Chapter 182 The Light in the Night

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

After a bit of a stern chat with the Foxy Pirates, Bai Ye was feeling quite satisfied with the outcome. Soon after, following a farewell to Tonjit, the Straw Hats were back on their way, the ship cutting through the waves once more. For them, the ordeal was barely a hiccup in their grand adventure—a minor chapter in their ongoing saga.

As Bai Ye lounged comfortably on a deck chair, soaking up the sun's warmth, he suddenly noticed his sunlight being blocked. He looked up, squinting slightly, and saw a familiar face. "You seem to have taken something from this experience?" the voice said, tinged with curiosity.

Opening his eyes fully, Bai Ye sat up and greeted Robin, who had approached with a drink in hand, a refreshing concoction prepared by Sanji. "You don't often relax in the sun like this," Robin remarked as she handed him the drink, settling beside him. "Usually, when you do, it means you've come to some sort of realization or breakthrough. Like the time you worked with Chopper on those elixirs, or when you helped Luffy and Zoro reach new heights in their training."

Robin's observations made Bai Ye chuckle, albeit a bit self-consciously. Had his patterns become so predictable? Robin's gaze was knowing, almost playful. "Is it about Luffy this time?" she prodded gently. "Normally, you might have taken this chance to launch into another of your infamous 'scam prevention' lectures. But you haven't this time."

Bai Ye regarded Robin with a new level of appreciation. Her insight was unnerving yet invaluable. "You're quite perceptive, Robin," he admitted with a nod. "This incident did indeed make me think about my role here differently." Her intuition was almost as scary as her archaeological skills—always digging up truths, even those buried in subtle behaviors.

ai Ye, leaning back in his chair, continued the conversation with Robin, his tone open and honest. "It's mostly about what I've realized myself," he began, his voice thoughtful. "I used to wish Luffy would grow up faster, be less gullible. So, I tried to fill him up with all the knowledge and experience I thought he needed."

He paused, his expression turning wry. "And yet, he still jumped into that challenge without a second thought. It was frustrating, to say the least."

With a shrug, Bai Ye's frustration seemed to melt away, replaced by a look of clarity. "But then, I took a step back and really thought about it. I've been trying to mold Luffy into something he's not. And if I succeeded, would he still be the Luffy we know?"

He smiled then, a lightness in his demeanor that hadn't been there before. "I realized that my approach was all wrong. It's not about changing Luffy; it's about supporting him, covering the areas where he lacks."

Bai Ye's smile broadened, confident and serene. "So let the conspiracies and traps come. I'll handle them myself. Let Luffy be Luffy, and I'll take care of the rest."

Unbeknownst to Luffy, his deputy captain, Bai Ye, had made a crucial decision. Like the meaning of his name—White Night—Bai Ye aspired to be a beacon in the darkness. What Luffy couldn't or wouldn't handle, Bai Ye was ready to tackle.

While Luffy's approach to battles was to simply defeat his opponent, embodying a pure, idealistic style of combat that seemed reserved for him alone, Bai Ye appreciated this but remained grounded in realism. He understood that in the ruthless world they navigated, some foes deserved not just defeat but eradication.

The first half of the Grand Line, often seen as a pirate's paradise due to the heavy presence of the Navy, might have tolerated Luffy's merciful ways. However, the New World, their ultimate destination, was a different beast entirely—a lawless realm ruled by chaos and home to the most fearsome pirates, including the Four Emperors.

Achieving the long-vacant title of Pirate King would demand more than just idealism and bravery; it would require facing harsh realities where might often dictated right. This necessity for a tougher approach was perhaps why, in the original story, the Straw Hat Grand Fleet was formed, offering a larger force to support Luffy's dreams.

Deciding to embrace his role fully, Bai Ye chose not to alter Luffy's nature but to complement it. He would handle the darker deeds, much like Rayleigh did for Roger and Beckman for Shanks. Bai Ye moved past his initial intent as a time traveler to reshape the Straw Hats completely.

If Luffy was meant to illuminate the world with his spirit, Bai Ye was prepared to be the shadowy figure who acted decisively against evil in the moments before dawn. After all, it is often said that where there is darkness, light is most appreciated.

After Bai Ye shared his thoughts, Robin's smile deepened. She spoke softly, her voice smooth and composed: "It seems you've overlooked something important, Bai Ye." She paused for effect before continuing, "Nami, Usopp, and everyone else on this ship are part of the crew too."

Her words carried a weight of elegance: "We will support Luffy just as much as you intend to. We're all friends here, aren't we?" It was the first time Robin had used the word "friends" in such a context with Bai Ye, marking a significant moment.

Bai Ye's response was equally warm, his smile broadening. He raised his drink in a toast and took a hearty sip. However, the moment the liquid hit his taste buds, his expression twisted, and he spat it out in shock: "Bah, bah, bah! Robin, is this some kind of joke?" he gasped.

Robin's smile turned mischievous. "Indeed, it's a concoction from Sanji, but—" Her voice took on a teasing tone, "It includes a mix of bitter herbs that I know you don't like."

Bai Ye, stunned and a bit betrayed, managed only a shocked expression in response.

"I'll remember this, Robin!" he declared, half-joking, half-serious. But despite his dramatic reaction, Bai Ye was quick to let the prank slide. After all, grudges weren't his style, especially among friends.

Just then, Robin produced a newspaper she had acquired from the Foxy Pirates—the "Straw Hat Pirates Special." Bai Ye, now somewhat distracted from the earlier incident, took the paper, unfolding it with a hint of skepticism. "Is this the same 'Straw Hat Special' Foxy mentioned?" he asked, glancing around.

After a short while, the crew gathered tightly in the cabin, exchanged knowing looks. They had been poring over the newspaper intently, absorbed in reading the details about their own adventures.

Bai Ye's mouth twisted into a wry grin as he pieced together the backstory of the suspiciously detailed newspaper edition. "When Foxy mentioned this earlier, I thought it'd be a simple collection of our exploits. I never imagined someone would craft a full special edition about us."

Chopper, intrigued, flipped through the newspaper and remarked, "It's incredibly detailed, though. It even covers how you and Luffy first met, Bai Ye. It's like they were there watching the whole thing!" He read aloud, a hint of amusement in his voice, "It says here that Luffy was so impressed by you that he desperately wanted you to join the crew."

"But knowing how dignified Priest Bai Ye is," Chopper continued, "it's hard to imagine him joining so easily. So, according to this, you challenged Luffy with three questions about the state of the world's seas."

"And then," Chopper giggled slightly, "it claims Luffy's answers were so profound that you joined him immediately…"

Fire Trigram - Flowing Blaze!

Before Chopper could continue, a burst of heat engulfed the newspaper. Bai Ye, with a flick of his hand, had set the paper aflame, turning it to ashes in an instant. His face was a mix of annoyance and embarrassment as he declared, "That's utter nonsense! Pure slander!"