When Crocus heard Shiro's calm explanation, the confusion in his eyes slowly faded.
Realization dawned upon him, and he gave a polite bow, his voice tinged with apology.
"So that's how it is… Then allow me to apologize. You've ended up trapped here because of my friend Laboon. He's been acting strangely lately—swallowing every ship that passes by."
Shiro waved his hand dismissively, interrupting him with a smile.
"No need for apologies, Dr. Crocus. We understand.
In fact, the reason we came to Twin Cape in the first place—was precisely to find that whale."
"Nani?!"
Crocus' voice shot up an octave, his cloudy eyes widening in shock.
Shiro nodded, expression solemn.
"We have a crewmate named Brook—formerly of the Rumbar Pirates. He shares with Laboon a promise that has lasted nearly three decades."
He pointed toward the Virtue's deck, where the tall, skeletal figure of Brook stood quietly beneath the sunlight.
"This voyage… was to bring him here—to fulfill that promise."
Crocus froze. His weathered face twitched as a chill crept up his spine.
He followed Shiro's finger and saw the skeleton clearly for the first time—gleaming white bones, empty sockets glowing faintly blue.
For a moment, the old doctor could only stare, his fishing rod trembling in his hand.
"W–wait… You're saying that skeleton… that ghost… is the same man who made the promise with Laboon all those years ago?"
His words stumbled out, disbelief written all over his face.
"Please don't be alarmed, Dr. Crocus," Shiro said gently, stepping forward. "Brook was indeed a member of the Rumbar Pirates.
But twenty-nine years ago, their crew was struck by a deadly illness at sea. Every last member perished."
Shiro's tone softened, a trace of sorrow threading through his voice.
"Brook alone survived… or rather, returned—after eating the Yomi Yomi no Mi, the Revive-Revive Fruit. His soul found its way back to his body, and though he lives now as a skeleton, his heart has never changed.
He's been waiting for this day ever since."
Crocus' eyes widened in astonishment, then slowly narrowed in thought.
"I see…" he murmured, rubbing his chin, lost in distant memories of the cheerful Rumbar Pirates and the little whale that followed their ship.
Then suddenly, his expression sharpened.
"Wait—you're inside Laboon's stomach! You must leave immediately! There's no way Brook can meet him like this!"
Shiro chuckled softly. "Getting out won't be a problem."
Then his gaze softened as he looked at Crocus.
"But, Dr. Crocus… I'd like to ask a favor.
Will you come with us when we surface? Laboon trusts you more than anyone. If you explain, he'll understand."
Crocus straightened up and smiled warmly.
"Of course! A reunion like this is far too important to miss. Let's go!"
Shiro led Crocus back onto the Virtue.
Standing at the center of the deck, he took a deep breath as pale energy flickered around his hands.
He pressed his palms against the wood with a sharp thud!
A rippling wave of white light spread across the hull.
In an instant, space distorted—and the Virtue vanished from Laboon's stomach, reappearing atop the open sea.
"Laboon! Stop!!"
Crocus ran to the railing, cupping his hands around his mouth. His voice boomed across the waves.
The great whale thrashed restlessly, churning the ocean into towering waves.
But when it heard that familiar voice—its entire body froze mid-motion.
Slowly, the giant whale turned its massive head toward the sound, eyes shining with confusion and excitement.
"Laboon, look!" Crocus called, pointing toward the deck.
"Do you see him? That's Brook—from the Rumbar Pirates! The one who made that promise with you so long ago! He's come back!"
Laboon's enormous eyes blinked, confused.
It stared at the skeletal figure standing before it, unrecognizing.
This was not the man it remembered—the one who sang to it beneath the sunlight, who promised to return.
Seeing this, Brook silently reached into his coat and drew out a polished Tone Dial.
Holding it reverently between bony fingers, he pressed the switch.
A soft, nostalgic melody drifted out across the sea.
It was their song—the Rumbar Pirates' favorite tune.
The song that once filled the Grand Line with laughter.
The moment the first notes reached Laboon's ears, its entire body went still.
Then, with a sound that shook the heavens, it cried out—a deep, joyous wail that carried across the waves.
Tears—huge, glittering like pearls—spilled from its eyes and splashed into the sea.
Laboon thrashed its tail, sending towering sprays of water skyward, the Virtue rocking violently in the waves as the crew clung to the rails for dear life.
"Brooook!!! Broooook!!!"
Laboon bellowed in joy, its voice trembling with emotion.
It had waited twenty-nine years for this moment—for the friend who had promised to return.
Brook gazed up at the whale, his empty sockets soft with warmth.
Though he had no eyes, his soul wept.
Lifting his violin, he drew the bow across the strings.
The melody intertwined with the Tone Dial's song, resonating across the sea like an echo of the past.
The music told a story of reunion, of promises kept beyond death, of a friendship that even time could not erase.
The crew of the Virtue stood in silence, the wind carrying the notes across the ocean.
Even the toughest among them could feel their hearts stirred.
A bond that defied life and death—
A promise kept after twenty-nine long years—
It was enough to move anyone to tears.
"Oi, oi, oi… You've gotta be kidding me."
Moria leaned lazily against the rail, arms crossed, sneering.
"A skeleton and a whale crying? What's the big deal? You're all acting like it's something special."
Jinbe, Issho, and Mihawk exchanged glances.
Their expressions darkened in perfect unison.
Without a word, the three of them moved—each grabbing one of Moria's arms and hauling him off toward the stern.
Moments later, a series of crashes, smacks, and pained wails echoed across the ship.
Let's just say… Moria was being "educated"—
in the Virtue's preferred way—
on how to respect the feelings of others.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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