"For the nations of the world, this is indeed a great thing," Shakuyaku said, looking at him. "But do you believe that a dark government that has existed for over 800 years would suddenly become so benevolent? I don't."
"They say old habits die hard, and this doesn't just apply to individuals—it's the same for organizations. There must be a deeper conspiracy hidden within, and Rayleigh died for this very reason!"
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Gaban asked again.
Shakuyaku's eyes flickered with hatred, but her expression remained cold. She casually took a drag from her cigarette and spoke softly.
"It's simple: to disrupt and obstruct what they're trying to do."
"While the World Government's changes are still in their infancy, we'll gather the people who have been brutally oppressed by the World Government and the nobility of various nations. We'll lead them to take up arms, overthrow the kings above them, and spread the revolutionary ideology to poor nations, small nations, and every struggling island. We'll stir the waters of this sea into chaos!"
Gaban and the others were shocked by this woman's terrifying idea, but considering her former position as a cadre of the Rocks Pirates, it wasn't all that surprising.
"Are you planning to wage war against the World Government head-on?"
Gaban shook his head helplessly and said apologetically, "Although our strength is decent, it's hard for us to stand against the Navy's top-tier forces."
Ganryu and the other three nodded reluctantly, acknowledging this point.
After all, the Roger Pirates were not the Rocks Pirates. They didn't have the kind of influence where every cadre was a superpower.
"No!"
"We don't need to confront them directly. We'll use the intelligence network I've built over the decades to incite and lead from the shadows. Once the Navy's main forces or top-tier fighters are mobilized, we'll receive advance notice and relocate. They won't be able to catch us."
When it came to this, Shakuyaku's face was filled with confidence. In this world, the only ones who could rival her in intelligence were Cipher Pol.
But they were merely rivals! "As for top-tier fighters, we can cultivate them. We'll spend decades nurturing them or seek out powerful individuals we can utilize. I've never believed that overthrowing the World Government is something that can be achieved in a short time."
"What's important is the ideology. We'll pass down Roger's and Rayleigh's thoughts, ensuring that the organization we establish continues to endure."
In essence, Shakuyaku intended to spend the rest of her life creating a force that would forever be a thorn in the side of the World Government. This was her current goal.
Gaban and the others were the first core members she would use to build this force.
"I see. Alright, count me in, Gaban. Rather than growing old doing nothing, I'd rather squeeze out the last of my value. If it's for Captain Roger and Rayleigh, I'm willing!"
"I'm in too!"
"This is way more exciting than running a boxing gym back home. I'll teach the younger members boxing!" Ganryu grinned, his spiked gloves on his hands.
"I'll handle the shooting lessons," Petermoo said, adjusting the gentleman's hat on his head and touching the long rifle slung across his back, his expression serious.
"Swordsmanship is my domain. After all, I'm a Swordmaster!" Taro declared.
"Good!"
Shakuyaku had anticipated this outcome, so she wasn't surprised. After all, she had been the one to contact Gaban and inform him about Rayleigh's situation. She then turned her gaze to Crocus, who had remained silent the entire time.
"Mr. Crocus, what about you? We could really use your exceptional medical skills."
Crocus pondered for a moment before shaking his head and declining her offer.
"I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass. I need to treat and take care of Laboon. It's a promise I made to the Rumbar Pirates. If he keeps ramming into the mountain like this, he'll soon end up at the bottom of the sea. However, if you ever have patients with severe illnesses or difficult conditions in the future, you can send them here. I'll do my best to treat them, if only for the sake of our past friendship."
Shakuyaku thought about it and felt that this arrangement could work. They could use this place as a hidden outpost. Twin Cape was located right at the foot of Reverse Mountain, making it an ideal spot to monitor incoming and outgoing ships.
As for whether Crocus might leak their plans, she wasn't too worried. She had thoroughly investigated his background, and the reason he gave was indeed true. Moreover, he had been here for so long, and the World Government had shown no interest in him.
"Alright, in that case, we'll take our leave now. We'll be counting on you in the future!"
"Sure, go ahead. Stay safe."
Crocus didn't try to stop them. What they were planning to do was far too dangerous, and he had no intention of getting involved. All he wanted was to spend his remaining years peacefully with Laboon.
Ideally, he hoped to outlive Laboon. Once the whale passed away from old age, he could follow suit, leaving this world without any regrets.
"By the way, the Rumbar Pirates you mentioned—from what I know, they disbanded a long time ago. They might have been defeated by another pirate crew or fled the Grand Line. In any case, they're not coming back."
"Ah, I'm already aware of that."
Shakuyaku didn't elaborate further. She then left with Gaban and the others, planning to meet up with Millet Pine, MAX Marks, Rangram, and the rest of their group. They also hoped to recruit more allies along the way.
This time, they weren't planning to infiltrate Mary Geoise, so she figured many would be willing to join or assist them in secret.
"Whew—"
Once they were gone, Crocus let out a sigh of relief. Feeling mentally exhausted, he sat down, massaging his temples as he muttered, "Isn't a peaceful life good enough? Why live in constant danger, always on the brink of death, all for some ideology?"
He believed that Roger had disbanded the crew instead of letting Rayleigh take over as captain and continue their adventures because he wanted them to have a peaceful end to their lives.
But now, Rayleigh's death in battle had stirred up restlessness among the former crew members, especially Shakuyaku. The cold glint in her eyes was unsettling.
"Whatever, let's just sleep. I'm just a middle-aged man who knows a bit of medicine and watches over a lighthouse." He glanced out the window at Laboon before lying down and drifting off to sleep.
However, when he opened his eyes again, awakened by the warm sunlight streaming through the window, he suddenly heard a familiar melody.
It seemed to be coming from outside the house... along with Laboon's familiar cries. But this time, the sound was no longer filled with sorrow and loneliness. Instead, it was brimming with joy.
Crocus quickly got out of bed and hurriedly pushed open the door to step outside. The moment the door opened, the sound of music suddenly grew louder, and the cheerful melody reverberated across the Twin Capes.
"To you, we send Bink's Sake~"
"Riding the waves, I roam free~"
"With surging tides and the setting sun's restlessness~"
Listening carefully, he realized it wasn't the voice of a single person, but a chorus of many!
"That is..."
Crocus looked over and saw a slender figure dressed in black, standing at the edge of the Red Line with their back to him, facing Laboon in the sea.
Laboon was wagging its tail excitedly, swimming back and forth, occasionally calling out to that person, causing large waves to turn into droplets of rain that fell down, transforming into a beautiful rainbow under the brilliant sunlight.
He felt a sense of familiarity.
But just as Crocus was about to walk down for a closer look, he turned around and saw three figures in black approaching from the stone steps. The one leading them wore a warm and comforting smile on his face.
"Hello, Dr. Crocus. I am Coulson, Senior Director of the Administrative Department directly under the Government Affairs Office of the World Government. It's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance."
"The World Government!!"
Crocus's expression changed drastically, and his body tensed up instantly. He thought to himself, "Could it be that yesterday's incident has been discovered? This is bad!"