Chapter 181: Chapter 181 Bai Ye's Involvement
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Foxy and his crew, well-versed in Davy Back Fights, sprang into action as soon as the Straw Hats accepted their challenge. In no time at all, with efficiency that left Bai Ye impressed, they transformed the entire island into a sprawling arena complete with food stalls dotted around the perimeter.
Luffy, ever the enthusiast for both adventure and food, made his way to one of the stalls. He greeted the vendor with his usual gusto, "Hey there! Can I get a bowl of noodles? And throw in some extra meat, please!"
Usopp, ever the pragmatist, couldn't hide his irritation. "Luffy, seriously? We're not here on holiday!" he groaned, but Luffy seemed unfazed by the reprimand.
Nearby, Tonjit and his loyal horse Shelly were also placing an order. "Could we have two portions, please? We're feeling quite peckish," Tonjit requested politely.
Usopp, already frazzled, snapped at them, his voice tinged with exasperation, "We're about to compete for you, and you're here snacking? Show a little dignity, will you?!" The tension was palpable, but the mood remained oddly festive, underscored by the surreal setting of their upcoming challenge.
As the construction of the venue reached completion, the anticipation for the Davy Back Fight built to a climax. The stage, boldly emblazoned with "Davy Back Fight," became the center of attention as Foxy and a noodle-slurping Luffy positioned themselves at its heart. The most charming members of the Foxy Pirates took on the role of hosts, their voices booming across the crowd, ratcheting up the excitement.
"Now, let me lay down the RULES!" one of the hosts announced, her voice cutting through the noise of the gathered crowd. "First: Any crew members or flags lost during the Davy Back Fight must be won back in the same manner; otherwise, they will not be recognized!" The audience listened intently as she continued, "Second: Those selected by the victor must swear immediate allegiance to the victor's crew!" The excitement in her voice grew as she introduced the third rule, "And third: A captured flag must never be flown again!"
The host, blindfolded yet striking in appearance, maintained her smile as she laid down the final stipulation, "Any who fail to honor these terms will be deemed dishonorable pirates and confined to Davy Jones' locker!!" She then prompted, "Now, may both parties swear to uphold these rules!"
Foxy struck a pose he believed to be quite charismatic and declared confidently, "I swear!"
Luffy, still working through his bowl of noodles, managed to proclaim earnestly, "I swear!"
The Foxy Pirates erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm palpable: "Yes, Yes!"
The competition was set to unfold in a best-of-three format, involving three distinctive games: the Donut Race, Groggy Ring, and finally, a Duel. The simplicity of these contests belied the intensity and strategic maneuvering they would demand from the competitors.
Foxy, having descended from the stage, wore a mischievous grin that seemed particularly sinister. His eyes were fixed on the Straw Hat crew, clearly considering their capabilities. "Hey hey, these folks have some real talent," he mused, admiringly ticking off their attributes. "Whether it's the captain and deputy captain, both with bounties surpassing 100 million, or the swordsman, chef, sniper, and navigator—even the two youngsters—they all have a certain appeal."
Caught up in his scheming, Foxy began to calculate how many rounds of the coin game it would take to win over each member he desired. His anticipation brought out a chuckle, "Giegiegie," which echoed eerily in the air.
Suddenly, from behind him, a voice cut through the laughter: "Please, stop it. It's unbearable to listen to." Foxy spun around, his smile faltering into nervousness upon seeing who spoke. "Bai Ye! What do you want to do?" he stammered.
Bai Ye, leisurely scratching an itch with his golden sword, flashed a disarmingly kind smile. "Don't worry, I just have a question," he assured, his tone light. "Your game only has those three rules, right?"
Foxy, caught off guard, responded almost instinctively, "What do you mean?"
Allowing the tip of his sword to rest gently against Foxy's neck, Bai Ye clarified his inquiry with a hint of menace in his calm voice, "Can I take it that, as long as the basic rules are adhered to, any means used within the game is fair?"
Under the cold touch of the sword, Foxy swallowed hard, a realization dawning on him that perhaps he had underestimated the situation...
In the original story, despite the Straw Hats' far superior strength compared to Foxy's crew, they faced significant challenges. Foxy's team openly caused trouble, leading to substantial difficulties and even the temporary loss of a crew member for the Straw Hats. Bai Ye found this part of the tale particularly unsatisfactory.
Luffy's impulsive nature often led the crew into reckless situations, occasionally harming his friends. His disregard for the opponent's scheming, focusing solely on defeating them, sometimes overlooked deeper strategies. History has shown that mere strength isn't enough for smooth sailing. The fall of the great ancient kingdom, the collapse of the Rocks Pirates, and the betrayal and assassination of Whitebeard by his own son are all testaments to this reality.
Bai Ye had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that Luffy's approach didn't always make him a qualified captain. The challenges ahead were bound to pit the Straw Hats against the world's most formidable forces. Continuing on with Luffy's carefree tactics could lead to more unfortunate outcomes.
Over the months of their journey, Bai Ye had come to accept his role as the deputy captain of the Straw Hats. He started contemplating more deeply about his contributions to the crew and his role within the group. The unfolding events of the Davy Back Fight with Foxy made it clear to him. This situation was a turning point, helping Bai Ye solidify his understanding of his responsibilities and his strategic approach to supporting the crew, ensuring they were better prepared for future threats and complexities.
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Foxy was kneeling on the ground, completely overwhelmed by defeat. The despair was palpable, and even the more emotional members of his crew shed tears, crying out in disbelief, "How...how is this possible?!"
In the best-of-three Davy Back Fight, the Straw Hats had secured a decisive victory in the first two games, leaving no need for a third round. This, unfortunately, left Luffy feeling a bit let down since he was geared up to compete in the Duel round. His disappointment was quickly squelched by Nami's firm hand.
Feeling somewhat slighted, Luffy channeled his frustration into a voracious feast, claiming all of Foxy's food stalls as one of his victor's privileges. He then proceeded to eat voraciously in front of the defeated crew, much to their dismay.
For his second choice, following the tradition of the game, Luffy claimed the opponent's pirate flag. True to form, Luffy then designed a new pirate flag for Foxy's crew—a creation that was distinctly "artistic" and undeniably reflective of the Straw Hats' unique flair!
As Foxy vented his frustration, Bai Ye, who sat relaxedly next to him, questioned with a raised eyebrow, "Why is it impossible?"
Foxy, clearly agitated, shot back, "I've analyzed the Straw Hat Pirates thoroughly, and I was certain, you guys..." His voice trailed off as frustration clouded his expression. "You're just a bunch of passionate fools always yelling about freedom!" he exclaimed. "You were supposed to panic and fall prey to my traps, then become my loyal subordinates!"
His anger peaked as he pointed accusingly at Bai Ye. "But you, you bastard! How did you so easily navigate through every trap we set? And you... you're even more ruthless than us!" Foxy's face was a mix of rage and disbelief as he shouted, "Who in the world are you?!"
But before he could finish his tirade, his voice choked off. Bai Ye's hand had transformed into a golden palm that now gripped Foxy's throat tightly.
"Swindler, your arrogance knows no bounds," Bai Ye said coolly, his grip unyielding.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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