Inside Laboon, on the island in his abdomen.
Crocus was truly stunned when he saw Rayleigh suddenly rush out.
He had considered that Rayleigh might come to see him, after all, Gawain's sailing routes were too obvious in the newspapers.
Besides, Crocus is staying at Twin Capes. No matter which route Gawain takes, Crocus's residence is a place Gawain will inevitably reach.
Therefore, Crocus had been looking forward to meeting his old friend Rayleigh for a long time.
But this kind of meeting... shouldn't happen inside a whale's belly!!!
Looking at Rayleigh who was walking through the air, Crocus nervously asked a question.
"Damn it, isn't Laboon still crashing into the Red Line?"
How were you able to get inside him?!
Old friend, you should know how important Laboon to me. I'm sixty-eight years old this year, but Laboon has been with me forty-seven years!
If Roger hadn't been terminally ill and didn't have much time left, I would never have been able to go to sea with him!
So no matter what, you must not harm this whale!
"Damn it, you monsters under the Celestial Dragon' command, did you just fish Laboon out to sea?!"
"What are you thinking about!"
Upon hearing Crocus's words, Rayleigh curled his lip in annoyance, and then slammed heavily onto the small island where Crocus lived.
While expertly placing his hand on Crocus's shoulder and enjoying the familiar feel of Crocus's touch, Rayleigh continued speaking to Crocus.
"We don't have any expert anglers on board who can catch Island Whale like Laboon!"
Besides, we've known each other for so long, do you think I don't know that you consider this little whale your child?"
As he spoke, Rayleigh glanced at the beach chair where Crocus had just been sitting.
Upon seeing this, he smiled.
"Hey, haha, you really did collect our latest newspapers!"
"So, old man, don't I look much more handsome in my military uniform than that old man Garp?"
Rayleigh released Crocus with a satisfied air, then lightly flicked his own clothes.
Across from him, Crocus's pupils contracted slightly as he looked at Rayleigh's crisp uniform.
"Yeah, you're actually willing to wear such formal clothes now."
It seems you really approve of your new captain!
That's a good thing, Rayleigh. A guy like you would die young if he never went to sea again until he died.
Because you and Roger both suffer from the disease of dying from too much peace, hahaha!!!
While laughing, Crocus punched Rayleigh in the chest with his fist.
"Enough with the nonsense, sit down and rest. I have some wine stored here, let's have a big drink later!"
It's been so long since I've had a good drink with you guys, haha, just thinking about it makes me incredibly excited!
Come on, sit down!
Crocus brought Rayleigh a beach chair and invited Rayleigh to sit down quickly.
Looking at the beach chair, Rayleigh casually waved his hand.
"I won't sit down now. On the Dark Bird Ship, I can lie down for almost ten hours a day."
Come, come, let's get down to business. You should understand my plan. I came here to invite you!
At this point, Rayleigh looked at Crocus with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"Having gone through those experiences, you should know me quite well, so give me a definite answer."
Why not join us and try to bring about a transformation to this ocean that is different from the past eight hundred years, or even the past five thousand years!
I still remember your strength. Although you call yourself a doctor, you contributed a lot when we fought Whitebeard for three days and three nights!
Besides, since you're a doctor, your own health must be much better than mine, this old ghost's!
Even I still have the strength to fight, you're not going to try to brush me off with something like you're too old, are you?
After saying that, Rayleigh picked up a wine jug and threw it to Crocus.
Crocus skillfully took the flask, opened it, took a small sip, and then immediately took a large, excited gulp.
With just one sip, the flask was completely empty, and Crocus gave him a thumbs-up in admiration.
"As expected of wine from Celestial Dragon's ship, this tastes so much better than the wine I got from those passing pirates at Twin Capes!"
Rayleigh, you're not the same guy as before.
You're drinking all this good stuff now, but I actually prefer cheap, strong liquor!
Because only that kind of sake has the taste of pirates!
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh's old eyes narrowed suddenly.
"Old friend, are you saying I've become less like a pirate, or less like myself?"
As he spoke, Rayleigh sat down on the ground, crossed his legs, and placed his hands on his knees.
"Don't think I've forgotten my past life; I can still sing the boat songs from back then."
Don't think I'm not proud of my past self. Even now, I don't feel guilty or ashamed of being a pirate!
But my captain, haha, I always call him Little Gawain, he is truly the most outstanding person I have ever met in my life!
He said something very interesting, and I completely agree with it.
That is, the word "pirate," especially the concept of "thief," should not, and must not, become the aspiration and dream of all young people on the entire high seas!!!
At this point, Rayleigh's eyes shone brightly, and he continued speaking to Crocus with great seriousness.
"Old man, while you're still reminiscing about and enjoying the cheap drinks pirates used to drink..."
With Little Gawain's help, however, I gained a broader perspective.
That is, why can't people like us drink better wine!
You should know that the kind of people I'm talking about aren't like you or me, crew members of the Pirate King, nor are they people whose fame spans the entire sea and whose strength surpasses that of ordinary people.
By "us," I mean other guys who are similar to us when we were young, or even when we were kids.
Why can't one enjoy the fine food and wine reserved for those at the top, without a good family background or a powerful connections?
Why is it that if one is not born into nobility, there is almost no chance of becoming one throughout one's life?
Why is it that for nobles, a mere carriage or horse can be something that we, if we weren't born with, would almost never be able to possess in our lifetime?
"What the hell is the reason for all this?!"
With a loud roar, Rayleigh slapped his thigh hard.
"Gawain painted a picture of another future for me, a future that might not be absolutely fair, but it would be far fairer than the present!"
He has provided a new path for me, and for the future of the ocean!
As I said, in the past, on the high seas, if we weren't born nobles, then our only path was to become pirates, kill nobles, and plunder them, so that we could enjoy the things that nobles enjoyed in their daily lives!
Do you think I don't understand why I'm proud of being a pirate?
It's not that you or I enjoy killing, nor that we're passionate about adventure.
Because when we were pirates, we, with our ordinary identities and backgrounds, made those high-ranking nobles and kings tremble!
Because when we were pirates, even nobles and kings had to put up with our bossy attitude!
In other words, when we transform from ordinary people into pirates, we become worthy of their fear!!!
Rayleigh was incredibly serious at this moment; only someone like him, who had almost reached the pinnacle of the pirate path, could have such insights!
Many people only see pirates burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of evil deeds.
But the reason why the term "pirate" was truly accepted worldwide was not because people envied their acts of burning, killing, and looting.
Rather, people envy them for breaking free from their predetermined fate and social class through piracy!
Why do you think Yasopp always felt that his choice to leave his homeland and go to sea would make his children proud?
He thought so because, compared to the fate of his child losing him, he had given his child a completely different identity!
Originally, his son was just a farmer or hunter in a village; if he didn't go to sea, they would have remained that way for the rest of their lives!
But now, his son is the son of Yasopp, the son of the strongest sniper on this vast ocean!!!
He gave his son an incomplete childhood, but he also gave him a future where he could proudly speak of his identity!
Moreover, this kind of pride still works even in front of nobles and kings!
Imagine if, right here in the East Blue Sea, the son of Yasopp revealed his identity.
Whether they were nobles or kings, gangsters or the richest men in the East Blue.
They must all show respect to the son of Yasopp!
This is where Yasopp's true pride lies: he used his own hands to create the power to break down class barriers for future generations!
It is precisely for this reason that Yasopp has always firmly believed.
It doesn't matter if my son doesn't understand me at first!
Whether his son succeeds or not, he will understand himself when he grows up and matures enough!
Because once you truly experience the despair between social classes, everyone will feel proud to have a father who can break through the shackles of class barriers!
Listening to Rayleigh's resolute words, Crocus took a deep breath.
He pursed his lips slightly and twitched his nostrils.
"Rayleigh, since you always keep the meaning of piracy in your heart."
Since you are the same as before, and like us, you know what the identity of a pirate means to us.
If that's the case, then why are you standing here, trying to win over a friend like me who no longer wants to be caught up in the storm, on behalf of those who are enemies of pirates?
Rayleigh, even if you have a new path, I shouldn't be on your path...
"Indeed!"
Across from him, Rayleigh, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, let out a soft sigh.
"If my captain wasn't Gawain, I really wouldn't want to bring you onto my ship."
Compared to me, who seems to live in seclusion but is actually always looking to cause trouble.
You are the one who has truly retired from the world of martial arts.
But my captain happens to be Gawain, and he happens to be carrying such a huge plan.
But ironically, in his future plans, all pirates, including you, are included.
You are all our enemies!
At this point, Rayleigh's brow twitched violently; he became unusually tense.
"Old man!"
Rayleigh said seriously.
"You certainly don't want to get caught in a storm, but what ship at sea prays for a storm before setting sail?"
You may not want to be caught in the storm, but the will of the storm never revolves around you!
Now, I can confidently tell you that my captain has gradually completed his puzzle!
The seas of the future are destined to be rife with storms and thunder, guided by us!
The reason I want you to join us is not because I crave to pull you back into the eye of the storm.
Rather, I know very well that if you don't actively join the storm, you'll become the festering sores and intractable disease beneath it, something Little Gawain is destined to clean up!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh looked at Crocus meaningfully, and meeting Crocus's tightly furrowed brows, Rayleigh said, word by word.
"You know what, old friend!"
Captain Gawain's first plan was to create Sea Train connecting the East Blue and the Grand Line!
In this plan, we also have something to do that will make the entire ocean boil!
We must completely blockade the Grand Line and not allow any pirates to continue navigating these waters!!!
Rayleigh pointed at Crocus's chest and continued emphatically.
"And you, you are one of the most famous pirates on this sea, and you even live in Twin Capes, a place that is essential for blocking the Grand Line!"
In the past few days, the days before I came to see you, whenever I think about what's happening now, I can't help but feel grateful for you and me!
If I hadn't stood with Gawain, I wouldn't have had the chance to learn about Gawain plans.
In that case, you might very well die right where you live now before I even have a chance to notice!
Whether I am there or not, my captain will uphold his great ambition!
Without me, I am destined to lose you!
"What?!!"
Opposite Rayleigh, Crocus, who had just heard the news, had the petal-shaped decorations on the back of his head standing up.
He stared wide-eyed at Rayleigh's eyes.
"He's going to blockade the Grand Line?"
How is that possible!
"If he does something like that, wouldn't the New World have to join forces to attack?"
"But what if he manages to convince Newgate and Shanks to support his plan?"
Rayleigh interrupted Crocus.
Upon hearing this, Crocus trembled.
"How is this possible? Are you crazy? Has Newgate gone mad too?"
And then there's Shanks, a die-hard Roger supporter!
Why would people like you work for someone who's trying to ruin the future of pirates?!
Especially since that guy is a Celestial Dragon, one of the carnivores we've always hated the most!!!
What exactly are you after?!
"For the new order, everything is for the new order, Crocus!"
Rayleigh suddenly sprang to his feet, roaring in response as he approached Crocus step by step.
With Crocus's nose getting closer and closer, he was shocked and his nose flared up high.
Rayleigh continued, enunciating each word clearly.
"Just like I said before, the reason why you and I were proud of our identity as pirates in the past was because this identity was one of the few ways to break down class barriers on this sea!"
But now, with the arrival of the Revolutionary Army on this vast sea, and then with the arrival of my new captain!
Old friend, we must admit that the ways to break down class barriers are increasing, and increasing rapidly!
What about meat-eaters?
So what if they're in a position of power?
If we both stubbornly believe that no matter how outstanding Celestial Dragon, they are unworthy of being the people's expectations...
How are we, who deny excellence itself, any different from the class we've always longed to defeat?
Rayleigh was pressed tightly against Crocus, their foreheads bumping together, their Crocus almost touching.
In that state, Rayleigh spoke each word heavily and deliberately.
"When becoming a pirate is not the only path to change..."
When more roads lead to our final destination...
As a member of the human race!
As one of the subordinates!
We were once born on the same level as ordinary people!
I believe it is necessary for us to choose a path that causes the least harm to civilians!
I firmly believe Roger was right!
But now I know that Gawain was right too!
I have never betrayed Roger!
But I now know that what Roger longed to do, Gawain is capable of doing even better!
So, when faced with Gawain like this, Crocus...
Do you think we shouldn't support him?!
Even Roger didn't want to see the Great Pirate Era he started plunge the common people of the Four Blues into despair called piracy!
Roger never wanted to start a Great Pirate Era!
Roger only wanted to find the Great Treasure and fulfill his adventurer's dream...
Then shatter the class system that has existed across this sea for eight hundred years, so that every newborn child in the future will not have to call another child "young master" from birth!
All he wanted was to shatter the shadow that Mary Geoise cast over the entire world!
So that future generations won't have to be born with the burden of slavery!!!