Convincing a Temporary Ship's Doctor

Daddy didn't pay any attention to Crocus's subtle expression. He was just curious why the Pirate King's ship's doctor could openly work as the lighthouse keeper at Twin Cape.

Had the Marines never put a bounty on him?

But he'd served as the Roger Pirates' ship's doctor for three years. There was no reason the Marines wouldn't have discovered him by now!

Crocus had fought in both the Battle of Edd War against Shiki the Golden Lion's Flying Pirate Fleet and the three-day, three-night battle against the Whitebeard Pirates.

Besides, the Roger Pirates were a major focus of the World Government's attention. How could Crocus possibly have kept his identity hidden?

"Someone as important as you, Senior Crocus—how did you avoid being wanted by the World Government and still become a lighthouse keeper here?"

Daddy asked, puzzled. He'd spent two years with the Barto Family and another month or two as a pirate, but he'd never seen a bounty poster for Crocus, and had rarely seen any for the Roger Pirates' crew members either.

"You really know who I am?"

Hearing Daddy's question, Crocus's expression turned serious. He had a feeling the young pirate had already figured out his identity.

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

As soon as Daddy finished speaking, the name of the Rumbar Pirates made Laboon the Island Whale grow excited again. Crocus hurried to calm the agitated whale.

"You even know about the Rumbar Pirates. It seems you're no ordinary young man!"

Crocus said gravely. This young man could use Haki and even knew of the Rumbar Pirates from over fifty years ago. That truly shocked him.

Even the Roger Pirates hadn't heard much about the Rumbar Pirates back then. They belonged to the generation before the one before last. When Brook and the others disappeared, Roger was still a rookie just starting out.

"I'm still no match for you. You're the one who's truly extraordinary.

"You joined that pirate crew for three years to search for the Rumbar Pirates, but in the end, you still couldn't find Brook or any clues about them.

"Would you be willing to join my pirate ship again? I can promise you that I'll find Brook. You can even take Laboon with you!

"Maybe you can become an official member of another legendary pirate crew!"

Daddy spoke with confidence. The ambition in his words astonished Crocus. Did this guy want to become the Pirate King, too?

"Kid! Do you know what happens when you say things that make me angry? Even the Roger Pirates couldn't find Brook. What makes you think you can?"

Crocus stopped beating around the bush and laid his cards on the table, admitting that he really had been a member of Pirate King Roger's crew.

If the kid knew something concrete about the Rumbar Pirates, that was one thing. Otherwise, he'd show this rookie crew what the Pirate King's ship's doctor could do!

Crocus's presence turned cold again. The Big Daddy Pirates' crew tensed and gripped their weapons, ready to use their Devil Fruit abilities at a moment's notice.

"The Rumbar Pirates were wiped out, but Brook was brought back to life thanks to the Revive-Revive Fruit. He's trapped somewhere now!

"Would you be willing to take Laboon and come with us to look for him?

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

"But while you're with us, you'll be our temporary ship's doctor and teach us how to train our Two-Color Haki!

"Of course, when we find a new ship's doctor, you'll help train them too."

Crocus's strength put Daddy under considerable pressure. No wonder he'd been the Roger Pirates' ship's doctor.

He'd spent three years aboard the Pirate King's ship. He was probably stronger than several Straw Hat Pirates who'd trained for two years.

Even if he wasn't as strong as one of the All-Stars, he was at least on the level of the Tobi Roppo. Most Supernovas wouldn't stand a chance against the old man.

And as a doctor, Daddy doubted Crocus only knew how to treat illnesses. He probably knew how to use poisons, too.

At Daddy's words, Laboon the Island Whale seemed both dejected and excited. It hadn't expected the Rumbar Pirates to have been wiped out, but now it was eager to set off at once and search for Brook, who was still alive.

Just then, a Cow Sea Beast came careening down the Reverse Mountain passage, dazed and confused. It crashed straight into Laboon, nearly shitting itself from the impact, and a huge bump sprang up on its head.

It took a while to come to its senses. Then, with tears in its eyes, it swam over to the Dreadnaught Sabre, as if it had found its people.

"Kid, give me a place and a time frame! Otherwise, I won't leave Twin Cape so easily. These old bones can't take being deceived or enduring a long voyage!"

Crocus glanced at the dim-witted Sea Beast, then narrowed his eyes at Daddy. He hadn't expected to hear news of Brook at his age. It certainly wasn't the kind of thing that let a man retire in peace!

But Laboon's excitement left him with no choice but to help fulfill the whale's wish.

He'd just have to put himself through the trouble one more time!

Hopefully, this guy wouldn't deceive him!

"Within a year, I'll give you an answer somewhere on the Grand Line. We won't need to enter the New World!"

Daddy smiled. If Crocus stayed with the Big Daddy Pirates for half a year or so, Daddy could get everything he could out of him and surpass him in strength!

"If those are the only conditions, I can agree.

"But you can't ask me anything about the Roger Pirates unless I choose to tell you!"

After thinking it over, Crocus accepted Daddy's conditions. If they stayed on the Grand Line, it seemed manageable. It wasn't as dangerous as the New World, and he was confident he could handle the Grand Line's dangers.

Besides, even if the kid was lying, a year would give him time to cut his losses.

But if Daddy really had deceived him, Crocus would call Dark King Rayleigh on Sabaody Archipelago and have him kill the liar!

"Then welcome aboard, Senior Crocus! I promise you and Laboon that I'll find Brook!"

Daddy leapt onto Laboon's head and respectfully shook hands with the temporary ship's doctor. He also gently patted Laboon's mountain-sized head.

"After we find Brook, I hope you won't interfere with whether we stay or leave."

Crocus emphasized the point again. He could sense that the atmosphere among this pirate crew wasn't as harmonious as it had been aboard the Roger Pirates.

"Of course. But I'll try to earn your approval!"

Daddy smiled. Having an experienced Grand Line veteran aboard was a real boon. Even if Crocus didn't fight, his medical skills, sailing experience, and knowledge of Two-Color Haki were all valuable assets.

Down below, the Sea Beast Momoo heard that its captain had recruited another Island Whale four hundred meters long. Its heart sank. Was it about to lose its job again?

It had only crossed Reverse Mountain, and it was already out of work?

The Big Daddy Pirates' crew were also stunned by Daddy's gift for persuasion. Their captain seemed to have recruited someone incredible.

Was this old man a member of Pirate King Roger's crew? The Pirate King's ship's doctor?

This temporary ship's doctor had quite the impressive background!

You supplied the great wildfire, author of One Piece: I Use the Barrier-Barrier Fruit to Unleash Susanoo.