Chapter 101: News of the Pirate King's Ship

"Ship's Spirit" is one of the ancient legends passed down through generations on the great sea, and among shipwrights, it is an enduring topic.

In the legend, ship spirits are beings born from the mutual love and care of the crew for the ship. When the bond between the crew and the ship becomes intimate, the ship, in gratitude, transforms into a ship spirit.

There are also other stories and rumors. Some say ship spirits are originally forest spirits living in trees. If someone cuts down a tree and uses it to build a ship, the ship spirit will secretly board the ship, protecting the crew and ensuring a smooth journey.

Adrian knew little about ship spirits; after all, there was very little information leaked in the original work. The only confirmed information he had was that ship spirits indeed exist in the world.

That was already enough!

In the original story, two ships experienced by Monkey D. Luffy—the Merry and the Sunny—both gave birth to ship spirits.

Especially the Merry spirit, in the midst of falling snow, ignited a raging fire, sank into the deep sea, and the mix of happiness and sorrow overflowed from the pages!

But the time for the Son of Destiny to set sail is still nearly twenty years away. Does Adrian have the time and interest to wait specifically for the appearance of Merry, the ship spirit?

Isn't it more tempting to just pick up what's readily available?

If the third generation of Straw Hat youngster can infect and infuse their spirit and beliefs into the ships, allowing the birth of ship spirits.

Then there's no reason the second generation Straw Hat and, even the legendary and elusive first generation Straw Hat, whose existence is shrouded in mystery, wouldn't have ship spirits on their pirate ships!

The Red-Haired Pirates' [Red Force]!

The Roger Pirates' [Oro Jackson]!

On these two renowned pirate ships that sailed the seas, the possibility of the birth of ship spirits is extremely high!

Due to the constraints of time, the former has not yet made its appearance.

However, there were no rumors about Roger's "Oro Jackson" being destroyed by the World Government or the Marines!

Upon hearing Adrian's words, Crocus's eyes showed a hint of curiosity. "Young man, nice to meet you. How about introducing yourself?"

Adrian tapped his forehead apologetically and said, "Sorry, my bad for overlooking that. I'm Adrian, hailing from the West Blue. Of course, Mr. Crocus, you might be more familiar with my other name: White Ghost."

Crocus understood in his heart and said, "So, you're the Ghost who made quite a splash in the South Blue some time ago. No wonder you look familiar... But this old man who's always hiding in Twin Capes, guarding the lighthouse, doesn't know what this 'Oro Jackson' you're talking about is."

Adrian smiled and said, "Mr. Crocus, you're joking. As the ship doctor of Roger's Pirate Crew, how could I not know what ship I boarded?"

Crocus's expression suddenly changed. He straightened his upper body, his expression serious, emitting an invisible and invincible momentum.

"Don't worry, I don't have any ill intentions towards Roger's pirate crew," Adrian waved his hand and said. "Besides, I met Gol D. Roger's wife some time ago..."

"Scared me, I thought the notorious Ghost would have something against an old man—"

Crocus had just breathed a sigh of relief when he suddenly heard the latter part of Adrian's words, instantly staring in shock.

"What? Captain Roger's wife?!!!"

"Yeah..." Adrian looked at the shocked Crocus and knowingly asked, "Surely the members of Roger's pirate crew are not unaware that in the last year of his life, Roger married and even had a child?"

"What?!!! Captain Roger has a child?!!!"

Crocus's shock at this moment was no less than when he successfully reached Raftel, and Roger simply threw out the statement "disband the pirate crew!"

Adrian said with a sense of mischief, "Well, Roger's wife is named Portgas D. Rouge. At the moment, she and the child in her belly are currently under the care of Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp."

Crocus scratched his head in pain, as if he couldn't immediately accept such rich information.

"Garp? Wait a minute! Let me process this!

"By the way, you said Captain Roger's child hasn't been born yet? But it's been almost ten months since the execution in Loguetown..."

"Yes, almost ten months have passed since that day, but Roger's child still hasn't been born," Adrian said. "This is also the greatness of Lady Rouge. I believe Mr. Crocus, being a doctor, should understand how incredible this is for a pregnant woman."

However, there were still some things Adrian did not mention.

Ace's birthday is on January 1, 1500 in the Sea Calendar, a day symbolizing the "beginning of a new era"!

This also indicates that Portgas D. Ace and Portgas D. Anne spent a full fifteen months gestating within their mother!

What Rouge did can truly be described as a [miracle]!

Crocus suddenly stood up. He ran towards the caretaker's hut in the back and soon emerged carrying a massive emerald green bottle of rum. The bottle was filled to the brim.

Gulp, gulp, gulp!

He downed more than half of the bottle in one go. Crocus's face was slightly flushed, and a hint of redness appeared on his cheeks.

"White Ghost, I don't know how you found out about Lady Rouge's situation, and I have no idea how you learned about this old man's past," Crocus paused, letting out a loud belch, "but I'm truly grateful for you sharing this information with me!"

Adrian smiled casually, anticipating what would come next.

"Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush anymore!" Crocus declared, "Although I don't understand why you want to inquire about the Oro Jackson's whereabouts, I'm willing to share what I know with you.

"After Captain Roger disembarked for the first time, Vice Captain Silvers Rayleigh continued sailing the seas with the remaining crew. If, someday, you manage to find Rayleigh, then you'll surely learn the true fate of the Oro Jackson!"

Adrian blinked in response.

The old ship doctor was both drinking and sentimental. As a result, he spoke for a long time, but didn't reveal any useful information!

Unable to resist, he asked, "Mr. Crocus, don't you know more specific details?"

"I got off the ship early, only a little ahead of those two... cough, cough!" Crocus felt he had said too much and promptly poured a large gulp of rum into his own mouth. "Anyway, I know this much! If you want to find out more detailed information, go ask Rayleigh yourself!"