"…The sheer scale of it is breathtaking."
"What do you have to eat to get that massive?" Gin muttered, craning his neck back so far he risked a strain.
The Beatrice had finally arrived at the Twin Capes of Reverse Mountain, the definitive entrance to the Grand Line.
Floating in the seawater before them was a whale that defied all standard logic of size—the creature known in the original story as Laboon.
Laboon was an Island Whale, a species native to the "New World" in the second half of the Grand Line. As their name suggested, they grew to the size of entire islands.
Laboon was only here because he had followed a certain crew of pirates from the West Blue as a calf, small enough then to fit on a rowboat.
He had been left at the Capes for his own safety, and he had been waiting for their return ever since.
"Laboon is simply of that species. It's not a matter of his diet," a voice corrected.
Krieg and Gin turned to see an older man stepping onto the dock. He had a distinctive hairstyle that resembled the petals of a flower and a well-kept white beard.
"Are you a resident here?" Krieg asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I am. And you lot appear to be Marines. What business does the World Government have at the edge of the world?"
"My apologies for the late introduction," Krieg said, stepping off the gangplank. "I am Krieg, commander of the Marine Independent Guerrilla Unit. We're here on a standard patrol of the Grand Line's first half. This is my second-in-command, Ensign Gin."
"…I am Crocus. I keep the lighthouse here at the Twin Capes."
"Ah, Crocus-san. An honor. I've heard rumors that you're an exceptionally skilled doctor."
Crocus went still for a heartbeat. "I don't know what rumors you've been listening to. I'm just a lighthouse keeper."
"Oh, just snippets here and there. Something about the final voyage of the Pirate King?"
Krieg let the implication hang in the air. Of course, this was meta-knowledge—Crocus had served as the ship's doctor for Gol D. Roger to keep the man alive long enough to conquer the Grand Line.
"Ho? Then have you come to arrest me, Marine?" Crocus asked, his eyes sharpening with a hidden edge.
"Not at all. Like I said, just a patrol," Krieg replied with a disarming shrug. He had zero interest in picking a fight with a legend, especially one who had seen the "True History."
"The 'Marine Independent Guerrilla Unit,' though..." Crocus mused, looking at the Beatrice. "I've heard plenty about the 'Red Seagulls.' They say a young Rear Admiral captured Shiki the Golden Lion and has been tearing through the four seas and the Grand Line alike, leaving a trail of broken pirate crews in his wake."
"I have good men," Krieg said simply. "We'll be staying here briefly for minor repairs and resupply. I hope you don't mind if we moor the Beatrice here for a while?"
"Do as you like. I'm just the keeper."
"Also, we'll be setting up a temporary checkpoint for incoming ships," Krieg added.
"Ah, looking for those 'Blue Cross' flags I've seen lately?"
"Exactly. Any pirate wishing to operate legally must fly the flag issued by the Marines. Those without it will be... redirected."
Crocus let out a short, dry huff. "Hmph. Do as you wish. It's none of my concern... though a real pirate isn't something that can be managed with colored flags and permits."
Krieg pretended not to hear the soft mumble as he turned back toward his ship.
I know, Crocus-san. Men like Red-Haired Shanks are the proof of that.
Krieg understood well that those with true conviction—those seeking freedom above all else—would never submit to being "authorized" pirates.
Luffy would certainly be the same; no matter how much Krieg explained the benefits, the boy would never accept a leash.
As the sun began to set over the Red Line, Krieg looked at Laboon, then toward the horizon of the "Paradise" that lay ahead.
Status Check:
Checkpoint Established: You are now monitoring the flow of rookies into the Grand Line.
The "Blue Cross" System: Your "Privateer" system is gaining traction, but as Crocus noted, it creates a divide between "mercenaries" and "true outlaws."
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