Kid, What the Hell Are You Watching a Lighthouse For!
"Ha, don't misunderstand, we're not here to cause you trouble."
Coulson, thinking Crocus was intimidated by their identities, quickly tried to reassure him.
"Although you were on Roger Pirates's ship before, according to our investigation, you were merely kidnapped to treat Roger's illness. Even Tom, the shipwright who built the Oro Jack for them, hasn't faced any consequences!"
"Um?"
Crocus paused for a moment, thinking to himself, "It seems it's not because of last night." At that moment, his body and mind relaxed.
"Then what are you doing here, and who is that person?" she said, pointing to the man in black below.
Coulson, still smiling, explained, "That man is Mr. Brook, a former member of the Rumbar Pirates. We brought him here to reunite with the Island Whale named Laboon."
"What!!"
Upon hearing this, Crocus's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his heart pounding in his chest. The events of the past two days had been far too terrifying.
"Didn't they already collapse?"
That's just a rumor.
Coulson shook his head and looked at Brook's back as he listened to music and talked with Laboon, explaining, "Our people found Mr. Brook in the Mist Sea earlier."
"Through the conversation, we learned that not long after they entered the Grand Line twenty-eight years ago, they encountered a powerful One Piece crew near the Mist Sea and were annihilated."
"At that time, their One Piece ship drifted into the Mist Sea with the ocean current. Mr. Brook's soul returned to reality from the Underworld because he had eaten the Paramecia Revive-Revive Fruit). However, his body was reduced to bones. He lost his way in the Mist Sea and has been wandering around there ever since."
Upon hearing such an unbelievable experience, Crocus's gaze as he looked at Brook's retreating figure became complicated.
He thought the Rumbar Pirates had disbanded and gone their separate ways, breaking their promise to Laboon. He had told Laboon about it without reservation.
From that time on, Laboon kept banging his head against the Red Line next to the Reverse Mountain, resulting in his head being covered with cracks and wounds.
He was a doctor, so of course he treated it, but a problem arose in his face: Laboon's size was constantly increasing.
It's already over twenty meters tall, taller than many Giants, and this isn't even its adult size; it will definitely grow even bigger in the future.
Because it's an Island Whale.
"So you heard about Laboon from him, right? Thank you so much for bringing him back. Now Laboon won't crash into the mountain again."
After saying that, Crocus looked at them with a puzzled expression. "But the way you're acting, it's like you want to see me?"
"Yes."
Coulson nodded and said gently, "We know that your medical skills are extremely high, so we have come to invite you to join the Medical Academy directly under the Health Division of the World Government, where you will work with elite doctors from all over the world to research and manage matters related to medicine, disease, and medicine. The work location is the Drum Kingdom, which I believe you must have heard of."
"I have indeed heard about the Medical Academy and the World Hospital, which is indeed a great thing, but Dr. Kureha is already there, so one more wouldn't make a difference. Besides, I'm used to guarding the Lighthouse and don't want to get bogged down in work again," Crocus shook his head and refused.
He was speaking from the heart, but there was one truth he didn't say: he didn't really want to work for the World Government.
"In that case, things will get complicated."
Coulson shook his head helplessly and said, "You have to understand, the reason why the shipwright Tom mentioned earlier is unscathed is because the Sea Train project he oversaw was of great benefit to the World Government and even the entire world. This covered up his crime of building the flagship for the Roger Pirates."
"Your situation is similar. The World Government values your exceptional medical skills, but if you're unwilling to join the Medical Academy and contribute your abilities, then there's no reason to excuse your crime of treating Roger's terminal illness. Are you planning to come to Enies Lobby with us?"
After listening to his long speech, Crocus's expression darkened, and he asked, "Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm just stating the facts."
Senior Director Coulson looked at him earnestly and said, "So I hope you will seriously consider this. Joining the Medical Academy will not do you any harm, and now that Laboon doesn't need your care anymore, there is no necessary reason for him to continue staying here, is there?"
"To be honest, with your medical skills, having you stay here guarding the Lighthouse is a huge waste and loss to the world's medical system. Oh, by the way, I also have a letter from Dr. Kureha here; please take a look."
As he spoke, he took out a white envelope from his pocket, which bore the autograph of Dr. Kureha.
Crocus and Dr. Kureha had met a few times before, but they weren't particularly familiar with each other. Nevertheless, Crocus took the envelope, opened it, and glanced at the letter.
[Kid, what are you looking at, Lighthouse? Get over here right now, the healer needs help!]
That one sentence stunned him, and he then gave a wry smile, saying with a sigh, "Doctor Kureha's temper hasn't changed at all."
He then stared at the sentence, remaining silent for a long time, lost in deep thought and contemplation. Coulson, standing in front of him, did not disturb him.
The group stood on the stone steps, listening to the old tape recorder playing the Rumbar Pirates' rendition of "Binks' Sake" and Laboon's excited, high-pitched hooting.
"Alright, I'll go. But I'd like to know, what are your plans for Laboon and that Brook?"
In the end, Crocus agreed.
Firstly, out of respect for Dr. Kureha; secondly, Laboon truly no longer needed him, and his agreement with the Rumbar Pirates had been fulfilled; and thirdly, he wanted to completely sever ties with Shakky, Gaban, and the others.
But he wouldn't proactively reveal their relationship to Coulson; after all, they had spent several years together and there was still some affection between them.
I just didn't want to get involved in such a dangerous and troublesome matter, and I've done my best.
"Mr. Brook's agreement with us was that if we brought him to reunite with Laboon, he would agree to let us join the Publicity Department as one of his artists."
Coulson smiled and replied, "That means he will become the third world superstar after Tesoro and Stella!"
However, there was one more thing he didn't say: Brook had also joined CIPHER POL, and if needed, he would also carry out missions in secret.
But that's classified information.
"As for Laboon, considering its increasingly large size, do you think it's possible to bring it to the Drum Kingdom's waters? You can continue to look after it normally, and Mr. Brook can visit it from time to time, since it's actually quite close to the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Not bad, not bad!"
Crocus was satisfied with the World Government's arrangements and said with a smile, "Alright, now that things are settled, I'm going down to see Brook. What about you guys?"
"Let's wait a little longer."
Senior Director Coulson glanced at his watch and chuckled, "Since we're already here, let's take a look at its arrival. I'm sure it'll be quite a spectacle. I heard it'll be here soon."
"Um?"
Crocus looked at him with a puzzled expression.