Crocus Changes His Mind

The lighthouse at Twin Cape.

Crocus was hosting the Big Daddy Pirates' crew while getting his medical books and medicines ready to take aboard.

To be honest, at over seventy years old, he really didn't want to leave this old place. He had also just spent a month or two inside the whale Laboon, constantly tending to and treating him.

But to fulfill Laboon's wish, he had no choice but to make another trip.

He hoped this time would be just as Daddy had said, and that they would definitely find out where Brook was.

Just then, a News Coo from the World Economic Journal flew over. Crocus liked reading the paper, so he casually bought a copy.

He hadn't seen a fresh newspaper for a month or two, having been inside Laboon's belly.

Kuro of a Hundred Plans saw him and bought a few copies too. It wasn't as if they were short on money, and there were no newspapers from the East Blue press here on the Grand Line. Most papers came from Morgans, the "Big News."

When Crocus casually glanced at the latest headlines, his eyes narrowed and a shadow crossed his face. He also saw Daddy's latest wanted poster.

He was shocked.

What kind of slaughter was this?

The East Blue's most brutal rookie pirate crew had massacred the Krieg Pirates and the Arlong Pirates, destroyed the Barto Family, and obliterated the East Blue 8th Branch and the 16th Branch...

Daddy Babaya alone had more than two thousand lives on his hands.

Captain of the Big Daddy Pirates, "[Big Daddy]" Daddy Babaya, bounty: 100 million Beli, dead or alive!

Was this still a rookie?

He was a demon!

Remembering Daddy's respectful smile from earlier, Crocus suddenly felt repulsed.

He immediately no longer wanted to sail with Daddy.

He didn't like a pirate crew that reveled in slaughter!

If he boarded their ship, he might end up with a mountain of blood on his own hands as well.

Besides, he didn't want to help a demonic pirate crew grow stronger. They were nothing like the seeds of a new era Roger had been waiting for!

When Crocus had joined Roger's ship, the Roger Pirates were already at their peak, their reputation so fearsome that few crews dared provoke them.

What's more, Roger had little time left to live then. He was always racing against the clock, searching for the Poneglyphs.

So after Crocus boarded as the ship's doctor, apart from two major clashes—with Shiki the Golden Lion and Whitebeard—the crew hardly ever fought at all.

Crocus, the ship's doctor, hadn't needed to take part in most minor battles. Still, he had learned plenty of combat skills and techniques from Roger, Rayleigh, Kozuki Oden, and the others.

Seeing Crocus's expression change, Kuro wore a mocking smile. Looks like the captain was about to get himself turned down!

This old man seemed like another kind-hearted doctor with principles!

Crocus returned to the lighthouse with a grave expression. He looked at the Big Daddy Pirates, already noisily eating together, his gaze much colder than before.

Daddy soon sensed the change in Crocus. His expression stiffened, then turned blank. Even the roast meat in his hand tasted like sawdust.

When he saw the newspaper in Crocus's hand, he had an idea of what was going on.

Kuro silently handed Daddy the paper, then stepped aside to watch the show.

The rest of the crew seemed to sense the sudden shift in mood too. They slowed their eating and drinking, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Daddy quickly read the report about himself. It was a little exaggerated, but mostly true. He just hadn't expected Marine Headquarters to raise his bounty by so much.

Daddy fell silent. He wanted to see how this ship's doctor from the Pirate King's crew would go back on his word and refuse the deal he had already agreed to.

After a long silence...

Crocus had considered whether he could simply capture Daddy and force him to reveal Brook's whereabouts.

But he clearly wasn't confident he could pull it off—not even a sixty percent chance.

He sensed something in Daddy that reminded him of Douglas Bullet, a madness and strength just like that devil's offspring!

"Daddy, I'm glad you invited me aboard, but I don't like the way your crew fights!

At my age, I don't care for fighting and killing anymore, so I want to change the terms. I'm afraid I can't join your pirate crew.

Still, if you tell me where Brook is, I can do my best to meet the other conditions you mentioned."

Crocus spoke first. He had already made up his mind: he absolutely wouldn't board this brutal pirate ship.

Hearing Crocus go back on his word, even the directionally challenged Roronoa Zoro looked up, a hint of impatience on his face.

"Heh heh! Then what can you offer to guarantee we can learn advanced Two-Color Haki and make someone into a professional doctor?"

Daddy hadn't expected such a good asset to slip away just like that. He couldn't help feeling it was a pity!

"I can give you some notes on Haki training and a few of my medical journals. That should be enough for you to learn from, shouldn't it?"

Crocus replied expressionlessly. If he hadn't needed Brook's whereabouts, he wouldn't have handed anything over to this demonic pirate crew!

He even had a Tone Dial of Dark King Rayleigh teaching Shanks and Buggy Haki, which was one of the ways Crocus had learned as well!

"That's not enough. It really isn't!

Since you're going back on your word, Senior, I'd like to test your strength!

Let's have a pirate's duel! The winner takes everything!

Only after we've tested each other's strength can we talk terms!"

Daddy drew Sandai Kitetsu. Since Crocus had mentioned Haki notes and medical journals, they might as well settle it with a fight!

If he could take Crocus down, he might be able to claim all of the man's treasured possessions.

Besides, Daddy wanted to find out where his strength stood now. With the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, he was confident he could never be beaten!

They would fight first, then talk terms!

"So you really are a violent man! Then come on, young man! The winner takes everything!"

Crocus chuckled and drew his Sea Beast Harpoon. For Brook's sake, he wanted to see just how strong this East Blue's most wicked rookie really was!

In just a few breaths, black Armament Haki began to coat his Sea Beast Harpoon.

You didn't come to the top of a mountain without being prepared!

Crocus wasn't merely a top doctor who knew how to treat illnesses!

"That Armament Haki is incredibly strong!"

Daddy didn't dare let his guard down. He grew utterly serious. This old man was certainly the strongest opponent he had faced since setting out to sea!