Crocus

(MC: POV)

Sitting on the deck of the ship with Buggy, Shanks, and the rest Roger stood in front of us, explaining his current situation.

Which is just as I suspected.

His incurable disease has reared its ugly head.

Despite this he his not sad right now, instead he has a big and bright smile on his face. Just like usual.

He really is one of-a-kind.

"And so that's how things are." Roger said. Finishing his explanation. "I'm not long for this world." He told us.

"Roger." Rayleigh began.

But that's when Roger held up his hand, silencing our vice-captain.

"Rayleigh I know what you want to say. Probably what most of you want to say but I have already made my decision on this matter." Roger said. "And as such I have a favor to ask of you all." He said.

Roger then got on his hand and knees and bowed his head to us.

Making my eyes go wide in shock.

Roger is a man who embodies freedom. He will never cow-tow, and yet here he is bowing his head to us.

I understand the immense gravity of what he is doing it's not even funny.

"Before I die, please accompany me on one last grand adventure?" He asked us. "I know very well what I am asking you all to do, but please. I cannot achieve what I have left to do without you all. That is why I am asking right now. Stay by my side until I do so."

"Captain." Gaban said.

"Idiot." Rayleigh said. Wiping away tears from his eyes as he did so. "Of course we'll stay by your side. You are our captain after all. Right everyone?"

"Yeah!" We all shouted in unison.

Trying to stifle our own tears as we did so.

Until the end we will stay by Rogers side.

Lifting his head up Roger showed us a bright smile. "Thank you." He told us. "From the bottom of my heart I truly thank you all." He said.

Roger then stood to his feet. "Now that that's settled, get preparation underway. Because it's finally time for us to head back to that sea. We're returning to the Grand Line men."

"Yeah!" We all shouted.

Everyone then started moving to make preparations.

As I did so I couldn't contain my excitement.

Since I am about to enter the greatest sea in the world.

I can't wait to see what kind of adventures are in store for me there.

-----------------

Standing at the front of the ship with Buggy and Shanks by my side I looked out at the rough waters ahead of us.

As well as the upward flowing stream that would take us into the Grand Line.

Reverse Mountain.

After a week of sailing we have finally arrived.

"So, have you guys used Reverse Mountain before?" I asked Buggy and Shanks.

"No." They both answered in unison.

'Ah, so it looks like we're popping this cherry together then.' I thought.

I then immediately shook my head.

Since my though just now was wrong on so many levels.

Moving on.

The Oro Jackson continued approaching Reverse Mountain getting closer and closer until eventually it entered into the upward stream and started shoot skyward.

"Agh!!!"

Shanks, Buggy, and I screamed at the top of our lungs. Since as soon as entered the upward stream we were forced onto the deck like pancakes.

We three continued screaming, until eventually we shot up above the clouds and into the sky.

Then a few seconds later we started screaming again as the ship started descending and we grabbed onto it for dear life.

"Hahaha! I always miss this feeling!" Roger shouted as the Oro Jackson landed in the stream leading into the Grand Line.

The ship speed down the waterway incredibly fast.

But eventually it stopped.

When it did so Shanks, Buggy, and I stood to our feet breathing sighs of relief. Since the whole mess was over.

*Slam.*

We immediately got worried again though when we heard a thud behind us. Turning around we saw captain Roger lying flat on his face.

The moment we did this worried marred our faces.

"Captain!" We three shouted in unison.

Getting up we moved over to him, helping him stand to his feet as we did so.

"It's fine. Boys. This won't stop me." He said.

As soon as we did so we heard a voice shout at us from the side.

"Hey, you ok up there?" A male asked us.

Moving over to the side of the ship the four of us looked over the edge and saw a man standing near the entrance of the lighthouse.

It is a young Crocus.

"I got a glimpse of you falling there. I'm a doctor despite living in a place like this. The name's Crocus. Need some help?"

"Much appreciated." Roger said.

Smiling at Crocus as he did so.

And so with this we have our doctor.

As well as another good friend to have on our sides.

Moving quickly we took captain Roger off the Oro Jackson and brought him over to Crocus.

Having no idea what was coming for us.

------------------

(3rd Person: POV)

Just as the Roger Pirates arrived in the Grand Line a marine vessel was passing by.

Who happened to stop them.

Standing on the deck of his ship the captain of said marine vessel began trembling a bit. But he steeled himself and then turned to his subordinates. "Men, contact Marine HQ immediately. Tell them its an emergency. The Roger Pirates have just re-entered the Grand Line." He explained.

As soon as the captain did this his men ran off, contacting Marine HQ as instructed.

The moment this happened a priority message was sent out towards the only two people who stood a chance against Roger and his pirate crew in the Navy at the moment.

Garp and Sengoku.

Roger and his crew didn't know it yet.

But they were about to enter into a harrowing battle after stepping back into the Grand Line.

A battle that would greatly affect their three apprentices in ways they couldn't even imagine.