I'm in One Piece, and I'm Luffy's childhood friend.

(Brother Bai Yun, can you put the gun down now?)

Chapter 561 This is Growth

Bai Yun and Ace were about to leave and return to their bodies and souls, which had been imprisoned in Impel Down.

Currently, only Robin, Zoro, and Usopp know Bai Yun and Ace's true purpose, including the fact that Ace's soul is currently inside Bai Yun's body.

Bai Yun also tricked Luffy by creating a curse on Xiao Bai's "family," telling him that he and "Xiao Bai" needed to leave for a while.

Robin and Zoro, who knew the truth and were present, remained silent.

Luffy was still worried about whether Bai Yun and his crew had a ship, which made Bai Yun and Ace, his two older brothers, feel... ashamed...

But! Not telling Luffy is also for Luffy's own good!

........

"Good Samaritan?"

Luffy was worried that Bai Yun and his crew wouldn't have a boat to reach the "Center of the Earth," but Bai Yun told Luffy that a kind person was willing to give them a ride.

"Yes."

This kind person was naturally Kama, who brought Ace to Water 7. Although Baiyun asked him to stay, he did stay but took the opportunity to run away. Baiyun couldn't be sure, but at least it reassured Luffy that he didn't have to worry.

"We just encountered a merchant ship on the coast. Their route happens to pass by the island where the Earth Core Spring is located, and they were willing to give us a ride."

"He is a kind person."

Bai Yun returned home.

"Is that so? That's great."

"Our new ship needs to be built. Frankie said it will take another five days. It would be best if you could get back within five days."

Luffy returned the favor with a gleam of white teeth.

"Yes, that's the best..."

Bai Yun nodded. If only there were five days, that would be great. Unfortunately, he remembered that with the five of them working day and night, the Thousand Sunny was completed in just three days.

He and Ace traveled to Impel Down and back, a distance that would take more than three days; the ocean is not that small.

"Then let's go."

Bai Yun said.

When these words were spoken, everyone felt a pang in their hearts. It would be a lie to say they were reluctant to part with them; their partner was also like family.

Robin and Zoro, in particular, knew how dangerous Bai Yun's journey was.

"White Luck..."

"Oh, there's one more thing."

Everyone had gotten into the mood, but Bai Yunlai's comment made everyone drop their chairs.

"Anything else?"

Nami asked.

"It's about Usopp."

Bai Yun returned home.

When Usopp was mentioned, everyone fell silent again. After Usopp left, he was rarely mentioned.

Luffy, Chopper: Sniper King isn't Usopp.

"He's coming back."

"Sanji, you probably heard it too, he's practicing on the shore, right?"

Bai Yun looked at Sanji, and everyone followed.

Sanji, with a cigarette between his fingers, said, "Yeah, when I went fishing, I heard him practicing on the shore. Then Bai Yun also came to the shore and chatted with Usopp."

"Really?! Let's go pick him up right away!"

"Oh!!"

Luffy and Chopper were very excited.

Nami knew without even guessing, "He really cares about his image."

"Great! Usopp is coming back!!"

Luffy got up and wanted to run to find Usopp.

Zoro spoke up, "Stop!!"

"Wait, Luffy."

Bai Yun also grabbed Luffy's hand at the same time, but with his arm stretched out, Luffy still ran to the door. However, when he heard Zoro and Bai Yun's words, he stopped and turned around.

Everyone, just like Luffy, was puzzled and looked at Bai Yun and Zoro.

Zoro looked at Bai Yun.

Bai Yun looked at Zoro.

After realizing that Bai Yun shared the same idea as him, Zoro looked at Luffy.

"Who dares to pick him up! I will never allow it."

Even if it's a misunderstanding, I won't back down! Luffy!

"Unless he takes the initiative to admit his mistake, he cannot be forgiven!"

"Zoron!!"

How can you be so heartless?!

Accusations from Chopper and Nami.

"Shut up!!"

"Regardless of the initial reason for Luffy and Usopp's argument, and regardless of who was right..."

"Once a man decides to duel, victory or defeat determines everything."

"He lost and left the team on his own initiative."

"You all need to understand, no matter how stupid this guy is, he's still the captain."

Zoro grabbed Luffy's cheek.

"A person who cannot support the captain in critical moments is better off without."

"If the captain loses his authority, the team will inevitably collapse!"

"Zoron is right."

Bai Yun caught the breath left by Zoro.

"Partnership is certainly important."

"But this is a major event, leaving the pirate crew."

"Even if we have a good relationship with Usopp, we can't take the initiative to go to Usopp and ask him to come back."

"This is the rule. The captain is not just a leader; the captain is the core that unites the entire pirate crew!"

"Since it was Usopp's own decision, whether it was impulsive or not, he must take responsibility for his actions."

"This is growth."

“This matter cannot be simply let go, which is why I brought it up specifically.”

Zoro nodded in agreement with Bai Yun's words; it was really good to have someone in the team who shared his thoughts.

"As Bai Yun said, the captain is the core that unites the entire team."

"If the person above me makes a wrong decision, I'll leave next time too!"

"This matter concerning Usopp must be resolved cleanly and decisively. I will never allow any attempt to smooth things over!"

"If that doesn't work... then let's leave Usopp on this island."

Nami and Chopper both felt that these words were too much, and Luffy was also stunned as he processed what Bai Yun and Zoro had said.

"Why?!!"

Nami said.

"Don't get agitated, Zoro, he did do something wrong!"

"But we have to wait for him to come back, and then we'll say whatever we need to say..."

Nami was speaking when Zoro drew his sword and plunged it into the floor.

"Is it really that easy to break away from your companions?!"

Nami was startled. "No...but..."

Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke. "Nami-san... I'm sorry, but this time, I think Bai Yun and this kid are right."

Zoro continued.

"If he acts so capriciously, leaving and returning as he pleases, how can we trust him in the future!"

Bai Yun sighed, "It's simple to come back, but all I need is an apology from Usopp."

“He said those things because of Merry. He wasn’t wrong, because he loved Merry. But he was also wrong, because Merry was a partner, and so were we. As a crew member, he shouldn’t have distrusted the captain.”

Zoro sheathed his sword.

"That's right!! We're not playing some pirate house game."

Luffy's mind was filled with Bai Yun and Zoro's words, and he also remembered the day he fought Usopp.

Luffy was in a dilemma. He had deep feelings for his crewmates, but he also understood what Zoro and Bai Yun had said. If he insisted on just picking up Usopp, it would be irresponsible to the other crewmates.

"That's right, he has already parted ways with us."

"During the period between the completion of the new ship and its departure at sea, we waited for him to come to us on his own initiative."

"Otherwise... leave him on this island!!"