In the beginning, Caesar never thought of inviting musicians as crew members.
He hadn't even considered it until he boarded Rocks D. Xebec's ship.
It wasn't until he and Brad traveled alone that he realized how difficult it was without music—something to uplift the crew and express emotions.
That's why almost all pirate crews had musicians and often held grand banquets.
For this reason, Caesar sought out a musician—Verna.
And so, for whatever reason, when Caesar learned of Brook, he was determined to recruit him no matter what.
Thinking about Brook, Caesar spoke again:
"From here, we can choose one of the seven routes. Let's just pick one at random. How about it?"
"Seven air routes? I've never heard of that before," someone questioned.
"Boss, you can pick any route. It's all the same adventure," another crew member added.
For them, the sea was vast, but they could roam freely.
Even without a ship, Caesar could ensure their safety.
As they discussed, someone suddenly interjected:
"Did you just say Brook of the Rumbar Pirates?"
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a long, narrow head and hair that fanned out like a peacock's tail—colored in an eccentric way.
Introducing himself, he said, "My name is Kurox. I'm a doctor, and I take care of Laboon."
"I heard you mention that Brook from the Rumbar Pirates was eaten... but survived. Is that true?"
Caesar looked at the man and recognized him—he was the ship doctor who would later join the Roger Pirates.
"Ah! That's right," Caesar confirmed.
"In the Devil's Delta, there's a ship still flying the Rumbar Pirates' flag—with a talking skeleton on board."
"I heard he's a Devil Fruit user who revived after eating the Yomi Yomi no Mi. His name is Brook."
"Most people think it's just a rumor."
"Amazing! Brook is still alive!" Kurox said excitedly. "Please, let me come aboard! Take me to him! I'm a doctor, I can help!"
But the crew exchanged looks, then glanced at their own ship doctor—Lily.
They all shook their heads.
Caesar also disagreed.
What kind of joke is this?
Who in their right mind would trade a beautiful ship doctor for an odd-looking middle-aged man?
Leaving aside whether Kurox's medical skills were reliable, Lily was far more pleasant to look at.
Especially when you were injured and needed treatment—who wouldn't prefer a beautiful doctor?
Of course, Caesar didn't voice his true thoughts.
Instead, he told Kurox, "It's great that you want to help Laboon."
"But if we find Brook, we'll bring him back when we get the chance. If we don't, then it's pointless for you to come with us. It's better if you stay and take care of Laboon."
Brad, worried that Kurox might actually join the crew, quickly chimed in:
"Exactly! Laboon keeps trying to break through Reverse Mountain. He's always hurting himself. You need to stay and treat him."
"We'll bring Brook here as soon as we find him. Just wait."
Kurox thought for a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense."
The instant he agreed, the Caesar Pirates wasted no time.
They hurriedly set sail, leaving Twin Cape behind.
Brad breathed a sigh of relief as the cape disappeared on the horizon.
"That was close. If that weird-looking uncle became our ship doctor, I'd rather die. Even if he saved me, I'd have nightmares forever."
The crew burst into laughter.
---
A Few Days Later...
The Caesar Pirates rode the waves.
CRACK!
Suddenly, the ship shook violently.
Everyone on board was startled.
"What was that?!"
"Enemy attack? Where did it come from?"
"There's no sign of any pirates nearby. Could it be a sea beast?"
Just as that thought crossed their minds, Hades—the crew's fish-man—immediately dove into the sea.
As a fish-man, battles underwater were his domain—along with Caesar's.
At the same time, Caesar expanded his Observation Haki, enveloping the entire ship with his mind's eye.
Then, he realized what had happened.
Their ship—originally stolen—had already endured countless battles, countless navy chases.
And after being abandoned on a deserted island in the East Blue for six months—exposed to the elements with no maintenance—it had finally reached its limit.
"We need a new ship," Caesar declared.
At that moment, Hades resurfaced.
"No enemies below," he reported. "But a lot of the planks are rotten. The keel is cracked too."
"If we don't fix this soon, the ship will fall apart mid-journey."
Since Caesar had foreseen this issue, no one was surprised.
Even knowing their ship wouldn't last much longer, the crew looked at Caesar calmly.
"Why are you all staring at me?" Caesar asked.
"Well... even if the ship breaks apart, you can carry us to the next island, right?" Gliner said nonchalantly.
Caesar was speechless.
So, they just wanted him to be their personal transport?
Just then, their sniper, Arno, shouted:
"Caesar! There's an island ahead!"
Hearing this, Caesar used his Devil Fruit power to propel the ship forward like an arrow.
As they neared the island, Caesar saw numerous ships docked at the port—including several pirate vessels.
The island had plenty of ship repair shops.
For the Caesar Pirates, it was the perfect opportunity.
"Good timing," Caesar said. "Let's find a new ship."
Brad grinned. "Maybe we'll just steal one while we're at it."
Lily, the ship doctor, added excitedly:
"If we're getting a new ship, I want a proper medical bay! With a bath and a research room!"
"And a sterile operating room," she continued. "The new ship should be as spacious as possible."
As they stepped onto the island, many people took notice.
The pirate flag on Caesar's ship was too conspicuous.
---
[Chapter 103: The Hunt for a New Ship]
"Is that... the Caesar Pirates?"
"I just read in the newspaper that Caesar fought Garp in the East Blue!"
"How did they reach the Grand Line so fast?"
"Does this mean even the Navy hero Garp couldn't stop them? They don't look injured at all!"
"A few months ago, they were barely surviving against Garp. But now...?"
While some pirates were intimidated, others had a different reaction.
They saw Caesar's crew as prey.
Since leaving the Calm Belt and resuming their journey, Caesar had encountered this kind of gaze countless times.
A bunch of small-time pirates who had no idea how powerful he was.
Brad noticed too.
"Boss, should we leave someone behind to guard the ship?" he asked.
"If we don't, some idiot might try to steal our flag or dismantle the ship."
Lily nodded. "Even if we're replacing it, we should be the ones to retire our ship—not some nobodies."
Caesar smirked.
"Let them try," he said.
Then, unleashing a small burst of Conqueror's Haki, he sent a wave of pressure rippling through the crowd.
Gasps and murmurs spread through the pirates.
The message was clear:
Don't even think about it.
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