"Platinum Lead Disease? Isn't that the curse you brought upon them?"
"Of course not. Why would I waste my time cursing something like that?"
Dier shrugged, glancing at Law beside him.
"This kid is a Platinum Lead Disease patient and was once a resident of Flevance. Let him explain it to you."
Following his gaze, Crocus noticed the bewildered Law.
If they were here to cause trouble, they wouldn't have brought a child along.
The thought crossed his mind, and he released Dier's hand, bending down to speak with Law.
He was a decent man—even without Dier revealing Brook's information, he was still willing to help find a cure for Platinum Lead Disease.
Though Twin Cape lacked medical equipment, Dier had brought previous test reports and a Den Den Mushi.
The reports served as references, while the Den Den Mushi allowed communication with Madson on the other side of the mountain.
Crocus was an exceptionally skilled doctor.
Even Roger, who was terminally ill, had sought him out to prolong his life.
But Platinum Lead Disease wasn't so easily cured.
After discussing with Madson for half a day, Crocus resolutely headed inside the lighthouse.
There, he kept numerous medical books, and he intended to scour through them for answers.
Left outside, Dier and Law had no choice but to wander around the lighthouse.
Curious, Dier dug up a piece of red soil and popped it into his mouth.
The Red Line—who knew, maybe the soil contained some special power.
"Bleh! Tastes awful."
"How could dirt possibly taste good?!"
Law loudly complained. After ten days together, he'd realized that while the captain was great in every other way, he occasionally lost all common sense when it came to food.
A plate with unique patterns? Let's taste it.
A Platinum Lead artifact? Let's taste it.
A burnt pot? Let's taste it.
If he saw anything remotely unusual, he'd shove it into his mouth to test the flavor.
Other than that, however, Dier was practically flawless in Law's eyes.
Having received a proper upbringing, Law naturally harbored no fondness for pirates.
But to avoid being separated from his family, he had no choice but to board a pirate ship.
At first, he kept his distance, unwilling to interact much with anyone other than Hina.
Yet after ten days together, he realized Dier was nothing like the usual pirates.
He ignored merchant and cargo ships but would excitedly charge at pirate ships to wreak havoc.
In daily life, he carried no airs and would even play with five-year-old Lami.
"Dier, why did you become a pirate?"
"Why? Because the World Government says I am, that's why."
"Can't you explain things to the Marines or the World Government?
After all, we haven't done anything wrong, and those two corrupt kings got what they deserved."
Having not yet experienced the White Town incident, Law still held some trust in the World Government and the Marines, believing that misunderstandings could be cleared up with proper explanation.
"That's naive, Law."
Dier turned around, his expression serious.
"You know what? In truth, there are no Marines or World Government in this world."
"Huh?"
Law looked confused. If there were no Marines, then what had been chasing them the other day?
Dier sat down, deciding it was time to correct the boy's way of thinking.
Using telekinesis, he drew a crown adorned with jewels on the ground.
"This crown represents the great pirate, BIG MOM."
Swish, swish—
Various dessert patterns appeared around the crown.
"These dessert patterns represent the islands ruled by BIG MOM, collectively called Totto Land. In these territories, her word is absolute. The residents must offer a fixed portion of their lifespans annually in exchange for her protection."
Swish, swish—
A gun and a sword were drawn beneath a crown.
"The gun and sword represent the pirate crews under BIG MOM's command. They follow orders, helping her expand territories or suppress rebellions within them."
Law studied the simple drawings on the ground but couldn't see how this connected to their earlier discussion.
Dier chuckled, erasing the crown and instead sketching a cross-like symbol with circular ends and center.
"This is the current emblem of the World Government."
Swish, swish—
The dessert patterns were smudged into circles.
"These circles represent member nations. Their people must pay Celestial Tribute yearly for the World Government's protection."
Swish, swish—
The gun and sword disappeared, replaced by a seagull.
"The seagull represents the Marines. They follow orders, helping the World Government suppress rebellions within their territories—namely, pirates."
"Now, tell me the difference between Totto Land and the World Government."
"This..."
Law opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words. When laid out like this, the World Government seemed like an enlarged version of Totto Land.
"There are differences, of course."
Dier stood up, ruffling the spotted hat on Law's head as he smiled.
"Most of Big Mom's pirate crews are ruthless marauders, while the World Government's Marines include many righteous individuals. Totto Land has achieved true racial equality, whereas Fish-Man Island under the World Government still faces discrimination. The World Government has Celestial Dragons; Big Mom has her children. Comparatively, Big Mom's offspring are far better than the Celestial Dragons."
Law looked bewildered, murmuring, "Then... are pirates the righteous ones?"
"No, most pirates are wicked."
"What about the World Government?"
"The World Government isn't much better either."
"Then who are the good guys?!"
"This world isn't black and white. Every faction has both good and bad people."
Dier said solemnly, "So don't dwell on our identities or care about others' opinions of us. No matter which side we're on or what others say, we just need to follow our hearts and stay true to ourselves."
Law nodded thoughtfully, though his eyes still held some confusion. Dier didn't expect him to understand everything immediately—just to stop blindly trusting the World Government.
"By the way, do you have a dream?"
"Yes! I want to become the world's greatest doctor!"
"That's a wonderful goal. I feel like you'd get along well with a certain blue-nosed tanuki."
One aiming to be the greatest doctor, the other a miracle cure.
Boom—!
A deep rumble echoed from underwater, making the ground beneath them tremble slightly.
Whoosh—
The sea swelled as a whale surged forth, letting out a mournful cry. Its massive form blocked the sunlight like a towering mountain, casting Dier and Law into shadow.
"So big~"
Dier looked up in awe. He knew Laboon was enormous, but witnessing it firsthand still left him astonished. The eighteen-meter-tall, six-story lighthouse nearby seemed like a toothpick in comparison.
"Now's not the time to be amazed!!"
Law clenched his fists, his legs trembling uncontrollably, yet he still stood firmly in front of Dier.
"You go first, I..."
"What 'I'? Your courage is commendable, but your actions deserve criticism."
Dier yanked him behind him and lectured:
"In situations like this, you should just jump onto my back and let me carry you away."
Hearing this, Law immediately leaped onto him.
Dier: "..."
Sensing the commotion, Crocus pushed the door open and overheard their conversation. He promptly reassured them:
"There's no need to run. It's not an enemy."
He gazed at Laboon, who was letting out mournful cries, his own expression tinged with sorrow.
"That's Laboon, an Island Whale from the West Sea. Over thirty years ago..."
"Brook is still alive, you know."