As he thought about it, Crocus looked at Gawain and said.
"This great Celestial Dragon, are you kidding me?!"
Are you sure you want to take my whale son away...?
Right in front of me!
As soon as he finished speaking, Crocus's breathing became rapid. Before he could even make a decision, it seemed that some people had already made the decision for him!
This made him very unhappy!!
Gawain chuckled and shook his head as he watched the indignant Crocus.
He then drank the remaining liquor from the bottle with everyone, and then slowly walked towards Crocus.
As they walked, Gawain spoke softly.
"Mr. Crocus, perhaps you are not yet aware of the real reason why I want to take Laboon away."
I am not the shameless person you described who forcibly took away your whale child or whale family.
On the contrary, I want to realize Laboon's dream!
Just then, Gawain arrived in front of Crocus.
Crocus was only about two meters tall, shorter than Gawain at the moment. So he raised his head slightly, frowned, and gave Gawain a stubborn look.
Facing the disgruntled Crocus, Gawain continued softly.
"I know Laboon's story, and I just talked to Laboon about his story."
Although I haven't lived with him for about fifty years like you have, and become so familiar with him that I can speak whale language.
But with Shirahoshi's translation, I could understand Laboon's words.
Back then, about fifty years ago, Laboon was brought into the Grand Line from the West Blue by the Rumbar Pirates.
However, because Laboon was too weak and immature at that time, in order to prevent it from getting hurt on the Grand Line, the Rumbar Pirates made a promise with Laboon.
The Rumbar Pirates assured Laboon that they would definitely go to Laugh Tale, then travel around the world, and finally cross Reverse Mountain a second time to Twin Capes to bring Laboon back.
That's why Laboon has been watching over Twin Capes, always hoping to see his family return.
But as the years went by, you met Roger from back then.
You traveled with Roger through the New World, and along the way you learned that... the Rumbar Pirates had long been destroyed.
So when you returned to Twin Capes, Laboon, having learned everything, was plunged into a nightmare. For nineteen years since your return, Laboon has been crashing into the Red Line day and night.
He knew his family was gone, but he couldn't believe he had lost them!
He's going to crash into the Red Line and personally head towards the direction he promised his family, to find his lost loved ones!
At this point, Gawain pulled out a pack of cigarettes and gave everyone a farewell toast.
Unfortunately, only Kureha and Shakky received it...
As Gawain lit his cigarette with lightning, Crocus, after a moment's thought, asked him in a Gawain.
"You know that family is Laboon's dream, and you also know that his family... has completely disappeared."
"If that's the case, why do you think you can help him fulfill his dream?"
"Because although the Rumbar Pirates were destroyed, the people on board are not completely dead!"
Gawain made the final decision and said to Crocus, his words almost causing Crocus to furrow his brow!
"How could that be? When I was with Roger back then, I conducted a lot of investigations in private!"
The Rumbar Pirates have been trapped in the Florian Triangle!
They disappeared from there less than a year after they left Laboon, and forty-seven years have passed since then. You're telling me there are still people alive?!
As he spoke, Crocus wore an expression full of disbelief; his skepticism practically hung from his head to his ankles!
Looking at Crocus like this, Gawain nodded slightly.
"Certainly."
He pointed to his head.
"Think carefully, Mr. Crocus."
Is there a musician with an afro on the Rumbar Pirates?
His laughter was very distinctive, something like... "Yohoho~..."
"Um?"
"Oh?"
"What?"
As soon as Gawain imitated Brook's laughter, the surrounding cadres were completely dumbfounded.
They stared blankly at Gawain, all wearing expressions that were both funny and exasperated.
Jinbe, in particular, this Knight of the Sea even shamelessly imitated the character with his big grin.
"My lord, you mean... Yo ho ho... Ho... Hehe... Hahaha... Puhaha~!"
At that moment, Jinbe's appearance reminded Gawain of a short video from before he transmigrated.
It's... the one where you ask for a bottle of Wahaha mineral water...
Gawain couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"I know my imitation must be hilarious, but you'll see when you actually meet him."
My smile does look odd; is it just a different vibe?
But when he laughs like that, it doesn't feel out of place at all.
"The fact that a guy like him is still alive is the biggest incongruity..."
At this point, Gawain waved his hand with amusement.
"Go, go, let's go have a barbecue. I'm having serious business with Crocus."
Stop fooling around.
After chasing away the endlessly laughing boys around him, Gawain turned around and patted Crocus on the shoulder, who was no longer able to get angry.
Crocus didn't want to smile at Gawain, but he couldn't help it...
After patting him on the shoulder, Gawain continued.
"That guy's name was Brook. He died along with the Rumbar Pirates in the Florian Triangle of the Grand Line."
However, that guy ate a Devil Fruit before he died, called the Revive-Revive Fruit).
At this point, Gawain murmured something to himself.
"The Revive-Revive Fruit is not described in much detail in the encyclopedia, and few people know what kind of Devil Fruit it is."
During his lifetime, Brook didn't discover any special abilities from the Devil Fruit, leading him to believe that he might have simply accidentally eaten a prank fruit mixed with excrement...
But after he died, he miraculously rose again as a skeleton!
Gawain frowned.
"When he got up, several days had passed since his death, by which time his muscles had rotted away and he was just bones."
But I think that if a person eats the Revive-Revive Fruit) and then preserves their body with ice at the time of death to prevent it from rotting, then...
"Would the resurrected Devil Fruit User) be even more perfect than they are now?"
"Hey, let's not think about those academic things right now!"
Crocus anxiously interrupted Gawain, speaking to him with utmost Gawain.
"All I want to know right now is it true that Laboon really has family members still alive?"
At this point, Crocus lowered his brow slightly and slowed his speech.
"Laboon is Island Whale, a type of whale that naturally considers the first group it encounters as its family!"
He was born near the Rumbar Pirates found him inside Laboon's mother's womb.
Therefore, Laboon regards the veteran pirates of the Rumbar Pirates as his only family.
Even though I've been with Laboon at Twin Capes for forty-nine years, Laboon only ever sees me as a very close friend.
I do indeed regard it as my son; when it was less than ten meters long, I was the one who took care of it.
But in his eyes, I'm just his friend..."
With a long sigh, Crocus shook his head and slumped down on a beach chair not far away.
But after sitting down, Crocus felt that sitting like that wasn't quite right.
After all, everyone around was busy preparing for the upcoming banquet.
So Crocus picked up the harpoon and glanced at the ocean inside Laboon's belly.
He casually tossed the harpoon, which struck a giant squid over ninety meters long!
Gawain keenly observed that with just one spear thrust, the enormous squid had completely lost its ability to move.
Logically, this is absolutely impossible, because Crocus's spear is only eight centimeters thick. Compared to the giant squid's 90-meter body, an eight-centimeter-thick spear would probably be easier for a human to handle than an acupuncture needle.
Most importantly, Crocus didn't pierce the squid's heart, brain, or any other weak point.
He just tossed it around casually.
This can only mean that Crocus has an exceptionally high level of Armament Haki binding technique, also known as Ryuo!
Not far away, Rayleigh, who was smiling as he cut meat, also gave Crocus a thumbs up.
"You old codger, haha, you haven't lost your skills after all these years!"
"You think I'm like you, Rayleigh? I've always kept myself pure, and even in my old age, I haven't wasted my energy on anything... Huh?!?"
Bang!!
The next instant, Shakky stood behind Crocus with a dark expression and punched Crocus hard on the head.
Amidst swirling black smoke, and the cactus rapidly swelling on Crocus's head.
Crocus continued chatting with Gawain while crying.
Gawain gently shook his head at Crocus's wry smile.
"Old man, you just said that you are just a friend of Laboon, not a family member of Laboon."
So you mean...
"Hey, you rude brat!!"
Even if you're Celestial Dragon, don't be so aggressive!
Crocus interrupted Gawain and explained to Gawain.
"Look around, damn it, this is my house!"
I don't care where you take him, all I know is that I've lived here for decades!
If I were still young, and if you also had a terminal illness, then perhaps I would give you and Rayleigh face and accompany you on one last journey across the sea!
But now, I'm old, and as an elderly person, I can't leave my children!
As soon as he finished speaking, Crocus dejectedly pulled up the giant squid.
"So stop talking to me about this and that. All I need to know is that Brook is still alive, and that you have the ability to protect Laboon and get him to Brook. That's enough!"
As for me, hmph, I won't go to sea. I can only continue to live in Laboon's belly, just like before!
In short, don't ask me whether I'm getting on the ship or not.
Now all you need to do is give me orders!
Sigh, I don't want to lose my whale son, and also my retirement home.
So I have no choice but to let you do whatever you want!
"Well..."
Opposite Crocus, Gawain's face was full of strange expressions.
Crocus's performance was not unexpected, but Crocus's statement...
This statement is really too typical of Japan netizens, isn't it?
Gawain chuckled twice and nodded, amused.
"Dr. Crocus, from now on, I'll be entrusting the medical system on the Dark Bird Ship to you and Dr. Kureha."
Kureha, you two can get to know each other better. I think a doctor who was considered Pirate King Roger's last hope must be quite skilled, right?
"Certainly!"
Kureha nodded with a cold smile.
"Of course I know this guy. He and I are probably the two pinnacles of the medical system in this vast ocean."
My specialty is surgery, while his specialty is physical therapy. His surgical skills are far inferior to mine; he basically can't perform surgery. Even if he does, he can only scrape the bone roughly, or suddenly decide to open a skull that might not even save the patient's life.
As for me, I don't know anything about physical therapy. My kind of physical therapy is probably just about prescribing various nutritional supplements. I have no idea about the yin and yang or dampness and heat in the human body.
Roger also came to me back then, but unfortunately, he had a real terminal illness that I couldn't cure.
When Roger asked me how to alleviate his condition, my answer was that he would need to undergo a series of extremely demanding surgeries to extend his life by about a year and a half.
But Roger in that condition probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed during surgery.
So, Roger eventually found Crocus's head...
As they were talking, Kureha approached Crocus and looked at Crocus with an amused expression.
"And, Little Gawain, you might not know this."
I have another connection with this Dr. Crocus...
For example, my name is Sakura, while his name is Saffron.
His grandfather and I were senior and junior classmates back in the day, haha!
Kureha chuckled and pulled Crocus over, tucking the old man's head under her armpit.
"Crocus, do you know who recommended you to Roger?!"
Haha, with your nerdy attitude of staying cooped up at Twin Capes all day, how would Roger have known that you, the lighthouse keeper, are actually the best physiotherapist on the high seas if I hadn't mentioned your name to Roger?!
Roger lived for another three or four years, and even three or four years before dying of illness, but instead died on the Execution Platform.
I was so proud of you back then, my dear grand-disciple.
Quick, call her "housewife"!
"Ha?!!"
Upon hearing Crocus's words, not only Crocus himself but also Gawain were extremely surprised.
Who would have thought that Kureha and Crocus had such a relationship?
However, upon closer examination, it doesn't seem unreasonable.
One is Sakura, an ageless witch who always wears Sakura outfit.
One is Saffron, a terminally ill therapist wearing Saffron headdress.
As two of the top doctors on the high seas, it would be strange if they weren't related!
Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, Crocus was somewhat bewildered at this moment.
Even if he really is a grand-disciple, he's already nearly seventy years old!
What seventy-year-old would like to be treated like a child by their elders?
Especially in front of a group of even younger children!
Can you believe how bright Chopper's eyes are right now?!
Chopper simply climbed onto Kureha's head and excitedly looked at Crocus was trapped inside.
"Wow, you're Dr. Kureha's grand-apprentice!"
I'm the healer's disciple, so wouldn't I be your senior uncle?
Wow!
I have such an amazing junior apprentice!
As soon as he finished speaking, Chopper pounced on Crocus's head, excitedly rubbing against him endlessly.
And Crocus...
The old man's current appearance suggests that he has basically given up struggling.
Looking at Crocus at this moment, Gion behind Gawain felt a sense of déjà vu.
She vaguely saw Hancock from a few months ago.
It's like Hancock lying flat on the beach...
Even Gion had this idea, let alone the others.
Just laugh!
Even Robin, an elegant and intellectual girl, couldn't help but purse her lips at this moment.
She chuckled softly, gazing enviously at the atmosphere around her.
This is truly a ship that brings joy.
The people in these stories all have complicated pasts, but their present and future are so happy that it's truly enviable.
Just as he was thinking about it, Robin suddenly froze.
Wait, why should I be envious?
Aren't I one of them now?
And just like that, Robin smiled knowingly.
Just as Robin smiled knowingly, Ace, who was trying to start a fire with his bare hands, couldn't help but mutter something.
"Another veteran has joined the Dark Bird Ship..."
Hmm, it seems like everyone's average age has increased quite a bit again...