Silence.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
The words Kael had just spoken seemed to freeze the very air inside Laboon.
Brook is still alive.
No one reacted immediately.
Not Nami.Not Tashigi.Not Kaya.
Not even Crocus.
It was as if their minds refused to process it.
Crocus was the first to move.
Slowly… deliberately… he stepped forward.
His eyes locked onto Kael.
"…What did you just say?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
But beneath that calm—
There was tension.
"Just a few minutes ago…"
He continued, his gaze sharpening.
"You told us that the Rumbar Pirates… led by Brook… were attacked by poisoned weapons."
"They died."
A pause.
Then—
"And now you're saying… he's alive?"
The contradiction hung heavily in the air.
Everyone turned toward Kael.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Fearing.
Kael didn't rush.
He simply nodded once.
"He did die."
The words made Kaya flinch.
Nami clenched her fists.
Tashigi's brows furrowed.
But Kael continued, unfazed.
"Exactly as I said."
"Brook died along with his crew."
Another pause.
Then—
A faint grin formed on his lips.
"But before dying…"
"He ate a Devil Fruit."
Crocus' eyes narrowed slightly.
Kael's voice remained steady.
"The Revive-Revive Fruit."
He let the words sink in.
"It grants its user…"
"…a single resurrection."
Silence returned.
But this time—
It wasn't empty.
It was filled with realization.
With shock.
With disbelief.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Then—
A subtle shift.
Kael and Crocus both noticed it instantly.
Thump.
Thump.
Laboon's heartbeat.
It had changed.
Faster.
Stronger.
Hope.
Kael's grin widened slightly.
Crocus inhaled slowly, trying to steady himself.
"So…"
He spoke carefully.
"What you're saying is…"
"Brook… who died over fifty years ago…"
"…was brought back to life because of this fruit?"
His voice carried something fragile.
Something that could shatter at any moment.
"…Is that correct, young man?"
Every eye locked onto Kael.
Nami's fingers trembled.
Kaya held her breath.
Tashigi stood perfectly still.
No one wanted this to be a lie.
No one could survive it if it was.
Kael looked at them.
Then smiled.
Wide.
Confident.
"Exactly."
"Brook—the musician of the Rumbar Pirates…"
"…is still alive."
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Then—
A cry echoed through Laboon.
Loud.
Powerful.
But not violent.
This time—
It was filled with emotion.
Relief.
Joy.
Gratitude.
Hope.
Laboon's voice trembled as it rang across the vast interior.
It wasn't rage anymore.
It was something far deeper.
Something buried for decades—
Finally breaking free.
But—
It didn't last.
The cry shifted.
Faltered.
Turned heavy.
Sad.
Crocus' expression changed.
The brief light in his eyes dimmed.
His jaw tightened.
"…Then tell me…"
His voice dropped.
"…why hasn't that bastard come back yet?"
The question struck harder than anything before.
Kael sighed softly.
"Don't get angry, Crocus-san."
"It's not Brook's fault."
Crocus frowned.
"…Huh?"
The others looked just as confused.
Kael continued.
"Brook's shadow was stolen."
"By Gecko Moria."
The name landed heavily.
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"…Gecko Moria…?"
Her grip tightened on her sword.
"One of the Seven Warlords…"
Nami blinked.
"A warlord did that?"
Kaya looked stunned.
"…But how?"
Crocus narrowed his eyes.
"How did something like that even happen?"
Kael answered calmly.
"The Rumbar Pirates' ship was already damaged."
"Five years ago, it drifted into Moria's territory—Thriller Bark."
"And that's where it happened."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Moria took Brook's shadow."
Silence fell again.
He continued.
"A person without a shadow…"
"…can't survive under sunlight."
Understanding dawned slowly.
"…So he can't leave…" Kaya whispered.
Kael nodded.
"He's forced to stay within the Florian Triangle."
"The fog protects him."
"But it also traps him."
Nami exhaled sharply.
"…So he's been stuck there all this time?"
Kael nodded again.
"On a ghost ship."
"Alone."
Tashigi looked down.
"…That's cruel."
Crocus clenched his fists.
"…Fate really has a twisted sense of humor."
Kael's gaze shifted upward.
Toward Laboon.
"Don't worry."
"He's not in immediate danger."
Then—
His voice softened.
But remained firm.
"Laboon."
The massive whale stilled.
Listening.
"Even after everything…"
"After losing his entire crew…"
"After being trapped for years…"
"Brook never abandoned his ship."
A pause.
"Never abandoned you."
Laboon's body trembled.
Kael's eyes remained steady.
"He stayed alive."
"For one reason."
"To keep his promise."
"He didn't forget."
The words echoed deeply.
Inside the whale.
Inside their hearts.
Everyone felt it.
Kaya covered her mouth.
Tears welled up.
Tashigi's grip loosened.
Her shoulders dropped.
Nami looked away, blinking rapidly.
Laboon—
Could only let out a low, trembling cry.
Not loud.
Not violent.
Just…
Broken.
The pain didn't disappear.
But it changed.
From despair—
To longing.
Crocus finally spoke again.
"…Kael."
His voice was quieter now.
"How do you know all this?"
A pause.
"Have you been to the Grand Line before?"
Another.
"…Have you met Brook?"
The question lingered.
Behind him—
The three women exchanged glances.
You really think he'll answer that?
Still—
They were curious.
Kael shrugged lightly.
"I'd love to meet him."
"But no."
"I haven't."
Crocus frowned.
"…Then how—"
Kael grinned.
"Let a man have some secrets."
Nami rolled her eyes.
"Of course."
Kaya sighed softly.
"We expected too much."
Tashigi shook her head.
"Typical."
Crocus stared at Kael for a long moment.
Then—
Closed his eyes.
"…Sigh."
"Fine."
"I won't ask."
He stepped forward.
Then bowed slightly.
"You have my deepest thanks, young man."
"You've done more for us today than you realize."
Laboon let out another cry.
Softer this time.
Filled with gratitude.
And regret.
Kael flinched slightly.
"…Yeah, yeah…"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
The three women noticed instantly.
Then—
"Pfft—"
They couldn't hold it in.
Nami burst out laughing.
Tashigi covered her mouth, barely containing herself.
Kaya giggled softly.
He really can't handle this…
Kael's expression darkened.
(Instead of helping your poor captain…)(You're laughing?)
The three froze.
(Alright.)(Training will be doubled.)(Especially you, Nami.)
Nami's face fell instantly.
Oh no.
Crocus chuckled.
"No need to be so worked up."
Then he looked at Kael.
"Say… if there's anything you want from me…"
"Just say it."
Kael paused.
Thinking.
Then—
He turned slightly.
His gaze landed on Kaya.
She blinked.
"…Me?"
Kael smiled.
"Then how about this."
He looked back at Crocus.
"Give some guidance to my ship's doctor."
"Roger Pirates' doctor… Crocus."
Silence.
Tashigi blinked.
"…Huh?"
Kaya froze.
"Roger Pirates' doctor…?"
Nami stared.
"This old bastard?"
Crocus' eyes widened.
"H-How do you even—"
Kael smirked.
"Secrets."
Crocus stared at him.
Then—
Laughed.
Helplessly.
"…You really are something else."
He nodded.
"Fine."
"I'll teach her."
Kael added casually—
"And if possible… help her improve her Observation Haki as well."
Crocus glanced at Kaya.
Then nodded again.
"Alright."
Kaya bowed quickly.
"Thank you!"
Just then—
A loud cry echoed again.
Everyone flinched.
Laboon.
But this time—
It wasn't sadness.
It sounded…
Expectant.
Crocus smirked.
"Looks like he's calling you."
Kael had already sensed it.
He sighed.
"…Guess I don't have a choice."
He looked back at Crocus.
"Better go."
"Who knows what this little menace might do otherwise."
Crocus chuckled.
"Go on."
Kael turned to his crew.
"Stay here."
He looked at Kaya.
"Learn properly."
She nodded seriously.
"Yes!"
Then Kael added casually—
"And Crocus-san…"
He glanced back.
"Try not to make Nami angry."
"She's dangerous."
Nami snapped—
"HEY—"
But Kael was already moving.
He removed his coat.
Then his shirt.
Stretching slightly.
And without another word—
Jumped into the water.
Silence.
Behind him—
Three women stood frozen.
Completely still.
Eyes wide.
Not blinking.
"…Did you see that?" Nami whispered.
Kaya nodded slowly.
"…I did."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"…Yes."
Their faces turned red.
Crocus sighed.
"Young people these days…"
That snapped them out of it.
All three looked away instantly.
Blushing.
"…Let's go," Nami muttered.
Crocus turned.
"Follow me."
They obeyed quietly.
Still embarrassed.
As they walked—
Crocus added casually—
"I was even better looking than him in my younger days."
Nami stopped.
Turned.
And smacked him.
"AT LEAST MAKE YOUR LIE BELIEVABLE!"
She stormed ahead.
Kaya and Tashigi followed—
Nodding in agreement.
Crocus stood there.
Holding his head.
A bump forming.
"…He was right."
He sighed.
"…She is dangerous."
Outside — The Sea
Kael shot upward through the water.
A second later—
He burst into the open sea.
Water scattered in all directions as he landed lightly atop a jagged rock formation beside the Red Line.
Steady.
Effortless.
The wind brushed past him.
The sea stretched endlessly.
And in front of him—
Laboon.
The giant whale floated there.
No longer thrashing.
No longer slamming against the Red Line.
Still.
Quiet.
Watching.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
The difference was obvious.
That lifeless, hollow gaze from before…
Was gone.
In its place—
Emotion.
Sadness.
Worry.
But also—
Something fragile.
Hope.
Kael exhaled softly.
Good.
He crossed his arms.
"Don't worry, Laboon."
His voice carried clearly across the water.
"Like I said… Brook is completely fine physically."
"He's not in any immediate danger."
Laboon's eye shifted, locking onto him.
"I promise you…"
Kael continued, tone firm.
"You will meet him again."
A deep, trembling cry echoed across the sea.
Not loud.
Not violent.
Just filled with emotion.
Tears gathered in Laboon's massive eye, glistening under sunlight.
Relief.
Gratitude.
Longing.
Kael scratched his cheek.
"…Yeah, yeah. Don't make it awkward."
But Laboon didn't look away.
He stared.
Intently.
Almost… pleading.
Kael blinked.
"…You've got something to say?"
Laboon let out a low sound.
Kael sighed.
"I'm sorry, Laboon."
"I can't take you with me."
Laboon froze.
The light in his eye wavered.
"For the same reason as before."
"You're too big."
"And more importantly…"
"This isn't your journey."
Laboon's gaze dimmed.
His massive body sank slightly.
The disappointment was crushing.
Kael winced.
"…Don't look at me like that."
Laboon made a quiet, sulking sound.
Childish.
Like a kid denied something precious.
Kael rubbed his forehead.
(Why do I feel like the villain here…)
Laboon turned away slightly.
Still sulking.
Kael stared.
Then—
Smiled.
"…Alright."
Laboon paused.
Slowly turning back.
"I've got a proposal for you."
Curiosity sparked instantly.
"If you win…"
"I'll take you with me to the Grand Line."
Hope exploded.
"But—"
Kael raised a finger.
"If you lose…"
Laboon stilled.
"You stop sulking."
"No more being sad about it."
"And you stay here."
"Waiting."
"Patiently."
"Like a good boy."
A pause.
"…Deal?"
One second.
Then—
A powerful cry erupted.
Agreement.
Without hesitation.
Kael chuckled.
"Thought so."
Laboon shifted.
Confident.
Radiating challenge.
You? Beat me? In the ocean?
Kael smirked.
"Oh?"
"You look confident."
Laboon responded—
Almost laughing.
Kael's grin sharpened.
(You really think I'd challenge you…)(…without a plan?)
His eyes gleamed.
(Those 'minor alteration' rewards…)(They stack.)
He clenched his fist.
(My speed… has skyrocketed.)
The wind brushed past him again.
(Perfect time to test it.)
Kael rolled his shoulders.
"Let's make it simple."
"Straight line."
"No tricks."
"First to that far current wins."
Laboon followed his gaze.
Then cried out—
Eager.
Ready.
Kael smirked.
"…Try not to cry when you lose."
Laboon roared back.
The sea trembled.
Kael laughed.
"Good."
"That's the spirit."
He stepped forward.
Body relaxed.
Then—
Lowered himself slightly.
Like a coiled spring.
"On three."
"One…"
The world narrowed.
"Two…"
Energy gathered.
"Three—"
He vanished.
"LET'S GO!!"
Kael shot forward—
A blur slicing into the sea.
Water exploded behind him.
At the same time—
Laboon surged ahead.
A colossal force tearing through the ocean.
The race had begun.
And the sea itself—
Seemed to roar in response.