There didn't seem to be any pirates staying in this medical powerhouse, so Redfield couldn't find anyone strong enough to compete with. After all, this was a well-known member of the World Government and one of the fifty nations that could participate in the Reverie.
Medical knowledge was the main focus here, and fighting wasn't exactly welcome. However, the fish-man shipwright Tom discovered several new alloys and even electromagnetic suspension materials on the island's advanced medical equipment.
This discovery convinced him that rare metals capable of floating on the sea's surface must exist in the world. One day, he would build a sea train connecting the islands and revitalize the economy of Water 7.
Brook had Shakky and Antonio buy medical books and common medicines for sea voyages, gathering all the useful knowledge available on Drum Island. These things would be essential, even if Brook himself never got sick.
At Shakky's repeated request, Brook and his crew decided to stay on Drum Island for the night, enjoying the island's unique night views and bustling night market.
---
The Next Morning
Brook and his companions crawled out of their warm beds, set sail aboard the Voyager, and left the frigid winter island behind, heading for Twin Capes—the starting point of the Grand Line.
"I wonder how Laboon is doing now… Would it be right or wrong to take him with me?"
But leaving Laboon at Twin Capes, watching him slam his head into the Red Line over and over… that would be too cruel. It would be better to take him along, to adventure together, through life and death. If something happened in the future—even if Laboon didn't survive the journey—at least he'd live a life without regrets.
A companion's choice should be respected. Forcing Laboon to stay would be selfish. Even if the journey was dangerous, it was better to face it together than to spend a lifetime regretting.
If Crocus hadn't been around to help treat Laboon, he probably would've died crashing into the Red Line anyway. So why not take him along?
---
Near Twin Capes
Drum Island wasn't too far from Twin Capes. With a Log Pose, the journey only took a day or two. This was also part of why Crocus was such a skilled doctor—besides guarding the lighthouse, he frequently traveled to Drum Island to buy medical books and learn advanced techniques. If not for this, how could an ordinary lighthouse keeper develop such incredible medical skills?
"Captain Brook, we failed to recruit a ship doctor this time. Are you sure this Crocus guy will actually leave with us?"
Shakky was a bit skeptical. She had come all the way from Sabaody Archipelago—the final stop before the New World—back to Twin Capes, the entrance to the Grand Line. That kind of journey was unheard of!
Brook wasn't sure either, but one thing was certain—Laboon would be coming with him. That was their promise.
"If we can't recruit him, then we leave as soon as possible and prepare to enter the New World!"
Brook's determination lit a fire under his crew. Redfield and the others were itching for action.
Time at sea always felt long, but Redfield often sparred with Brook, helping him develop his Revive-Revive Fruit's abilities even further. Meanwhile, Redfield's own strength was inching closer to Brook's—proof of his natural talent for battle.
Even Shakky showed exceptional skill in learning Shave, one of the Six Powers of the Marines, as if she was born for speed-based techniques.
---
Return to Twin Capes
As they approached, the sight of the two towering lighthouses brought back a wave of nostalgia for Brook and Redfield. These were the first structures they had seen after surviving Reverse Mountain and entering the Grand Line—an unforgettable moment.
For Shakky and the others, who had grown up further along the Grand Line, the sight didn't carry the same weight.
At Twin Capes, Crocus was sitting by the lighthouse, reading a newspaper. He was used to watching pirate ships come rushing down from Reverse Mountain, but it was rare to see a ship sailing back from the GrandLine's depths.
A pirate crew returning this way usually meant one of two things—they were either legendary figures aiming to sail the world… or they were beaten down and fleeing to the Four Seas like whipped dogs.
"That Ship looks familiar," Crocus muttered, squinting at the approaching ship.
Then it hit him—this was Brook's Hell Pirates!
Brook's bounty had been renewed after his revenge in Sabaody, and Crocus had heard about the Rumbar Pirates' fate. If Brook had remained trapped in the Florian's Triangle, or if the Posion Smoke Pirates had been wiped out quickly in Sabaody or the New World, the Rumbar Pirates would've been forgotten, just another nameless crew lost to history.
"Laaaboooon!! Brook is back!" Crocus called out excitedly.
A massive black figure burst from the water. Over ten meters long, Laboon had grown tremendously since Brook had last seen him. Separated from his pod as a calf, Laboon had followed the Rumbar Pirates all the way from the West Blue, enchanted by their music.
Captain Yorki had entrusted Laboon to Crocus, promising to return after circumnavigating the world. But Yorki had fallen ill and left the crew early—likely dead—and the Rumbar Pirates had perished in the Florian's Triangle.
"Woooo!!"
Laboon let out a deep, echoing cry and swam full speed toward the Voyager, sending massive waves crashing around him.
"Captain Brook! A sea monster is charging at us at high speed!"
Shakky shouted, raising a telescope. Hiruba immediately set up his sniper rifle, aiming at the rapidly approaching shadow, while Redfield rested a hand on his cane-sword's hilt.
"Calm down, everyone! Hiruba, put down the gun! He's my crewmate—our future companion—the island whale, Laboon!"
Brook quickly stopped his crew before anyone made a mistake. Seeing Laboon's raw power, he realized something—Laboon would make an incredible sea beast to tow the ship.
The speed of his growth was beyond anything Brook had imagined. In just half a year, he had grown this much… truly a testament to the massive potential of the island whale species.
Standing at the bow, Brook locked eyes with Laboon, wondering if the whale would still recognize him. After all, he had changed a lot since they last met.
But bonds between crewmates never fade.
Laboon stared at Brook for a few seconds, then let out an excited, melodic cry. He leaped from the sea, splashing water everywhere in sheer joy.
"Laboon! It's been a long time! Let's head to the Twin Capes first. From now on, you'll adventure with us!!"
Brook called out to him. Laboon, intelligent as ever, understood immediately. He leaped from the water, his massive form casting a shadow over the ship, and let out another cheerful bellow.
If there was a rope on the Voyager, Laboon would have already started pulling the ship forward.
----
As the Voyager entered the port of Twin Capes, Crocus felt a wave of excitement. The crew of the Rumbar Pirates had been close friends, and he had always enjoyed the lively atmosphere on their ship.
If he hadn't been the lighthouse keeper at Twin Capes, he might have joined the Rumbar Pirates and sailed the world with them. But if he had been aboard back then, would Captain Yuki's illness have been cured? Could the Rumbar Pirates have survived the attack with poison weapons?
Or perhaps, he would have perished alongside them. If that had happened, would Roger have survived? Would the Great Pirate Era have ever begun?
"Brook, I didn't expect to see you again!"
Crocus rushed forward and wrapped Brook in a bear hug, his eyes welling with tears. Captain Yuki and the others were gone. Only Brook remained.
When Crocus learned that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out by a poison attack, he had thrown himself into medical research, regretting that he hadn't been able to help them.
"Crocus, I survived and was resurrected thanks to my Devil Fruit! Thank you for taking care of Laboon. He's the last remaining member of the Rumbar Pirates now."
Brook sighed. Though it hadn't been his body that experienced those events, his soul carried those memories deeply.
"Did you come back just for Laboon?"
Crocus watched Brook and his new crew. There had to be something driving them back here, and it could only be Laboon.
"Yes," Brook said, his voice solemn. "Dying once made me realize something—if we fail to circle the Grand Line, we will have broken our promise to Laboon. Rather than leaving him waiting here, I'd rather take him on this adventure, no matter how dangerous it gets. Besides, I have confidence in my strength now."
Brook paused before continuing. Another important reason he had returned to Twin Capes was to bring Crocus aboard.
"Is that so…?"
Crocus sighed at how much Brook had changed. But he couldn't deny it—he had grown deeply attached to Laboon over the past six months.
"Crocus, I want to invite you to be the ship's doctor for our crew. I don't want to experience another tragedy like what happened to the Rumbar Pirates. Please!"
Brook stretched out his hand, his expression sincere and determined.
Rather than searching the vast sea for future talents with uncertain growth, why not recruit those he already knew would become legends? This was his only advantage—the knowledge of what was to come. The butterfly effects it would cause? That wasn't Brook's concern. The world wouldn't stop spinning for one man. He had to prioritize his own future.
"…This…"
Crocus hesitated. Guarding the lighthouse at Twin Capes was an important responsibility. It was a guiding light for many merchant ships and fishermen—it couldn't simply be abandoned.
"Go if you want, Crocus. I'll watch over the lighthouse. Young people should go out and see the world."
A middle-aged man with graying temples stepped forward. He was strong and sturdy, a man who had clearly lived through many hardships.
"Uncle Lighthouse? What are you doing here?"
Crocus turned in surprise at the familiar voice and respectfully greeted him.
"Ever since your parents died in a shipwreck during a stormy night, you've dedicated yourself to maintaining these lighthouses, believing their poor condition was to blame. I've watched you study medicine for years, always reading newspapers, eager to learn about the world beyond these shores. I know that deep down, you've always wanted to set sail."
Uncle Lighthouse chuckled, his voice warm.
"I'm getting old, Crocus. Fishing every day has become exhausting. Since I've spent so many years buying medical books for you with my fishing money, I might as well take over lighthouse duty for a while! Hahaha!"
His laughter was hearty, but Crocus's eyes burned with emotion. Since his parents had passed, it was his uncle who had taken care of him, who had funded his studies, who had always supported him.
Crocus had also learned harpoon techniques from his uncle—a former sea beast hunter known across the nearby islands. With those skills, he was far stronger than rookie pirates who had just entered the Grand Line. He wasn't quite at the level of a Supernova, but he was more than capable of taking on pirates with bounties in the 30 to 40 million berries range.
Twin Capes had never been overrun by pirates. His parents had been strong, and now, Crocus had grown to match his uncle's abilities. Even pirates worth 20 to 30 million berries wouldn't find him an easy target.
"Uncle Lighthouse…"
Crocus's hesitation faded. He had made his decision.
"After all these years of studying medicine, it's time to go out and put my skills to the test. Let's see if my harpoon skills can make a name for themselves on the sea!"
Uncle Lighthouse clapped Crocus on the shoulder. The 21-year-old doctor looked at his uncle's calloused hands and nodded.
"Uncle, take it easy at Twin Capes. Let me make our family name famous. I'll prove that my harpoon techniques can rival the best, and I'll show the world that my medical skills are just as good as the doctors on Drum Island!"
Brook grinned. "So, that's a yes?"
Crocus inhaled deeply before turning back toward Brook and his crew.
"Captain Brook, I accept. I will be the doctor of the Hell Pirates. Take me with you—I want to see this incredible world! Let's make our name known across the seas!"
Brook's grin widened. "Welcome aboard, Crocus! I promise—we'll make the world shake at the name Hell Pirates!"
Behind them, Redfield and the others clenched their fists in excitement. Let's make our name known across the world! Let's shake the seas!
That night, they celebrated on the shore with a bonfire party. Laboon and the other island whales joined in, making it a night to remember.
The Next Day
After arranging everything at Twin Capes, Crocus packed his medical books onto the Voyager with the help of Brook and the crew. He left a collection of commonly used medical books for his uncle, who chuckled about maybe teaching himself a thing or two about medicine.
The Voyager was equipped with a massive towing rope, allowing Laboon to pull the ship and give it a speed boost when needed.
As the ship sailed away, Crocus and his uncle exchanged one final wave.
Uncle Lighthouse sighed in relief, settling into a reclining chair with a newspaper in one hand and a cold drink in the other.
"After working so hard for so many years… it's finally time to relax."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?
Visit this link:
Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03
Change (å) to (a)