The moon cast its glow over the Oro Jackson's deck, waves lapping gently as the ship slumbered.
Rhett pushed open the cabin door to find Laboon and Buggy—
Buggy was practicing knife throws in the distance,
while Laboon sat at the center of the deck, a pristine white feather floating before him. Carefully, he extended a flipper, lightly brushing it—the feather flipped midair, spiraling to the ground.
Undeterred, Laboon picked it up and tried again.
"Still awake?" Rhett leaned against the railing, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Laboon turned his head and let out a low hum, eyes determined.
Rhett chuckled. "One more drill, then—fetch me that bottle."
He pulled a bottle of rum from his coat and set it gently on the deck. Laboon took a deep breath, slowly stretching out his flipper, curling it around the neck—
Steady.
Not a single drop spilled.
"Ooooh!" Laboon shook the bottle excitedly, eyes sparkling like stars.
Rhett ruffled his head. "Good job."
The Roger Pirates emerged from belowdecks—
None of you slept either? Ridiculous.
Buggy's shriek split the night. "AMBUSH! They're closing in!"
That explained why Roger, Crocus, and the others had come up.
The Oro Jackson blazed to life under the sudden glow of lanterns.
"Laboon, stay back!" Shanks drew his sword, gaze sharp.
Buggy, meanwhile, peeked from behind the mast, red nose twitching. "These bastards dare sneak up on us? I'll show 'em what's what!"
Rhett deadpanned, "Buggy, you'd be way more convincing if you stepped out from behind that mast."
Honestly, Buggy could handle these small fries—but his first instinct is always to bolt. Annoying.
Rhett didn't move, simply watching Laboon. "Ready?"
Laboon looked down at his flippers, then up at the approaching ship—a pirate vessel flying a jagged hook flag.
The deck swarmed with vicious-looking pirates, their captain brandishing a massive hook. "Roger Pirates? Tonight's your end!"
Dude. You're supposed to be sneaking up on us. Why are you yelling?
Laboon's uncertainty hardened into resolve. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Ooooh! (I can do this!)"
Rhett grinned. "Go on, then. No holding back."
—
The fight erupted instantly.
The Hook Pirates leaped onto the Oro Jackson, weapons swinging. Laboon stood at the forefront as the first enemy lunged—instinctively, he raised a flipper—
*BAM!*
The pirate shot backward like a cannonball, smashing clean through the enemy ship's mast.
Silence.
Laboon stared at his flipper, stunned by his own strength.
"M-MONSTER!" The Hook Captain paled before snarling. "All of you! KILL THAT DAMN WHALE!!!"
The pirates surged forward. Laboon panicked briefly—then steadied himself.
He closed his eyes, feeling the rhythm of combat settle into his bones—
*WHOOSH!*
He vanished, reappearing before a pirate, flicking his flipper—
*THUD!*
The man crumpled, clutching his stomach.
Laboon moved smoother now, no longer relying on brute force. Just as Rhett had taught him—precision, control. He weaved between enemies, each strike measured, disabling without killing.
Buggy gaped. "H-Holy crap! Laboon's insane!"
Shanks cheered, swinging his sword. "SO COOL! LABOON!"
The Hook Captain roared, charging with his namesake weapon. "DIE, FREAK!"
Laboon didn't dodge. He stood firm, raising a flipper—
*CRACK!*
The hook snapped. The captain froze.
Laboon's eyes sharpened. For the first time, he felt the pulse of battle.
Instead of striking, he pressed his flipper to the man's throat and growled, "Lea...ve."
The captain's legs gave out. "W-We're going!"
The Hook Pirates fled, tails between their legs. On the Oro Jackson's deck, Laboon stood motionless, staring at his flippers in disbelief.
Rhett walked over and clapped his shoulder. "Good job, Laboon."
Laboon turned, eyes shining. "Ooooh! (I did it!)"
Roger laughed heartily, ruffling Laboon's head. "KyahaHAHA! Our little Laboon's a full-fledged fighter now!"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, smirking. "Not bad. Your control's improved."
Shanks and Buggy tackled Laboon from both sides. "SO AWESOME! You're our ace now!"
Laboon flushed but held his head high, confidence glowing. Rhett stepped forward, placing a tiny blue top hat on Laboon's head.
"Well done, Apprentice Pirate Laboon. Consider this your graduation." Rhett's mist swirled into celebratory fireworks overhead—
Made even more festive by the distant Hook Pirates' ship, now enveloped in cheerful red mist.
Under the moonlight, the Oro Jackson sailed on. Laboon's first battle became a shining milestone in his journey.
Morning sun bathed the deck as Laboon carefully ate breakfast with a seastone fork.
Shanks sidled up. "Laboon, teach me that move later? The whoosh-bam one!"
Buggy shoved him aside. "Back off! He's teaching ME first!"
Shanks headbutted him. "Wanna fight, bastard?"
"Bring it."
Laboon glanced between them—then grinned.
*WHAP!*
A flipper to each face, gentle but firm.
"Ooooh! (You're both juniors!)"