Lin Nuo stepped forward and stopped Ivankov and Moria from bickering.
Then he walked up to Crocus and spoke calmly.
"Mr. Crocus, guardian of Twin Cape and Laboon's caretaker."
The edge of the newspaper paused.
Crocus's gaze shot through his round lenses, carrying scrutiny and interest.
"You know me?"
"A little."
Lin Nuo nodded frankly. "I also know who Laboon is waiting for, how long it has waited, and why it keeps ramming that mountain."
"So what method did you use?"
"It wasn't just treatment, was it?"
"Even I can only occasionally calm that stubborn whale down."
"Music."
Lin Nuo did not hide it. "Binks' Sake, from the Rumbar Pirates."
"I let it hear the complete melody and told it that Brook was still alive, merely lost somewhere in the Grand Line for now."
"And I promised it that I would bring Brook back someday, so he could perform it live for Laboon once more."
Crocus fell silent.
He looked toward the distant sea.
That was the area where Laboon usually swam, but it was calm at the moment.
Several seconds passed before he slowly spoke.
"You do have a kind heart, but was it only kindness?"
"Not entirely."
Lin Nuo answered frankly.
"Laboon has tremendous potential. Its strength and loyalty may become key to changing certain situations in the future."
"Helping it is also paving the way for myself."
"Besides, seeing a life that had persisted for more than a decade harm itself in vain was hard to bear."
Crocus turned around and sized Lin Nuo up again.
"Hahaha, you're quite honest. Much easier on the ears than those fellows who constantly preach righteousness and morality."
"But your goal isn't just paving the way, is it?"
Lin Nuo smiled. "Are you trying to pry information out of me, Mr. Crocus?"
"Just asking." Crocus picked up his newspaper again.
"A Lunarian with the abilities of a Phoenix."
"If your ambitions are too small, you'd be letting that whole setup of yours down."
"My ambitions are indeed not small." Lin Nuo met his gaze.
"The Grand Line is only a starting point."
Crocus listened quietly.
"The future is heavy, and the road is long."
"Rather than worrying about things so far away, you should worry about what's around you first."
"You mean the Marines' unusual movements?"
"The Marines?" Crocus gave a scornful laugh. "Those people have indeed been quite busy lately."
"About a week ago, the three warships from the G-4 branch stationed here received urgent orders and withdrew at full speed before even finishing their resupply."
"You got lucky. You caught an empty window."
Lin Nuo understood.
It matched Ginny's intelligence. They could sail without worry from here on.
"However,"
Crocus changed the subject, his gaze turning downward.
"What I want you to watch out for isn't just the Marines."
He raised a hand and pointed in the direction Lin Nuo and the others had come from.
"Those five merchant ships that followed you here aren't ordinary people."
Lin Nuo's eyes narrowed.
Before he could speak, Stockton asked first.
"Sir, what do you mean by that?"
"About two years ago, I saw a similar fleet lingering here," Crocus recalled.
"At the time, they were receiving a group of living people being escorted out of Enies Lobby."
"Later, that fleet was targeted by the Marines and exchanged fire in the Calm Belt. Most of the ships were sunk, and the captives were supposedly thrown into Impel Down."
"I never expected to see ships in the same style again, now doing legitimate business?"
He looked at Lin Nuo meaningfully.
"Watch yourselves."
"The entrance to the Grand Line has never lacked sharks waiting to devour newcomers."
With that, he pushed himself up by the knees and prepared to head back with the newspaper in hand.
After taking two steps, he stopped again and glanced back at Lin Nuo.
"Kid, you got Laboon to calm down for now. I owe you one for that."
"So let me give you an extra warning."
His gaze swept over the White Shell moored nearby.
"Those repairs along your ship's sides were only temporary, weren't they?"
"After charging through Reverse Mountain just now, the keel and seams must have suffered hidden damage as well."
"Until you find a reliable shipwright, don't push it too hard."
"And..."
His voice rose slightly.
"The Phoenix's flames are the flames of life, but don't use them only for healing."
"The power of a Devil Fruit often comes from a deeper understanding of your own abilities."
Having said that, he did not linger. With his back to them, he waved and slowly strolled back to the lighthouse, shutting the door with a bang.
The dock fell quiet for a moment.
"Th-that old man!"
Ivankov was the first to jump up, both irritated and helpless.
"He always leaves things half-said! So mysterious!"
Ginny, however, wore a serious expression as she quickly wrote in her notebook.
"Enies Lobby, Impel Down..."
Stockton looked somewhat guilty.
"I think I was too careless. I only paid attention to whether the ships appeared legitimate and didn't investigate their backgrounds more thoroughly."
"If they really are involved in human trafficking..."
"Then inviting you to join my fleet may have dragged you into danger instead..."
"It's fine. Don't panic." Lin Nuo interrupted him.
He looked at his companions, each wearing a different expression, and a smile of eager anticipation appeared on his face.
"We have three absurdly powerful Devil Fruit users here, plus two masters of intelligence."
"Unless an admiral-level powerhouse makes a move, anyone else is just a speed bump."
"All right!" Lin Nuo clapped his hands. "We have the intelligence, we've received the warning, and the ship needs to be repaired as soon as possible."
"Next stop."
"Whiskey Peak!"
Hearing that, everyone perked up and boarded the ships again.
Lin Nuo stood at the stern and took one last look toward the lighthouse.
"Thank you, Crocus."
The White Shell and Quest for Knowledge turned their bows around.
They slowly sailed away from Twin Cape.
Before you continue