In an instant, a visible shockwave of qi rolled across the deck.
Alvida was blasted back faster than before, slammed into several gawking pirates — the poor fellows flattened like pancakes where she landed. Even with the golden light in front of him, Luffy was shoved back a few steps by the force. He clutched his straw hat and looked up.
When the smoke cleared, a figure wrapped in dazzling golden radiance stood before them: Bai Ye.
Excitement pulsed through him. He'd successfully converted his internal force into Innate Qi and, to his surprise, had learned the Longhu sect's Golden Light Mantra. Though his Innate Qi was still small, he'd formally entered the realm of qi cultivators. The Golden Light Mantra was still at a basic level — enough to cast outward golden light as a simple protective field. Later, as his cultivation deepened, he'd be able to shape the light with intent and use it offensively.
For such a short span, Bai Ye was very pleased with his gains.
He stood relaxed, looking down at the recovering Alvida with a small smile. "How could you let anyone touch my captain so easily?"
Oh man — the edgelord soul in him wanted to scream; his chuunibyou pride was very much awake.
"Woah!!!" Luffy bounced over, stars in his eyes. "Sugoi, Bai Ye! You're glowing! Did you eat a Devil Fruit and become a golden man too?"
"Devil Fruit?" Bai Ye twitched a smile. "No Devil Fruit — I told you, I'm a Taoist!!!"
"Oooooh, a Taoist?" Luffy's hand slammed his right fist into his left palm. "So that's an amazing profession, right?"
Bai Ye doubted Luffy really understood "Taoist" at all.
Koby, listening to the back-and-forth, couldn't help himself. "Is that the legendary sea treasure? A Devil Fruit? Do they really exist?"
Devil Fruits — the strange treasures of the sea that grant powers at the cost of swimming. For people who sail, they're both coveted and cursed.
"Yep!" Luffy stretched an arm and wiggled it in front of Koby. "I ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi — I'm a rubber man!"
Bai Ye eyed him, thinking: You didn't eat the Rubber Fruit, you ate an ancient top-tier mythical fruit. But he wasn't going to say it — there was no point spoiling Luffy's journey or forcing awakenings.
Back to Alvida: she'd spiraled into blind fury. "You filthy brats — all of you must die!!!" She charged like an enraged rolling boulder, bearing down on Bai Ye with the wolf-tooth mace.
Her charge had terrifying momentum, but Bai Ye only smiled a little. Facing an attacker who relied on brute force — crushing blows with no technique — made Bai Ye almost amused. He simply shifted a foot, and the massive mace scraped past him to smash into the deck.
Alvida roared. She heaved the mace up and came at him full force again. "You little—!"
With each heavy swing she tried to land, Bai Ye floated like a breeze, elegantly avoiding, making her strikes land in the air. Her face flushed crimson with humiliation. "Enough of dancing around! Stop evading and face me like a real fight!"
Alvida's breath came ragged. Bai Ye, watching her steam like a kettle about to explode, raised his hand slightly; the golden light around him surged.
Whoosh!
To everyone's eyes, Bai Ye nearly vanished from his spot.
"Where'd the brat go?" Alvida swung her mace wildly, scanning. Before she could turn, Bai Ye was already behind her.
BAM!!!
A golden-infused fist smashed into the back of Alvida's skull. For a moment she heard a ringing sound and her eyes rolled white; the world tilted. She crumpled and collapsed on the deck.
"That's that." Bai Ye clapped casually, showing no signs of exertion — if anything, he looked like he'd enjoyed it.
He glanced at the remaining pirate crew and smirked. "They're just newbie mobs from a starter village, but I just leveled up and needed to stomp some noobs — feels good."
With that, Bai Ye channeled his Golden Light and spun his qi through his body, then charged into the remaining pirates.
Screams and shouts rose up:
"Tai Chi Fist!"
"Ah!!!"
"Eighteen Falling Clothes!"
"Ah!!!"
"Great Smash Tablet Hand!"
"Ah!!!"
"Bagua Roaming Palm!"
"Ah!!!"
...
Koby watched in slack-jawed amazement. Luffy casually grinned and chuckled. "Bai Ye's strong. Didn't expect to find someone this powerful so soon."
He clapped his hat and his gaze flickered with something like determination. "I'll definitely become the Pirate King!"
—
As the sun sank closer to the horizon, the ship was full of cheer.
"Yo-shi! Let's throw a party!!!" Luffy cheered, and Bai Ye finally stopped.
Soon a bonfire was lit on the deck; foods and drinks were spread out. Luffy, Bai Ye, and a still-stunned Koby sat down and celebrated. The captured pirates had been bound and locked up by Koby to keep them from ruining the festivities.
Luffy even put on a little show — comically sticking chopsticks in his nose — making Koby laugh out loud.
Bai Ye picked up a banana from the table, peeled it languidly, and took a bite. He had to admit — the fruit in this world was surprisingly good.
"So what next?" Bai Ye asked between bites.
"Hmm~ next, we need more mighty crewmates. We must have a cook, a navigator, and, most importantly!" Luffy hammered his palm, eyes shining, "a musician!"
Bai Ye almost laughed. Luffy's obsession with a musician was something else. Brook was still wandering near the Florian Triangle, so recruiting him would take time.
Koby couldn't help interrupting. "If Mr. Luffy needs a strong crewmate, I might know someone."
"Really, Koby? Who?" Luffy asked, eyes alight.
"A very powerful bounty hunter — Roronoa Zoro."
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