Phoenix Reborn In One Piece

It seemed Laboon had understood the conversation between them. In the sea nearby, Laboon was jumping around excitedly. 

Crocus decided to share his medical knowledge, showing that he trusted what Ryuen had said. Ryuen understood this was because trust and promises were highly valued in the pirate world. 

The more famous or capable someone was, the more they valued their word. Crocus agreeing so readily to Ryuen's deal meant he saw Ryuen as someone with potential. 

After all, this was a young man with Conqueror's Haki! 

"Crocus, if I may ask, which of the seven Grand Line routes is the easiest, and which is the hardest?" After moving the medical books back, Ryuen asked Crocus directly. 

"I wouldn't know. But since you know me, you should know my background. Back then, we took the route through Whisky Peak," Crocus said with a sharp gaze, his tone straightforward. 

Hearing this, Ryuen fell silent. If he were to rank difficulty, Whisky Peak would certainly be one of the harder routes—mainly because it led to Skypiea. 

Although in the original story, Luffy's crew reached Skypiea relatively smoothly, not everyone could count on that kind of luck. 

That was the Knock-Up Stream, after all! 

"Actually, if you're looking for adventure, you can choose the Whisky Peak route. All seven Grand Line routes eventually converge at Sabaody Archipelago. However, Whisky Peak does pass through Skypiea," Crocus suggested, seeing Ryuen's silence. 

"Skypiea?" 

"I've read about it before! Crocus, does Skypiea really exist in this world?" Nami, recalling what she'd read, immediately brought it up. At the time, she'd thought it was just a myth. 

"Yes, Skypiea is real. It's over ten thousand meters in the sky," Crocus confirmed without hesitation. 

"Ryuen, I want to take the Whisky Peak route!" Nami suddenly said excitedly. 

The others also looked at Ryuen with eager eyes. It was the legendary Skypiea, after all. Of course, they wanted to go! 

Crocus seemed to be looking forward to Ryuen choosing the Whisky Peak route as well. 

"Fine. If that's what you all want, we'll take the Whisky Peak route," Ryuen said, unable to refuse their hopeful gazes. 

Besides, he almost forgot—if only for the gold in Skypiea, they had to go there! 

"Yay! Yay! Yay!" 

"Ryuen, you're the best! I promise we'll definitely reach Skypiea!" Nami hugged Ryuen excitedly. 

"Ugh…" 

"Nami, let me go! I can't breathe!" Ryuen's muffled voice came from within Nami's chest. 

"Hmph!" 

"This is your favorite face wash, and you're complaining? Fine, I won't charge you for it this time!" Nami pushed Ryuen away, speaking with a straight face. 

Everyone burst out laughing. 

In the past, Nami had used this tactic to trick Ryuen multiple times, draining his pocket money every time! 

Ryuen glared at Nami. It was true that he loved face wash—especially Nami's F-grade face wash—but the cost had always been outrageous. 

"By the way, Crocus, when are you planning to head to the Florian Triangle?" Ryuen asked, snapping back to reality. 

He suddenly remembered that the Whisky Peak route also passed through the Florian Triangle! 

"Laboon and I are leaving soon. After waiting for decades, we've finally got news about Brook. Neither of us wants to wait any longer," Crocus said, his voice tinged with excitement. 

Beside him, Laboon roared with equal excitement. As a former member of the Rumbar Pirates, Laboon was finally going to see its old crewmates! 

"Um… Crocus, if you don't mind me asking, how strong are you?" Ryuen couldn't resist asking. 

This guy had been the lighthouse keeper here for decades. Some believed he was incredibly powerful. 

After all, if he weren't strong, how could he have held this position for so long? 

It was important to note that pirates from all over the seas passed through here. In other words, Crocus was the first person they encountered upon entering the Grand Line. 

And Crocus had been here even before Roger set sail. With all those years at this place, Ryuen figured he couldn't be weak. 

"Stop!" 

"Don't get any ideas about me. I can't beat you..." Crocus quickly said. 

"Eh (ˉ―ˉ?)" 

"I'm not trying to fight you. I just wanted to let you know, the terrifying three-masted ship of the Shichibukai Gecko Moria is in the Devil's Triangle. You better be careful..." Ryuen said indifferently. 

Ryuen wasn't sure if Moria's strength had declined, but he thought Crocus might not make it past the Ghost Girl... 

"Moria, huh?" 

"This is a bit tricky. Looks like I'll need to prepare more... and some medicine too," Crocus said, entering the lighthouse. 

Crocus took Moria seriously because he had fought Kaido and still managed to escape unharmed. 

Ryuen and the others exchanged glances, unsure of what Crocus was planning. Daisy, curious, sneaked a peek. 

Before long, Daisy returned, lowering her voice and telling everyone, "He's preparing poison! And it's really strong poison!" 

Everyone was shocked by Crocus' actions. Ryuen twitched his lips... 

Sure enough, doctors and poisoners are one and the same... 

At that moment, Crocus came out, carrying many bottles and jars, clearly filled with various poisons! 

Seeing Crocus, Lab was excited, swimming to the shore to wait for him. 

"Young man, thanks for telling me about Brook. We'll meet again if fate allows!" Crocus said goodbye to Ryuen and the others, then opened a door on Laboon's body. 

After entering Laboon, Laboon circled around the ship and then swam deep into the sea. 

"Wait... is Crocus using a whale as a ship?" Leah said, somewhat incredulous. 

Except for Ryuen, the others had similar expressions. 

"The inside of an island whale is huge. Over the years, Crocus turned the inside of Laboon into a castle just to treat him," Ryuen said quietly. 

"Wow..." Daisy couldn't help but sigh as the island whale disappeared. 

"Alright~" 

"Now it's time for us to depart. Nami, is the log pose ready?" Ryuen asked, looking at Nami, who was still a little dazed. 

"Yeah!" 

"Ready! Our next stop is Whiskey Peak. We can depart anytime!" Nami snapped out of it and looked at the log pose on her wrist, speaking seriously. 

"Then let's go!" 

"Ohhhh..." 

The Dream ship slowly left Twin Towers, heading into the deep sea. This time, they had finally entered the Grand Line! 

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