One Piece: Bai Ye Deputy Captain of the Straw Hats

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound of Zoro sheathing his sword echoed through the air. He nodded approvingly, "The speed and strength are pretty impressive."

"Thank you!" came the chirpy response from several small mechanical voices.

Sanji, standing nearby, nodded thoughtfully before shifting the topic. "These robots almost seem like they're part of an army. They even used some kind of combined attack formation just now, similar to what Bai Ye taught us. It's the kind where the sum is greater than the parts."

"But you might have gone a bit too far, mosshead. What if you had damaged them?"

Zoro glanced at him, slightly annoyed. "Are you trying to rile me up, you perverted cook?!"

Sanji shot back, his tone sharp, "You're the one who jumped into the fray, you battle-crazy swordsman!"

Moments earlier, Franky had gathered everyone to explain the robots' origins. "These robots are older models compared to those made by Dr. Tsukimi. They possess a basic level of artificial intelligence but lack distinct personalities like the newer models. However, they can follow simple commands effectively."

He added, "Interestingly, these robots were mass-produced as guards and possess certain combat capabilities. They seem programmed to recognize and follow the lead of whoever activates them."

In essence, the Straw Hat Pirates had inadvertently acquired an army of a thousand robots.

As for Zoro's skirmish with the robots, it was driven by his typical urge to test their power. Franky's assessment proved accurate. While the newer robots crafted by Dr. Tsukimi boasted higher intelligence, they weren't particularly strong. However, these older models, though less sophisticated, were formidable fighters.

With just a team of six, they could hold their ground against a swordsman of Zoro's caliber, demonstrating impressive tactical coordination in the process.

On the side, Bai Ye smiled, recognizing a significant advantage they had just gained. "This addresses a major weakness of the Straw Hat Pirates," he noted.

For Bai Ye, the allure of the moon was less about the adventure and more about the ancient city firsthand. His changes to the One Piece plot made it uncertain whether they would encounter the same space pirates or Dr. Tsukimi's robots that Enel did in the original story.

His interest lay in the robots before him. The Straw Hat Pirates, while not a traditional pirate crew, resemble more of an adventurous team. Yet, as they move forward, they are destined to face formidable foes and powerful entities.

From what Bai Ye could see, the top-tier combat strength of the Straw Hat Pirates wasn't fully developed yet, but they were no longer at a disadvantage against a vice admiral. The crew also had robust mid-level combatants like Nami and Franky, who are crucial in battle, and others like Robin and Usopp, who support in smaller skirmishes.

However, their capabilities in large-scale battles, like the war at Marineford, were a different story. Such battles often involve legions of soldiers, including many mid-level elites and even more low-level fighters—areas where the Straw Hats lacked.

Now, with these robots, Bai Ye saw an opportunity to bolster their ranks, potentially turning their previous vulnerabilities into new strengths.

The Straw Hat Pirates have long faced a glaring weakness: a lack of basic combat power to fill the ranks during large-scale battles. This shortfall was evident during the clash at Enies Lobby, where a significant force from the CP agencies alone was enough to challenge Franky. Even standard navy troops could tie down part of the crew's fighting capacity, leaving heavy hitters like Luffy and Bai Ye mired in constant combat.

During the Marineford battle, the Whitebeard Pirates stood as allies to the Straw Hats, but in the New World, the circumstances shift dramatically. There, the Straw Hats must be ready to take on the Four Emperors by themselves or withstand overwhelming odds against the combined forces of the World Government and the Navy.

Interestingly, this is why Oda later introduces a large fleet under Luffy's command in the original storyline—it's a strategic move to bolster their military strength.

In this light, the robots Bai Ye focused on could serve as a strategic reserve. While their primary function might seem modest, they hold the potential to turn the tides unexpectedly in major confrontations, providing much-needed support and augmenting the Straw Hats' capability to manage larger, more intense battle scenarios.

While Bai Ye pondered the future, Luffy was already diving into action with his usual gusto. "Hahaha, then! Let's have a banquet!!!" he declared. It was a typical Luffy move, full of spontaneous fun. Surprisingly, the surrounding robots immediately sprang into action at Luffy's command, revealing that their programming indeed included something akin to a "banquet" mode.

Quickly, the robots guided everyone into a large hall. They bustled around, fetching various items, and transformed the space into a luxurious banquet hall complete with designated areas for self-service, cooking, drinks, and even a barbecue. The only thing missing was the food itself, which wasn't an issue for long. Bai Ye produced the necessary ingredients, and the robots efficiently began to prepare simple dishes.

Seeing the robots take over his domain, Sanji couldn't stay seated. "Hey! This kind of job should be mine, you idiotic robots!" he protested, showcasing a special snack he'd made for Nami and Robin. "What!!! You learned it so quickly?!!!" he exclaimed in frustration as the robots mimicked his cooking style.

Usopp and others had to restrain Sanji from disrupting the robots further. "Hey, hey, hey Sanji, calm down!!! Chopper, Merry, come and help!!!" he pleaded. Despite the commotion, the banquet soon kicked off, attended by the Straw Hat crew, the four robots from Dr. Tsukimi, and nearly a thousand other robots, creating a lively atmosphere.

To Bai Ye's astonishment, these robots even possessed a sort of digestive system, allowing them to partake in the festivities. Zoro found himself in a drinking contest with several robots, adding to the evening's entertainment.

Amidst the celebration, Robin posed a thoughtful question to Bai Ye. She had been observing the robots manage the banquet with surprising familiarity. "They've been dormant here for hundreds of years, yet they handle a blue sea banquet with such ease," she noted. "Could it be that the banquet traditions unique to blue sea pirates originated from these moon dwellers who once voyaged through space?"

"So?" Bai Ye prompted.

Robin speculated further, "Could it be that when they traveled to the blue sea, these space navigators brought with them this party tradition—teaching it to those early sailors eager to conquer the seas?"

P.S New chapters - January