Crocus's Change of Heart

At the top of the Twin Cape lighthouse.

Crocus was hosting the crew of the Big Daddy Pirates while preparing to pack up his medical books and herbs, getting ready to board their ship.

Truth be told, at over seventy years of age, he really did not want to leave this old place. Recently, he had spent a month or two inside the belly of the whale Laboon, constantly modifying and treating her.

However, to fulfill Laboon's wish, he had no choice but to set sail once more.

He hoped that this time, just as Daddy Babaya had claimed, he would truly be able to find the whereabouts of Brook.

Just then, a news bird from the World Economic Journal flew over. As someone who enjoyed reading the paper, Crocus bought a copy on a whim.

Inside Laboon's belly, he hadn't seen the latest news for a month or two.

Seeing this, Kuro of a Hundred Plans also bought a few copies; they weren't short on Beli, and the Grand Line no longer carried newspapers from the East Blue, usually only those under the banner of "Big News" Morgans.

When Crocus glanced casually at the latest headlines, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a shadow of gloom crossed his face. At the same time, he saw the latest bounty poster for Daddy Babaya.

He was shocked.

What a massacre this was!

The most brutal rookie pirate crew in the East Blue, slaughtering the Krieg Pirates and the Arlong Pirates, destroying the underworld Barto Family, and annihilating the East Blue 8th Branch and the 16th Branch...

Daddy Babaya alone had stained his hands with the lives of over two thousand people.

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

Is this still a rookie?

This is nothing but a devil!

Recalling the respectful smile Daide had shown earlier, Crocus was suddenly filled with revulsion.

In an instant, he no longer wanted to follow Daide out to sea.

He did not like a pirate crew obsessed with slaughter!

If he were to board their ship, he might find himself adding to that mountain of carnage.

Furthermore, he did not want to protect a devilish pirate crew as they grew; this was not the seed of the era that Roger had been waiting for!

When he had joined Roger's ship back in the day, the Roger Pirates were already at their peak, possessing such immense deterrent power that no pirate crew dared to provoke them.

Moreover, Roger did not have much time left back then, so they were always saving time, striving to find the location of the Poneglyphs.

Thus, after Crocus joined as the ship's doctor, aside from two major battles against Shiki the Golden Lion and Whitebeard, they had almost no real combat.

Most minor skirmishes did not require a ship's doctor like Crocus to intervene, though he had learned quite a few combat abilities and techniques from the likes of Roger, Rayleigh, and Kozuki Oden.

Seeing the change in Crocus's expression, Kuro of a Hundred Plans wore a mocking smile; it seemed their captain was about to hit a snag this time!

This old man was likely another kind-hearted doctor with a strong moral compass!

Crocus returned to the lighthouse with a grave expression, looking at the Big Daddy Pirates who had begun their rowdy feast, his eyes now much colder.

Daide soon sensed the change in Crocus as well. His expression froze for a moment before slowly turning blank, and the roasted meat in his hand began to taste like wax.

When he saw the newspaper in Crocus's hand, he had a hunch as to why!

Kuro picked up a paper, silently handed it to Daide, and then stepped aside to watch the show.

As for the other crew members, they seemed to sense the sudden shift in atmosphere; the speed at which they ate and drank slowed down, and the mood grew increasingly solemn.

After Daide quickly read the report about himself, he found that while it was slightly exaggerated, it was fundamentally true. He just hadn't expected the Marine Headquarters to raise his bounty by so much.

Daide fell silent, saying nothing. He wanted to see how this doctor of the Pirate King would go back on his word and refuse the conditions previously agreed upon.

After a long silence.

Crocus had considered whether he could forcibly take down Daide and coerce him into revealing Brook's whereabouts.

But clearly, he did not have full confidence in that, not even a sixty percent chance.

He caught a scent on Daide that was somewhat similar to Douglas Bullet—a madness and power identical to that heir of the devil!

"Daide, I am glad you invited me to join your ship, but I do not like the fighting style of your crew!"

"I am old, and I no longer care for killing and bloodshed. So, I would like to change the terms; I am afraid I cannot board your pirate ship."

"However, as long as you tell me the whereabouts of Brook, I can still do my best to fulfill the other conditions you mentioned earlier."

Crocus was the first to speak, his mind made up that he would absolutely not board this brutal pirate ship.

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

"Heh heh! Then what do you have that can guarantee we can learn advanced Two-Color Haki, or teach others to become professional doctors?"

Daide hadn't expected such a useful tool to run away just like that, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of regret!

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

Crocus said expressionlessly. If not for the whereabouts of Brook, he would never have wanted to hand these things over to this devilish pirate crew!

He even possessed the Tone Dial that Rayleigh had used to teach Haki to Shanks and Buggy; it was one of the ways he had learned himself!

"Not enough. It is truly not enough!"

"Since you, Senior, do not keep your word, I happen to want to test your strength as well!"

"Then let us have a pirate's duel! The winner takes all!"

"Only when we are evenly matched can we even begin to talk terms!"

Daddy drew his Sandai Kitetsu. Since you have written down your insights on Haki and your medical journals, let's just settle this with a fight!

If he could take down Crocus, he might be able to obtain all of the old man's prized collections directly.

Moreover, Daddy wanted to know where his current strength stood. With the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, he was confident that he was inherently invincible!

Let's fight first, then talk terms!

"Truly a violent soul! Then come, young man! The winner takes all!"

Crocus chuckled softly and drew his Sea Beast Harpoon. For the sake of Brook's whereabouts, he wanted to see just how strong this worst newcomer from the East Blue really was!

Within a few breaths, his Sea Beast Harpoon was slowly coiled in pitch-black Armament Haki.

If you don't have the skill, you don't dare climb the mountain!

Crocus was far more than just a top-tier doctor who only knew how to treat illnesses!

"That is some truly profound Armament Haki!!"

Daddy dared not be careless in the slightest and became extremely serious. This old guy was definitely the strongest opponent he had encountered since setting sail!