West Blue — Marine Branch 133 Harbor
Gern Reginald Sigmar's exclusive black warship rumbled with a low, resonant hum as the Marines on deck hurried through the final preparations for departure.
He stood beside the gangway, his gaze sweeping across the officers and soldiers of Branch 133 who had come to see him off.
Asahi stood among them, a cigar clenched between his teeth, both hands tucked casually into his pockets, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"So that's it? You're just leaving?"Asahi exhaled a smoke ring lazily."The West Blue still has plenty of 'suspicious individuals' waiting for your special enforcement authority to clean them up."
Gern chuckled softly and gave Asahi's shoulder a firm pat.
"I'll leave the rest to you. I'll come back when there's another chance."He paused, then added,"And Tesoro…"
"—was personally promoted to Headquarters by Rear Admiral Gern due to outstanding performance," Asahi finished for him, rolling his eyes."I've got to say, your routine is getting scary-level smooth."
Not far away, Gild Tesoro stood stiffly in his brand-new Marine uniform, clearly not yet used to wearing it.
"Rear Admiral, all preparations are complete!"The petty officer hurried over and reported with a sharp salute.
Gern nodded, then cast one last look over the harbor of Marine Branch 133.
In the morning light, the lighthouse still stood tall—its surface bearing the old crack he had left behind in his youth, like a silent farewell etched in stone.
"Depart. Destination—Marineford."
...
Meanwhile — Grand Line, Reverse Mountain (Twin Cape)
The setting sun dyed the lighthouse crimson, the sea wind carrying the sharp, salty scent of blood and brine as it swept across the cliffs.
The Oro Jackson lay quietly moored at the shore. The scars it had earned in the New World had already been repaired in Water Seven, leaving its hull pristine once more.
"This is the place!"Gol D. Roger stood at the bow, eyes shining with excitement."I hear the keeper of this lighthouse is an incredible doctor!"
"Hey, Roger."Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, smiling helplessly."You sure you're not just rushing to find a doctor because your stomach's acting up again?"
"This time it's different!"Roger laughed heartily, patting his belly."I took this detour specifically because of the rumors about Crocus!"
The crew disembarked one after another, with Buggy and Shanks roughhousing as they charged ahead.
But when they pushed open the door to the lighthouse cottage, the person who greeted them was a tall, thin middle-aged man wearing frog-shaped goggles, his expression stern and unwelcoming.
"Entering private property without permission," Crocus said coldly."Is that how the Roger Pirates conduct themselves?"
Roger didn't seem bothered in the slightest. He strode forward with a radiant grin.
"Doctor Crocus! I've heard so much about you! I'm Gol D. Roger—I've come to ask you for a favor!"
Crocus studied Roger's face for several seconds, then glanced past him at Rayleigh, Gaban, Douglas Bullet, and the others.
Finally, he let out a quiet sigh.
"…Come in."
Inside the Lighthouse
Under the dim lamplight, Crocus finished examining Roger, his brow tightening more and more with each passing moment.
The air in the room seemed to congeal.
Rayleigh stood nearby, the gaze behind his lenses growing increasingly heavy.
After a long silence, Crocus withdrew his hand.
"Everyone else, leave."
"We leave?"The crew tensed immediately—but Roger simply waved them off with a grin.
"It's fine. You guys wait outside."
As it was the captain's order, the others reluctantly complied.
Everyone left—Except Rayleigh.
He remained leaning quietly by the door, his eyes dulled beneath his glasses.
When only Roger, Rayleigh, and Crocus remained, Crocus spoke bluntly.
"You have an incurable disease."His voice was terrifyingly calm."With current medical knowledge, it cannot be cured."
Rayleigh's pupils shrank sharply, his fingers clenching without him realizing it.
Roger, however, only froze for a brief instant—then laughed.
"So that's how it is… I figured as much. Lately, whether I'm fighting or not, my body just starts hurting without warning."
Crocus stared at him.
"Your body is deteriorating at an abnormal rate—especially your liver and kidneys.Intense battles won't affect you immediately, but they will accelerate the process little by little."
He paused.
"At this rate… you have at most two years."
"Two years?!"
Silence fell over the room.
"Doctor…"Rayleigh swallowed hard, his voice hoarse."There's really no other way?"
Crocus shook his head.
"If I treat him, I can extend his life by another two or three years at most—and reduce the pain when symptoms flare."
"Hahahaha!"
Roger burst into laughter, cutting him off.
"Then that means I've got five years, right? That's plenty!"
Rayleigh spun toward him.
"Roger—you…!"
"Rayleigh."Roger's smile remained bright, but his eyes burned with a resolve Rayleigh had never seen before."Didn't we decide this long ago? That we'd turn the world upside down?"
Crocus narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You already knew?"
Roger scratched the back of his head, a hint of mischief in his grin.
"Yeah… I started feeling something was off about half a year ago."
Then—
He stood up, his gaze sharpening like a blade.
"But before I die, there's one thing I have to do."
He looked straight at Crocus, his eyes more serious than ever.
"So, Doctor Crocus—Please become our ship's doctor."
"…You want me to join you?"Crocus froze mid-motion as he wiped his glasses.
Outside the window came the noisy bickering of Buggy and Shanks, the crash of waves against the rocks loud and clear.
"Do you know why I guard this lighthouse?"Instead of answering directly, Crocus walked to a bookshelf and took down a yellowed navigation log.
Rayleigh immediately noticed the embossed gold letters on the cover:
"B.R."
"The Rumbar Pirates?" Rayleigh adjusted his glasses.
Roger suddenly stood, his straw hat lifting slightly in the sea breeze.
"You're waiting for them to come back?"
"It's Laboon who's waiting for their promise."Crocus's fingers brushed over a faded photograph tucked between the pages.
In it, a younger Crocus stood among a group of smiling pirates—With a small Laboon among them.
"So."A cold glint flashed across Crocus's lenses.
"I'm waiting for someone who can find their whereabouts for me—Even if all that's left are their bones."
He slid the log toward Roger.
"Take me to sea, and I'll be your ship's doctor.On one condition—you help me find the Rumbar Pirates."
"No problem!"Roger roared with laughter, his voice making the lighthouse windows tremble."They've definitely gone to the New World—and we're heading back there anyway!"
He snatched up the log and tucked it under his arm.
"Then it's settled!"
Rayleigh watched his captain bounce out of the cottage, sighing helplessly.
"Please don't mind him… he's always been like that."He paused, his voice heavy."The pain during his attacks isn't something a normal person could endure… he shouldn't have this much energy."
Crocus had already begun preparing medication, his tone chillingly calm.
"From today on, he'll need painkillers injected three times a day."
...
"What?! That old man's joining the ship?!"Buggy grabbed Shanks by the collar and shouted."We're not a retirement home!"
Shanks was about to argue when a shadow fell over them.
Crocus loomed above the two boys, syringe gleaming coldly in his hand.
"First—hand over the rum you've been hiding."
"Why should we?!"
"Alcohol is prohibited for patients."
"Patients?"Gaban froze mid-motion as he wiped his axe."Is Roger really sick?"
Bullet's expression darkened—he seemed to have already guessed the truth.
One by one, the crew turned their gaze toward Roger, who was waving a Log Pose around excitedly.
"What're you all staring at?!"Roger suddenly leapt onto a barrel and shouted."Let's party! Welcome Crocus aboard!"
"Welcome our new ship's doctor!"
At dawn the next day, the Oro Jackson slowly departed Twin Cape.
Crocus stood at the stern, watching the lighthouse fade into the distance.
A massive island whale breached the surface, releasing a long, echoing cry.
"Laboon," Crocus murmured softly."Wait for me.I'll find them."