Roar~ Laboon let out another cry, as if it understood Reno's words. Its massive eyes fixed on him.
"Some of the Rumbar Pirates are still alive? Is that true?!" Crocus asked, shocked.
He'd once used his connections to investigate but found nothing, eventually giving up.
"Absolutely," Reno nodded confidently. "But before I tell that story, Nami, Kaya—go heal Laboon's wounds first."
Nami instantly created a small island cloud, carrying Kaya to the top of Laboon's head. From above, they saw a dense web of crisscrossing scars, old and new, some still oozing blood.
Kaya's eyes reddened. How much pain must this cause?
Nami guided the cloud closer until it hovered near Laboon's head. Kaya reached out, her voice unusually gentle. "Laboon, be good. It won't hurt soon."
A soft energy flowed from her palms, enveloping a scarred area. Laboon was too massive for a full heal, but under her Healing Fruit power, the wounds visibly shrank until they vanished, blending seamlessly with the whale's healthy skin.
"What's this?!"
Crocus shot to his feet, his calm demeanor shaken for the first time in decades. He stared in disbelief at the healed patch on Laboon's head.
"Kaya's a Devil Fruit user," Reno explained from the side.
Crocus nodded, his guess confirmed. Only a Devil Fruit could wield such miraculous power. A thought struck him, and he pressed, "Can her ability heal any disease?!"
"Any disease," Reno affirmed, already knowing why Crocus asked.
Crocus nodded heavily. "If I'd had that power back then, the Captain wouldn't have died."
Reno stayed silent. He knew Crocus regretted that a figure like Roger succumbed to an incurable illness. But there were no "what ifs." (Note: Roger turned himself in due to his terminal illness, so this isn't entirely wrong.)
"Reno, can you stay until Laboon's fully healed before leaving?" Crocus asked.
Reno blinked. "What else would we do?"
"It might delay your journey," Crocus said, hesitant. "With that girl's stamina, healing Laboon completely could take days." He felt awkward asking, given they were strangers.
Reno's expression turned odd. "Take a closer look."
Puzzled, Crocus glanced at Kaya again. She was pushing herself to ease Laboon's pain, sweat beading on her forehead from the effort. But suddenly, a white light enveloped her body. The next second, Crocus was stunned—Kaya's stamina was fully restored, her vibrant energy a stark contrast to her exhaustion moments ago.
"Holy—!"
The seasoned old man let out a rare curse. What kind of overpowered Devil Fruit is this?! It could even negate physical drawbacks?!
"Heh," Crocus chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Guess I'm out of touch." "Reno, tell me about the Rumbar Pirates."
Roar~ Laboon, basking in the healing energy, echoed its agreement.
Reno nodded and began the story.
Over fifty years ago, the Rumbar Pirates entered the Grand Line but left Laboon at Twin Cape due to the dangers ahead. They promised Laboon they'd return in three years to take it on a world tour. But fate had other plans. Their captain fell ill and died mid-journey, and the rest of the crew was ambushed in the Florian Triangle, wiped out. Only Brook, who ate the Revive-Revive Fruit, survived as a soul, returning to his body—now a skeleton. Trapped in the Florian Triangle for reasons unknown, he couldn't leave.
Roar~ Laboon let out an excited cry, its first since Reno's tale began. Its old companions hadn't abandoned it—they were simply unable to return due to tragedy.
"The ways of the world," Crocus sighed, moved.
"Reno, I have one more request…"
"You want me to tell Brook that Laboon's been waiting for him, right?" Reno interrupted. "Don't worry, I'll bring Brook back myself."
He'd already marked Twin Cape with a teleportation coordinate. Once they reached the Florian Triangle, he'd teleport Brook here. A one-second trip.
"Won't that disrupt your journey?" Crocus asked. He knew pirates rarely backtracked before completing their voyage.
"I have my ways," Reno said, waving off further explanation.
"In that case, I thank you in advance," Crocus said earnestly.
"Oh, by the way, I'm heading to Whisky Peak next. You have an Eternal Pose for it, right?"
With Laboon's issue addressed, Reno shifted to his own business.
"I do. I'll get it." Crocus entered his cabin and returned with a pointer. "This is the Eternal Pose for Whisky Peak. Keep it safe—lose it, and you'll get lost."
Reno pocketed it without hesitation and turned to the girls. "I'll help Kaya. Once Laboon's healed, we'll set sail."
The girls nodded, sharing his sentiment.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Reno let out a soft exclamation, glancing toward the Going Merry's docking spot. A thief!
…