Deceiving the Temporary Ship Doctor

Daddy did not pay much attention to Crocus's subtle facial expressions; he was simply curious as to why the ship doctor of the Pirate King could openly serve as the lighthouse keeper at Twin Cape.

Could it be that he had never been issued a bounty by the Navy?

But he had served as the ship doctor on the Roger Pirates for three years; there was no way the Navy hadn't discovered him!

Whether it was the Battle of Edd War against Shiki the Golden Lion's Flying Pirate Fleet, or the three days and three nights of fierce combat against the Whitebeard Pirates, Crocus had participated in them all.

Furthermore, the Roger Pirates were a primary target of the World Government; how could Crocus possibly have avoided exposure?

"How did a big shot like Senior Crocus manage to avoid being wanted by the World Government and still end up working here as a lighthouse keeper?"

Daddy asked with a hint of confusion. In any case, he had spent two years in the Barto Family and had been a pirate for a month or two, yet he had never seen a bounty poster for the Crocus Pirates, and even bounty posters for the crew of the Roger Pirates were rarely seen.

"Do you really know who I am?"

Hearing Daddy's question, Crocus revealed a serious expression. He felt that this young pirate had already recognized his identity.

"Yes, I know a little about your history with the Rumbar Pirates and that other pirate crew."

No sooner had Daddy finished speaking than the island whale Laboon began to grow agitated at the mention of the Rumbar Pirates, forcing Crocus to continuously soothe the excited whale.

"To even know about the Rumbar Pirates... it seems you are truly not simple!"

Crocus said with a grave tone. This young man not only knew how to use Haki but was also aware of the Rumbar Pirates from over fifty years ago; this truly shocked him.

One must realize that even the Roger Pirates had barely heard news of the Rumbar Pirates back in the day. They were a crew from two eras ago; when Brook and his crew went missing, Roger was still just a fledgling rookie.

"Still, it doesn't compare to your own identity; you are even less simple."

"Back then, you boarded that pirate ship for three years in search of the Rumbar Pirates' trail, yet in the end, you found no clues regarding Brook or the rest of the crew."

"I wonder if you would be willing to board my pirate ship once more? I can explicitly help you find Brook, and you can even bring Laboon along!"

"Perhaps you might even become a formal crew member of a legendary pirate crew for a second time!"

Daddy spoke with full confidence. The ambition revealed in his words shocked even Crocus—did this guy want to become the Pirate King as well?

"Brat! Do you know the consequences of angering me with such loose talk? Even the Roger Pirates couldn't find a trace of Brook; what makes you think you can find them!"

Crocus stopped playing coy with Daddy and laid his cards on the table, implicitly confirming that he was indeed a crew member of the Pirate King Roger's ship.

If this brat Daddy actually had concrete information about the Rumbar Pirates, that would be one thing; otherwise, he would make sure this rookie pirate crew learned exactly what it meant to face the Pirate King's ship doctor!

Feeling Crocus's aura turn icy once again, the crew of the Big Daddy Pirates tensed up, gripping their weapons and preparing to unleash their Devil Fruit abilities at any moment.

"The Rumbar Pirates were wiped out, but because of the Revive-Revive Fruit, Brook has successfully resurrected and is currently trapped in a certain place!"

"Are you willing to take Laboon and follow us to find him?"

"After we find him, you can choose to leave or stay!"

"But during this time, you must serve as our temporary ship doctor and guide us in training our Two-Color Haki!"

"Of course, when we find a new ship doctor, you will also need to help train them."

Daddy felt the weight of Crocus's strength, which exerted immense pressure on him; he was truly worthy of being the ship doctor of the Roger Pirates.

Having spent three years on the Pirate King's ship, he should be even stronger than several of the crew members who had undergone two years of special training with the Straw Hat Pirates.

Even if he didn't possess the strength of the All-Stars, he at least had the power of the Tobi Roppo; an average Supernova would be no match for this old man.

Moreover, as a doctor, Daddy didn't believe that Crocus only knew how to heal and had no knowledge of how to use poisons.

Upon hearing Daddy's words, the island whale Laboon felt a mix of dejection and intense excitement. It hadn't expected that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out, but it was now eager to set off immediately to find the still-living Brook.

Just then, a Cow Sea Beast came spinning dizzily down the Reverse Mountain channel, crashing directly into Laboon—nearly knocking the wind out of it—with a massive bump rising on its head.

It took a long while to regain its senses, then swam toward the Dreadnaught Sabre with tears in its eyes, as if it had finally found its home.

"Brat, give me a range and a timeframe! Otherwise, I won't leave Twin Cape so easily! These old bones of mine can't handle being deceived or enduring long voyages!"

Crocus glanced at the foolish sea beast, then squinted at Daddy. He hadn't expected to hear news of Brook at his age; it really made it impossible to retire in peace!

However, feeling Laboon's excitement, he felt compelled to fulfill the whale's wish.

Then, he would endure the hardship one more time!

He just hoped this fellow wasn't lying to him!

"Within one year, I will definitely give you an answer within the Grand Line; there will be no need to enter the New World!"

Daddy revealed a smile. As long as Crocus stayed with the Big Daddy Pirates for a year or so, he could squeeze every benefit out of him and surpass him in strength!

"If those are the only conditions, I can agree to them!"

"But you are not to ask me anything about the Roger Pirates unless I am willing to tell you!"

After considering it, Crocus agreed to Daddy's terms. Staying within the Grand Line seemed acceptable; it wasn't as dangerous as the New World, and he had some confidence in his ability to handle the dangers of the Grand Line.

Besides, if this guy was lying, he could cut his losses in a year.

However, if he really was being deceived, he would just head to the Sabaody Archipelago, call upon the Dark King Rayleigh, and finish off this lying brat!

"Then welcome aboard, Senior Crocus! I promise you and Laboon that we will definitely find Brook!"

Daddy leaped onto Laboon's head, shook hands respectfully with his temporary ship doctor, and soothingly patted the whale's mountain-like head.

"After we find Brook, I hope you will not interfere with our decision to stay or leave."

Crocus once again emphasized his warning; he could sense that the atmosphere within this pirate crew was not nearly as harmonious as that of the Roger Pirates.

"Of course, but I will strive to earn your approval!"

Daddy laughed. Successfully recruiting a veteran of the Grand Line onto the ship was a significant gain; even if Crocus did not participate in combat, his medical skills, navigational experience, and mastery of Two-Color Haki were all invaluable assets.

Down below, the sea beast Momoo heard that its captain had recruited a four-hundred-meter Island Whale, and its heart instantly turned cold. Was it about to face unemployment again?

Just by crossing Reverse Mountain, was it already going to be out of a job?

The crew of the Big Daddy Pirates was also stunned by Daddy's masterful swindling; it seemed their captain had managed to hoodwink an incredible figure.

This old man was a member of the Pirate King Roger's crew? And the ship's doctor for the Pirate King, no less?

The background of this temporary ship's doctor was truly immense!