Another Companion, Island Whale Laboon Joins

"Wow, it's huge!!!"

Following Luffy's lead, everyone exited the lighthouse cottage and came face to face with an enormous whale. The whale's head alone, emerging from the water, resembled a small mountain.

Sanji couldn't help but exclaim, "Why is its head covered in scars?"

"It's called Laboon... It's determined to shatter the Red Line!" Crocus explained with a solemn tone, sharing a tale from many years past.

Upon hearing the story, the group couldn't help but express their admiration. Laboon was indeed a whale with profound emotions. Could it be that it sought to break through the Red Line in search of its former companions?

"But it's been so many years, that pirate crew, they're probably... that was over fifty years ago!" Usopp said with a sad expression, feeling empathy for the whale.

Human lifespans are short, and over fifty years, they would have long since died.

"I think so too, that's why every time it tries to collide with the Red Line, I have to inject it with a sedative, otherwise it would die sooner or later."

Saying that, Crocus quickly ran over and leaped onto the whale's head.

"Is it the Rumbar Pirates?" Luffy asked, feigning thoughtfulness.

After a brief pause, Luffy walked to the shoreline and addressed Laboon, "They're still alive."

Laboon's roar abruptly ceased, and its colossal eyes shifted downward, gazing at the tiny humans.

Crocus, who had been preparing to administer the injection inside Laboon, turned around in astonishment. "You know about the Rumbar Pirates?"

Luffy nodded, disclosing his background. "My grandfather is Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp of the Marine Headquarters. I've had access to some classified Marine intelligence."

Over fifty years ago, Laboon had been a young and small whale. It had grown fond of the Rumbar Pirates, a group of musicians, and decided to follow them into the treacherous Grand Line. The Rumbar Pirates, recognizing the danger of the Grand Line, had made a promise with Laboon—they would reunite after circumnavigating the world.

However, the outcome had been a tragedy. The Rumbar Pirates' captain had fallen gravely ill during their voyage. After his demise, the Rumbar Pirates had clashed with another group of pirates, ultimately meeting their end.

Everyone perished.

Only one person named Brook, who had eaten the "Yomi Yomi no Mi" fruit before his death, had his soul return from the afterlife and lived a second life.

And because his body had already decayed and turned into a skeleton, Brook became a living skeleton.

He no longer had the limitations of lifespan and, in a sense, was a form of immortality.

Now, this skeleton-like person was wandering in the Florian Triangle like a ghost.

"Roar!!!"

After listening, Laboon let out another piercing roar.

Luffy couldn't help but pause, his expression becoming subtle.

"Are you saying... you want to follow me and find him?"

Something was off with this script.

"Hey, Luffy, how can you understand what the whale is saying?!" Usopp couldn't help but comment.

"It's not that I understand, I just roughly guessed the meaning behind its roars."

Luffy shook his head. He hadn't awakened the ability to "hear the voice of all things" yet, but he could somehow sense what Laboon was trying to convey.

If only Chopper were here, he could translate it accurately.

"Roar—"

Laboon roared again, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Luffy smiled, "Aren't you afraid I'll deceive you?"

Upon hearing this, Laboon's expression immediately turned fierce.

"Of course it's true, I'm not deceiving you."

Teasing the giant whale for a moment, Luffy pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, "Alright, I'll take you to find him. From today onwards, you are a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. If you agree, just nod your head."

Laboon immediately started shaking its head, nodding back and forth.

Crocus, who was on top of its head, was shocked and had to grab onto something to avoid being shaken off.

The rest of the crew also showed expressions of disbelief.

"Wait a minute, Luffy!" Usopp danced around, describing the size of the whale. "How can we possibly sail with such a huge whale?"

"Usopp makes a good point, Luffy. Have you thought about how much food it will need every day?" Sanji showed a look of despair.

"I'm the one who cooks!!"

"Hahaha, it doesn't matter. It can find its own food. Regular Sea Kings are no match for it."

Luffy laughed.

Of course, the most important thing is:

[Invite crew member Laboon, a qualified island whale, reward 200 adventure coins]

Even the system approves!

Adventure coins for free, can't let them go to waste.

Thinking of this, Luffy looked up at Laboon:

"When we go ashore, you stay in the nearby waters. When we sail, you follow underwater. If we encounter shallow waters, you have to go around. If you get hungry, you have to find your own food. Do you understand?"

Very troublesome.

Laboon is over 400 meters long and over a hundred meters tall.

Not all seas have depths of several thousand or tens of thousands of meters. Shallow waters may only be one or two hundred meters...

But Laboon still nodded.

Although it couldn't understand, the others could feel Laboon's firm determination.

"I understand, then come along!"

Luffy grinned and turned to his companions, "Do any of you have any objections?"

"Luffy, since you've said it like that, there's nothing else we can do." Usopp helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Kaya chuckled, remembering how Mr. Luffy had tirelessly brought her to the Grand Line for medical treatment.

No one had any objections.

Zoro's expression was serious, "You're the captain, your decision doesn't need our input. As long as you've thought it through!"

Truly reliable captain.

Luffy smiled slightly and immediately had Usopp go to the ship to get a paintbrush and paint.

He personally drew a huge Straw Hat Pirates flag on Laboon's head, declaring it as a member of the Straw Hat crew!

After everything was done.

"Goodbye, Crocus, we're setting sail."

"Don't let Laboon die, Luffy!"

"Why don't you come along?"

"Hahaha, I'm already old. If you need a doctor, go to Drum Island."

On the shore, Crocus waved continuously, watching as the two ships and the whale gradually drifted away.

Monkey D. Luffy, just like Roger, one of the D clan...

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