At a port on Firefly Island, Croccus was sunbathing while chatting with Laboon.
According to the strange traditions here, the highest-ranking person in a department often appeared where they had no business being.
Even Oran, as King, never stayed peacefully in the royal city. So Croccus, as the hospital director, keeping his old promise to Oran by taking a whale out for walks was perfectly reasonable.
"Bullet, huh. He's a troublesome one."
Looking at the recent news in the paper, Croccus seemed somewhat worried.
Although Bullet had left the Roger Pirates not long after Croccus joined Roger's ship, Croccus had still learned a fair bit about Bullet from the others.
A loner, battle maniac, dangerous individual—those were all Buggy's evaluations.
Having suffered betrayal time and time again, Bullet already distrusted his companions. He believed that strength was everything, and Buggy, the weakest person aboard, was someone Bullet particularly couldn't stand.
Yet during battle, Bullet had unintentionally protected the others. That very act had plunged him into deep reflection.
Protecting his companions compromised his decisiveness in battle. It made Bullet feel as though he had grown weaker.
One night, Bullet and Roger fought their final battle.
The outcome was no different. Roger still crushed Bullet overwhelmingly, and afterward, Bullet left the Roger Pirates.
Croccus had examined Roger after that battle. Oran's medicine allowed Roger to fight without worrying about his condition, but Croccus was also keeping an eye on his post-battle recovery to prevent Roger from overdoing it.
Boom! Boom!
"What's going on?"
Croccus suddenly felt the ground tremble, as though something enormous was moving. Looking toward the source of the sound, he saw Iron Oz slowly making its way toward the coastline.
"That's... the combat weapon Dr. Siderial made? Why did they bring that thing out?"
Croccus had no idea