Warning: Undeveloped Abilities of the Phoenix

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 ease that foolish whale's stubbornness."

"Music." Lin Nuo did not hide it. "The Rumbar Pirates' Binks' Sake."

"I let it hear the complete melody and told it that Brook was still alive, merely lost somewhere on the Grand Line for now."

"And I promised it that I would bring Brook back someday, so he could perform it live for it once more."

Crocus fell silent.

He looked toward the distant sea.

That was the area where Laboon usually swam, now utterly calm.

Several seconds passed before he slowly spoke.

"You do have a good heart, but was it really just kindness?"

"Not entirely."

Lin Nuo answered honestly.

"Laboon has immense potential. Its strength and loyalty may become crucial in changing certain situations in the future."

"Helping it is also paving the way for myself."

"Besides, seeing a life that has persisted for over a decade pointlessly harming itself makes me feel stifled."

Crocus turned his head and examined Lin Nuo again.

"Hahaha, that's practical. Much easier on the ears than those people who are always babbling about righteousness and morality."

"Still, your goal should be more than simply paving the way, shouldn't it?"

Lin Nuo smiled. "Are you trying to get me to reveal something, Mr. Crocus?"

"Just asking." Crocus picked up his newspaper again.

"A Lunarian with the abilities of the Phoenix."

"If your ambitions are too small, you'd be letting down that whole set of gifts."

"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 weighty, and the road is long."

"Rather than worrying about things so far away, why not pay attention to what is right beside you first?"

"You mean the Marines' unusual movements?"

"The Marines?" Crocus gave a scornful laugh. "Those fellows have indeed been very busy lately."

"About a week ago, the three warships from the G-4 branch stationed here received an emergency order and withdrew at full speed before even finishing their resupply."

"You were lucky. You caught an opening."

Lin Nuo understood.

It matched Ginny's intelligence. They could sail without worry from here on.

"However,"

Crocus changed the subject, his gaze dropping downward.

"What I want you to watch out for beside you is not just the Marines."

He raised a hand and pointed in the direction Lin Nuo's group had come from.

"Those five merchant ships that followed you here are no ordinary people."

Lin Nuo's eyes narrowed.

Before he could speak, Stockton asked first from beside him.

"Sir, what do you mean by that?"

"About two years ago, I saw a similar fleet lingering here." Crocus recalled.

"They were receiving a batch of living people escorted out of Enies Lobby."

"Later, that fleet was targeted by the Marines and exchanged fire in the Calm Belt. Most of their ships were sunk, and the captives were supposedly locked up in Impel Down."

"Who would have thought that I'd 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 rookies."

After saying that, he pushed himself up by his knees, newspaper in hand, and prepared to head back.

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 one more piece of advice."

His eyes swept over the White Shell moored nearby.

"The repairs along your ship's sides were only emergency measures, weren't they?"

"When you charged up Reverse Mountain just now, the keel and seams must have suffered hidden damage again."

"Until you find a reliable shipwright, don't push it too hard."

"And..."

His voice rose slightly.

"The Phoenix's flames are flames of life, but don't use them solely for healing."

"The power of a Devil Fruit often comes from a deeper understanding of one's own abilities."

With that, he did not linger. He waved to them with his back turned, slowly strolled back to the lighthouse, and shut the door with a bang.

The dock fell quiet for a moment.

"Th-That old man!"

Ivankov was the first to jump up, both angry and helpless.

"He always leaves things half-said! So damn mysterious!"

Ginny, however, wore a serious expression as she quickly wrote in her notebook.

"Enies Lobby, Impel Down..."

Stockton felt somewhat guilty.

"I may have been too careless. I only paid attention to whether the ships appeared compliant and did not investigate their backgrounds thoroughly."

"If they really are involved in human trafficking..."

"Then inviting you to join me and my fleet may have dragged you into danger instead..."

"It's fine. We shouldn't throw ourselves into a panic." Lin Nuo interrupted.

He looked at his companions, each wearing a different expression, and an eager smile appeared on his face.

"We have three Devil Fruit users who are absolute monsters, plus two intelligence masters."

"Unless someone like an Admiral makes a move, anyone else is just a speed bump."

"Alright!" Lin Nuo clapped his hands. "We have the intelligence, we have received the warning, and the ship needs repairs as soon as possible."

"Next stop."

"Whiskey Peak!"

At his words, everyone perked up and boarded the ships again.

Lin Nuo stood at the stern and gave the lighthouse one last look.

"Thank you, Crocus."

The White Shell and Quest for Knowledge turned their bows.

They slowly sailed away from Twin Cape.