Ship's Doctor Crocus Boards

Watching the Yomi enter the harbor at Twin Capes, Crocus felt a stir of excitement; he had always been on good terms with the crew of the Rumbar Pirates and truly enjoyed the atmosphere they brought with them.

If he hadn't been serving as the lighthouse keeper of Twin Capes, he would have loved to board the Rumbar Pirates' ship and sail around the world.

However, if Crocus had boarded back then, would Captain Yorki's illness have been cured? Would the Rumbar Pirates, having suffered an attack by poisonous weapons, have been able to survive?

Or perhaps Crocus would have simply died alongside them. If that had happened, who knows if Roger could have extended his life, or if the Great Pirate Era would have even begun?

"Brook, I never imagined I'd see you again!"

Crocus rushed forward to give Brook a bear hug, tears welling in the corners of his eyes, for Captain Yorki and the others were all gone, leaving only Brook behind.

After learning that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out by a poison attack, Crocus had redoubled his efforts in studying medicine, hating only that he hadn't been there to help in the slightest.

"Crocus, I only managed to escape death and successfully resurrect thanks to my Devil Fruit! Thank you for looking after Laboon; it is the last companion we have left in the Rumbar Pirates."

Brook sighed with emotion; even though these weren't his own personal memories, the soul memories Brook possessed were still deeply profound.

"Did you come back specifically for Laboon this time?"

Crocus watched Brook's pirate ship, which had traveled all the way back against the current, and knew there must be a deep obsession in his heart—most likely, it was the island whale, Laboon.

"Yes. Only after dying once did I realize that if we couldn't complete a voyage around the Grand Line, we would be breaking our promise to Laboon. Rather than letting Laboon wait here forever, no matter how dangerous it is, I want to take it on an adventure with us. Besides, I have a bit of confidence in my own strength now!"

Brook thought for a moment before speaking slowly. In truth, wanting to recruit Crocus was also one of the major reasons he had returned to Twin Capes.

"Is that so!"

Crocus sighed at the immense change in Brook, though he had also grown deeply attached to Laboon over the past six months.

"Crocus, I want to invite you to become the ship's doctor for our pirate crew. I don't want to see the tragedy of the Rumbar Pirates happen again. Please!"

Brook suddenly extended his hand, issuing the invitation to Crocus with great solemnity, his gaze incredibly sincere.

Rather than searching the vast seas for figures whose future growth was unknown, it was better to pull everyone he remembered becoming a major player onto his ship.

This was his only slight advantage regarding the plot; as for what kind of butterfly effect might occur in the future, that was not something Brook needed to consider.

The world would not stop turning because of any one person; he had to ensure his own maximum benefit first.

"This..."

Hearing Brook's invitation, Crocus was conflicted. Guarding the Twin Capes lighthouse was a vital duty; the lighthouse served as a guiding beacon for many merchant fleets and fishermen, and it could not be left unattended.

"If you want to go, then go, Crocus. I will guard the lighthouse. A young man should go out and see the world!"

A middle-aged man with slightly graying temples stepped out. He had a sturdy build and appeared to be a formidable powerhouse in his own right.

"Uncle Lighthouse, why are you here?"

Crocus turned to see his uncle approaching and immediately greeted him with respect.

"Ever since your parents perished in a shipwreck during that storm years ago, you have guarded these two lighthouses, believing the accident was caused by the lack of maintenance. I also know that besides studying medicine, you love reading newspapers to learn about the outside world; your eyes have always been filled with curiosity and longing!

Now that your uncle is old and tired of fishing every day, consider it a favor for all the years I spent fishing to buy you those medical books—let me take over this easy job of guarding the lighthouse for a few years! Hahaha~"

Lighthouse said with a hearty, joking tone, bringing tears to Crocus's eyes once more. Ever since his parents passed away, it had been this uncle who raised him and frequently supported him.

He had provided enough funds for Crocus to buy more medical books and master his craft, and even his harpoon technique had been taught to him by Uncle Lighthouse, who was a renowned sea beast hunter on the nearby islands.

His skill in hunting sea beasts was far superior to that of the pirates who had just entered the Grand Line. While perhaps not on the level of a Supernova, he certainly possessed the strength of someone with a bounty of thirty or forty million.

Otherwise, how could Twin Capes have remained free from the interference of lawless pirates all these years? Crocus's parents had been powerhouses of a similar caliber.

Now, even Crocus's skills were nearly on par with Lighthouse's; ordinary pirates from the Four Blues with bounties of twenty or thirty million were not necessarily his match.

"Uncle Lighthouse..."

Crocus's gaze firmed. He had made his decision: he would go with Brook and the others to see this magnificent world.

"After studying medicine for so long, it is time to go out and make a name for myself. Let our family's harpoon technique become famous across the seas!"

Lighthouse placed a hand on Crocus's shoulder. The twenty-one-year-old Crocus looked at his uncle's calloused hands and nodded. Uncle, you should rest well here at Twin Capes.

I will be the one to make our family name famous. Even a harpoon technique used for hunting sea beasts can become world-renowned, and I will prove that my medical skills are no worse than those doctors on Drum Island!

"Captain Brook, I accept! From now on, I am the ship's doctor of the Hell Pirates. Take me to see this wonderful world! Let us make our name known across the seas!"

Crocus shouted at Brook, radiating the vigor and ambition of his youth.

"Welcome, Crocus. I can guarantee that we will make this world tremble for the Hell Pirates!"

Brook looked at Lighthouse with gratitude before speaking confidently to Crocus.

Behind them, Redfield and the others clenched their fists upon hearing this. To become famous, to make the world tremble for them!

Afterward, the group held a bonfire party on the shore, allowing the island whale Laboon to participate from the water, and they spent a joyful evening together.

The next day.

After Crocus finished arranging the affairs of the Twin Capes lighthouse for Lighthouse, he and Brook's crew moved a portion of his cherished medical books onto the ship, leaving the more frequently used ones for his uncle.

The Yomi also carried many new medical books purchased on Drum Island, and the duplicates were given to Lighthouse, who laughed and asked if he should start teaching himself medicine as well.

They also attached a massive tow rope to the Yomi, which would occasionally allow Laboon to help pull the ship and increase their speed.

Watching the silhouette of the Yomi fade into the distance, and seeing Crocus waving goodbye, Lighthouse wore a look of quiet satisfaction.

He silently pulled out a lounge chair, picked up a newspaper, and sipped his juice in comfort.

"After working hard for so many years, it's time to enjoy myself~"

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