Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"Because of you, my Totto Land has expanded quite a bit these past few months," Big Mom's voice continued to boom from the Den Den Mushi. "I've come to admire your crew, especially that handsome one... what was his name again...?"
"Bai Ye. Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates."
A new voice cut through the tension. Bai Ye himself had arrived, having come to ensure Luffy didn't wander off and cause more trouble.
"A shame one of the Emperors of the Sea can't remember my name," Bai Ye said with a wry smile as he approached Luffy's side.
"Mamamama! So, the Priest is here as well," Big Mom laughed, her tone shifting abruptly. "What do you say, little Bai Ye? How would you like to be my son-in-law?"
The offer hung in the air, thick and heavy. "I have many wonderful daughters. Join my family! Become a part of Totto Land!"
Everyone present stared, their eyes wide with shock. The way Pekoms and Baron Tamago looked at Bai Ye changed instantly. If he were to nod, he would become a man they could never afford to cross.
Luffy's face flushed with rage. "Are you kidding me, old woman?! That's going too far! I'm gonna send you flying!"
His crew was Luffy's absolute bottom line. He wouldn't tolerate anyone trying to poach them. Before he could escalate, Bai Ye placed a calming hand on his shoulder, giving him a look that said, I've got this.
Then, Bai Ye spoke directly to the Den Den Mushi. "Family? I think you mean 'emergency food supply,' Big Mom." His voice was cool, laced with cutting mockery. "I'm too young. I have no interest in becoming a snack for some gluttonous old woman during one of her hunger pangs."
It was a sharp, brutal truth. When Big Mom's cravings hit, she lost all reason, devouring even her own children. Pekoms and Tamago stared at Bai Ye, their expressions shifting from awe to horror. This man is already dead, they thought. Not even Katakuri, her strongest son, would dare to mock her so openly.
"MAMAMAMA!" The Den Den Mushi roared with laughter again, but this time, it was brittle, laced with a chilling fury. "I could overlook the Straw Hat boy's insolence, but I never expected you to be so ungrateful."
The snail's eyes turned bloodshot, blazing with violence. "Since you're all so eager to die, I'll be happy to oblige. My new target isn't Fishman Island. It's you!"
"Don't you dare die before you reach my territory, little devils."
With that final threat, the call ended, leaving Luffy fuming that he didn't get the last word.
-----
A short time later, in the main hall of Ryugu Palace, the Straw Hat Pirates gathered with the royal family and the generals of the Wildfire Army.
"WHAT?!" Usopp shrieked, grabbing Luffy's cheeks and stretching them. "How do you do it?! You must have some kind of special 'Trouble Magnet' constitution!"
"I do not!" Luffy retorted angrily. "That old woman went too far! Trying to take Bai Ye from us? That's unforgivable!"
"Calm down, Usopp," Bai Ye said. "It's not like we weren't already going to be enemies. This just moves up the timetable."
"To say something like that to her face, though... that is truly your style, Bai Ye-kun," Jinbe said, a look of profound admiration on his face. "In that case, I will stand with you. I will not back down from this."
"Even so, we showed our hand too early!" Usopp continued to complain. It wasn't fear, but a desire for a more cautious approach.
"If they're an enemy, we just have to beat them," Zoro stated simply.
"He's right," Sanji agreed. "No matter how low-key we were, it would have ended up like this anyway."
For once, the swordsman and the cook were in perfect agreement with their captain.
Nearby, Nami had collapsed to her knees, a look of utter despair on her face. "We've already been targeted by an Emperor... This trip to the New World is going to be the death of me~" she wailed, crocodile tears streaming down her face. Merry and Chopper rushed to her side, patting her shoulders comfortingly.
Seeing her distress, King Neptune spoke up. "I never imagined our island's troubles would bring such a burden upon you all. If there is any way we can compensate you, please, do not hesitate to ask."
At the word "compensate," Nami's head shot up. "In that case," she sniffled, "could we perhaps have the treasures from the royal treasury?"
Merry and Chopper's jaws dropped. "So it was all about the treasure!" they cried in unison. "Nami tricked us again!" Robin simply chuckled, patting their small heads.
"Yohohoho! The Emperors of the New World! It makes my blood boil with excitement!" Brook declared. "Though I have no blood to boil, of course! Yohoho!"
"AWOOO!" Franky struck a pose. "The next battle will be a SUPER chance to show off the General Franky!"
The crew's two resident eccentrics were more than ready for the challenge.
"We will report this situation to the Wildfire Army headquarters immediately," Abraham announced. "I am certain the Third Commander will not miss an opportunity to engage the Big Mom Pirates."
Though he hadn't yet sent the report, Abraham knew the outcome. As a high-ranking officer, he was aware of the Spark Alliance's ambitions. With the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line now contested territories between them and the World Government, their gaze had already turned to the New World. Like the Government, however, their influence there was weak. The Straw Hat Pirates, he suspected, would be the key—the catalyst for the Wildfire Army's grand entrance onto the world's most dangerous stage.
"Then it's decided!" Luffy suddenly thrust his arm into the air, his eyes blazing with excitement. "Get ready, everyone! We're setting sail for the New World!"
A few days later, after all matters on Fishman Island were resolved, it was finally time to depart. The citizens, learning of the Straw Hats' imminent departure, gathered spontaneously at the port to bid farewell to the heroes who had saved their home once again.
"Big Bro Luffy, you have to come back and visit when your voyage is over!"
"Little Bai Ye, are you sure you won't reconsider marrying my aunt's daughter?"
"Usopp! Sanji! Brook! Don't you forget about us!"
"Doctor Chopper, thank you so much for all your help! We're so grateful!"
"Nami, are you really taking all of my dresses?!"
It seemed as though every resident of the island had come to see them off. Standing on the observation deck of the Sunshine Merry, Luffy couldn't see where the crowd ended. It was a sea of grateful faces, with only a few, notable exceptions.