Entering Reverse Mountain did not signify the end, it was only the beginning.
As the boat gradually approached the summit, what greeted Nereus and others was not a magnificent mountaintop view, but wrecked ships.
Vessels from all Four Seas entered the Grand Line through this route, and the four waterways converged at the peak.
There were no traffic signals here to regulate passage. If luck was bad and people from different seas happened to climb Reverse Mountain at the same time, a catastrophic collision at the summit was highly likely.
There was no mutual victory, only mutual destruction. Unless one ship vastly outclassed the others in quality, allowing it to crush the rest and enter the Grand Line over their remains.
This obstacle alone filtered out a large number of pirates from the Four Seas. Passing through required not only strength but also a measure of luck.
These wrecks were the Grand Line’s first greeting to rookies. Nereus and his group had avoided encountering other ships climbing at the same time, though it would be more accurate to say that those people were the lucky ones.
Encountering a boss at Fish-Man Island, the midpoint of the Grand Line, was one thing.
Encountering a boss at Reverse Mountain, the very starting point, would be far more despair-inducing.
Once the summit was crossed, the descent was much safer. Years ago, they would have seen a whale blocking the route below, but things had improved considerably now.
Laboon no longer blocked the entrance to the Grand Line. Instead, it was floating in the nearby waters, listening to Brook’s music.
Though times have changed, it still waited for its last companion.
“Brook, it’s been a while. It seems you’ve been doing quite well.”
“Good day, King Nereus. Thanks to your help, I was able to leave that sea of mist. Otherwise, Mr. Crocus probably would never have received news of me.”
After returning to Twin Capes, Brook had also learned of Laboon’s situation. It had likewise endured the pain of losing companions. The difference was that, unlike Brook, who had witnessed the tragedy firsthand, Laboon had at least been able to cling onto a glimmer of illusion.
Under Crocus’s reassurance, it temporarily believed in the possibility of a final miracle.
However, if Crocus had not brought Brook back this time, the outcome might have been very different.
“It says… it has been waiting for you all to return.”
Although whales are not classified as fish, in this sea they possess the same ability as ordinary fish to communicate with Merfolk.
Before Nereus arrived, Brook could only sense Laboon’s emotions, but now Chloe could accurately translate the meaning behind Laboon’s words.
“Sorry, Laboon. We broke our promise… King Nereus, I have a request to ask of you. Could you allow Laboon to come back to Fish-Man Island with us?”
“Fish-Man Island doesn’t have any Island Whales living there, but if it’s willing to follow you, you’re naturally free to bring it along.”
The Island Whale species originally lived in the West Blue as social whales. During their juvenile stage, they were even smaller than ordinary whales, about the size of dolphins.
But upon reaching adulthood, the largest Island Whales could grow to the size of a small island, which was how they earned the name Island Whale.
Ordinary Sea Beasts posed no threat to them. Their greatest danger came from Sea Kings, but restricting Sea Kings was effortless for the current Fish-Man Island.
Even without a fully awakened Poseidon, the Sea Kings would still show a degree of respect. Seeing Chloe chatting enthusiastically with Laboon, there was no issue with bringing it back as well.
“Thank you for agreeing to this!”
If it were merely a matter of bringing Laboon over, Nereus’s permission would not have been necessary. Fish-Man Island’s restrictions targeted passing pirates, not marine creatures.
Nereus’s approval meant that he was willing to look after Laboon to some extent, allowing it to survive more comfortably in those dangerous waters.
“You’re being overly cautious. This is a young Island Whale. Other than Sea Kings, very few creatures would be willing to provoke it.”
“Even though it isn’t human, it’s still an important companion of mine. I’m sure you can understand that feeling. But more importantly, there’s something I’d like to tell you.
“I’ve thought about it for a long time and feel that you should know. It may have some connection to the current World Government…”
Brook sighed. Despite having no flesh, his skeleton face somehow conveyed an extremely serious expression.
“Go ahead.”
“This concerns my past. Decades ago, I wanted to set sail, but the king of the Toroa Kingdom in the West Blue had shown me great kindness. To repay that debt, I stayed in the kingdom and served as one of its royal guards.
“Back in the Four Seas, I was actually pretty strong.”
Brook deliberately emphasized his strength, seemingly worried that Nereus might misunderstand because of his own overwhelming power.
“At first, everything went smoothly. The kingdom’s princess also loved my music. But then one day… for some reason, the princess suddenly killed my benefactor!
“And when I accompanied you to the Levely before… I saw the princess’s face again. Even after all this time, she hadn’t changed at all.
“If she’s still alive, she should be older than even you.
“I hope I was mistaken, but if I wasn’t… then the World Government may possess some sort of power related to eternal youth.”
Brook was reluctant to bring up this part of his past. He referred to that person only as “the princess” and never even mentioned her name.
“There’s no need to be so sorrowful. That probably… wasn’t her intention.”
“King Nereus?”
“The World Government possesses a power capable of controlling people’s hearts. As long as certain conditions are met, that power can be exercised. Whether familial affection or anything else, all of it can be twisted by that power.
“If the father and daughter truly got along well in ordinary times, then that was likely another tragedy caused by the World Government.”
“Controlling hearts, immortality… those people’s abilities really are complicated.”
Crocus listened to the conversation between Brook and Nereus from the side. As a member of Roger’s final voyage, he had witnessed some of the abilities possessed by the Knights of God.
“Rather than that, what are your plans for the future? Doctor Crocus, if Laboon leaves with Brook, there shouldn’t be much left here worth staying for, right?”
A top-tier doctor would be welcomed in any country. Exceptional medical skill was a necessity everywhere. Otherwise, the resource-poor Drum Kingdom would not have been able to secure sufficient status as a great medical nation.
Back then, Crocus had stayed here for many years to care for Laboon on behalf of the Rumbar Pirates. Now, perhaps it was time for many things to change.
“No. I’ll stay here and see whether the person Roger chose passes through this place.”
Crocus rejected the suggestion and chose to remain at the lighthouse, waiting for the person who might inherit Roger’s will.
Aside from those born in the Grand Line itself, pirates from the Four Seas generally had to pass through here. It could be said that this was the first checkpoint.
As for safety…
This ship’s doctor was far from weak. Anyone determined to test him could get an early taste of just how cruel the New World truly was.
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