One Piece: Chopping Ace Back to Foosha Village at the Start

The Apocalypse clawed her way up Reverse Mountain, prow cutting through the raging up-current. Water hammered the Adam‑wood hull, but the legendary timber only shuddered and pressed on.

The crew's mood, however, was less steady.

Seasoned hands lashed themselves to masts, railings anything solid. One sailor tossed a coil of rope to Kuro. "Tie in with us!"

Kuro sneered and folded his arms. "You think I'm on your level?"

Robin's arms blossomed around her, binding her to a bollard. At the very bow Wayne planted his feet like iron stakes; not a tremor reached his shoulders. Iron Body, perfected, he thought.

Gloria clung to him like a happy octopus, inhaling. "So much Wayne scent… bliss!"

She stuck out her tongue at Robin, who replied with a thin smile.

Only Kuro truly suffered. The sudden weightlessness flung him fore and aft. He tried half‑baked Shave steps and Iron Body blocks, but soon his face was one continuous bruise. At one point he tumbled past Robin.

"Need help, Mister Kuro?" she offered sweetly.

"Mmmph-yes!" he tried to say, but another jolt hurled him away.

"Oh? A proud man indeed," Robin mused, completely mishearing him.

At last the dreadnought burst over the summit and splashed down into calm Grand Line water.

Gloria released Wayne with a sigh; turning, she nearly shrieked at the sight of swollen‑faced Kuro. "Whoa who are you?"

"I… I'm… Kuro," he slurred, then flopped onto the deck.

A few minutes later he staggered up again just in time to stare at a living island.

"What… is… that?"

Wayne joined him at the rail. "An island whale named Laboon. He's keeping a promise from fifty years ago." Wayne tossed two giant squid overboard. "Eat up first, big guy collision training after."

Laboon gulped the food, then circled the ship like an oversized puppy.

"Oy, Crocus, can you hear me?"

A gruff voice answered from the whale's back. "No need to shout, boy. I'm not deaf yet!"

With agile hops the white‑haired doctor landed on deck. Wayne immediately handed him a bottle of rum.

"Still spry, old man. How about signing on my crew?"

"Stuff it. I'm a relic. You youngsters run too fast." Crocus took a long draught.

Wayne shrugged. "Suit yourself. Two more cases of liquor are yours anyway. Thought I'd haul you to the New World and retire you in style."

Crocus glanced at Laboon and chuckled. "Your heart's in the right place. So? The Four‑Seas Tour went well?"

"Better than well. Want a video snail next time so you can watch the stream?" Wayne's grin faded to concern. "I also ran into Ace…"

"Ace has sailed already?"

"Yeah. I scared him back to East Blue told him to train first."

Crocus nodded, unsurprised. Years ago Wayne had quietly told Roger's old crew about Ace, hoping they could protect the boy when it mattered.

After a friendly chat the doctor hauled his liquor back inside Laboon and waved goodbye.

The Apocalypse resumed her journey. Kuro, still battered, sidled up. "Boss, who exactly was that old gentleman?"

Wayne yawned. "Just a decent doctor."

Robin covered a laugh. "That was Crocus, ship's doctor to the Pirate King himself."

Kuro's jaw dropped. A "decent doctor," he says… Hanging out with legends must be normal for Lord Wayne. His imagination filled with images of Wayne swapping stories with Roger, kicking the Marine Admirals for fun. The thought that he now served such a man set his blood racing even if Crocus, in truth, knew little more than basic Observation Haki.

Kuro squared his shoulders. Training or beatings could wait. The Grand Line had just begun.