Crocus of the Roger pirates.

/Slurp!/

Ace took a big gulp out of the pineapple juice in his hands.

Old man Crocus just looked at him calmly.

/Slurp!/

But Ace didn't care, he just continued to drink his juice.

(He was using a straw to drink, it was positioned behind his mask)

…

-Bahaa!

Ace drank the final drop of the juice and let out a satisfied "Haaa" sound.

-Thank you old man! Said Ace

-...

Both me and Crocus were speechless at just how uncaring Ace was.

In order to understand the situation, we need to rewind to a few minutes ago.

…

-So… What does this man have that's special? Asked Ace

-You will see.

-Is he an Admiral in disguise?

-No

-A super pirate?

-No

-Could he be a world noble in disguise?!

-No… Considering how the world Nobles are, why would there be one right here taking care of a lighthouse?

-They are all crazy bastards, who knows what goes on in their heads?

Sigh

We stopped right before the door to Crocus house.

I lifted my hand to knock, but…

/Creaaak.../

The door opened on his own, revealing Crocus.

-You are all being so loud, how far have I fallen? Being compared to a world Noble of all things?

…

-Excuse me. Said Ace as he entered the house.

Ace is much more aware of his surroundings than Luffy, and much more polite as well.

-Excuse me. I said as I entered.

/Creek, clank/

The door closed with some heavy noises, showing that its joints needed some oil.

The house was badly lit up, but it was more than enough for both me and Ace to see everything inside. I guess that for Crocus, a user of Observation Haki, it doesn't really matter just how lit up the house is.

Everywhere I looked I could see objects related to fishing, showing Crocus love for this particular activity, but I could also see some old medical relics. Such as old Med-Kits and swing kits. All in perfect condition.

There was even something that seemed like a certificate hung above the fireplace, right besides a picture.

It was a rather faded picture, but it showed none other than the Roger pirates, and a lady. Ace's mother.

Gol D. Roger… And Ace's mom? Why would she be here of all places? I thought she never left Baterilla for safety reasons. Perhaps they took this photo in Baterilla.

Roger seems quite different in this photo compared to the ones shown in those old newspapers. He seems more… Affectionate.

Ace also noticed this, and he stayed there looking for a good few seconds before removing his eyes from the picture.

He did not voice out his questions, but I am pretty sure he figured out why I wanted to talk to this old man.

Crocus also noticed Ace's "eyes", when he looked at the picture. And he couldn't help but be slightly curious as to why this man acted this way towards the photo.

As a proficient user of Observation Haki, he could easily pinpoint the place Ace was looking at. None other than Roger and his wife.

But Crocus knew his friend's son had already died several months ago. He himself made his way to the funeral, thanks to Shanks.

So why is this man looking at him like that?

-Are you a fan of the pirate king, boy?

/Trip!/

Ace almost fell to the ground.

-NO! I HATE THAT…

For a moment, Ace's anger took over him, but he quickly reigned it in.

Crocus grew slightly suspicious. But there is nothing he can do. He was decently strong in his heydays, but he was never a fighter, to begin with.

With his Haki, he knows that these men are much more than he could handle with his old body.

(It was never shown just how strong he is, but he did kill a giant squid once. And he built the entirety of Laboon's internal systems alone as far as I know. So he must be decently strong.)

-Then why are you here boy? Not like I have much to offer. Unless you are hurt. But I don't heal others that easily.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Ace stopped me right in my tracks.

-Let me handle this. He said

-... Can I use this Tea set, Crocus? If you are fine with me telling you that I mean.

-If you tell me your name and you don't break it I will allow it.

-I am John. John the beast hunter, first mate of the Valet explores. Nice to meet you Lighthouse keeper Crocus.

He gave me a nod and stopped talking. Turning his eyes to Ace

While they stared at each other I poured some water on the kettle and heated it up with Hamon. Gathering the surprised stare of Crocus.

The water started to Boil…

-How was he? Asked Ace

-Who? You need to be more specific here boy.

-The pirate King.

-...

Crocus just stared intently at Ace.

-And why do you want to know that? Most importantly, why should I tell it to you?

-... There is no reason… Just my selfish desires.

Crocus stared directly at him for a few seconds before deciding to talk.

-I didn't sail with him for that long. Only a few years…

-I used to be the medic of the crew, patching all of those idiots up every time one of them decided to clash against some sort of disaster in the new world.

-Giant turtles, Flying whales, and even a horde of water walking spiders… I patched all sorts of injuries for those guys.

-In the meantime, I managed to meet the man known as the pirate king…

-Here, your tea. I used those few Tea leaves in the drawer.

Crocus looked at the tea and a faint memory of when he went to the Tea island with Roger passed through his head.

I didn't even know I still had some of this...

Crocus then started to go and on about many of his adventures during the two years he and the Roger pirates had.

All sorts of uncharted islands and dangerous creatures, including the many strange phenomena of the Grand Line.

For many hours, Crocus didn't stop.

…

-... That's why, never cross the Florian triangle on these specific dates. Unless you want to die. Things can get pretty rough these times. Excluding the fact that the Log poses would stop working in these periods, all sorts of abnormalities would occur. Even Roger preferred to take a detour during one of these times saying it was "too bothersome" to deal with.

Ace was mouth-opened by the stories, as was I.

They were nothing short of crazy. And this was only for three years. Imagine what they found since the beginning of the Roger pirates?

Crocus was also very careful when he spoke, avoiding all topics that might lead to speculation about Laugh Tale.

The sun shines beyond the windows, announcing the start of another day.

-Seems it's about time for you all to leave. Go before Laboon wakes up and comes.

-Thank you for the hospitality. I said.

Ace sat there with his head down for quite a while, but he soon sprang up as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately, such a movement loosened his bandana. And together with a well-timed wind from the window…

His hat and bandana were sent flying across the room. Revealing his face bare towards Crocus.

-! X 2

Both me and Ace were stunned by this development, but within the blink of an eye, I picked the hat and Bandana and shoved it right into his face.

We stayed there at a standstill.

Ace had his face blocked by the hat, I was speechless, and Crocus eyes seemed to be about to fall off due to how open they were.

-You… How? Asked Crocus

-This is… A MAGIC SHOW! That's right! I was just doing a trick…

-Don't kid me, kid! Who would fall for that!

Silence…

-He...Hehe...HAHAHAHA! To think you were alive boy! You truly got the world this time didn't you?!

Ace removed his hat and bandana.

-You don't look that much like him… Perhaps it's the lack of a mustache. Strong pirates have long Mustaches you know. I guess you also took a lot from your mother.

-...

Crocus noticed the heavy mood.

Instead of saying anything more, he went towards the back to pick something up…