Chapter 102: [Navigator] Upgrade Task

Facing Crocus's feigned ignorance with a look that screamed, 'I don't know anything, don't ask me,' The middle-aged man's lack of cooperation left Adrian feeling helpless. He couldn't resort to violence and forcibly extract information, could he?

No, that would be too extreme. Really, it would.

Although, for a fleeting moment, Adrian did entertain the thought…

He paused and addressed Crocus, "Mr. Crocus, if you genuinely possess only this limited information, I'll have to trouble you with another matter."

Crocus nodded casually. Considering the earth-shattering revelations Adrian had just shared, the lighthouse keeper seemed willing to assist.

Of course, anything related to the Roger Pirates was off-limits…

He, Crocus, was really just a lighthouse keeper with some knowledge of medicine at the Twin Capes.

Stuff like Pirate King Gol D. Roger, the final island Raftel, the "Blank Century," the "D Clan," and the "Ancient Weapons" were entirely foreign to him.

"I'm a rookie pirate who just arrived in the Grand Line for the first time," Adrian continued, ignoring his past journey from the Grand Line to the West Blue. "I lack a Log Pose with recorded routes."

His eyes twinkling, Adrian inquired, "Do you happen to have any spare Log Poses?"

Crocus took a leisurely sip of his drink and chuckled, "I've got two permanent Log Poses stored in the warehouse, gathering dust. Feel free to choose one—or take both if you wish."

Adrian's face lit up with satisfaction. "In that case, it's really great."

In this world, compass needles are also divided into different types.

Within the scope of the Four Blues, where magnetic field patterns are consistent, a general compass is sufficient to navigate the seas smoothly.

However, when it comes to the Grand Line, a regular compass becomes nearly worthless.

While sailing the Grand Line, the islands within different routes emit unique magnetic fields that severely interfere with the orientation of a standard compass. Therefore, one must rely on log poses to find the correct navigation direction.

In the latter part of the Grand Line, the New World.

Even a single log pose is ineffective, and to navigate smoothly in the New World, one must use more specialized log poses. Typically, on one dial, there are three different needles to jointly confirm the direction of the navigation route.

On top of the log pose is what Crocus referred to as the "Eternal Pose," as mentioned by him.

Eternal Pose will always point to a specific island, unaffected by any island's magnetic field. If they are not destroyed, the direction of an eternal pose will never change.

Adrian asked, "I wonder which islands Mr. Crocus's two Eternal Pointers are pointing to?"

Crocus scratched his half-petal-like hair as he recalled, "One is an Eternal Pose to Drum Island, and the other is pointing to Sabaody Archipelago!"

Adrian pondered for a moment, then said, "Medical Country and Bubble Archipelago?"

Crocus looked at him somewhat surprised, "Didn't expect you, the 'new guy,' to be quite knowledgeable about the situations on the Grand Line!"

Adrian shrugged, "As I mentioned earlier, I did my homework in advance."

Crocus shook his head and took another sip of his drink.

If someone had really done their homework in advance, why would they embark on the Grand Line without even bringing the most basic Log Pose?

The Log Pose, used exclusively in the Grand Line, may be somewhat scarce in the Four Blues, but it isn't particularly precious in the grand scheme of things.

However, everyone harbors secrets, and White Ghost's reluctance to disclose information is his right.

Just like Crocus himself, who also concealed his once glorious and romantic past experiences.

"Oh, by the way," Crocus interjected, "although I have an Eternal Pose here, which can directly guide us to the endpoint of paradise—the Sabaody Archipelago—what route are you planning to take?"

The first half of the Grand Line can roughly be divided into seven different routes, each with a certain number of islands.

For most pirate crews, once they set sail from Reverse Mountain through the Twin Capes, choosing one of the routes means they're practically committed, unable to change their course later.

But for Adrian, the restrictions of the route are almost nonexistent. If it weren't for the sake of enhancing the experience, he could even fly directly from Reverse Mountain to the Sabaody Archipelago!

And for this voyage on the Grand Line, Adrian also had his own plans. If he had to follow a specific route, it would cause some problems.

In addition, with the existence of the Eternal Pose, the so-called specific route becomes even more irrelevant.

But he didn't need to tell Crocus these things.

After pretending to ponder for a moment, Adrian said, "Since there is a pointer to Drum Island, I will choose the route that includes Drum Island. Besides, I'm curious about the medical skills of the Medical Country."

Crocus looked toward the shore. "I personally suggest that you change ships as soon as possible. The ever-changing climate of the Grand Line can be quite challenging for a single small boat."

Adrian nodded and said, "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Crocus. I will pay attention to this matter."

Even if Crocus didn't mention it, Adrian's original plan also included Water 7!

His small boat was handcrafted by himself, but his shipbuilding skills were not very high.

Although, he did not encounter any problems in the usual West Blue voyages, the weather, currents, and wind in the Grand Line were in a state of chaos. The sailing environment here was very poor, akin to walking on a rocky mountain bare foot on a rainy day.

Adrian knew he lacked the same aura as Hawkeye, the renowned "World's Strongest Swordsman."

Therefore, it was almost inevitable that he would need to change boats.

Afterwards, Adrian asked Crocus some questions about the Grand Line.

Despite having absorbed knowledge from numerous navigation books, Crocus, the seasoned doctor who had accompanied Roger throughout the entire Grand Line journey, possessed invaluable experience and information.

While the two were chatting, Crocus also found two eternal poses and handed them to Adrian.

After bidding farewell to Crocus and Twin Capes, Adrian set sail in his modest boat.

At the same time, a message popped up on the panel.

[Detected that you have entered the Grand Line.]

[Detected that your 'Navigator' level is maxed out, and your skill, 'Advanced Navigation' level is maxed out.]

[You have triggered the B-rank job advancement quest [Wind Wielder]!]

[Quest requirements: Pilot a ship to complete at least four sea routes of Grandline first half and draw a map of the corresponding sea area!]