That night, under the arrangement of Rika and her mother, the people of Shells Town held a grand banquet to celebrate the downfall of Captain Morgan's rule — and to honor their heroes.
When Luffy heard about it, he instantly declared, "I'll cover everything!"
Bai Ye didn't object. He'd squeezed over seven million Berries from the Alvida Pirates — funding one night of festivities was pocket change.
The Celebration
"Yo-ho-ho-ho! Yo-ho-ho-ho!"
Compared to the little party they'd had on the boat, this one was far bigger and livelier.
Luffy was in his element: chopsticks up his nose, dancing like a madman, leading the townsfolk in song.
"Bring Binks' brew, we'll sail along,
like the wind, free and strong!"
"Yo-ho-ho-ho~ Yo-ho-ho-ho~!"
Laughter, clinking cups, and music filled the air.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye had slipped away to the quieter edge of the square, where Zoro was sitting alone with a bottle.
"Don't mind Luffy too much," Bai Ye said, stopping beside him with a smile. "He's… like that. But in important moments, he's surprisingly reliable."
Zoro eyed him curiously. "You seem pretty confident in that guy."
He couldn't understand it. Someone as sharp and capable as Bai Ye — how could he choose such an airheaded captain?
Even if they were close, Bai Ye was clearly the one with the makings of a leader.
Especially after hearing from Coby how the two first met:
One fool yelling about becoming Pirate King, and another just… agreeing to join on the spot.
It sounded like something straight out of a bad serialized novel.
"Yeah," Bai Ye said softly, still smiling. "I'm confident."
His gaze wandered toward the center of the square, where Luffy was laughing, carefree under the lantern light.
"I believe in him," Bai Ye said, his voice warm. "Luffy's the one destined to change the world. He will become the Pirate King."
Zoro blinked. There was something in Bai Ye's eyes — a calm certainty, almost like he'd already seen that future.
In a way, he had.
After all… Bai Ye had watched the anime.
"Here, try this," Bai Ye said suddenly, turning his wrist. A clay wine jar appeared in his hand.
The moment he opened it, a rich aroma wafted out, heavier and purer than any local brew.
Gulp.
Zoro's Adam's apple bobbed visibly. "That smell… that's some fine stuff."
Bai Ye chuckled. "I figured. If there's one thing you love more than fighting, it's drinking."
Indeed, Zoro's reputation preceded him. Even in the original tale, the man had sniffed out sake in Wano before he'd even found his crewmates.
"Go on, taste it."
Zoro didn't need to be told twice. He tilted the jar back and drank.
"Ton-ton-ton—"
Bai Ye's eyes twitched. "Hey! That's expensive! Sip it, you damned barbarian!"
Zoro wiped his mouth and sighed in satisfaction. "Aaaah~ That hits the spot."
Then his brows furrowed slightly. "This wine… feels kind of like that pill you gave me earlier."
He wasn't wrong. A gentle warmth spread through his body, easing the last of his fatigue.
"Sharp as always," Bai Ye said approvingly, taking the empty jar back and producing another. "This is called Spirit Wine, or Water Elixir. It's technically a kind of medicine."
[Daoist Codex: Tiger-Dragon Sealed Wine]
"Sealed by Dao Qi, blessed by Spirit Grain."
It was a brewing art unique to the Zhengyi Sect of Longhu Mountain.
Each jar weighed precisely three jin and three liang — three pounds, three ounces — symbolizing the Daoist cycle of "One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and from Three, all things arise."
Brewed with spirit rice from the Codex's inner fields, the process was simple but time-rich.
Inside the inner world, time flowed faster and Qi was abundant — Bai Ye had brewed quite a lot.
The Spirit Wine wasn't as miraculous as a Nine-Grade Pill, but it could disperse fatigue, restore blood and vitality, and even slightly enhance one's physique over time.
For Zoro, it was like a stronger, purer version of a stimulant — a "spiritual coffee," if you will.
Zoro exhaled again, eyes half-lidded in bliss. "Damn, this stuff's good."
"Your target's Dracule Mihawk, right?" Bai Ye said suddenly, tone casual but deliberate.
Zoro's eyes lit up. "Yeah. He's my goal — the world's greatest swordsman. No matter what it takes, I'll surpass him!"
Bai Ye smirked. "Then forgive my bluntness… but if Mihawk actually went all out, you'd be on your knees after one strike, begging to stay alive."
Zoro's temple bulged. "You—!"
"Relax," Bai Ye said, waving him off with a chuckle. "I'm not mocking you. I'm just saying — you've been stuck in East Blue too long. You've got no idea how terrifying the true monsters of this world are."
He wasn't wrong. Zoro had incredible talent, but East Blue had kept him small.
The so-called "weakest sea" didn't produce real giants — not of the kind who'd ruled the Grand Line.
A frog that's only ever seen the sky through a well would never imagine how vast the heavens really are.
And Bai Ye was determined to make sure this frog learned to jump.
"I've been meaning to ask," Zoro said after a pause. "You seem to know a lot about the Grand Line — about Devil Fruits, about… everything. Are you from there?"
"Don't look at me like that," Bai Ye replied easily, shrugging. "I'm just a simple Daoist. Having my own sources of information isn't that strange, is it?"
Zoro: That didn't answer anything.
"Is Mihawk really that strong?" he asked at last.
"Strong enough," Bai Ye said seriously, passing him another jar.
"So strong that he blocked your best move with a dinner knife — and wasn't even trying."
Zoro stared at him. "...You're joking."
"I'm not," Bai Ye said quietly. He didn't worry about hurting Zoro's pride. He knew this man.
Even if warned, Zoro would still challenge Mihawk the moment he saw him — because that was the promise he'd made to Kuina.
Zoro fell silent, then suddenly lifted the jar and drank it down in one go.
"Ton-ton-ton—"
Bai Ye grinned. "That's more like it."
Something in Zoro's aura sharpened — a pressure, faint but real, like a blade straining against its scabbard.
"If it's easy, it's boring," Zoro said simply. "I'll reach the top — one way or another."
And at that moment, the frog decided to leap.
"I believe you, Zoro," Bai Ye said softly. "You'll get there. You definitely will."
Then—
"BAI YE! ZORO!"
A loud voice crashed through the night. Luffy barreled toward them like a cannonball, arms wide.
BOOM!!!
Zoro: "Is he stupid?!"
Bai Ye: "Damn it, you got food crumbs all over my robe!"
"Three-Sword Style—Tiger Hunt!!!"
"Golden Light Mantra—Makeover Kick!!!"
The night sky above Shells Town filled with the sound of laughter, fists, and flying idiots —
the laughter of a crew that had just begun its journey together.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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