The Devil's Triangle fog was thick, less than ten meters of visibility.
But for Rhett, it felt like coming home. He always started his domain by generating fog.
It was also the most physically taxing part of the process. He could feel the ceiling — push past a certain point and the debt came due.
"Uhh..." Laboon whined, uneasy. His little top hat, dampened by the fog, drooped.
"Don't be scared," Rhett murmured, patting Laboon's head. The blood mist began to merge with the Devil's Triangle fog. "We'll take it slow."
Since Rhett couldn't pinpoint Brook's location, he relied on the blood mist to sense their surroundings.
After searching for days, Rhett was ready to head back with Laboon.
Suddenly, an eerie melody drifted through the fog. Laboon perked up his ears and let out an excited "Uhh!"
"Brook?" Rhett stood alert, Black Blade in hand.
From the fog, a dilapidated ghost ship emerged. Its sails were tattered, the deck eerily empty, but the music grew clearer.
"Yohohoho Welcome aboard my ship! Though I'm just a skeleton, yohohohoho"
A skeleton in a suit and top hat appeared at the bow. His hollow eye sockets... well, remained hollow.
Laboon shrank behind Rhett, his little top hat tilting sideways.
"Brook?" Rhett asked cautiously.
The skeleton musician paused. "You... you know me?"
Rhett sighed in relief and sheathed his Black Blade. "We came looking for you. Laboon wanted to see you."
Laboon peeked out from behind Rhett, eyeing the skeleton.
Brook trembled upon seeing Laboon. "Laboon?"
"Uhh! (Brook!)" Laboon leaped up, nearly capsizing the small boat.
Brook fell to his knees on the deck, his voice choked with emotion. "Laboon, you haven't been taking care of yourself. You've gotten so thin. You're so tiny now."
What the hell?
On the ghost ship's deck, Brook played a familiar melody on his old violin—"Bink's Sake." Laboon swayed gently, occasionally letting out joyful cries.
"So that's it, a Devil Fruit," Brook said after hearing Rhett's explanation. "You came all this way for me... I can't thank you enough. Without you, I don't know how long I would've drifted here. I got lost."
"I'm a Yellow Springs man who ate the Revive-Revive Fruit, but my soul returned too late, and my body turned to bones, yohohohoho."
Rhett shook his head. "Laboon never forgot you. It waited for you every day, hoping for this reunion."
Brook gently stroked Laboon's head. "I'm sorry, Laboon, for making you wait so long..."
Laboon nuzzled Brook affectionately, his little top hat glistening.
The ship song echoed across the sea. Laboon circled Brook excitedly.
When Brook reached the climax of the song, Laboon suddenly opened his mouth. "B-Brook! We-welcome!"
Brook was stunned. "You can talk?!"
"Rhett... taught me!" Laboon proudly lifted his head, the water droplets on his top hat sparkling.
He struggled to organize his words. "Waited... long... no regrets! Hat... Rhett gave. I... like it."
Brook's skeletal body trembled. He set down his violin and knelt on one knee at the ship's edge. He removed his own worn-out top hat and placed it beside Laboon's little blue hat. "Look, double hats."
Rhett turned away, pretending to study the fog.
Brook, you really got me, old Rhett. How did Crocodile get into my eyes?
As Brook played the final note, silence fell over the sea fog. Laboon nuzzled Brook's skeletal hand, letting out a contented "Uhh."
It was the feeling of finding family again.
"Yohohohoho, I just felt an incredibly powerful presence. I thought I was going to die, though I'm a skeleton and don't know if I can die," Brook said, looking at Rhett.
"Young lady, you're truly remarkable. The entire fog is red."
"I mean, I've been alone here for so long. It's been ages since I've talked to anyone. I hope you don't mind."
"Laboon is so cute, tiny as he is. And how did you know I was here?"
Brook didn't wait for a response.
Yes, though Brook was a skeleton, he was undeniably a person. Staying sane all these years was all thanks to Brook's optimistic nature.
"Rhett... foresaw... future. Told... Laboon."
"Bastard, I'm a pure man."
"Oh, my apologies. I didn't see you clearly, though I don't have eyes, yohohohoho."
Rhett watched this reunion and suddenly spoke up. "Brook, did you know? In the distant future, even if I hadn't appeared, you would meet a special group of companions."
Brook looked up, hope gleaming in his eye sockets. "Yohohoho~ Young man, you speak so intriguingly. Can a skeleton like me really meet new companions? Really? Really? Can you tell me about them?"
Brook practically leaned his entire skeleton onto Rhett.
Rhett couldn't take it anymore and kicked Brook over.
He was terrified Brook might say, "Could you show me your—"
"Not only will you meet them," Rhett's voice carried unwavering certainty, "they will become your most cherished family. You'll embark on incredible adventures in the future..."
Brook's skeletal fingers gently stroked his violin strings. "It sounds... like wonderful companions. But I already have an amazing family."
He hugged Laboon tightly.
"Uhh!" (Of course!) Laboon added, proudly adjusting his two hats.
"But before that," Rhett took a step forward, "why not sail with us for a while?"
"The Roger Pirates are uncovering history," Rhett's voice echoed through the thick fog. "Witnessing this era firsthand will aid your future adventures. And..."
He glanced at Laboon. "This way, you can spend more time with Laboon."
Laboon immediately looked at Brook with pleading eyes, silently urging him to accept.
Brook looked at Rhett, who extended the invitation, and performed a gentleman's bow. "I would be honored to join your journey."
"Uhh!" (Hooray!)
Let's head back to the Oro Jackson and leave the Devil's Triangle. Rhett pulled out his vivre card and was stunned to see it flying upward.
"Those guys... they actually made it to Skypiea, huh?"