CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: DAMN IT... I’LL DEFINITELY BE BACK!

"Ugh..."

Hearing this question, Vivi’s expression froze for a moment before she stammered out an explanation:

"Well... it’s... it’s like this."

"You probably don’t know, but I’m actually an executive agent for Baroque Works, so I often have to travel to various islands."

"So, carrying a permanent pointer like this should be pretty reasonable, right?"

"Is that so?"

Will, upon hearing this, neither confirmed nor denied her words. Instead, he smoothly continued:

"In that case, you must know quite a bit about the situation in the Alabasta Kingdom, right?"

"Perfect. Then you’ll come with us when we head there."

"Huh?!"

Vivi was startled by this and immediately opened her mouth to refuse.

But when she saw the resolute look on his face and his unmistakably powerful physique, she swallowed her words.

After quickly reorganizing her thoughts, she put on a gentle smile and said:

"No problem at all. I’ll go with you."

"Good."

Will nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Crocus nearby and said earnestly:

"Thanks for telling us so much about the Grand Line."

"No need to thank me," Crocus replied calmly.

"Even if I hadn’t said anything, you would’ve figured it out soon enough."

Will didn’t say more on the matter. Instead, he turned to Nami and Kalifa, instructing them to take Vivi back to the ship.

At his words, Nami and Kalifa thanked Crocus once more before heading toward the ship with Vivi in tow.

Before leaving, Vivi cast a worried glance at Mr. 9, who was still lying on the ground.

But recalling how this old man had spared them multiple times and how these three didn’t seem intent on finishing off Mr. 9, she realized she was in no position to argue. With no other choice, she reluctantly followed them away from Twin Cape.

As Will prepared to say something else before leaving, a sudden, deep, and resonant roar echoed through the air.

ROAR!

The sound carried a profound mix of emotions, as if the cry itself was laced with sorrow and indignation.

"Already awake, huh, Laboon...?" Crocus muttered, surprised that Laboon had regained consciousness so quickly. He turned to look.

At that moment, the massive whale Laboon raised its enormous head again, its eyes fixed on Twin Cape.

The three women, now back on the ship, were startled by the sight.

"Laboon!" Will called out, noticing the whale seemed ready to let out another mournful cry. His eyes narrowed, a flash of red glinting in them as he shouted with authority:

"Listen up!"

"When I come back here, I don’t want to see a single new scar on your head!"

"If I find out you’ve been smashing yourself against the Red Line again, I’ll give you a beating you won’t forget!"

His words carried the weight of both a promise and a threat. As he spoke, Will gradually unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, the oppressive aura intensifying. Around him, faint black-red sparks of lightning began to crackle.

"This guy..." Crocus’s eyes widened slightly, his heart quietly marveling:

"What a monstrous rookie..."

Laboon, feeling the overwhelming pressure, trembled violently, its massive body instinctively shrinking back, causing waves several meters high to ripple outward.

As the pressure grew heavier, Laboon slowly sank into the sea, leaving only half its head above water, its enormous eyes quietly watching the lighthouse.

Seeing this, Will dismissed the idea of knocking Laboon out again. Though he could precisely control the intensity of his Haki, fainting like that probably wasn’t pleasant.

Crocus noticed this as well, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Wild Will."

"No need to thank me. I’m not even sure if this will help Laboon," Will replied, shaking his head. Without waiting for a response, he turned toward the ship, waving a casual goodbye over his shoulder:

"See you, Crocus."

Crocus watched as Will boarded the ship and set sail once more.

Suddenly, something clicked in his mind, and his heart skipped a beat:

"Wait a minute. How did he know my name?!"

"I don’t think I ever introduced myself during our talk."

"Could this guy have known who I was from the start...?"

The thought made him chuckle softly:

"What an interesting young man..."

Though Crocus didn’t claim to have an infallible eye for people, he sensed something utterly unique about Will—something different from anyone he’d ever met.

Immense strength, commanding presence, and a distinct pride.

Decisive and bold in action, yet capable of casually chatting with an old man like him.

And even though Will clearly knew his identity, he restrained himself from asking about Raftel or the One Piece.

Even for someone as experienced as Crocus, Will was an enigma he couldn’t fully decipher.

"A man like that stepping onto the Grand Line... he’s bound to stir up some massive waves."

"Don’t you think so, Laboon?"

He turned to the whale, who had quietly swum closer, a faint smile on his face.

Roar~!

Laboon’s expressive eyes drew near, letting out a soft, almost aggrieved cry.

"Alright, Laboon," Crocus said, his tone gentle but firm. "You’d better listen to that guy."

"If he comes back and sees new scars on your head, he might really give you a thrashing."

"And these old arms and legs of mine won’t be able to stop him."

As he spoke, a small grin crept onto his face.

After all, he didn’t want Laboon to keep hurting itself in that futile way. If Will’s intimidation could stop it, that might not be such a bad thing.

Roar~!

Laboon, seeming to understand, let out another low, slightly disgruntled cry.

Then it turned its massive head, gazing at the ship gradually sailing into the distance, its eyes shimmering with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Once again, someone had promised to return and meet it...

At that moment, perhaps because Laboon’s roar was too loud, Mr. 9—who had been lying face-down with his rear in the air—suddenly stirred, groggily opening his eyes.

"Where... am I?"

"Oh? You’re finally awake," Crocus said, noticing the movement. He walked over.

Before Mr. 9 could react, he felt a sharp pain in his backside.

"Argh!"

With a yelp, Mr. 9 flailed wildly and tumbled into the sea.

Crocus pulled back his foot, shouting calmly down at him: "Get lost! And don’t come back!"

Splash!

Mr. 9 burst out of the water, ready to roar in anger.

But then he noticed the enormous whale staring at him from nearby, and a cold sweat broke out across his body.

"Damn it... I’ll definitely be back!"

Without thinking, he spat out a defiant retort before frantically swimming away as fast as he could.

Crocus paid him no mind, turning back to settle into his lounge chair.

He was ready to enjoy the rare quiet of the afternoon.

After all, Laboon was usually quite noisy around this time.

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