Chapter 22: Entering the Grand Line and Meeting Laboon and Crocus

The Dawnbreaker sailed smoothly as it approached the entrance to the Grand Line. The crew had been preparing for this moment for months, ensuring their ship was well-stocked, and that they were ready to face whatever challenges the Grand Line had in store. As they neared the iconic entrance, excitement buzzed through the air.

"Captain, we're almost there," Nami called from the helm, her hands steady on the wheel. "We're entering Paradise!"

Xander stood at the bow, his eyes focused on the horizon. His heart raced with anticipation. "Alright, let's do this."

Kaya stood nearby, a bundle of supplies in her arms, her eyes wide with awe. "I can't believe it... We're finally entering the Grand Line."

Mari, Nojiko, and Lana were also on deck, helping with the final preparations. The energy on the ship was electric, and despite the danger that awaited, there was a feeling of optimism in the air.

As they sailed into the Grand Line, the waters immediately felt different. There was an unspoken sense of danger that lurked in the waves, but also the thrill of unknown adventures. Xander stood tall, confident, ready to face whatever came next.

"We're in," Xander muttered to himself, feeling the weight of the moment. "The Grand Line. This is where the real journey begins."

"Captain," Nojiko said, pointing ahead, "there's a watchtower up ahead!"

Xander squinted into the distance and saw the structure, a tall and sturdy tower standing against the sky. "Let's stop there. We'll need to gather information about what lies ahead."

As the crew made their way to the dock, they were greeted by an elderly man with a long white beard. His clothes were simple, but there was a calmness about him that seemed to speak of wisdom and experience.

"Welcome to the Grand Line," he said with a welcoming smile. "I'm Crocus. You've entered 'Paradise,' the safer part of the Grand Line. But don't get too comfortable—the real challenges are ahead."

Xander's eyes widened slightly. Crocus... He remembered the old doctor from the anime. Xander said, his voice full of recognition. "You're Crocus, the one who sailed with Gol D. Roger, right?"

Crocus gave a warm smile, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "Yes, that was me. I was the doctor on Roger's ship. But those days are long past. Now, I take care of this watchtower and help those who enter the Grand Line."

Xander nodded, a deep respect growing inside him. "It's an honor to meet you. I can't imagine what it must have been like to sail with someone like Roger."

The two of them spoke for a while, exchanging stories of the Grand Line, the journey ahead, and the unpredictable nature of the seas. Crocus shared a few important tips and cautions about navigating the waters, and Xander took them to heart.

"You'll need more than just skill to survive here," Crocus said, his tone serious. "The Grand Line tests you in ways you can't imagine. But if you've made it this far, I'm sure you'll find your way."

Just as the conversation was beginning to wind down, the crew heard a strange sound—a deep rumble from the sea. The water near the dock began to churn violently, and Xander, ever alert, narrowed his eyes.

"Captain, look!" Nami exclaimed, pointing toward the horizon.

Suddenly, a massive shape breached the surface of the water, and a colossal whale emerged—its massive body towering over the ship. Its scars were unmistakable, and Xander immediately recognized it. "It's Laboon!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with both awe and sadness.

The giant whale's enormous head emerged, and it looked directly at Xander and the crew, its large, mournful eyes filled with untold years of waiting. Xander couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the whale. He knew Laboon's story from watching the anime, but seeing the whale in person, with its scars and the pain in its eyes, made it feel more real than ever.

Crocus looked at Laboon with a wistful expression. "Laboon has been here for many years, waiting for his crew to return. They promised they would come back, but they never did. Ever since, he's been ramming his head against the Red Line, trying to find them."

Xander's heart ached for the whale. He could see the immense pain in its eyes, the sorrow that had built up over the years. It was clear that Laboon had been waiting far too long, causing harm to itself in the process.

Without thinking, Xander walked up to the edge of the dock, his mind made up. "I'm going to stop you, Laboon," he said, loud enough for the whale to hear.

The whale let out a low, sorrowful cry, and for a moment, Xander's thoughts flashed back to Luffy's encounter with Laboon. He could still remember how Luffy had punched the whale in the anime, telling him not to hurt himself any longer.

Xander clenched his fist. He wasn't Luffy, but in that moment, he knew what he had to do. He raised his arm and punched Laboon right on the scarred forehead.

"Stop hurting yourself!" Xander shouted, his voice strong. "You don't have to wait like this anymore! When I come back, we'll spar again. So until then, don't do this to yourself!"

Laboon gave a low moan, its massive body slowly calming down as if hearing the words of reassurance. The whale stopped trying to ram its head into the Red Line, and instead, it floated gently in the water, looking at Xander with something like understanding in its eyes.

Xander took a step back and pulled out a can of paint from his bag. With a determined look on his face, he dipped a brush into the paint and drew The Dawnbreaker's jolly roger on Laboon's massive forehead. It was bold and striking, and in that moment, Xander felt an unspoken bond with the whale. He wasn't just drawing on a whale; he was marking it as a part of his journey.

"I promise, Laboon," Xander said, his voice firm. "I'll be back. You're not alone. One day, you'll see your crew again. But for now, we're family."

The crew watched in silence as the whale seemed to settle, no longer ramming its head against the Red Line. Crocus looked on in awe, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Thank you, Xander," Crocus said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You've done what I couldn't. Laboon needed that more than I realized."

Xander nodded, his eyes locked on Laboon one last time. "Take care of him, Crocus. I'll make sure he's not forgotten."

As the Dawnbreaker set sail again, leaving the watchtower behind, Xander stood at the bow, his heart full. He had made a promise to Laboon, just like Luffy had, and he intended to keep it. The Grand Line awaited them, and though Laboon still waited for his crew, Xander felt a quiet sense of fulfillment.

The adventure had only just begun.

End of Chapter.

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