Nami's 'iron fist of love.' BANG!! Luffy immediately retracted, saying, "I'm so sorry!"

At this moment, unable to contain himself any longer, Ace burst into laughter. "Hahahaha, Luffy's friend is really interesting," he exclaimed. His reaction made the others realize they hadn't addressed his presence yet. They turned to Ace, all asking in unison, "By the way, who are you?!"

Luffy, sporting a bruised nose and swollen face, introduced him, "His name is Ace, and he is my older brother." The revelation that Ace was Luffy's brother left everyone in the Straw Hat crew even more astonished.

Ace, with a polite demeanor, greeted everyone again, "My name is Portgas D. Ace," and placing his hand on Luffy's head, he smiled warmly, "And I am this guy's brother."

"Impossible..." Usopp muttered under his breath, not about their physical resemblance, but in disbelief over how someone like Luffy could have such a polite brother.

Ace understood Usopp's implication and laughed it off, saying, "This is my reckless younger brother, I am very worried for him. Speaking of which, you have all worked very hard with Luffy. Thank you for being able to put up with him." As he said this, Ace affectionately ruffled Luffy's hair.

Luffy, picking his nose, retorted, "Ha? Obviously, Ace has been praising me all the time." Zoro, confused, just remarked, "??? I have no idea." Ace continued to laugh, familiar with his younger brother's antics.

His attention then turned to the big cocoon on the ground, feeling a bit of regret that he couldn't meet Bai Ye. However, he quickly shifted his focus back to Luffy and asked, "Although I already know the answer, I still want to ask. Do you want to join Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Usopp was the first to react, 'Whitebeard? That's one of the Four Emperors of the New World, right? Oh, the pattern on your back...' Ace, with a proud smile, confirmed, 'That's right, that's my pride. I forgot to fully introduce myself; I'm also the captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates.'"

Everyone was shocked by this revelation. "Luffy's brother is actually a big shot in the crew of one of the Four Emperors."

Unfazed, Luffy rejected Ace's offer, "Don't want! I have found my crew, and I want to be the Pirate King!"

Ace laughed heartily at Luffy's response, teasing, "Papa is the man who becomes the Pirate King, not you, Luffy." But Luffy, undeterred, insisted, "Whatever you say, I want to be the Pirate King anyway. At that time, the duel will be fine." Ace's laughter continued as he looked at Luffy with newfound appreciation and pride. "That's great, you kid!" he exclaimed, admiring Luffy's determination and spirit.