One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

On the deck of the Sunshine Merry, Nami let out a sigh, "I never imagined I'd actually meet a mermaid. And one that was spit out by a sea beast, no less."

Camie, the mermaid in question, rubbed her head and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, I always get eaten by sea beasts. This must be almost the twentieth time!"

Following the earlier confusion, the Straw Hat Pirates got to know the mermaid and her accompanying starfish better. The mermaid introduced herself as Camie, and the talking starfish was named Pappag. It was interesting to learn that Pappag wasn't just any ordinary starfish; he was the designer and president of the popular clothing brand "Criminal Brand" from Fish-Man Island. He was also Camie's teacher and, amusingly, her pet.

Pappag's ability to speak human language came from his childhood belief that he was a human. By the time he realized he was actually a starfish, he had already mastered the language.

Brook approached Camie and Pappag and offered his signature greeting, which was met with smiles. When Camie innocently mentioned that as a mermaid she didn't need to wear anything, Brook performed his infamous nosebleed skull gag.

As for Sanji, the sight nearly caused him to faint from excessive blood loss.

Nami, hearing Camie's casual recounting of being swallowed by sea monsters, felt a stir of emotions. Her past experiences in Cocoyasi Village with the Fish-Men, particularly the Arlong Pirates, had left her with deep-seated resentments. Meeting Camie made her reconsider some of these feelings. The atrocities of the Arlong Pirates didn't represent all Fish-Men and mermaids from Fish-Man Island.

This encounter underscored a significant realization for Nami: she now had the power to shape her own destiny.

Just as Nami was beginning to let go of her past grievances, Luffy, with his usual open-hearted charm, quickly befriended Camie. Grateful for her rescue, Camie eagerly invited the crew: "To thank you for saving my life! Please be sure to come to the bar where I work and accept my hospitality."

"Although Shakky isn't too fond of large crowds, I'll ask her to make an exception this time."

"Wait a minute." Bai Ye perked up at Camie's mention of her workplace. "You just said you work in a bar, and mentioned Shakky, right?"

Camie nodded, and Bai Ye, with a knowing smile, guessed, "That would be Shakky's Rip-off Bar, wouldn't it?"

"Hey! How did you know?!!!" Camie's face mirrored her astonishment.

Luffy looked at Bai Ye in awe, "How amazing, Bai Ye!"

"Are you an idiot? Didn't your brother tell you before? That Silvers Rayleigh is at Shakky's Rip-off Bar. Have you forgotten?" Usopp chided Luffy.

"Hey! You know Uncle Rayleigh too?!!!" Camie's expression flipped to surprise again.

Indeed, Bai Ye should have been the more astonished one given the unexpected turns in Camie's life, a deviation from the original story largely influenced by his presence.

After Smoker captured all the members of the Arlong Pirates, Hatchan was locked up in Impel Down, never getting the chance to rescue Camie. Consequently, when Camie was swallowed by a sea monster, it was Rayleigh, who happened to be swimming nearby, who saved her.

Over time, Rayleigh came to Camie and Pappag's rescue from sea monsters multiple times, fostering a deep bond. In gratitude, Camie and Pappag initially tried to assist him with ship coating, but lacking the necessary skills, they eventually found other ways to repay him.

Thus, Camie ended up working at Shakky's Rip-off Bar, adding another layer to her life.

Regarding Camie's experience, Bai Ye could only comment, "Reasonable, but not entirely reasonable." Nevertheless, their primary goal on this trip was to locate Rayleigh, making it natural to follow Camie and Pappag to the bar on the island.

As they journeyed, Camie enlightened Luffy and his crew about the Sabaody Archipelago. Unlike a typical island, the Sabaody Archipelago consists of the world's largest mangrove, known as the Yarukiman Mangrove. This unique ecosystem thrives above water, its roots continually exposed to the air.

This exposure leads to a remarkable phenomenon: the roots secrete a special natural resin that, when mixed with air, forms expansive bubbles. This bubble phenomenon is integral to life on the archipelago, reminiscent of the bubble culture they saw in Skypiea. Everything from transportation, like bubble cars, to architecture, including bubble houses and even a Ferris wheel made of bubbles, relies on this unique feature.

The archipelago itself is divided into 79 numbered groves, with the first thirteen groves notorious for less savory activities like human auctions and trafficking. The crew aimed for Grove 13 but had to navigate through various other groves to get there. They chose a path through the lawless zones to avoid areas heavily patrolled by Marines, which led them into several ambushes by bounty hunters.

The bounty hunters of the Sabaody Archipelago were a cut above those the Straw Hats had faced in the East Blue. However, they proved no match for the Straw Hat Pirates, whose abilities far exceeded the hunters' expectations. After a few effortless victories, the pirates enjoyed a brief respite and finally reached the entrance to the bar without further incident.

But unknown to them, as they entered the bar, a shadowy figure quietly withdrew a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number, setting unknown events into motion.

-----

The sound of the Den Den Mushi echoed: Purururu— Purururu—

"Sir, the Straw Hat Pirates have entered a bar called Shakky's Rip-off Bar in Grove 13. They appear to have new crew members this time," reported a Marine from a warship not far from the Sabaody Archipelago.

"Understood. Stand by and report any updates immediately," came the response.

"Yes, sir!"

On the prow of the Marine warship, adorned with an emblem of a dog's head biting a bone, Bogard put away the Den Den Mushi and made his way to a door. He knocked gently.

"Vice Admiral Garp."

After a brief pause, Bogard pushed the door open and found Vice Admiral Garp fast asleep, snugly hugging a doughnut.

"Vice Admiral Garp, Coby ate all your senbei," Bogard announced with a calm demeanor.

"HUH?!!! How dare that brat eat my senbei?!!!" Garp jolted awake instantly, his eyes wide open in shock.

Upon seeing Bogard, Garp burst into hearty laughter, not the least bit embarrassed by his abrupt awakening.

"Vice Admiral Garp, we have located the Straw Hat Pirates," Bogard informed him.

"Yeah," Garp replied, a broad grin showcasing his large white teeth. "Then let's go take a look. Let's see how my good-for-nothing grandson is doing."