"Ha, don't misunderstand, we're not here to cause you any trouble."
Coulson, thinking that Crocus was frightened by their identities, quickly reassured him.
"Although you were once on the ship of the Roger Pirates, according to our investigation, you were only abducted by them to treat Roger's illness. Even Tom the Shipwright, who built the Oro Jackson for them, hasn't faced any punishment!"
"Huh?"
Crocus was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself, "So it's not about last night's incident." With that, both his body and mind relaxed.
"Then why are you here, and who is that person?" he asked, pointing at the black-clad figure below.
Coulson maintained his smile and explained, "That gentleman is Mr. Brook, a former member of the Rumbar Pirates. We've brought him here to reunite with the Island Whale named Laboon."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Crocus' eyes nearly popped out of his head, and his heart skipped a beat. The events of the past couple of days had been truly shocking.
"He... they weren't already disbanded?"
"That's just a rumor."
Coulson shook his head and also looked toward Brook's back, who was currently listening to music and talking with Laboon. He continued, "Our people found Mr. Brook in the Florian Triangle some time ago."
"Through conversation, we learned that shortly after they entered the Grand Line twenty-eight years ago, they encountered a powerful pirate crew near the Florian Triangle and were tragically annihilated."
"At that time, their pirate ship drifted into the Florian Triangle with the current. Mr. Brook, having previously eaten the Paramecia-type Revive-Revive Fruit, had his soul return from the Land of the Dead to the real world. However, his body was reduced to bones, and he lost his way in the Florian Triangle, wandering aimlessly until now."
Crocus, hearing such an unbelievable tale, looked at Brook's back with a complex expression.
He had thought the Rumbar Pirates had disbanded and gone their separate ways, abandoning their promise to Laboon. He had told Laboon this without holding back.
From then on, Laboon had been constantly bashing his head against the Red Line Continent near Reverse Mountain, resulting in numerous cracked wounds on his head.
As a doctor, Crocus naturally treated him, but a significant problem lay before him: Laboon's size was continuously increasing.
Now, he was already over twenty meters tall, taller than many giants, and this wasn't even his adult size. He would undoubtedly grow even larger in the future.
After all, he was an Island Whale.
"So, you must have heard about Laboon from him. Thank you very much for bringing him back. Now, Laboon won't be crashing into the mountain anymore."
After saying this, Crocus looked at them with a puzzled expression. "But the way you're acting, it seems like you have something to ask of me?"
"Yes."
Coulson nodded gently and said, "We've heard of your exceptional medical skills, so we've come to invite you to join the newly established Medical Academy under the World Government's Health Division. There, you'll work alongside elite doctors from around the world to research and manage matters related to medicine, diseases, and pharmaceuticals. The workplace is in the Drum Kingdom, a country I'm sure you've heard of."
"I have indeed heard about the medical school and the World Hospital. It's a great initiative, but Dr. Kureha is already there. I doubt my presence would make much of a difference. Besides, I've grown accustomed to tending the lighthouse and don't wish to be caught up in a busy life again," Crocus shook his head and declined.
He spoke sincerely, but there was another truth he didn't voice—he wasn't keen on working for the World Government.
"In that case, things become complicated," Coulson sighed and shook his head. "You must understand, the reason Tom the Shipwright was left unharmed is because the Sea Train project he led was of immense benefit to the World Government, and indeed the entire world. That overshadowed his crime of building the main ship for the Roger Pirates."
"Your situation is similar. The World Government values your exceptional medical skills. But if you're unwilling to contribute your abilities to the medical school, there's no justification to pardon your crime of treating Roger's incurable illness. Are you prepared to accompany us to Enies Lobby?"
After hearing this lengthy explanation, Crocus's expression darkened. "Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm merely stating the facts," Coulson, the Senior Director, looked at him earnestly. "That's why I hope you'll seriously consider this. Joining the medical school would bring you no harm. And now that Laboon no longer requires your care, there's no essential reason for you to stay here, is there?"
"To be honest, with your medical expertise, staying here to tend the lighthouse is a tremendous waste and loss for the world's healthcare. By the way, I have a letter from Dr. Kureha here. Take a look."
As he spoke, he pulled out a white envelope from his pocket, bearing Dr. Kureha's signature.
Crocus had met Dr. Kureha a few times before, though they weren't particularly close. Still, he took the envelope, opened it, and glanced at the letter.
["Kid, stop wasting time with that damn lighthouse and get over here. I need help!"]
That single sentence left him stunned. He then chuckled wryly, muttering, "Dr. Kureha's temper hasn't changed a bit."
His gaze lingered on those words for a long time, lost in deep contemplation. Coulson didn't disturb him.
The group stood on the stone steps, listening to the old tape recorder endlessly looping the Rumbar Pirates' crew singing 'Bink's Sake,' accompanied by Laboon's excited and resonant calls.
"Alright, I'll go. But I want to know, how do you plan to handle Laboon and Brook?"
In the end, Crocus agreed.
First, out of respect for Dr. Kureha. Second, Laboon truly didn't need him anymore, and his promise to the Rumbar Pirates had been fulfilled. Third, he wanted to sever all ties with Shakuyaku, Gaban, and the others.
However, he wouldn't voluntarily disclose their affairs to Coulson. After all, they had spent several years together, and there was still some camaraderie.
He simply didn't want to be dragged into such dangerous and troublesome matters. This was his way of doing right by them.
"Mr. Brook's agreement with us is that as long as we bring him to reunite with Laboon, he will agree to join the Publicity Department as one of our artists."
Coulson answered with a smile, "In other words, he will become the third world-class superstar after Tesoro and Stella!"
However, there was one thing he didn't mention, which was that Brook had also joined CIPHER POL. If needed, he would have to carry out missions in secret.
But that was classified information.
"As for Laboon, considering its increasingly massive size, do you think it would be possible to relocate it to the waters of the Drum Kingdom? You could continue to take care of it as usual, and Mr. Brook could visit from time to time. After all, it's quite close to the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Not bad, not bad!"
Crocus was very satisfied with the World Government's arrangements and laughed, "Alright, since everything's settled, I'll go down to see Brook. What about you?"
"We'll wait a bit longer."
Senior Director Coulson glanced at his wristwatch and smiled, "Since we're already here, we might as well witness its arrival. I believe the scene will be spectacular. I heard it's coming soon."
"Huh?"
Crocus looked at him with a puzzled expression.