Chapter 25: Roger Reaches Grand Line
Two days after Jack and his family had set sail from the Twin Capes, Crocus watched as another pirate ship descended the Reverse Mountain, crashing into the waters below. Despite the harsh landing, the crew seemed to be having fun, laughing and joking amongst themselves. As a skilled doctor, Crocus noticed that the captain appeared to be terminally sick, even though there were no outward signs of his illness. Despite his concern, he chose not to say anything.
As the pirate ship approached, Crocus couldn't help but take note of the jolly bunch. The captain had a strong presence, and despite his illness, he exuded an air of confidence and charisma. His straw hat sat jauntily atop his head, framing his young, smiling face. Beside him stood his first mate, a tall, lean man with shaggy strawberry blonde hair and a pair of round glasses perched on his nose. Next to them stood a stocky man with a serious expression, his dark hair pulled back in a short ponytail. These three – the captain, first mate, and the stocky man – seemed to be the leaders of the group.
The rest of the crew was just as lively and diverse. A very tall and muscular man towered over his comrades, his bald head marked by a dark stripe that stretched from his nose to the top of his skull. A young man with chestnut-shaped light hair and a pair of goggles atop his head laughed as he joked with a shorter man with spiky hair and long limbs. A relatively short man with an egg-shaped body and thin legs stood nearby, his appearance reminiscent of European nobility from centuries past. Finally, a very short man with light hair and a large beard chatted with the others, his horned helmet and attire making him look like a Viking.
As the pirate crew disembarked their ship and approached Crocus, their captain greeted him with a wide smile. "Ahoy there, old man! I'm Gol D. Roger, captain of this crew. This is my first mate, Silvers Rayleigh, and our navigator, Scopper Gaban. We're here to have some fun and make some new friends! Care to join us?"
Crocus, though surprised by their jovial attitude, couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "Well, I can't say no to a friendly invitation. I'm Crocus, the caretaker of Laboon."
Upon hearing Laboon's name, the tall and muscular man stepped forward. "Oh, so you're the one who looks after that giant whale? I'm Seagull Guns Nozdon, and I'm a bit of an animal lover myself."
The young man with the goggles chimed in, "I'm Taro! Nice to meet you, Crocus!" He was followed by the shorter, spikey-haired man, who introduced himself as Doringo. The short, egg-shaped man with the noble appearance bowed slightly and said, "I am Petermoo, at your service." Finally, the Viking-like man grinned and said, "I'm Millet Pine. Pleasure to meet you."
With introductions out of the way, the pirates and Crocus began to celebrate, sharing food, drinks, and stories. As they laughed and talked, Crocus found himself enjoying their company. Despite their rough appearance and occupation, the pirates were warm-hearted and genuine, their camaraderie evident in every interaction.
Roger, noticing Crocus's interest in his crew, asked him about his own experiences. "You seem like you've been here for a while, Crocus. What brings you to this place?"
Crocus, not one to shy away from sharing his story, explained how he had dedicated his life to caring for Laboon, the giant whale that had become stranded in the area. He told them of Laboon's loneliness and longing for his lost crew, who had ventured into the Grand Line but never returned.
Roger listened intently, his eyes filled with sympathy. "That's a touching story, Crocus. I can see why you're so dedicated to taking care of Laboon. It's not easy to find true friends in this world, and it's clear you and Laboon share a deep bond."
Crocus nodded in agreement. "That's true. Laboon has become like family to me. I will do everything in my power to ensure his safety and happiness until his crew returns, or until he's ready to rejoin the other whales and venture into the Grand Line once more."
Rayleigh, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke up. "You know, Crocus, it's rare to find someone so devoted to a cause. You've earned my respect, and I'm sure my crewmates feel the same."
The others murmured their agreement, their expressions filled with admiration for Crocus's dedication. Even the stoic Scopper Gaban couldn't help but smile at the heartfelt moment.
As the sun began to set, the pirate crew and Crocus gathered around a bonfire, continuing to share stories and laughter. The warmth of the fire and the camaraderie between them created a sense of unity that transcended their differences.
At one point, Nozdon approached Crocus, his voice filled with curiosity. "You mentioned earlier that you're a skilled doctor, right? How did you learn the art of healing?"
Crocus, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames, replied, "I've always had an interest in medicine. Over the years, I've traveled and studied under various mentors to learn different healing techniques. It's become not only my passion but also my way of helping others."
Nozdon nodded, impressed by Crocus's dedication to his craft. "That's admirable. I'm sure your knowledge has saved countless lives, and it's clear you care deeply for the well-being of others."
Rayleigh approached Crocus and looked at him with piercing eyes. "You saw it, didn't you?" He asked, surprising Crocus. "You saw Roger's illness?"
Crocus sighed sadly and nodded. It had only been a day, but he already felt close to this crew. It would be unfortunate if they were to lose their captain due to illness.
"Please, join us, Crocus, and treat our captain," Rayleigh implored, his voice filled with desperation. Crocus thought for a long time, torn between his commitment to Laboon and the newfound bond he had formed with this pirate crew. If it wasn't for Jack's promise to look for the Rumbar Pirates, he might have accepted the offer without hesitation. But now that he knew Jack would search for them, he found himself unsure of what to do.
"I beg you," Rayleigh said, dropping to his knees in front of Crocus. The sight of the proud first mate kneeling before him shocked Crocus, and he could see the desperation in Rayleigh's eyes.
Roger, noticing the scene unfolding from afar, frowned as he approached the two men. "Rayleigh, what are you doing?" He asked, his voice firm but tinged with concern.
"Captain," Rayleigh began, struggling to find the right words. "Crocus knows about your illness. I'm asking him to join us and help treat you."
Roger's face fell, but he quickly composed himself. "Rayleigh, you know as well as I do that we can't force someone to join our crew. Especially someone who has their own commitments to attend to."
"But, Captain," Rayleigh protested, "without treatment, you—"
Roger silenced him with a hand on his shoulder. "I know, my friend. But we have to respect Crocus's decision, whatever it may be."
Crocus took a deep breath and met Roger's gaze, a mixture of determination and sadness in his eyes. He, deeply moved by the exchange, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Before I make a decision, I have a question for you, Roger. Why are you and your friends sailing? What made you become pirates? Your answer may influence my choice."
Roger's eyes sparkled with a fire that Crocus had seen only in the most passionate of individuals. "I became a pirate because I wanted to be free. Free to explore the world, to see its wonders and meet the people who inhabit it. I believe that the world is vast, filled with countless treasures and adventures just waiting to be discovered. And I want to experience it all with my crew – the friends who have become my family."
Rayleigh chimed in, his voice filled with emotion. "Roger's dream is to find the One Piece, the ultimate treasure rumored to exist at the end of the Grand Line. Rumored to be left behind by a strong figure hundreds of years ago."
Roger stood tall, his voice steady and full of conviction. "In this world, we are not even free to learn our own history. We are deprived of our most basic rights. I want to be the freest person – to know what I want to know, go where I want to go, and see what I want to see. But just for that, they label me as a pirate." As he spoke, his Conqueror's Haki exploded around him, emphasizing the depth of his true ambition.
Crocus was taken aback by the sheer power emanating from Roger. The air around them seemed to crackle with energy, and he could feel the strength of Roger's will as though it were a physical force. The intensity in the captain's eyes was undeniable, and it was clear that his passion for freedom went beyond mere words.
As the waves of Haki dissipated, Crocus stared at Roger, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and respect. "You truly are an extraordinary individual, Gol D. Roger," he said, his voice full of admiration. "I can see why your crew is so devoted to you."
Roger smiled, the intensity in his eyes softening slightly. "I'm fortunate to have such loyal friends by my side," he said, his gaze sweeping over the gathered pirates. "Together, we've faced countless challenges, and we'll continue to do so until we've achieved our dreams."
Crocus hesitated for a moment, torn between his commitment to Laboon and the bond he felt with these extraordinary pirates. Finally, he made up his mind. "Roger, I will join your crew and do everything I can to help you with your illness. But I have one condition."
Roger's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded. "Of course, Crocus. What is your condition?"
"I need you and your crew to promise me that you will help me look for the Rumbar Pirates," Crocus said, his voice resolute. "They were Laboon's crew, and I've sworn to do everything I can to reunite them with him. If you can make me that promise, then I will gladly become a part of your crew."
Roger's face broke into a wide grin, his eyes shining with determination. "I promise you, Crocus, that we will help you find the Rumbar Pirates. You have my word as the captain of this crew."
Rayleigh, his eyes filled with gratitude, stepped forward and extended a hand to Crocus. "Thank you, Crocus. I promise that we will do everything in our power to help you find the Rumbar Pirates."
Crocus shook Rayleigh's hand, his heart swelling with a mixture of hope and relief. "Thank you, both of you. I know that together, we can achieve our dreams."
One by one, the other members of the crew approached Crocus, each of them offering their own promises to help him find the Rumbar Pirates. As Crocus looked around at their smiling faces, he realized that he had found a new family, one that would stand by his side no matter what challenges they faced.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the pirate crew and Crocus gathered around the bonfire once more. The mood was one of celebration, as they welcomed their newest crewmate and looked forward to the adventures that lay ahead.
As the firelight flickered across their faces, Crocus couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but with his newfound friends by his side, he was confident that they would overcome any obstacles that stood in their way.
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