"Food? No problem. We stocked up heavily before making the climb."
Bardock hadn't just brought extra food; he had brought massive quantities of high-quality West Blue wine. His long-term plan definitely included a detour to Little Garden. How could he possibly pass up the chance to test his strength against two genuine Giant Warriors?
Crocus reached into his coat, pulling out a standard Log Pose and a rolled-up nautical map, handing them to Bardock.
"As you probably already know, the magnetic fields in the Grand Line are completely chaotic. The only way to navigate from island to island is by recording the magnetic signature of your current island into a Log Pose. Without one of these, you won't even be able to tell which direction is up," Crocus explained gruffly. "You said you want to go to Jaya? Then you need to follow the fourth of the seven initial magnetic paths branching out from Reverse Mountain."
"The fourth path. Got it," Bardock nodded, securing the Log Pose to his wrist.
He gestured to Daz Bonez and Sai, who quickly began unloading crates of food and barrels of wine from the ship, placing them near the lighthouse. Crocus didn't ask for an exorbitant amount; once he felt the trade was fair, he waved a hand, signaling them to stop.
Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over the water near the lighthouse. Bardock turned around, a wide grin spreading across his face.
It was Laboon, the colossal Island Whale who had faithfully waited for the Rumbar Pirates for fifty years.
Island Whales were technically a species native to the West Blue. However, despite circumnavigating that ocean twice, Bardock hadn't encountered a single one. Laboon was the very first Island Whale he had ever laid eyes on.
Laboon's massive head breached the surface of the water.
"BWOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The whale let out an absolutely deafening, earth-shaking bellow.
Bardock casually coated his eardrums in a thin layer of Armament Haki, completely drowning out the lethal decibels. His mind actually wandered slightly, marveling at the sheer, unfathomable size of the creature. 'You definitely couldn't fit that in a cooking pot,' he mused.
The rest of the crew, however, was completely unprepared. The point-blank, supersonic bellow felt like an explosion detonating inside their skulls. They frantically clapped their hands over their ears, spinning around to look at the source of the noise.
Every single one of their jaws dropped in sheer, unadulterated awe. The creature was literally the size of a mountain.
"That... that's an Island Whale from the West Blue!" Robin gasped, instantly recognizing the species thanks to her extensive encyclopedic knowledge. "But... what is it doing all the way out here at Reverse Mountain?"
"That's a very long story," Crocus sighed, adjusting his glasses.
He briefly recounted the tragic history of the Rumbar Pirates, their promise to return, and Laboon's fifty-year vigil. "And so, every single day, Laboon rams his head against the Red Line, desperately trying to smash through Reverse Mountain so he can swim into the West Blue and find them."
"What an incredibly loyal and righteous whale," Sai said, deeply moved. "As expected of a creature born in the West Blue!"
"It's such a tragedy. A pirate crew from fifty years ago... they're almost certainly dead," Robin murmured, looking at the massive creature with profound pity.
"Waaaah! That's so sad! And look at his head! He's covered in horrible scars from hitting the mountain!" Mansherry burst into tears, large droplets streaming down her cheeks.
Without missing a beat, Bardock summoned a small wisp of Flying Nimbus, carefully collecting the Princess's glowing tears into a small glass vial. He then turned to Crocus.
"I've heard that all highly intelligent creatures possess the potential to awaken Haki," Bardock said thoughtfully. "Since he's been relentlessly bashing his head against the indestructible Red Line for decades, did you ever consider trying to teach Laboon Armament Haki?"
Bardock pointed at the whale's heavily scarred forehead. "If he had awakened Armament Haki early on, I'm not saying he could have actually shattered Reverse Mountain, but he definitely wouldn't have injured his head this severely. Hell, with a body that massive, if he mastered Haki, he might actually claim the title of 'Strongest Armament Haki in the World'."
Crocus stared at Bardock, utterly dumbfounded. The boy's logic hit him like a physical blow.
"You're right... how did I never think of that?" Crocus muttered, rubbing his temple. "Whether a whale can actually learn it or not is one thing, but I never even tried to teach him."
Bardock patted the old doctor on the shoulder and pressed the small vial of glowing tears into his hand. "Here. These tears have incredible healing properties. Use them sparingly. And it's not too late to start teaching him Haki now. Also, our ship's doctor is currently trying to deepen her medical knowledge. If you don't mind, Doctor Crocus, could you write up a recommended reading list for her?"
Crocus looked down at the vial, instantly realizing it contained the tears of the crying dwarf Princess. His eyes widened slightly. "If she possesses a miraculous healing ability like this, does she even need to study conventional medicine? Ah, if only I had met her earlier..."
"Of course she needs to study," Bardock smiled. "A true professional never stops learning. And meeting her earlier wouldn't have helped you anyway; she was just a toddler back then."
"You certainly seem to know a lot of things you shouldn't," Crocus said, his gaze turning sharp as he looked into Bardock's golden eyes. The boy clearly knew about Roger's terminal illness. "I can provide a reading list. In fact, I recently finished compiling my life's work into a series of medical journals. I can give you a copy. But in exchange, I need more of this healing water."
Bardock frowned slightly. "I absolutely refuse to make my crewmates cry on command. The tears you have now are all you're getting. However, I have a stockpile of medicinal plants that produce the exact same healing effect. I can give you plenty of those."
"Medicinal plants? As long as they can heal Laboon's internal injuries, I don't care what form they take," Crocus agreed instantly.
"BWOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Laboon bellowed again, his massive body sinking slightly as he prepared to charge at the mountain.
"Dammit, he's starting again. I have to go stop him," Crocus said, turning toward the water.
Bardock untied a small leather pouch from his belt and tossed it to the old man. "Consider the extra medicine a gift for Laboon. And when he calms down... tell him that 'Humming' Brook is still alive. If we ever run into him, we'll make sure to pass on the message."
Crocus froze mid-step, spinning around in utter shock. "What?! Brook is still alive?! Then why hasn't he returned after all these years?!"
"It's a very long, complicated story," Bardock said cryptically. "Just know that he's currently trapped. He's already died once, so you don't have to worry about him dying of old age anytime soon."
Brook was currently stranded in the Florian Triangle, and Bardock wasn't entirely sure if their route would take them there. Furthermore, he explicitly did not want Laboon swimming into the Florian Triangle to mount a rescue mission. Despite the whale's massive size, the Grand Line was incredibly dangerous. There were Sea Kings far larger than Laboon lurking in the depths, and the Florian Triangle itself harbored a colossal, unfathomable shadow that defied explanation.
Familiar with the routine, Crocus quickly swam out and entered Laboon's internal passageways, successfully administering a massive dose of sedatives. Slowly, the giant whale calmed down and ceased his thrashing.
Having no reason to linger, Bardock and his crew boarded the White Dragon and officially set sail into the Grand Line.
"Our first destination on this route is Cactus Island, specifically the town of Whisky Peak," Bardock muttered, examining the map Crocus had provided. "I wonder if Crocodile has fully established Baroque Works yet. I already poached two of his best Agents."
Without Daz Bonez (Mr. 1) and Robin (Miss All Sunday), Crocodile's organization was severely lacking in top-tier firepower.
"Ugh, here we go again. This magnetic field is absolute garbage," Bardock grumbled, violently spinning the ship's wheel. The compass needle had randomly spun wildly off course, requiring constant, manual adjustments to keep the ship aligned with the Log Pose. If he didn't constantly correct the heading, the ship could easily end up sailing backward.
"Bardock! We're about to sail into a massive hailstorm!"
Perona called out from the deck. As the ship's official lookout, she was exceptionally lazy but highly efficient; she simply sent a swarm of ghosts flying out in all directions to scout the weather and sea conditions without ever having to leave her lounge chair.
"Everyone bundle up! Don't catch a cold!" Bardock shouted back. "I'll handle the hail with the Flying Nimbus. Bonez, get up to the bow! If any icebergs drift into our path, cut them down!"
Bardock summoned a massive cloud of Flying Nimbus, expanding it into a colossal, golden umbrella that perfectly shielded the White Dragon's entire deck. The heavy, jagged hailstones harmlessly bounced off the dense cloud, keeping the ship completely safe and dry.
"Understood, Boss," Daz Bonez replied, stepping up to the figurehead.
Sure enough, as they entered the storm, several jagged icebergs drifted ominously into their path. However, this was just ordinary, frozen seawater—it was absolutely nothing compared to the indestructible Jewel Ice Sheet of the Kano Country. With casual, effortless swings of his Atomic Slash, Daz Bonez diced the massive icebergs into fine, harmless slush, clearing the path completely.
Relying on Bardock's constant, meticulous steering corrections and Daz Bonez's obstacle clearing, the White Dragon smoothly navigated the treacherous, unpredictable weather of the Grand Line's initial stretch.
Before long, the silhouette of Cactus Island finally appeared on the horizon.