Watching the vivre card still floating in the sky, Rhett sighed.
Brook was wiping his violin with a bony finger. "Yohohoho~ Should we find some fun to pass the time?"
Laboon immediately nudged out a crumpled flyer with his nose—[Water 7 Carnival·Annual Celebration].
"Oo! (Let's go!)"
Brook's eyes lit up as he looked at Rhett, though it was unclear how a skeleton could even make such an expression. Such was the world of anime.
The streets of Water 7 were festooned with lanterns, and fountains danced to the rhythm of music. Laboon, wearing two top hats, drew countless amazed gazes.
"Look! A talking whale!"
"And it's wearing two hats! So cute!"
Brook elegantly bowed. "Ladies, may I have the pleasure of seeing your panties?"
The next second, a patrolling Marine shouted, "There's a pervert here! Someone come quick!"
"Run!" Rhett grabbed Brook, and Laboon scooped them up with his tail. Brook, in some ways, was no better than Sanji.
"Look! It's that 50 Beri whale!" a child pointed at Laboon and yelled.
Laboon immediately lowered his head, looking dejected. "Oo..."
Rhett patted his head. "Ignore them. Those Marines have no taste."
"Yohohohoho, it seems our Laboon has become a famous pirate!"
Laboon looked at Rhett as if asking if it was true.
Rhett nodded seriously. Well, what could he do? You spoil your own.
At a fruit stand, the 老板娘 warmly greeted, "Little whale, want an apple?"
Laboon's eyes lit up as he carefully took the apple with his fin.
Laboon took a deep breath, using the gentlest touch to accept the apple. Happily, he spun the apple on his nose.
"Hey! Don't block the road!" a rude voice came from behind. Several thug-like figures pushed through the crowd.
"Don't bring your pet if you're gonna be in the way!"
Rhett's eyes turned cold.
These people didn't even recognize him? What a joke.
Rhett's wanted posters were plastered all over the place. Nowadays, no pirate dared disrespect him.
Even Roger, with his impeccable reputation, was still a pirate. These guys were asking for death.
Just as Rhett was about to act, Laboon moved first.
"Oo! (Bad guys!)" He puffed his cheeks and spat a thin water pillar. Laboon's water pillar could destroy a warship.
The water pillar precisely hit the lead thug's crotch.
"Ow!" The thug clutched his pants and jumped.
Rhett and Brook both felt a chill. Rhett didn't remember teaching Laboon this. Looks like he'd have to have a serious talk with Buggy and Shanks later.
The crowd burst into laughter. Vendors gave thumbs up:
"Well done, little whale!"
"These guys always come to collect protection money!"
"50 Beri is way too low for you!"
Laboon proudly raised his head. Rhett stifled a laugh and quickly led him away from the scene.
And so, Rhett spent the day on the island with a skeleton and a little whale, eating and drinking.
When the vivre card finally pointed toward the sea, the trio was sitting at the highest point of Water 7, sharing ice cream.
Brook watched the melted ice cream flow through his ribcage. "Yohohoho What a peculiar experience"
Laboon suddenly pointed into the distance. "Ship! Oro... Jackson!"
Rhett stood up. "Time to go home, guys."
Rhett jumped onto the Oro Jackson with Laboon and Brook.
"Kuhahaha! Rhett! Laboon!" Roger laughed and waved, then suddenly froze. "Wait... is that... a skeleton?!"
The entire crew gathered at the ship's railing, staring dumbfounded at the talking, violin-playing skeleton.
Brook elegantly bowed. "Nice to meet you all. I am Brook. Thanks to Mr. Rhett and Laboon's invitation, I'm here to visit."
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses. "This is... unexpected."
Crocus curiously stepped forward to examine Brook. "Mr. Brook, this is incredible. No muscle tissue... yet you can move and speak... Amazing!"
"Long time no see, Mr. Crocus. You're looking quite spirited."
Crocus shed tears of pride as he spoke to Brook. "I kept my promise. Look how well I've raised Laboon."
Here, it should be noted that Laboon's scar had disappeared after shrinking.
"Yohohoho, Mr. Crocus, you're almost a little old man now."
Laboon eagerly pulled Brook into the crowd, pointing at him with his fin and proudly declaring, "Fri... friend!"
"Laboon's not making whale noises anymore? He's talking?!" Buggy and Shanks exclaimed simultaneously.
Roger laughed heartily and jumped down from the ship, wrapping an arm around Brook. "Welcome to the Roger Pirates! Kuhahaha! Our ship just needed a musician!"
Brook's eyes glowed blue. "It's my honor, Captain. But..." he suddenly lowered his voice, "May I borrow a look at your underwear?"
"Bam!"
Rayleigh punched Brook, sending him flying. "Let's just throw this perverted skeleton back into the sea."
"Wait!" Roger stopped Rayleigh. "Every pirate crew needs its quirks! Kuhahaha!"
Rhett was dumbfounded. Brook, what are you doing? Is Roger's legendary charm working already???
And so, Brook officially became a member of the Roger Pirates.
At the evening feast, his violin played for the first time on this legendary pirate ship.
Laboon nestled beside Brook, occasionally humming along with the music, using the new words he'd learned. Rhett watched the scene, a smile unconsciously forming on his lips.
"What's on your mind?" Rayleigh asked as he walked over.
"I was thinking..." Rhett said softly, "Some encounters are fated. Brook will meet another group of companions in the future, but for now..."
"For now, he's our companion," Roger appeared behind them, holding a glass. "To new adventures!"
"Cheers!" the entire crew cheered in unison.
Shanks and Buggy ran over, dragging Laboon to drink fruit wine.
Brook's blue eyes glowed warmly. Watching the three of them happily together, he thought, "Laboon has found his new friends too."
He knew a brand-new journey was beginning, and this time, he wasn't alone.
Just as Shanks and Buggy were boasting about how much they could drink in front of Laboon, a chill crept up from their feet to the top of their heads.
The two stiffly turned around to see Rhett smiling at them.
The smile seemed gentle, but all they sensed was pure malice.
"I want to ask you two something. Who taught Laboon to fight like that?"
Shanks and Buggy exchanged glances. They knew they'd been caught. Simultaneously, they pointed at each other.
"It was Shanks (Buggy)!"
Thud! Whack!
"Big bro Rhett, we're sorry."
Crack!
"Big bro Rhett, we won't do it again."
Crack, crack!
Shanks and Buggy were tied up with mist ropes, dangling off the stern of the ship over the sea. Small sea kings leaped out of the water, eager to taste their saltiness.
But their position was just perfect—they only needed to struggle a bit to dodge. The sea kings kept jumping, and Shanks and Buggy kept dodging.
Rhett watched the two training hard, a satisfied smile on his face.