With laughter still lingering from breakfast, the Going Merry finally crossed the last stretch of sky and glided down past the towering Red Line. The island cloud that had carried them this far gently released the ship, and Merry touched the waves of the Grand Line for the first time.
"Finally!" Kaya leaned over the rail, her face bright with wonder. "So this is the Grand Line…"
Nami stretched lazily, hands behind her head. "Well, we made it… now let's see what kind of crazy weather this sea is going to throw at us."
But then she blinked as the ship suddenly started descending faster. The Merry leveled out and coasted toward the coast at a controlled speed — clearly Leo's doing.
"Uh, Captain?" Nami turned her head, one brow raised. "Why are we stopping here?"
Leo stood calmly at the bow, one hand on the rail. "Because this is where things start to get tricky. The Grand Line isn't like the East Blue. The sea currents and weather are unstable — completely unpredictable unless you have the right tools. To navigate properly, we need a Log Pose or an Eternal Pose attuned to the islands ahead."
Carmen whistled softly. "So that's why they call it a pirate's graveyard, huh?"
The ship came to a smooth halt near a coast marked by a lone lighthouse. As the crew disembarked, they noticed an old man sitting nearby on a chair, casually reading a newspaper. His hair stuck out behind his head like saffron petals, his bright shirt and shorts making him look oddly cheerful for such a desolate place.
The old man glanced at the group approaching and spoke without much interest. "Who are you lot?"
Kaya, ever the polite one, stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Hello, sir. We're—"
"My name's Crocus," the old man interrupted without looking up.
Kaya blinked, a little flustered at being cut off, but kept her smile. "Then… Mr. Crocus, could you tell us where we are?"
At that, Crocus lowered his paper, his tone sharpening. "Before you start asking questions, shouldn't you introduce yourselves first? Kids these days have no manners."
Nami's temper immediately flared. She planted a hand on her hip and marched forward. "Fine! We're the Leo Pirates, from East Blue, and I'm—"
"Twin Capes," Crocus interrupted again. "And I'm the lighthouse keeper here."
Nami's eye twitched, lightning sparking faintly around her as she clenched her fists. "You—!"
Leo chuckled and stepped forward, defusing the moment. "I'm Leo, captain of this crew. Crocus, huh? If I'm not mistaken, there was a ship's doctor by that name aboard the Pirate King Roger's ship." He tilted his head slightly. "And you look just like him."
The name hit like a thunderclap. Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya's jaws dropped. Even Tashigi froze — Roger's crew was something she'd only read about in classified Marine records.
For the first time, Crocus's expression softened into a smile. "So you know a bit of history. Hah… been a long time since anyone called me out by name like that. Come on then, follow me. We can talk in my hut."
Before they could move, a deep rumble shook the ground beneath their feet.
"W-what was that?!" Kaya grabbed Makino's arm.
A second roar followed, mournful and powerful enough to make the water ripple.
"That sound…" Carmen turned toward the horizon. "It's coming from the sea!"
Leo's gaze sharpened. "That would be Laboon."
The crew turned just in time to see an enormous whale rise from the waves. Its massive form loomed like a living island, water streaming off its back. And then it slammed itself headfirst into the Red Line.
The sound of impact thundered across the cape.
The girls gasped in shock. "Its head—!" Nami's voice caught as she saw the countless scars crisscrossing the whale's forehead.
"All from doing this," Crocus said grimly as he grabbed a case and ran to the edge of the cliff. With practiced speed, he entered a hatch and vanished inside the whale. Moments later, the massive creature began to calm, its thrashing subsiding.
When Crocus reemerged, he let out a weary sigh and gestured for them to follow him into his small house. "Come inside. I'll explain."
Once they were seated, Crocus poured tea and told them the full story — of how Laboon had followed the Rumbar Pirates from West Blue, how they'd promised to return for him after crossing the Grand Line, and how fifty long years had passed without their return.
By the end, Kaya's hands were clasped tightly in her lap. "That's… so sad. He's been waiting all this time?"
Nojiko bit her lip. "No wonder he keeps hurting himself… he must think that if he breaks through the wall, he can see them again."
Even Nami's expression softened. She stared into her tea, clearly thinking about the whale's pain. "He's been hurting himself for fifty years. That's… stubborn even for a whale."
Leo leaned back in his chair, gaze thoughtful. "The Rumbar Pirates… if they're still alive, they'd have to be incredibly old by now. But even if they're gone…" He glanced toward the sea, where Laboon floated silently. "…maybe there's still a way to keep his promise from breaking."
The room was quiet for a moment, the weight of the story settling over everyone. It was Makino who finally smiled gently. "Then we should at least make sure he doesn't hurt himself until we figure out what to do."
Crocus nodded slowly. "You've got good hearts. If you really mean that… maybe you'll survive the Grand Line after all."
The crew exchanged determined looks. Whatever waited ahead, they had just crossed the threshold of the most dangerous sea in the world — and they wouldn't turn back now.
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T/N :
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