"It's you, old man Crocus."
Ron's voice was steady and clear.
"Long companionship is the truest confession of affection. Tell me—after fifty years of unwavering loyalty, is that really worth less than a promise long expired?"
His words struck like quiet thunder.
From Crocus's story, Ron could feel the depth of emotion buried beneath the old man's calm.
He wasn't pitying Crocus—he simply understood something deeper.
One day, when Laboon was left alone… when Crocus's light had faded from the Twin Capes forever… only then would the great whale realize—
That this gentle old man was the most precious companion of its life.
People so often overlook what's beside them, Ron thought.
Only when it's gone do they grasp its worth.
Even if Laboon couldn't speak, feelings needed no language.
"By the way," Ron said suddenly, as if remembering something.
"Hawk-Eye once mentioned that a former member of the Roger Pirates lives here, at Twin Cape. Would that be you, old man Crocus?"
Nami's eyes flickered with confusion.
Did Mihawk ever say that?
She couldn't recall it.
Something about Ron today felt… different.
Crocus froze for a moment.
"Mihawk? How would he know about that…"
He trailed off mid-sentence, brow furrowing.
Then his eyes widened as a thought struck him.
"Ah… could it be that blabbermouth Shanks told him?"
He sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"That red-haired brat can't keep a secret to save his life."
A faint smile tugged at Ron's lips.
He'd guessed right.
Crocus, still muttering about Shanks, finally nodded.
"Yes. I once served as the ship's doctor aboard the Roger Pirates."
"The Roger Pirates?!"
Both sisters gasped aloud.
The very name carried the weight of legend.
The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger — the man who conquered the world's greatest sea.
And this unassuming old man, this kindly doctor who now lived by a lighthouse… had once sailed at his side?
It was unthinkable.
Ron's eyes gleamed.
He smiled slightly, his voice dropping into that calm, deliberate tone that always preceded something significant.
"In that case, old man, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Crocus raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? What is it?"
He half expected the next words — and smirked before Ron could speak.
"Don't tell me… you're here to ask about the One Piece?"
But Ron only chuckled.
"I'm not interested in that treasure."
That answer caught Crocus completely off guard.
"I believe true meaning lies in the journey — in the struggles and bonds forged along the way," Ron continued softly. "Even if I sought the One Piece, it would only be after I'd shared storms and laughter with my comrades."
Crocus's eyes softened with respect.
"Hmm… well said," he murmured.
Even if Ron had asked about Roger's secret, Crocus would've told him nothing.
But this young man's indifference to glory — that calm dismissal of worldly temptation — impressed him deeply.
"So then," Crocus asked curiously, "what is it you do want to know?"
Ron smiled. The moment he'd been waiting for had arrived.
"What I wish to learn," he said, "is how to awaken Observation and Armament Haki."
For a heartbeat, Crocus just stared at him.
Then he blinked.
"…That's it?"
He'd expected some grand, impossible question — the secret of the Void Century, perhaps.
But this?
He almost laughed.
"Boy, in the New World, Haki's as common as sea salt. You're asking for bread in a bakery."
He sighed, rubbing his beard.
"Still, I suppose I can explain. Though I'll admit—my mastery isn't what it once was."
He smiled ruefully.
"I was a doctor, not a fighter. My Observation Haki was decent… my Armament, passable at best."
He paused, as if realizing how absurd that sounded.
Of course, "passable" for a man of Roger's crew was still leagues above most New World captains.
Ron's eyes shone with excitement.
"That's more than enough. I just need to understand the path to awakening."
Once awakened, the rest—internal destruction, future sight—would follow naturally.
He had no doubt.
Crocus studied him for a long moment, then nodded gravely.
"In that case, you'll need to stay here for a while."
He clasped his hands behind his back, his tone turning serious.
"Haki may be common, but awakening it isn't easy. It takes more than strength — it takes will."
Ron's grin widened.
"Then I'll be ready."
He turned toward the sisters.
"You two should try as well. Even a little Haki could help you survive what's coming."
They both blinked, exchanging puzzled looks.
"'Haki'? What's that supposed to mean?" Nami asked.
"Yeah," Nojiko added, curious. "Some kind of magic?"
Crocus chuckled. "Not quite. Haki is the manifestation of one's spirit. It's the power to sense intent, to harden will into armor."
As he spoke, his tone grew animated.
And to demonstrate, he raised one hand.
The air around it rippled — and his arm darkened, taking on a glossy sheen like black steel.
A moment later, Ron heard it — that familiar chime echoing in his mind.
[Ding! The host has observed Crocus's Armament Haki (Beginner) demonstration!]
[Ding! Congratulations — host has awakened and mastered Armament Haki (Beginner)!]
"…Already?" Ron blinked, momentarily stunned.
He hadn't even trained yet!
He flexed his hand — now coated in sleek black armor.
"So this is Armament Haki…"
A faint grin tugged at his lips.
It wasn't advanced yet — no internal destruction, no invisible coating — but it was more than enough.
He clenched his fist.
If he met Smoker again, he wouldn't even need his sword.
A single punch would end it.
Crocus, meanwhile, was frozen mid-motion.
He blinked twice, disbelief etched across his face.
He'd merely shown a casual demonstration — he hadn't even started teaching!
"You… really didn't know about Haki before this?" he asked slowly.
Ron tilted his head, smiling faintly.
"Why don't you take a guess?"
--------------
Access 30 chapters in advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/OneFic