Ever since Roger became the Pirate King and disbanded the Roger Pirates, Crocus had returned to the Twin Capes, wholeheartedly dedicating himself to being the lighthouse keeper and accompanying Laboon, peacefully enjoying his retirement. As for his identity as the Pirate King's ship doctor, very few people knew of it. If not for someone close to him, it would be impossible for anyone to unmask him.
Crocus looked curiously at the owner of the voice, wondering what kind of great power this person possessed to know even an old man like him, who was practically knocking on death's door, so clearly.
"Young man, one shouldn't speak so carelessly. I'm just a lighthouse keeper!" Crocus said, his eyes narrowed, a hint of danger in his voice.
Doflamingo didn't continue to press Crocus's sore spot. He knew there was no benefit in arguing with someone like Crocus. Since Crocus wanted it this way, he would indulge him. After all, just the Pirate King's ship doctor – Doflamingo didn't really see him as a major concern.
"The Pirate King's ship doctor, old fellow! Your background is quite impressive; you almost scared me," Diamante said, pushing Crocus away and retracting his rapier. The two stood in a standoff atop Laboon's head.
"Say whatever you like! However, you cannot harm Laboon," Crocus didn't argue, shifting the focus from his identity as the Pirate King's doctor to Laboon.
On the Ark, everyone's interest was piqued by Doflamingo's words. They all curiously sized up the unremarkable old man, whose hair looked as if chicken feathers were stuck in it.
"Young Master, is he really the Pirate King's ship doctor? He doesn't look strong at all," Baby 5 mumbled to Doflamingo.
"Can strength be judged by appearance alone? Then what kind of person is a strong person, Baby 5?" Doflamingo, hearing Baby 5's question, asked back with interest, wanting to hear her answer.
"Well, they must look imposing and domineering, with a terrifying aura surrounding them!" Baby 5 said naively.
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
"Hahahaha!"
Everyone burst into laughter at Baby 5's words.
"What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?" Baby 5, rarely blushing, was flustered like a rooster that had lost a fight, hopping up and down.
"Baby 5, the world is vast. Grow up quickly! Otherwise, you'll die a miserable death like this!" Doflamingo said to Baby 5, his tone suddenly chilling.
"Young Master..." Baby 5, hearing Doflamingo's icy tone, clung to his leg fearfully, muttering.
The little commotion on the Ark thus dissipated, and everyone's attention returned to Crocus and Diamante. Enel sized up Crocus with excitement. He hadn't expected to encounter such a legendary figure right after entering the Grand Line. He was ecstatic. He then shouted at Diamante, "Diamante, are you going to fight or not? If not, let me have him!"
Diamante had been about to taunt Crocus further, but Enel's interruption cut him off, which annoyed him greatly.
"You're everywhere, Enel! This old man is my opponent! I don't need your help yet!" Diamante shouted at Enel, dissatisfied.
"Yahahaha! Diamante, wasn't I just worried about you?" Enel, completely unaffected by Diamante's displeasure, said with a grin.
"Hmph!" Diamante, seeing Enel's expression, had no outlet for his frustration and could only refocus on Crocus.
"Is there really no room for de-escalation?" Crocus said, somewhat helplessly. After all, he had been retired for so long, and he wasn't a combatant. His strength was merely so-so.
"I'm very eager to witness the strength of the Pirate King's ship doctor. This whale is no longer important. You are the reason worthy of my strike," Diamante realized this was a rare opportunity. The Pirate King's ship doctor, eh? This was an excellent opponent. Laboon was far inferior in comparison. He wanted to see just how big the gap was between himself and those world-renowned powerhouses.
"Sigh, must it really be this way? I'm just an ordinary doctor! What fighting skills would I have?" Crocus sighed.
"Stop trying to fool me! Take this! Rapid Slash!" Diamante didn't believe a word Crocus said. The prettier the woman, the more deceitful; naturally, the older the man, the craftier. Diamante wouldn't be fooled. He attacked with his full strength.
"Laboon! You've really gotten me into trouble!" Crocus complained to Laboon, though there wasn't a trace of panic on his face. His hands moved quickly to strike at Diamante's incoming sword. After all, this fight had to be fought, whether he wanted to or not. Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Crocus attacked without hesitation.
Laboon, as if understanding Crocus's complaint, let out a low rumble in response, as if apologizing to Crocus. Crocus and Diamante clashed and then retreated from each other. Their second exchange also ended in a stalemate.
"Getting old, getting old," Crocus muttered after repelling Diamante.
Diamante, in contrast, was extremely wary, preparing his next move. Laboon, serving as their footing, remained very still, not disturbing their duel.
"New Moon Funeral Slash!" Diamante brandished his rapier, unleashing a full-moon-like arc of sword energy towards Crocus, intending to envelop him. Sword energy converged on Crocus from all directions.
Crocus remained calm, but a fierce light glinted from behind his old-fashioned glasses. He quickly leaped into the air, dodging the encompassing attack. After all, there were two great swordsmen on the Pirate King's ship. Whether it was Roger or Rayleigh, their swordsmanship was far beyond Diamante's. Crocus had witnessed their skills long ago; how could he possibly take Diamante's swordsmanship seriously?
"Very creative, young man!" Crocus, airborne, praised Diamante, then launched an attack towards him.
Diamante, also unfazed, swung his sword towards Crocus. Just as the two were engaged in a fierce battle, with Doflamingo and his crew as spectators, the Red Hair Pirates arrived from the East Blue, having passed Reverse Mountain and entered the Twin Capes.
"I wonder if Uncle Crocus is doing alright?" Shanks, standing on the deck of the Red Force, wore a black cloak, his famed sword Gryphon at his waist. Only one arm was visible; it seemed he had indeed gambled his other arm on the new era.
"Uncle Crocus? Captain, is he a former member of your Roger Pirates?" Lucky Roux, munching on a chicken leg, asked knowingly upon hearing Shanks's mumble.
"Uncle Crocus is the Pirate King's ship doctor! He's amazing!" Shanks always got excited when talking about familiar people, praising Crocus without reservation.
Beside them, Benn Beckman calmly smoked his cigarette, patiently listening to their conversation. He knew his captain's disposition all too well. The sharp-eyed Yasopp noticed something amiss. "Captain, it looks like there's a fight up ahead!" he immediately reported.
Hearing Yasopp's words, Shanks directed his gaze into the distance and at once saw Crocus fighting. A rare look of gravity settled on Shanks's face. Crocus was someone he respected. Now, some upstart young pirates had dared to trouble him. Although Shanks didn't think Crocus would lose, he also saw the massive ark, indicating the enemy had numbers. Crocus was alone and unaided. Shanks didn't want to see that happen. It was time for the Red Hair Pirates to lend a hand!
"Get us closer! I want to see what pirate crew dares to provoke Uncle Crocus!" Shanks ordered sternly.
"Understood, Captain!" The crewman who received the order sensed the change in Shanks's mood and quickly steered the ship closer.
"Old man, is that all you've got?" Diamante had been fighting Crocus for a while, but Crocus hadn't been able to gain an upper hand on Diamante either.
"I'm just a doctor. Why must we fight to the death like this? Young man, your future lies in the vast sea of stars. Why waste your time with an old man like me?" Crocus said, sounding utterly helpless.
"I don't think you've shown your true strength yet," Diamante wouldn't be fooled, staring intently at Crocus.
Just as everyone was engrossed in the battle between Crocus and Diamante, the Red Hair Pirates rapidly sailed into everyone's line of sight. Crocus, seeing familiar faces arrive, felt greatly relieved. He then shouted towards Red-Haired Shanks, "Shanks, you brat! Hurry up and help! Otherwise, these old bones of mine are about to give out!"
Shanks, standing on the Red Force, his Haki overflowing, had originally intended to make a grand, awe-inspiring entrance, to back up Crocus and boost their morale. But, contrary to his expectations, Crocus directly drafted him into service. However, since it had already happened, Shanks didn't refuse Crocus's suggestion. Anyone who dared to attack the respected Crocus deserved a good lesson from him.
Everyone on the Ark looked warily at the suddenly appearing Red Hair Pirates. Doflamingo secretly sized up Red-Haired Shanks. Indeed, he was incredibly domineering, exuding a strong masculine aura. Noticing his missing arm, Doflamingo instantly realized what had happened: the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika had already been eaten by Sun God Luffy. Doflamingo felt no regret. What was his would eventually be his; what wasn't, he would seize by force.
The members of the Red Hair Pirates also sized up the Donquixote Pirates. Shanks looked at Doflamingo, who stood at the bow of his ship – clad in a wine-red suit, his flamboyant blond hair reaching for the sky, sunglasses on his face, and a flashy pink feather coat draped over his shoulders. As a fellow powerhouse, Shanks immediately sensed the vast, unfathomable aura emanating from Doflamingo. Where did this formidable enemy come from? Good thing Uncle Crocus ran into me today, Shanks thought.
Diamante and Crocus also watched these developments. Red Hair was still Red Hair, just as Doflamingo remembered him.
Shanks stepped out from among his crew, drew his famed sword Gryphon, and declared to the Donquixote Pirates with flamboyant dominance, "Let me be the one to fight you!"
"Fuffuffuffuffu! Excellent! I couldn't ask for more, Red Hair!" Doflamingo said with a laugh.
A clash between the two pirate crews was imminent. The battle was about to begin!