After the Red Force sailed away, Crocus finally settled into the lounge chair outside his house and calmly sipped his tea.
“Go on, then.
You two never come to me unless you need something.
You’ve definitely run into trouble, haven’t you?” Shanks and Buggy exchanged a look.
Then Shanks gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, “Crocus, Buggy and I want to ask you for a favor!” “If the two of you are willing to open your mouths and ask, it can’t be anything simple, right?” Crocus continued drinking his tea.
“Haaah…” After taking several deep breaths, Buggy finally spoke.
“Crocus, come with us to South Blue.
Shanks and I are going to save Captain Roger’s wife and child!” “Pfft—!” “Hot, hot, hot!!!” Crocus gave each of them a punch without mercy, then hurriedly brushed the tea leaves and spilled tea from his chest.
“You two brats had better talk properly!
If a blockhead like Roger could find himself a wife, then I might as well be the Pirate King!” With steaming lumps on their heads, Shanks and Buggy hid behind Gavin and signaled with their eyes for him to explain properly.
Gavin sighed helplessly and pulled an old newspaper from his pocket.
“Mr.
Crocus, it’s like this.
Please take a look at this newspaper first.” Crocus glared at Buggy and Shanks hiding behind Gavin, frightening the two of them so badly they tucked themselves away like quails.
He took the newspaper and scanned its contents with doubtful eyes.
“If you two can’t give me a proper explanation later, I’ll stack enough bumps on your heads to build a pagoda.
Hmph!” By the time Crocus finished reading the newspaper, his brows were tightly furrowed.
“What exactly is going on here?
Why would the Marines and the World Government know Roger went to South Blue?” “The World Government’s CP agents are planted all over the seas.
It isn’t strange that they’d know things like that.” Since Shanks did not dare come out and explain, Gavin could only speak in his place.
“To be honest, I’m more surprised that Pirate King Roger’s wife hasn’t been dug out already.” “With the noses those CP hounds have, if they had Roger’s complete movements, this search should’ve been over by now.” “And as the Pirate King’s child, that baby would definitely be branded as evil and executed.” “Exactly!” Shanks could no longer care about the pain on his head.
Clinging to Gavin’s leg, he poked half his body out.
“Crocus, I want to find Roger’s family before they do, then have our crew raise the child until they grow up!” “Nonsense!” Crocus shouted, his eyes turning grave.
“Gavin, where did you get this information?
You know this isn’t something you can joke about!” “And I can only help you from the shadows at most.
Whether it’s me or Rayleigh, if we appear in public again and get connected to you…” “Then what awaits your crew will be the Fleet Admiral and Admirals moving together.” “Even hiding in East Blue won’t save you.
That bastard Garp won’t hold back!” “The information should be real.
You can tell from the news in the paper,” Gavin said, pointing to the article.
“Morgans may be a clickbait-loving birdman, but he still has some integrity as a newsman.” “Besides, Shanks mentioned before that Roger once let something slip.
He said he wanted to go to South Blue and experience its local customs and beautiful women, right, Shanks?” Shanks nodded quickly.
“That’s right, Crocus!
Captain really did say that!” Gavin picked up the explanation from there.
“Combine that with the World Government and Marines launching this desperate search, and it’s clear they haven’t found Roger’s family yet.
We still have a chance.” “As long as you and this whale can help us reach South Blue quickly, there’s still hope!” Crocus did not answer.
He simply lowered his head and continued looking at the newspaper.
“Tch.
This really is troublesome.
Does Rayleigh know about this?” Shanks shook his head.
“No.
I don’t have Rayleigh’s Den Den Mushi number.
Also… I’ve been a little broke lately.
All the Berries I had for buying a Den Den Mushi went into buying wine.
Hahaha.” At the end, Shanks even added a laugh on purpose to ease the mood.
Crocus set the newspaper down.
After thinking in silence for a while, he slowly spoke.
“You were right not to contact Rayleigh.
The Sabaody Archipelago is within the World Government’s surveillance range.
If your Den Den Mushi connected to a line in that area, this matter would probably be exposed immediately.” “I can help you with this, but all I can do is have Laboon take you through the Calm Belt to South Blue.
The rescue itself will depend on you.” “Once I take direct action, the nature of this entire incident changes.” “It might escalate into the Pirate King’s remnants trying to return.
At that point, what awaits old men like us will be a full Marine encirclement.
It won’t benefit you either.” Shanks and Buggy ran out from behind Gavin with smiles on their faces.
“Leave the rescue to us!
With everyone here, it’ll definitely be fine!” Buggy nodded heavily.
“That’s right, Crocus!
As long as Laboon swallows us at the key moment, we can escape!” “I never thought that at my age, I’d still have to fool around with you youngsters.” Crocus shook his head, jumped into the stomach-acid sea, and swam toward a special ladder not far away.
“Come on.
I’ll take you out first.
Shanks, have your crew sail out through that exit.” …
On the sea, at the Twin Cape Lighthouse, the huge whale’s upper skin surfaced.
A specially made steel gate opened, and seawater carrying the single-masted ship blasted out from within.
“We’re finally out!
Hahaha!
That was a pretty amazing experience!” Yasopp grabbed his crewmates and laughed loudly as he began dancing some unknown dance.
The familiar lyrics drew Laboon’s attention.
“You understand this song too?
Binks’ Sake is an absolute classic!” !!!
Another whale cry rang out.
Crocus leapt up from the land around the lighthouse and landed on top of Laboon’s head.
He lay there, gently stroking the whale while speaking to him in a soft voice.
Gavin sat on a protruding rock at the outer edge of Twin Cape, arms crossed as he met the whale’s enormous eye.
He had a feeling that this whale could understand what they were saying.
And when it came to the legend surrounding Laboon… “The Rumbar Pirates, huh?
Now that’s an old name…” A thought suddenly surfaced in Gavin’s mind, and he released his spiritual pressure, drawing the whale’s gaze toward him.
“Hey, Laboon!” “Let’s make a new promise!” “My name is Hickman D.
Gavin.
Once the Red Force circles the world, I’ll cut open the shackle that’s been trapping you here!!” Gavin drew his Zanpakutō and swung with all his strength toward the Red Line behind him.
A half-gold, half-silver flying slash split apart the falling seawater and revealed the crimson mountain behind it.
“I’ll cut this mountain open!
When that time comes, you’ll be free to go wherever you want!” He sheathed his blade and stood there, pressing a hand wrapped in spiritual pressure gently against Laboon’s approaching skin.
“In exchange, become our crewmate, Laboon.” Laboon stared straight at Gavin as if confirming something.
“Carry the name of the Red Hair Pirates and start a new life.
Whether it’s me, Shanks, Snake, or everyone else…” Laboon’s huge eye swept one by one across the smiling people aboard the Red Force.
“We’re all your crewmates now!” Shanks pressed down the straw hat on his head, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“Gavin’s right, Laboon.
Become my crewmate.
Whether it’s the Four Blues or the Grand Line, I’ll take you with us.” “That’s right, Laboon!” Snake shouted.
“If we’re crewmates, then we can properly take you sailing with us everywhere!” ‘Really… can I?’ A slightly childish voice suddenly entered Gavin’s ears.
He almost thought he had misheard it, until the question sounded again.
‘Can I really become your crewmate?’ “Weird.
Shanks, did you hear a voice just now?
Why do I feel like there’s a kid talking beside my ear?” Shanks froze.
“What kid?
Where would we have a kid here… wait!!” Crocus’s mouth was wide open as well, his face full of shock.
“Hey, hey, no way… Shanks, does your vice-captain have the same ability as Roger and Oden?
Can he hear the Voice of All Things?!” The Voice… of All Things?
Gavin suddenly turned his head toward Laboon.
“Was that you speaking just now?”