After the matter with Laboon was resolved, Crocus became curious about the Luffy Hera mentioned.
A few days ago, a Pirate named Ace also passed through here. He asked a lot about Roger and also mentioned Luffy. Now Hera, a Marine, also mentioned Luffy, which made Crocus very curious, so he asked, "What's your relationship with Ace, and with Luffy?"
"You saw Ace? What did he ask you?" Hera was also a bit surprised. Ace's voyage was quite fast, he had already crossed Reverse Mountain.
"He just asked me some things about Roger, and also if Roger had any children. When I was on the ship, I never heard that Roger had children, and this guy is actually called Ace."
Hera was speechless. He looked almost exactly like Roger when he was young, was called Ace, and was so concerned about Roger's affairs. Are all the Pirate King's crew members idiots? Just changing a surname didn't raise any suspicion?
She retorted, "Do you think he resembles Roger when he was young?"
Crocus said in surprise, "Don't mention it, now that you say it, I realize he's practically identical to Roger when he was young, but his surname isn't Gol."
"Tell me, is there a possibility that he could have changed his surname?"
Crocus couldn't sit still after hearing this: "No way, I never saw the Captain looking for women when he was at sea. Didn't he fail to get Shakky at God Valley?"
Hera rolled her eyes, "Is there a possibility that Roger found true love after disbanding his Pirate Crew, and then turned himself in?"
Crocus was restless, reflecting on himself: "Then did what I said the other day hurt Ace a lot?"
"What do you think? His own father's crew members didn't even know he had a wife. What do you think Ace would think?"
Hearing Hera's words, Crocus couldn't sit still at all. He hadn't thought in that direction at the time. Now it seemed, wasn't he just saying that Roger abandoned his family for adventure?
"Figured it out?" Hera asked helplessly, seeing Crocus sitting on the ground in regret.
Crocus suddenly stood up: "No, I have to find Ace and explain this clearly. I can't let him keep misunderstanding. Little girl, give me a ride on your ship and take me to Sabaody Archipelago."
Then he suddenly sat down again: "No, no, I can't leave. Ace's current strength cannot let others know his identity." After realizing this, his gaze towards Hera already held some killing intent.
"Little girl, thank you for telling me this. Although I don't know how you, a Marine, know so much, I'm sorry, Roger's child cannot be exposed to the Marines' sight yet. For Laboon's sake, I won't kill you, but you'll stay here and accompany me for a few years."
Hera was a bit helpless: "Aren't you curious how I know? And if I wanted to tell the Marines, everyone would know about this by now, wouldn't they?"
Crocus's fighting intent paused. There was too much information, and his old man's brain couldn't process it all. At this moment, he finally understood, recalling that Hera's name had also been mentioned by Ace: "Oh right, Ace said the four of them grew up together. You must be the sister he mentioned."
Hera couldn't help but complain: "The Pirate King's ship is full of idiots, isn't it?"
Kruukas scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and quickly took out the medicine he had treasured over the years and gave it to Hera: "Alright, alright, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared. I found that your ability can only speed up recovery. These are the medicines I've made over the years; they can treat some illnesses at sea."
Hera also had some dissatisfaction with Kruukas. This person was so flustered. She had just told him about Ace, and he immediately turned hostile and wanted to keep her. However, these medicines were indeed what Hera lacked now, so she accepted them.
Then, he wrote a letter and handed it to Hera: "It's really not good for me to move around. The World Government is watching us old guys. Take this letter to Rayleigh; he'll know what to do."
Hera took the letter, and with her other hand, she held it out to Kruukas, looking at him.
"Alright, alright, don't hold a grudge." Kruukas helplessly took out a few more bottles of medicine. "That's all. I have to keep some for myself too."
Hera returned the medicine she had received the second time: "These, when Luffy and the others come in a few years, you must give them to them. If they have a Ship Doctor in their crew, you should teach him too."
"Alright, alright, you four are truly skilled. When the Luffy you mentioned comes here, I will help him."
"You can't secretly keep them, you know."
"What do you take the Pirate King's Ship Doctor for? Do I have no credibility at all?" Seeing Hera's suspicious expression, Kruukas also knew his previous behavior was improper, and his face flushed: "I swear to Roger, okay? When Luffy comes, I'll give him the medicine, and whether he has a Ship Doctor or not, I'll give him my notes, okay?"
Only then did Hera nod, acknowledging it.
"What an unlikable brat. If there's nothing else, hurry up and go. I'm a poor old man with nothing else, you don't expect me to help you cross over, do you?" Kruukas waved his hand, urging Hera to leave quickly.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!
