Chapter 24: Crocus of Twin Cape
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As the Bead Rider finally passed through the canal and officially entered the Grand Line, the vast expanse of the world's most dangerous sea stretched out before them. The sense of adventure and the unknown was palpable, and everyone on the boat couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Suddenly, a colossal whale appeared in their vision, its sheer size dwarfing everything else in sight. The whale let out a mournful roar that echoed through the air, causing the girls to look at it in awe and wonder.
"Daddy, what's that?" Aria asked, her eyes wide with amazement.
"That, Princess, is a giant whale from West Blue, why is he here? I am not sure. Seems like it lives here in the Grand Line for a while now," Jack replied, his eyes focused on the magnificent creature.
As they continued to marvel at the whale, Jack sensed the presence of a man nearby. He looked up and saw a figure standing on the Twin Cape, a pair of tall, rocky spires that rose from the sea. The man looked down at them with an expression of shock and amusement, clearly surprised to see a family entering the perilous Grand Line.
Intrigued by the man's presence, Jack steered the Bead Rider toward the Twin Cape. As they approached, the man waved them up, inviting them to join him.
"Who is that?" Luna asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm not sure," Jack replied, his eyes narrowed as he studied the stranger. "But we'll find out soon enough."
As the Bead Rider neared the base of the Twin Cape, Jack expertly guided the boat around the rocky outcrops, taking care to avoid the treacherous currents that surrounded the area.
Once they were close enough, the man called out to them, his voice friendly and inviting. "Ahoy there! I'm Crocus, the caretaker of Laboon! It's not every day we see a family enter the Grand Line. Come on up and join me!"
Jack considered the man for a moment before nodding his agreement. He then proceeded to anchor the Bead Rider securely before helping his family disembark.
As they climbed up the rocky path to meet Crocus, the girls continued to steal glances at the magnificent whale, still in awe of its sheer size and presence. Even Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder as he observed the magnificent creature up close.
Upon reaching Crocus, Jack greeted him with a curt nod. "I'm Jack, and this is my family. What brings you to this place, Crocus?"
Crocus chuckled warmly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "As I mentioned before, I'm the caretaker of Laboon, and I've lived here for many years. It's a lonely existence, but someone has to look after the old fellow."
Aria, never one to shy away from making new friends, eagerly approached Crocus. "Hi! I'm Aria! Laboon is so cool! Can we be friends?"
Crocus smiled at her, clearly charmed by the little girl's enthusiasm. "Of course we can, Aria. I'd be happy to have you and your family as friends."
As the family chatted with Crocus, they learned more about Laboon and his history. They discovered that the giant whale had once traveled with a group of pirates, but they had left him behind to protect him from the dangers of the Grand Line. Laboon had been waiting for their return ever since, and Crocus had dedicated his life to taking care of him.
The girls couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the lonely whale, and they soon found themselves growing fond of both Laboon and his kind-hearted caretaker.
Crocus sighed, a hint of sadness in his voice. "The Rumbar Pirates appeared 25 years ago, and ever since then, Laboon has been waiting for them."
Aria's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at Laboon, her heart aching for the lonely whale. She turned to her father, her big puppy eyes filled with determination. "Daddy, can't you find them?"
Jack's calm blue eyes met his daughter's gaze, and he could see the depth of her compassion for Laboon. In that moment, he made a decision. "I will look for them, Princess. I promise," he said, smiling as he patted her head.
Aria's face lit up with hope and gratitude, and she hugged her father tightly, knowing he would do everything in his power to reunite Laboon with his friends.
The rest of the family, touched by Aria's empathy and Jack's dedication, pledged their support in finding the Rumbar Pirates. They knew it would be a difficult journey, filled with danger and uncertainty, but they were determined to help Laboon and bring him the happiness he deserved.
Crocus, moved by their compassion and determination, offered them his assistance. "I have some information about the Rumbar Pirates and their last known whereabouts. It's not much, but it's a start."
"Thank you, Crocus," Jack replied, his voice steady and resolute. "We'll take any help we can get."
To thank them for their willingness to help Laboon, Crocus handed Jack a weathered journal filled with information about various islands throughout the Grand Line and the wait time for the Log Pose to set. Jack pulled a Log Pose from the Bead's pocket space and secured it around his wrist, his eyes scanning the journal's contents.
Crocus leaned in closer, his voice low and serious. "This journal contains valuable information that I've gathered over the years. It's not much, but it should help you navigate the treacherous waters of the Grand Line."
"Thank you," Jack said, his voice filled with gratitude. "This will be a great help to us."
As the family continued their conversation with Crocus, each of them asked questions about the Grand Line and its mysteries. Jack inquired about notorious pirates and their whereabouts, while Olvia, her curiosity piqued, asked about the enigmatic Poneglyphs.
Crocus stroked his beard thoughtfully, considering her question. "I've heard only rumors about the locations of three Poneglyphs. They are said to be hidden in Alabasta, Sky Island, and Fishman Island. However, I cannot guarantee their accuracy."
Olvia nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Even rumors are a start. Thank you, Crocus."
As they continued to talk, the family couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the kind-hearted caretaker. They shared stories of their past adventures and discussed their plans for the future, exchanging laughter and words of encouragement.
Aria, ever the curious one, asked Crocus about the many islands they would encounter in the Grand Line. "What are they like? Are they all really strange and mysterious?"
Crocus chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Oh, you'll find that the islands in the Grand Line are like nothing you've ever seen before. Some are strange and wondrous, while others are dark and dangerous. But each one is unique, and they all have their own secrets to discover."
Aria's eyes widened with excitement, and she clung to her father's arm, eager to begin their journey.
Jack looked down at his daughter, his calm blue eyes filled with love and determination. "We'll explore them together, Princess. And we'll find the Rumbar Pirates for Laboon."
The family, united in their purpose and filled with a renewed sense of adventure, prepared to set sail once more, guided by the invaluable information Crocus had provided. They knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but they also knew that they had each other and the strength of their bonds to see them through.
As they said their goodbyes to Crocus and Laboon, Aria suddenly started to run towards the edge of the peak, near Laboon, her small legs carrying her as fast as they could. She called out the whale's name, her voice filled with determination and hope.
"Laboon! Don't hurt yourself anymore, okay? Daddy and I will definitely come back and find your friends!" Aria shouted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Laboon seemed to understand her words, letting out a soft, comforting rumble. Jack watched the exchange with a small, proud smile, his deep blue eyes filled with warmth and affection.
"Thank you for everything, Crocus," Jack said, his voice calm and steady. "We won't forget your kindness, and we'll do our best to fulfill our promise to Laboon."
Crocus, touched by the family's sincerity and determination, offered them a warm smile. "I know you will, Jack. I have faith in all of you. Take care, and may the winds be at your back."
With their farewells said, Jack gathered his family close, holding Aria's hand as they walked back to the Bead Rider. Once they were all safely aboard, Jack activated the pocket space, and his family vanished from sight, tucked securely away in the safety of the pocket dimension.
As Jack guided the Bead Rider away from the Twin Cape, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him. Their journey through the Grand Line had just begun, and he knew that the road ahead would be filled with both danger and wonder. However, with his family by his side, and the strength of their bonds to support them, he was confident that they would overcome any obstacles they faced.
Jack's eyes scanned the weathered journal Crocus had given him, his gaze lingering on the first island mentioned within its pages. It was time to begin their journey in earnest, to search for the Rumbar Pirates and uncover the mysteries of the Grand Line. With a steely resolve, Jack set their course, guiding the Bead Rider towards the first island on his map.
As the Bead Rider sailed through the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line, Jack couldn't help but think about the incredible people they had met so far. Crocus and Laboon had left a lasting impression on him and his family, and he was determined to honor their promise to help the lonely whale.
The first island on the map loomed in the distance, its unique landscape promising adventure and intrigue. Jack's calm blue eyes studied the island, taking in every detail as they approached. He knew that they would face many challenges and dangers on their journey, but he also knew that the strength and love of his family would see them through.
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