Loguetown

Oak did not speak much with Crocus. He did not know the man at all; he was merely the Roger Pirates' ship doctor, and Oak had no interest in saying more to him. Before long, he spread his crimson wings and flew over Reverse Mountain with Robin in his arms.

Crocus watched him leave, sensing that a storm was about to sweep across the seas. The very balance of the world might change because of that man.

Oak's destination this time was the East Blue, but he had never been to those waters. There were no Paw-Paw Fruit markers there, so he traveled using the Vampire's wings. Their flight speed was fast enough anyway.

"Do you know that old man from earlier?"

Burying her head in his chest to avoid the gale-force winds caused by their flight, Robin slightly raised her head and looked at him with large, curious eyes. There was a hint of inquiry in her voice.

"You could say that."

Oak answered blandly.

"The main reason is that I was quite famous back then, so that guy knew me. I had never met him before; I had only heard about him through certain channels."

The only reason he knew Crocus was because he had read the original story. Otherwise, someone of Crocus's standing would not have been worth remembering. As for Crocus knowing him, that was perfectly normal.

"Back then?"

Robin caught a key phrase in his words.

Thinking of the lighthouse keeper's age, she suddenly realized that she had been overlooking something all along.

She had always thought Oak was a young man in his twenties, even younger than she was.

But was it possible that Oak was not actually as young as he looked?

Had she merely been deceived by his appearance?

The moment that