Kaito noticed Brook was still hesitating, so he asked,
"What's wrong? Don't you want to see Laboon?"
Brook immediately shook his head like a rattle drum and explained the promise he made to Laboon—he hadn't fulfilled it yet.
Kaito nodded in understanding. He remembered that promise too: to sail around the world.
Thinking about that promise made Kaito smile.
After all, for someone with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, circling the world wasn't a difficult task.
The Grand Line was essentially like the equator of Earth—fly one full lap along it and that would count as going around the world.
And compared to Earth, the planet of the pirate world was actually smaller—its radius was only about a third or a quarter of Earth's.
While Kaito's speed didn't quite reach the speed of light, it was still incredibly fast—easily surpassing the speed of sound—so completing the journey was no big deal for him.
With that in mind, Kaito looked at the disheartened Brook and said,
"So that's what it is. Don't worry—I'll help you fulfill it."
"Eh?! Kaito-san, you..."
"No need to say more. Just head inside for now."
Kaito cut him off and opened the Door-Door Space, motioning for him to enter.
Seeing Kaito's confident expression, Brook felt a spark of hope light up in his heart. Maybe—just maybe—this mysterious man could really help him keep that promise to Laboon.
So he bowed deeply to Kaito, then stepped into the Door-Door Space.
The moment Brook entered, Kaito's body turned into a blinding surge of violet lightning. The corners of his lips curved upward into a grin.
"Alright then—let's go!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a thunderclap roared through the skies, and Kaito's figure vanished from the spot.
The thunder scattered the storm clouds above the ship, letting warm sunlight pour down and bathe the old vessel in golden light.
Then something shocking happened—the old ship suddenly came to life. It turned its bow in the direction Kaito and Brook had disappeared, as if to send them off.
A small figure in a black cloak appeared at the bow. He slowly made his way to the piano Brook often played and sat down. For the last time, he played "Binks' Sake" on this ship.
The soothing melody echoed through the entire Florian Triangle until the clouds gathered again and blocked the sunlight—right as the song came to an end.
When the music stopped, so did the tale.
He slowly stood from the chair, gazed out at the sea, and spoke in a quiet, ethereal voice:
"I'm sorry… I was so useless. I let you be alone here for so long. But I'm truly glad you'll be reunited with Laboon. It's time for me to disappear now. Please, be happy!"
As soon as he finished, his body turned into glowing specks of light and faded from the deck. And as he disappeared, the old ship began to slowly sink.
Had Kaito seen this, he would've realized—that cloaked figure was the ship spirit born from this pirate vessel, just like the Going Merry once was.
And this once again confirmed the old saying:
All things have a spirit.
...
Inside the Door-Door Space, Brook suddenly felt something.
Tears welled up in his empty eye sockets, and he shouted into the vast emptiness,
"We're the ones who should apologize! Thank you for taking us on our journey! Really—thank you so much!!!"
Hearing Brook's cry, Kaito stopped what he was doing and let him vent. Only when the sobs quieted did he continue.
A murmur was left behind in the air.
"So this… is what a bond feels like. What a strange sensation."
...
First half of the Grand Line—Twin Cape.
Inside a lighthouse, the nearly seventy-year-old Crocus was going about his usual lighthouse-keeper duties.
Outside, the loud crashing of waves and the sound of pained howling echoed violently.
Crocus didn't seem surprised by the noise. His expression was complex as he muttered under his breath,
"Again?"
At the base of the Red Line, a whale was slamming its head against the sheer rock wall over and over in a frenzy. Its head was already covered in wounds, but it still hadn't stopped.
That whale—was Laboon. And it had been doing this for decades.
Crocus simply watched Laboon's self-destructive behavior, making no move to stop it.
He knew that even if he tried to intervene, Laboon wouldn't listen. In fact, it would probably just slam even harder.
"Sigh..."
Crocus let out a heavy sigh and was about to turn back inside.
Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap rang through the sky.
He immediately stopped and looked up with a frown.
Clear skies... Why thunder? Was it going to rain?
If that were the case, then he really couldn't let Laboon continue. Stormy seas were extremely dangerous.
Laboon was a whale—a mammal—and needed to surface for air.
Its behavior was already a massive strain on its body. If it got knocked unconscious by the waves, it really could end in tragedy.
With that thought, Crocus made a firm decision. Even if it meant using force today, he would stop Laboon!
But just as he was about to act, a voice came from behind.
"Crocus. Former ship doctor of the Roger Pirates. Hard to believe you've resigned yourself to being a lighthouse keeper in a place like this."
"Who's there!?"
Crocus broke out in a cold sweat. The stranger had named his identity—clearly, they knew who he was. He turned sharply and saw Kaito in a black cloak.
The moment he recognized the face, Crocus' expression changed dramatically.
"Admiral Shikiryū?!"
Kaito's reputation across the seas was far too great, especially with those iconic Rinnegan eyes. It was impossible not to recognize him.
Realizing who had appeared, Crocus's muscles instantly tensed. He thought to himself—this is bad. I might be finished today.
His face turned grim—not because he feared death—but because he feared for Laboon.
But then Crocus froze. He noticed something odd.
Laboon... was quiet.
Usually, it would keep slamming against the rocks for a long time—but today, it had stopped so soon?
Unable to resist, he looked toward Laboon and saw the whale floating calmly at the surface, as if it had fallen asleep.
Kaito noticed his concern and said plainly,
"I put it to sleep for now. It was too tired today."
Crocus looked at him, stunned.
"Even the legendary Admiral Shikiryū... would care about a whale?"
"Heh. Let's just say it's a personal interest."
"Then... are you here to arrest me? Or... execute me on the spot?"
Kaito shook his head casually.
"You're in luck. I'm not in the mood to kill today. Considering you've been guarding this lighthouse all these years and taking care of Laboon with genuine effort... I won't arrest you either."
"Then you're here for..."
Kaito waved his hand to interrupt, and under Crocus's puzzled gaze, he opened the Door-Door Space.
Brook immediately rushed out.
He leapt off the lighthouse and ran madly toward the sea.
"Laboon! I'm back!!!"
----------------
Check out my new fanfic With the Justice System in One Piece! It has the system that so many of you love. If you're looking for something new, give it a try!
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo