The upward current of the Red Line, after reaching its peak, plunged straight down, giving everyone on board the real experience of a "roller coaster."
Feeling the fierce wind against their faces, everyone on deck looked visibly thrilled.
Then, a deep and prolonged roar echoed from all directions, making the excited crew freeze in surprise.
Their gazes darted around, but after finding nothing, they exchanged puzzled looks.
At the bow, Leno's expression shifted slightly. So it was still here—Laboon!
As the Gale plunged downward, the scene beneath the clouds gradually came into view.
Standing at the bow as well, Yamato suddenly turned around in astonishment and shouted toward Nami with exaggerated expression:
"Hey, Nami! There's a mountain up ahead!"
"A mountain? That's impossible!"
Brushing aside the hair plastered to her face, Nami frowned in confusion.
"Once we pass Twin Cape, it's supposed to be open sea ahead!"
"But it's real—a black mountain!"
Yamato was certain of what she'd seen: below them, a pitch-black "mountain" blocked the exit of the current's path.
"Big Idiot, what do you think?"
Nami was at a loss. If there really was a mountain there, and they hit it at this speed, even steel would flatten like a pancake.
Now they could only rely on Leno's ability—to fly over it directly.
"No need to worry. That's not a mountain. It's just an enormous whale."
"What?! A whale?"
Hearing Leno's words, Yamato activated her Observation Haki. After a moment, she exclaimed in awe,
"Unbelievable—besides Anglerfish, there are whales this big too?"
As the ship plummeted, everyone soon understood what Yamato meant by "mountain."
"Mooo~"
A gigantic whale was letting out a mournful low call at the sea's exit, the soundwaves shaking their eardrums painfully.
"Sugoi~! What a massive whale!"
"I don't wanna end up in another fish's belly!"
Olga shouted frantically—apparently, two hundred years of life inside a sea creature had left her deeply scarred.
Fortunately, under Leno's control, the ship easily soared past the whale and arrived at the lighthouse by Twin Cape.
When the ship finally docked, they noticed an old man lying on a recliner under the lighthouse, reading a newspaper.
"There's someone here?"
Yamato was the first to leap off the ship, shouting toward the distance:
"Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Leno's eyes narrowed. The old man with a flower-shaped head and round glasses—must be Crocus.
Hearing Yamato's shout, Crocus looked up with a serious expression, not saying a word.
The air grew still. Soon, the others joined Yamato, standing cautiously as they stared at the silent old man.
Seeing him ignore her, Yamato grew annoyed.
"Old man! I asked you a question. Why aren't you answering? Are you looking for trouble?"
"I advise you not to make trouble here. People die that way."
Crocus's expression was serious, his voice low and warning.
Being threatened only made Yamato's eyes light up—her first fight in the Grand Line already? The old man didn't look weak at all. Excitement flashed in her grin.
"Interesting! People die that way? Let's see who dies first!"
"I will die!"
"..."
Crocus's deadpan reply made Yamato stumble mid-step, nearly pulling a muscle. The rest stood speechless.
This irritating old man sure had… a sense of humor.
"Crocus, lighthouse keeper—once the ship doctor on the Pirate King Roger's crew. I'm right, aren't I?"
Leno, seeing the situation, decided not to waste time. He had business with the man anyway.
"Nani?!!!"
Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their heads. Why did they keep running into members of the Pirate King's crew?
And this one was… retired here of all places?
Crocus looked at Leno sharply. Light flashed off his glasses as he finally spoke:
"So, it's you—the famous Thunder God!"
"What, you are starting your Grand Line journey already?"
"That's right. After finishing our voyage across the Four Blues, we're finally entering the Grand Line!"
Leno stepped closer, studying the old man—nearly seventy, yet still sturdy and spirited. Then he turned back toward Chopper and Kaya, motioning them over.
"This man's a renowned doctor. You two should take the chance to learn from him."
The pair had been staring at Crocus with sparkling eyes since the beginning. Hearing Leno call them, they rushed forward eagerly.
"Hey, hey! I'm just an old lighthouse keeper now—not some famous doctor anymore. Don't go making trouble for me!"
Crocus frowned. The young man had barely arrived and was already trying to dump work on him. Absolutely not! He was retired and planned to stay that way.
Seeing his attitude, Chopper and Kaya looked disappointed.
Leno sighed. So easily discouraged…
He glanced at Crocus's smug expression, wondering—was it just age making him cranky, or had he always been like this?
But Leno wasn't in a hurry. He still had something Crocus couldn't refuse.
"No need to refuse so quickly. I heard you're here guarding Laboon, waiting for a certain pirate crew, right?"
"???"
Crocus raised an eyebrow. Almost no one knew that. How did this absurdly young man find out?
He'd been curious about Leno from the start—the young powerhouse whose reputation had exploded across the seas at an impossible pace. Even Roger's rise hadn't been this fantastical.
"If I remember right, that crew was called the Rumbar Pirates, wasn't it?"
"You… you—?!"
Crocus shot to his feet, shocked beyond belief. How could this kid possibly know about an obscure pirate crew from decades ago?
"Don't be surprised. I just happen to know a bit about them."
"Unfortunately, they've long since vanished."
"Ah…"
Though he had expected it—so many years without news could only mean tragedy—hearing it confirmed still hit hard. Poor Laboon…
As Crocus slumped back into his chair, Leno gave a faint, mysterious smile.
"However… one of them was lucky enough to eat a Devil Fruit called the 'Revive-Revive Fruit,' and rose from death itself."
Bang!
Crocus leapt up so fast his chair flew backward. He dashed forward, gripping Leno's shoulders with both hands, trembling with emotion.
"Kid—where is he now?!!"
"Ah~ I'm just a simple adventurer. How would I know…"