Taoist priest, who is so popular in One Piece

Kin'emon's feeling was not wrong, Bai Ye really didn't care about them.

Because even in the original work, the people on Kin'emon's side did not play any decisive role until the end, let alone now, including the Nine Red Scabbards.

Not only Byakuya, the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates don't care either.

Just as Bai Ye thought, the situation in the original work where Luffy and others, contrary to their usual behavior, listened very carefully to Kin'emon's story of Kozuki Oden and cried bitterly for it did not happen.

Or rather, based on the personalities of Luffy and the others, this is how it should be.

At least now Bai Ye can be sure that the battle between Luffy and others in Wano Country has nothing to do with the Kozuki clan.

So in response to Kin'emon's slightly reserved question, Bai Ye did not hide anything: "Why do you think we care?"

"Ah... this..." Kin'emon rubbed his hands and tried to choose his words: "As the allies who know the situation in Wano Country best, we should be able to provide considerable help."

"ally?"

Bai Ye smiled, a smile without any sarcasm: "You may have misunderstood. The Straw Hat Pirates and you, the Nine Red Scabbards, have never been allies. From the beginning, you just forced your way in. Even without you, our plan would not have any problems at all."

Bai Ye, who didn't want to say too much, suddenly thought of something and spoke further:

"So-called allies are people who have the same goals and objectives. Law is our ally, but you are not, at least not yet. To be honest, the two captains of the Whitebeard Pirates that you recruited can be considered your allies."

"Mr. Bai Ye."

Kin'emon stopped Bai Ye who wanted to leave. He didn't understand why the man in front of him had such an inexplicable rejection of him and others, but he could still hear Bai Ye's disdain for him and others, as well as the feeling of being eager to distance himself from them:

"Even if your goal is to protect the historical text, after seeing the miserable state of Wano Country today, are you still unwilling to fight to save the country?"

"Save those who have lost their freedom and are in pain! Isn't this what you have always done?!"

"This country has been waiting angrily for more than ten years for Lord Oden's prophecy to save the people of Wano Country!"

"Now, the warriors in this country who are still willing to take up their swords are ready to follow you even at the cost of their own lives!"

"What on earth are you rejecting!!! Why are you unwilling to help us!!!"

When Kin'emon said this, his eyes had turned red and he couldn't stop crying.

He grabbed Bai Ye's clothes and roared in a half-questioning and half-painful tone:

"Just because we beg for your strength and ask for your help, does that mean we are weak in your heart and unworthy of being saved?!!"

"I don't understand why! Tell me the answer! Tell me the reason! You bastard!!!"

"Are this country and the people who are suffering really worthless in your eyes?!!"

Rather than questioning Bai Ye, Kin'emon was more venting his own powerlessness.

Hope was right before his eyes, but he felt powerless to grasp it.

If the Straw Hat Pirates were the same assholes as the Beasts Pirates, Kin'emon wouldn't have any expectations.

But these people are the kind of people who can give people some hope, and the strong contrast makes Kin'emon even more painful.

The next second, he saw Bai Ye raised his hand.

With a bang, Kin'emon was punched in the face by Baiye and fell to the ground.

The punch was not very powerful, so Kin'emon immediately got up. Just as he was about to rush forward, Bai Ye spoke:

"Nice speech, it seems you are not that stupid, but unfortunately, your partner may not think so."

Just this one sentence made Kin'emon stunned.

Bai Ye straightened his wrinkled Taoist robe and passed by Kin'emon.

He patted Kin'emon's shoulder and left a message:

"Then think about it carefully. When you really understand what I just said, you will know the answer."

Kin'emon didn't move at all. He just watched Bai Ye leave with his eyes lowered, not knowing what he was thinking.

-

In the wasteland outside the Flower City.

"Hey, old man, could you please shut up?"

Zoro looked at the man beside him helplessly: "After all, why did you follow me?"

The man was not tall, and looked no different from an ordinary weathered uncle. He had a blue bun on the back of his head, a white turban with purple spots on his head, and wore tattered clothes that had obviously been patched many times.

"Ah, because you are obviously not an ordinary person. If I follow you, I may not have to worry about food and clothing."

The man walked beside Zoro, humming an unknown tune and dancing around as he said, "I didn't expect you would tell me to shut up, Master. That's very considerate of you."

"Thank you so much for caring about my throat so casually. A woman would be fascinated by a man like you."

It seemed like he had no idea what sadness was, and the man's face was always filled with a bright smile.

Such an expression inevitably reminded Zoro of Luffy, the idiot, who was also grinning all the time.

"The master is probably not from Wano Country. We can tell from the clothes he's wearing. Could he be someone who came from outside the sea? He's really amazing."

The man seemed to be very talkative. Even if Zoro didn't say anything, he could still talk endlessly.

Perhaps because he did not feel any threat from the man, or perhaps because he wanted to make the man shut up, Zoro spoke:

"I came here with my partner."

"Oh? Where is the master's partner?"

"I don't know. There were a few people following me, but they must have gotten lost before."

"Is that so? It must be very distressing for the master to have such a companion."

"Ah."

As they chatted casually, Zoro also learned the man's name - Tono Yasushi.

He lives in a small town not far away. Usually, Tono Yasushi does odd jobs to earn money and lives a poor life.

"I see you are living a very happy life. Are you an optimistic person?" asked Zoro.

He felt something was wrong. Even an idiot like Luffy wouldn't laugh all the time like Tono Yasushi.

"Oh, did the master notice it too?" Tono Yasushi laughed and moved closer to Zoro, wanting him to see his smile clearly: "In this country, this kind of smile is called the [Ebisu] face, so the town where I live is also called Ebisu Town."

"But you, sir, look so solemn again."

Tono Yasushi stretched out his hands and used his fingers to pull the corners of Zoro's mouth upwards: "Master, you should smile more too."

"If you don't smile more, your good fortune will slip away~"

"Everyone in this town laughs like this. We won't be defeated by mere poverty."

"Even if you cry, you're still poor, so you'll be at a loss if you don't smile."