Chapter 25: Crocus, the Stubborn Whitebeard

Words : 1214 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Leaving the child in Whitebeard's care, the couple set off with their crew to travel the world. Their territory was entrusted to Marco and the others for the time being. After more than a decade of establishment, the balance of power in the New World was stable, unless some reckless newcomers appeared, the current situation would remain undisturbed. Even though their territory was a tempting prize, few dared to make a move, because those who tried never came back alive. Skirting the edge of the Red Line and crossing the Calm Belt, they arrived in the West Blue. This was where the two of them had first met. Whitey Bay was from the West Blue, and Roy, Marco, and the others were technically West Blue natives as well. The legendary God Valley was gone now, so the couple retraced their old footsteps in the West Blue. "Hahaha, Thatch stole the gold coin I had given Marco, only for some street punks to snatch them. Then he, along with Vista, Jozu, and Marco, and they all got into a brawl with those thugs. I can't believe that was more than thirty years ago," Roy said wistfully. As they retraced the roads of their past, their mindsets had changed. Ever since Roy told Whitebeard that he knew the future, Whitebeard had refused to let him interfere with the world's course. He didn't want to hear anything about the future either, unless it was absolutely necessary. For example, Roy had already told him that Oden was dead. That was why they hadn't seen each other for ten years, because Whitebeard couldn't bear the truth. He wanted to believe that Oden was still alive. Upon learning of his death, he wished he had never known. After spending a year in the West Blue, walking the same paths the Whitebeard Pirates once took, even meeting people who still recognized Roy. After crossing Reverse Mountain into the Grand Line, Roy saw Crocus. "You're from the Whitebeard Pirates. I remember you," Crocus said to Whitey Bay. "Old man, you're still alive?" Whitey Bay exclaimed in surprise. "Of course I'm alive. Even Whitebeard isn't dead yet," Crocus retorted. "Looking to die? I don't mind sending you off myself," Whitey Bay growled. "Hahaha, don't get mad. What's the point of picking a fight with an old man?" Roy stopped her. "I know you. Rayleigh and Gabban mentioned you to me." "What did they say?" "They said you were terrifying." "That's a joke. How could I be terrifying?" "Back then, I didn't think so either. What's scary about some brat? But seeing you now, I get it. You feel like a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment. Rayleigh and Roger once said, 'If you want answers, go find him.' Now I understand." "Do you want to know your answer?" "You know what it is?" "Your answer is to stay here. But as for that whale below... its answer lies in the future." "In the future... I see. Thank you." "No need to thank me. Sometimes knowing the future isn't a blessing, it's a burden." "True. It must be hard for you, guarding secrets but unable to change things. And even if you want to change them, someone else might not." Roy fell silent. Knowing too much about the future but being unable to alter it, he could already foresee how everything would unfold. "You don't have to worry so much. The moment you appeared, the future already changed because of you. Overthinking just ties you down." Crocus said. "I made a promise with Newgate. Once he dies, I won't have to care about the future anymore." Roy chuckled, pulling out a bottle of sake to share with Crocus. "I see... So it's Whitebeard who's holding you back. If he's stopping you, it must mean the future favors him." "No. The future doesn't favor him. He dies on the battlefield." "Ah, just like Roger. They both love going out with a bang." "Yeah." Roy sighed and kept drinking. Whitey Bay watched from a distance, unaware of what they were discussing. Once Roy had drunk his fill, they left Twin Cape. "He wants to change things, but Whitebeard doesn't. He's been upholding that promise all along, truly a man of his word," Crocus shook his head, wondering what kind of impact Roy would have on the world once Whitebeard was gone. "Why'd you talk to him so much? A former Roger Pirate, just rotting away here." Whitey Bay asked. "Roger's dead. Where else would he go? Let's keep moving—I'll take you to the sky." Roy said. "The sky?" "Mhm." They stopped at Whisky Peak, then headed to Little Garden, where they met Dorry and Brogy. "You two are still fighting? Can't you just stop?" Roy called out to them. "Do we know you?" Dorry looked down at him. "I'm from the Whitebeard Pirates. Don't you remember? We met over twenty years ago." "Whitebeard Pirates... that rings a bell. Ah! You're that brat from back then!" Dorry exclaimed. "The one who said the Sun God would be born, right?" Brogy added. "Glad you remember me." "Of course! Not many in the world know about the Sun God. We in Elbaf have always worshipped him, waiting for his arrival." Dorry said. "How much longer until the Sun God comes here?" Brogy asked eagerly. "About three more years." Roy replied. "Three years? Then we can keep fighting for three more!" Dorry declared. "Right!" Brogy agreed enthusiastically, and the two giants resumed their battle. Since the Log Pose required a year to set, they prepared an Eternal Pose in advance and headed to Drum Kingdom. Roy had been here before, visiting many of its doctors. He was a doctor himself, he had taught Marco everything he knew. He had met Dr. Kureha here in the past, but now, returning, he found the place changed. There were far fewer doctors. King Wapol now ruled, and the country's doctors were being persecuted. "You're looking for Dr. Kureha?" The islanders broke into a cold sweat at the mention of her name. In this country, Kureha had become a forbidden topic. Aside from the group of "Doctors 20," Kureha was the last true doctor. People could either seek treatment from the king or from Kureha. "We don't know where she is. If we did, the king would've gone after her already," the townspeople said. Hearing that, Roy had no choice but to give up. Kureha had been his mentor, teaching him pharmacology for a time. Since she wasn't here, Roy and Whitey Bay left for Alabasta. Alabasta was under the control of one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile. Roy had met him before. After Roger's death, Crocodile had challenged Whitebeard, only to get thoroughly beaten. "A Warlord hiding out here... He must have some kind of plan, that guy..." Whitey Bay muttered. "Of course he is. Want to go have a chat with him?" "No thanks. Not interested. You said you'd take me to the sky." "Then let's go."

Chapter 25: Crocus, the Stubborn Whitebeard

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