One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

In the original story, the way the Straw Hat Pirates dealt with Perona's negative ghosts was quite intriguing, thanks to none other than our "God" Usopp. This gave rise to the saying: in good times, you count on Luffy; in tough times, Zoro; but in desperate times, you turn to Usopp.

When Perona rendered the Straw Hat Pirates' strongest fighters helpless with her ghosts, Usopp's naturally pessimistic attitude uniquely countered her negative spirits, leading to a stunning turnaround.

This time around, Usopp isn't here, but Bai Ye is, and he brings a more substantial presence to the fray.

At that moment, Bai Ye's expression carried a touch of mockery: "Have you always been so bold, using tactics like this against a Priest?"

Bai Ye, familiar with the original story, knew that though he was facing just a ghost, Perona could still observe and listen through it. This time Perona had only sent out one ghost.

In this world, there's no such thing as Daoism, so no one truly understands what powers he possesses. But a Daoist priest is essentially an expert in handling ghosts.

As he watched the ghost continue to struggle, Bai Ye calmly stated, "Don't bother trying to escape. You're not getting away from me."

n a room within the castle, far removed from Bai Ye's current location, the ambiance contrasted sharply with the gloom of the surrounding architecture. Perona sat on a large bed, her expression one of indignation and irritation.

"This guy! What does his title even mean?!" she fumed, her anger directed at the pillow she was now aggressively squeezing.

This reaction was somewhat childish, a trait that Moria had always indulgently allowed in her. Unbeknownst to Bai Ye, Perona was now furiously branding him as a nefarious character in her mind.

Bai Ye, unaware of Perona's simmering resentment, casually remarked, "Forget it. For Zoro's sake, I won't let you suffer too much."

With a swift flick of his wrist, he produced a talisman, which he smilingly affixed to the forehead of the struggling ghost in front of him. A soft blue glow emerged, seeping into the ghost's form.

Releasing his grip, Bai Ye watched as the ghost swiftly returned to the castle.

Back in her room, Perona's frustration peaked just as the enchanted ghost reappeared, crashing into her: "What has he done to my ghost?"

As the ghost merged with her, a wave of drowsiness overwhelmed Perona. "Why am I so sleepy all of a sudden...I can't keep my eyes open..."

Her protests faded to murmurs as she slumped back onto her bed, soon succumbing to a deep sleep, evidenced by her steady, peaceful breathing.

Squeak— Shortly after Perona drifted into sleep, the door to her room creaked open. A figure with blond hair quietly entered, approaching the bed where she lay.

"Is this how it's resolved? I was actually thinking about stepping in to help earlier," the figure mused quietly, looking down at the sleeping Perona. "It's just as the captain said, he really is a remarkable person."

The figure paused, considering their next steps. "Well, I suppose it's best to leave her to Mr. Bartholomew Kuma for now."

Reflecting on the available intelligence, the figure added with a hint of resignation, "It seems tricky to deal with. I don't want to think about it anymore. I'll let Mr. Bartholomew Kuma handle the arrangements."

With those final thoughts, the room suddenly emptied. The two figures, including Perona, vanished without a trace.

Unbeknownst to Bai Ye, who viewed this mission as a minor task, an entirely unexpected visitor had made their appearance on the scene.

As Bai Ye meandered through the island, he took in the chilling sights of the horror-themed ship. Eerie dead trees, fluttering bats, and tombstones dotted the landscape, setting a grim scene that was almost artistic in its dread.

He was aware of the type of foes lurking on the island but chose not to engage. "Let Luffy and the others have their fun," he mused, deciding a leisurely stroll was in order. "By the time I'm done exploring, they'll probably have finished their battles."

His slow pace allowed him to absorb the haunting atmosphere fully. But what he stumbled upon next halted him in his tracks—a tea party, right in the middle of all this macabre setting!

Luffy, ever the source of unexpected joy, waved him over enthusiastically. "Hey, Bai Ye, over here!" he called out. "Join us for tea? These folks are a blast, hahaha!"

Bai Ye rubbed his forehead, a gesture of mild exasperation mixed with amusement. Luffy, true to his nature, had found a way to turn even a ghostly island into a playground.

Sitting amid a spooky graveyard, Luffy was surrounded by an odd company. He was casually chatting and laughing as if they were at a quaint café, not a haunted cemetery.

"So," Bai Ye asked, eyeing the zombie who seemed almost tearful next to him, "you followed him because he threatened to roast and eat a three-headed dog?"

Bai Ye couldn't help but marvel at Luffy's ability to turn any situation into a spectacle. While Sanji, Brook, and he dealt with formidable foes, and Zoro navigated an endless maze, Luffy had managed to befriend the local monstrosities.

Upon landing, Luffy first tried to tame a ferocious three-headed dog by planning a barbecue, of all things. When that failed, he simply carried the beast along in search of Sanji.

His next encounter was in a cemetery with zombies, where he mistook an emerging zombie for a wounded elder and invited him to a feast.

Dragging along the three-headed dog and a parade of zombies, Luffy then stumbled upon a tree man and a unicorn enjoying a quiet tea. Without missing a beat, he joined them, creating the surreal tea party Bai Ye now observed.

Luffy's antics never ceased to amaze Bai Ye, who shook his head with a smile.

As Luffy's laughter echoed through the eerie landscape, he remarked with glee, "Hahaha, right, Bai Ye, these old grandpas are really friendly!"

Bai Ye, unable to contain his exasperation, corrected him: "What grandpas? This fellow is clearly a zombie!" He then added, "And you—so caught up in the fun that you've forgotten our real mission here."

Luffy's face lit up with realization. "That's right! I need to defeat that Moria guy and help Brook get his shadow back!" he exclaimed.

Bai Ye shook his head, mildly amused and somewhat impressed. "It's amazing that you still remember that," he muttered.

With a casual wave of his hand, Bai Ye sent the surrounding crowd of zombie monsters scattering, as if granting them a reprieve.

Just then, another figure emerged from the dense forest nearby. Observing the new arrival, Luffy declared, "Ah, another severely injured old man."

"I've already told you, it's a zombie," Bai Ye responded automatically, without turning to look.

However, this time the figure spoke up, correcting them: "No, I am the seriously injured old grandfather."

Bai Ye paused, clearing his throat awkwardly.

Soon, a crowd had gathered around Bai Ye and Luffy. Taking a moment, Bai Ye recalled the identities of this unusual group.