As the Yellow Springs sailed into the port at Twin Cape, Crocus couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He had always gotten along well with the Rumbar Pirates, and he enjoyed the lively atmosphere aboard their ship.
If he hadn't taken on the role of lighthouse keeper at Twin Cape, he might have joined the Rumbar Pirates himself and traveled the world alongside them.
But if Crocus had set sail with them back then, would Captain Yorki have been cured? Would the crew have survived the deadly poison attack? Or would he have perished alongside them? And if that had happened, would Roger have found a way to prolong his own life? Would the Great Pirate Era have ever begun?
...
"Brook! I never thought I'd see you again!"
Crocus rushed forward and pulled Brook into a bear hug, tears welling up in his eyes. After all, Captain Yorki and the rest of the crew were gone—Brook was the only one left.
Upon learning that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out by a poison attack, Crocus had thrown himself even deeper into his medical research, blaming himself for not being able to help them.
"Crocus, I only survived because of my Devil Fruit... It allowed me to come back from the dead! Thank you for taking care of Laboon. He's the last remaining member of the Rumbar Pirates now."
Brook's voice was filled with emotion. He might not have been there when it happened, but the memories embedded in his soul were as vivid as if he had experienced them firsthand.
"So, you came back specifically for Laboon?"
Crocus observed Brook and his crew, who had sailed all the way back to Twin Cape against the flow of the Grand Line. There had to be a strong reason behind it—Laboon was the only possibility.
"Yes. Dying once made me realize something... If we don't complete our journey around the Grand Line, we'll have broken our promise to Laboon. Rather than leaving him here to wait endlessly, I'd rather take him with me, no matter how dangerous it is. And now, I have a little more confidence in my own strength!"
Brook spoke slowly, deep in thought. In truth, inviting Crocus to join their crew was another major reason for his return to Twin Cape.
"I see..."
Crocus could tell that Brook had changed significantly. Still, over the past half-year, he had also developed a deep bond with Laboon.
"Crocus, I want to invite you to join our crew as our ship doctor. I don't want to see another tragedy like what happened to the Rumbar Pirates. Please... I'm begging you!"
Brook suddenly extended his hand, making a solemn invitation. His gaze was filled with sincerity.
Rather than wandering the sea searching for unknown talents, why not recruit the people he already knew were destined to become legends? This was his one advantage—his knowledge of the future. As for the butterfly effects that might follow, those were beyond his concern.
The world wouldn't stop moving for the sake of one person. His priority was securing the best possible future for himself and his friends.
"This..."
Crocus hesitated upon hearing Brook's invitation. Watching over the Twin Cape lighthouse was an important duty. It served as a guiding beacon for countless merchant ships and fishermen—it couldn't simply be abandoned.
...
"If you want to go, then go, Crocus. I'll take care of the lighthouse. Young people should go out and see the world!"
A middle-aged man with slightly graying temples stepped forward. He was sturdy, his strong presence hinting at considerable strength.
"What are you doing here?"
Crocus turned in surprise and immediately greeted his uncle with respect.
"Ever since your parents died in that storm all those years ago, you've dedicated yourself to maintaining these lighthouses, believing their failure was to blame for the tragedy. But I know that besides studying medicine, you love reading newspapers and learning about the outside world. Your eyes have always been filled with curiosity and longing..."
"Uncle's getting old now. Going out to sea every day to fish is tiring. Considering how many years I've been doing this to buy you medical books, let me take on the easy job of guarding the lighthouse for a few years, huh? Hahaha!"
The uncle laughed heartily, his words lighthearted, but they brought tears to Crocus' eyes. Ever since his parents passed away, it was his uncle who had raised him, supporting him all the way.
He had given Crocus enough money to buy medical books and master his craft. Even the harpoon skills he relied on were taught by his uncle, a renowned sea beast hunter across the nearby islands.
His hunting skills were far superior to the rookie pirates who had just entered the Grand Line. He might not compare to the Supernovas, but with a bounty range of thirty to forty million Belly, he was no pushover!
That was why Twin Capes had remained untouched by reckless pirates all these years. Crocus' parents had been formidable fighters in their own right, too.
Now, Crocus had almost caught up to the uncle in strength. Ordinary pirates from the Four Seas with bounties around twenty to thirty million wouldn't stand a chance against him.
"...Uncle," Crocus murmured, his gaze firming with determination.
He had made up his mind. He would set sail with Brook and the others to see the wonders of this vast world.
"I've studied medicine for so long—it's time to put it to the test. Let's make our family's harpoon technique famous across the seas!"
The uncle placed a rough, calloused hand on Crocus' shoulder. The 21-year-old doctor looked down at the hardened hands of the man who had raised him and nodded.
"Uncle, stay here at Twin Capes and get some well-deserved rest. I'll be the one to spread our family's name. Our harpoon technique isn't just for hunting sea beasts—it can shake the world! And I'll prove that my medical skills are just as good as those doctors on Drum Island!"
With conviction burning in his chest, Crocus turned to Brook.
"Captain Brook, I've made my decision. From now on, I'm the doctor of the Hell Pirates! Take me with you—I want to see the world and carve our name into history!"
Brook's grin widened. "Welcome aboard, Crocus! I promise you, we'll make the world tremble at the name of the Hell Pirates!"
Behind him, Redfield and the others clenched their fists. Their goal was set—fame, glory, and making their mark on the world!
That night, they held a bonfire feast on the shore. Even Laboon joined in, splashing near the coastline. Laughter and celebration filled the air, marking the beginning of a new adventure.
...
The next day.
After finalizing arrangements for the lighthouse with the uncle, Crocus, with the help of Brook and the crew, moved his treasured medical books onto the ship. The most essential ones remained with his uncle.
Fortunately, the Yellow Springs had plenty of newly purchased medical books from Drum Island. Duplicates were given to the uncle, who chuckled, wondering if he should start learning medicine himself.
A massive tow rope was also added to the ship, allowing Laboon to help pull them along from time to time, increasing their speed.
As Crocus waved goodbye, watching the Yellow Springs disappear into the horizon, the uncle smiled in satisfaction.
Leaning back into a reclining chair, he picked up a newspaper and sipped his juice.
"After all these years of hard work, it's finally time to enjoy life~."
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg