"Mr. Roger, please stop wandering around. You'll die!"
Buggy and Shanks were instantly exasperated, while a vein bulged visibly on Rayleigh's forehead.
"Hahaha! Crocus, you old bastard, you really have a nasty way with words!"
Roger took it in stride and burst out laughing when he heard Crocus.
Buggy drew a throwing knife, held it against Crocus's neck, and snarled.
"Hey, old man! How dare you curse our captain! Do you believe I'll kill you?"
Crocus's expression darkened at Buggy's threat, and he spoke in a low voice.
"Don't do that. Someone will die."
Perhaps intimidated by Crocus's tone, Buggy's voice trembled a little. But he couldn't lose face in front of Shanks, so he forced himself to sound tough.
"D-die? Old man, who are you talking about?"
Crocus calmly took a cigarette from inside his clothes, lit it, and exhaled a smoke ring before answering.
"Me."
"You meant yourself?! You damned old man!"
Buggy bared his teeth and shouted at Crocus.
"Hahahaha!"
Roger laughed again without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, Barn left the pending enhancement work to Adam and Lia, keeping his attention fixed on Roger.
In truth, Barn had noticed them early on. Hearing Rayleigh's name had startled him, and when he later heard Shanks call someone "Captain," he knew Roger had arrived.
But when he heard another familiar voice, he could no longer contain himself and ran over.
"Crocus! Crocus! Is that you?"
Crocus, who had been talking to Roger, heard someone calling him and looked around. Then he saw Barn...
"Barn! Is that you, Barn?"
Crocus was just as excited to see him!
Roger realized that his ship's doctor had some history with the renowned "Asura." He gave the others a look, and everyone quietly cleared a space for Crocus and Barn.
"Haha! It's been ages, Barn! Why are you alone? Where's York? Where's Brook? You have no idea how much Laboon misses you!"
Crocus gripped Barn's shoulders as he spoke excitedly.
But Barn's body, which had been trembling with excitement, went stiff. He managed a faint, bitter smile and spoke to Crocus.
"Laboon? He's still waiting...?"
Seeing the abrupt change in Barn, Crocus realized something might have happened and immediately asked.
"What's wrong, Barn...?"
"They're all dead..."
Crocus froze. Though he had braced himself for bad news, he had never imagined things had turned out like this...
"...What... happened?"
Crocus asked in a trembling voice. Barn closed his eyes in pain and forced another bitter smile. He led Crocus into his room and slowly told him everything that had happened over the past twenty-odd years...
Before they knew it, three hours had passed. Barn's Enhancement Shop had closed, Buggy had fallen asleep on the floor, and Rayleigh had been talking with Roger the whole time.
Just then, Shanks came over and spoke to them.
"Captain, why has Mr. Crocus been gone so long? What exactly is his connection to that 'Asura'?"
Rayleigh turned to look at Shanks and answered.
"Crocus only agreed to join our ship so he could search for Barn's pirate crew."
"Haha! It's because of that big whale, right?"
Shanks turned toward his laughing captain, Roger, and asked in surprise.
"Laboon? Mr. Barn was one of the Rumbar Pirates?"
"Maybe."
Roger shrugged, stood up, and spoke to Shanks.
"All right, they should be done talking by now. It's our turn next. Oh, Shanks, didn't you want him to enhance your sword? You can go now!"
"But... I don't have that much money," Shanks said sheepishly.
"You idiot! Why don't you ask Crocus for help?"
Roger laughed and knocked Shanks on the head as he spoke.
Even Rayleigh looked at Shanks with a wry smile and said.
"Shanks, remember this: you need to learn to use your brain. It's your sharpest weapon!"
"So much happened in these past twenty years..."
Crocus finished another cigarette and sighed.
"Crocus, you should quit smoking. I'd hate to find you gone in another few decades."
Barn spoke teasingly.
"Heh, my cigarettes are all made from medicinal herbs. They'll only make me live longer! Haha! Anyway, what are you planning to do now? Aren't you going back to see Laboon? He's been waiting for you all this time. He's stubborn as anything. I've tried talking him out of it so many times..."
"I know..."
Barn answered helplessly.
"But now isn't the time. There's still something important I need to do. By the way, Crocus, how much longer can Roger hold on?"
"!"
Crocus was stunned. "How did you know?"
Barn waved a hand and said.
"That doesn't matter. Just tell me. How much longer can he live?"
Crocus lit another cigarette and exhaled a smoke ring before answering.
"Three years. That's the best I can manage. A man like him... Ah, what a shame."
Barn said nothing after hearing Crocus's answer. He abruptly stood and headed for the door.
"Hey, Barn, what are you going to do?"
Crocus asked in confusion. Barn didn't turn back, merely giving a pointed reply.
"The thing I most need to do right now."
Barn had already earned one Proof of the Strong from his battle with Whitebeard. Then, during his fight with Zephyr, he had gained Zephyr's recognition as well. With two Proofs of the Strong already in hand, Barn knew the third was right before him. Roger, the future Pirate King, would be the key to his awakening. Besides, Barn was eager to fight him.
Barn stepped outside and called for Fitz. Fitz fluttered down from the roof and landed on his head.
Just then, he encountered Shanks running over with a sword in his arms.
"Chirp, chirp."
Fitz alerted Barn, but Barn waved him quiet and spoke.
"Young man over there, are you looking for me?"
Seeing Barn call to him, Shanks quickened his pace and stopped in front of him before answering.
"Yes! Mr. Barn, I'm Shanks! I'd like you to enhance my sword, but I don't have any money."
Barn was a little surprised to hear that he was Shanks.
Red-Hair is still this young?
Thinking this, Barn reached out to pat Shanks's head, only to touch a straw hat.
"A straw hat, huh? Heh."
"Shanks, go see Adam. He's my apprentice. Tell him I sent you, and he'll enhance it for you."
Barn smiled as he spoke to Shanks, while Shanks noticed the pale, lifeless eyes hidden beneath Barn's black ribbon.
He really is blind.
That was what Shanks thought, though Barn naturally had no idea what was on his mind. His attention was focused on someone behind Shanks, a man radiating an intense presence.
Roger!
With that thought, Barn walked straight toward him, held out his hand, and spoke.
"Barn Bashut. I know who you are, Roger. Interested in having a fight with me?"
Barn's sudden request caught Roger off guard, but he quickly recovered his smile and took Barn's hand.
"Haha! Let's do it!"
The news that Barn would fight Roger was no secret. The Roger Pirates, along with Adam and Lia, all heard about it, but Barn refused their requests to watch.
In the end, Dark King Rayleigh was the only spectator.
He returned that day carrying both Roger and Barn. He never revealed the outcome of the fight. No matter who asked, he merely smiled and said nothing.
Barn woke that night. Looking at Roger lying in the other bed beside him, he smiled.
"He really is strong."
Barn knew that he had been beaten to the point of exhaustion and passed out, whereas Roger had simply felt tired after their fight and gone to sleep.
"But either way, I got what I came for."
Barn leaned against the headboard, toying with something resembling a seal in his hand.
His third Proof of the Strong!