Eli Winters led Filina and the others onto the small island where Kurokas resided. The island was tiny; as soon as Eli and his crew stood together, the space felt cramped.
Kurokas's face darkened at the sight. The old man was naturally reclusive, and the sudden appearance of a group of strangers naturally put him on edge.
"Pardon the intrusion, Mr. Kurokas," Eli greeted politely. If Dotai and Simon weren't perched on the roof of his house, his manners might have seemed impeccable.
Kurokas raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You know me?"
Eli laughed. "Of course. The ship doctor of Pirate King Roger, the legendary physician who wrested two extra years from Death itself for Roger. Am I right, Mr. Kurokas?"
The old man's shock deepened. Anyone could inquire and learn that he had been Roger's ship doctor, but details of Roger's illness were closely guarded. Aside from the crew, only a few Navy officers even knew. Could this boy be a spy? Kurokas's mind raced, momentarily leaving him speechless.
"Senior Kurokas," Eli said softly.
Kurokas snapped back to attention, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who exactly are you, and what do you want here?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Kurokas. We're simply a group of traveling adventurers. We mean you no harm. We only came to request a favor, and in return, I have some information you might find valuable," Eli explained, signaling his good intentions.
Kurokas's expression remained cold. "I am just an old man of little skill. I doubt I can help you. You should leave."
Eli's smile didn't falter. "Not even curious about what information I have regarding the Rumba Pirates?"
"Not interested. Leave now." Kurokas's words were firm. The pressure Eli subtly applied made him unwilling to engage, and he hoped the group would leave quickly.
"What if it's important news about the Rumba Pirates?" Eli asked casually.
Kurokas opened his mouth to question him, but at that moment, the island began to shake violently. The previously calm waters more accurately, the whale's stomach acids churned into massive waves.
"Not again… Lab is ramming the Red Line," Kurokas muttered, his face grim. He rushed to the edge of the island, preparing to dive into the acidic waters despite the danger. Beneath him was a specially designed injection chamber. Only by administering tranquilizers into Lab could he calm the whale and prevent it from harming itself or anyone else.
Before he could act, Eli's hand shot out, firmly holding him back.
Kurokas exploded with anger, the energy of his years flaring around him. "You brat! Let go of me!" he roared.
Eli remained unfazed. "Mr. Kurokas, stay calm. I have a better solution."
He signaled Cree, who immediately played the Requiem Flute. As the haunting notes filled the air, the churning acids gradually settled into calm. Kurokas watched in disbelief. The furious rage that had overtaken him just moments ago was soothed by the melody. These young adventurers were more terrifying than he had imagined.
Eli smiled and suggested, "Let's step back from here. It's hardly a place for conversation."
Kurokas's attitude toward Eli began to shift slightly. He remained cautious but no longer seemed intent on driving them away. Pointing toward a massive iron door on the distant island, he said, "We'll leave through that door on your ship."
Just then, a low rumbling shook the island. The enormous iron gate began to move, slowly creaking open. Over time, the crack widened until a broad passage revealed itself, stretching like a secret corridor carved from the rock.
Eli nodded. Together, they boarded the Silver Dragon. Under Dotai and Simon's skilled guidance, the ship shot forward like lightning, hurtling through the open gate with incredible speed. In moments, the ship emerged from Lab's interior.
Looking back at the iron gate, everyone felt awe. Lab's massive body loomed like a colossal mountain, and the gate appeared as a giant portal embedded within its flank. Its scale and mystery left a lasting impression on the crew.
Eli studied it silently, marveling at the ingenuity of nature or perhaps the hand of a higher creator.
"Were we really inside a whale?" Reiku asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Why did it have clouds and a sun?"
Kurokas, serious as ever, answered, "The clouds are painted, and the sun is a powerful lamp."
Eli chuckled. "Mr. Kurokas, you do have a flair for style."
Kurokas snorted and returned to his work, ignoring Eli's teasing.
The Silver Dragon soon returned to the twin lighthouse gorge. Kurokas leapt ashore, expertly unlocking the lighthouse doors. Eli and the others followed closely behind. Lab lingered nearby, its large eyes watching the group with quiet curiosity.
Inside the lighthouse, the dim light cast long shadows. Kurokas lit several oil lamps, their flickering glow bathing the room in warm amber.
"Now, can you finally tell me who you are?" Kurokas asked, gazing directly at Eli.
"Of course. I am Eli Winters, a traveling adventurer. These are my companions: Big Pan, Filina, Fiona, Chiyo, Reiku, Simon, Dotai, and Cree," Eli introduced each in turn.
"You are the Sky Sovereign, Eli Winters?" Kurokas's eyes widened in recognition.
Eli laughed. "I didn't expect you to know of me."
"I heard discussions from passing pirates," Kurokas explained. "News reaches me here, but often very late."
Eli laid out his purpose. "Mr. Kurokas, I came to ask you to teach our navigator about the Grand Line's weather and magnetic fields, and to instruct Reiku in medical knowledge. In exchange, I will share information about the Rumba Pirates."
Kurokas nodded without hesitation. The request was simple for him, whereas Rumba Pirate information was far harder to obtain after all, it had happened forty years ago.
Eli's spirits lifted. Kurokas's medical expertise would be invaluable to Reiku. Although she was skilled in poison, medicine and toxicology shared many principles. With him aboard, the crew now had a qualified doctor.
Without delay, Eli began sharing the story of the Rumba Pirates. "After entering the Grand Line, Captain Yorky and some crew contracted a plague. To protect the others, he handed the remaining crew to Brook and departed with the infected in an old ship through the Calm Belt, eventually succumbing to the disease. Brook carried on the journey. When reaching the Devil's Triangle, they faced a powerful enemy, defeating them but succumbing to poison. In his final moments, Brook and the crew performed the Binks' Sake ritual. Brook, having eaten the Yomi Fruit, returned as a soul, but his body became skeletal. He remains lost in the Devil's Triangle."
Kurokas sighed deeply, eyes filled with sorrow. "They endured so much suffering."
The group fell silent, reflecting on the tragic tale.
Kurokas then turned to Reiku. "Young lady, if you wish to learn medicine, start with the basics." Reiku nodded obediently.
He then instructed Filina on the Grand Line's unique weather and magnetic anomalies. She listened intently, asking questions whenever necessary.
Over the following days, Reiku's skills advanced rapidly under Kurokas's guidance, and Filina's mastery of navigation improved significantly.
Big Pan and the others learned the story of Lab and the Rumba Pirates, deeply moved. Big Pan, especially, pondered the thought of being separated from his elder brother for fifty years. Perhaps, like Lab, he too would search tirelessly to reunite with family.
During this time, Big Pan spent nearly every day with Lab. They swam together, chasing each other through waves, or drifting calmly, enjoying sunlight and sea breeze.
One day, Big Pan recounted the tragic history of the Rumba Pirates to Lab. The whale's eyes welled with tears, dropping sorrow into the ocean. Yet, when he heard Brook had survived, a spark of hope lit up Lab's gaze. Though mourning the lost companions, the knowledge of Brook's survival offered immense comfort.
Big Pan and Lab made a solemn promise: as long as Lab no longer struck the Red Line, Big Pan would find a way to bring Brook back, so they could reunite. Lab nodded without hesitation, agreeing to wait.
From that day forward, Lab became much calmer, while Big Pan remained a constant companion. The bond between a little bear and a colossal whale grew stronger, filled with mutual trust and affection. Whether in turbulent seas or under serene starlit nights, they were inseparable.
However, happiness was fleeting. After roughly ten days at the twin lighthouse, Eli proposed departure.
Kurokas looked at him with a hint of reluctance. These days had accustomed him to the energy of these young adventurers. "If you pass by here again, you must come visit this old man," he said.
Eli nodded earnestly. "We will, Mr. Kurokas. We will never forget what you taught us."
The crew bade their farewells. Lab nudged Big Pan affectionately. "Wait for me. I will bring Brook back," Big Pan whispered.
The Silver Dragon set sail, slowly leaving the twin lighthouse behind. Kurokas watched until the ship vanished over the horizon.
"Lab, it's so good that Brook is still alive," Eli murmured.
Lab let out a joyful roar in response.
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