Chapter 39: Twin Cabe (II)

Then, everyone went down to Crocus' artificial island, where he explained that the whale belonged to the largest species in the world, called Island Whale. He also explained that some people were trying to kill it for its meat, which is why he was protecting it.

He also mentioned that he arrived at that place with a pirate crew that left the whale behind because the Grand Line was too dangerous. However, they promised to return once they had sailed around the world.

"That's why it keeps roaring and banging its head, forming a wall with its body," Nami said.

"Because this happened almost 50 years ago, and she still believes her friends are alive," Crocus said.

After hearing Crocus' story, he began guiding them toward the exit until they finally reached the sea.

"Yahoo! We've made it out! It's the real sky!!" Luffy shouted.

"Hey, what do we do with these guys?" Oliver asked, holding Vivi and Mr. 9.

"Just throw them into the sea," Luffy said.

Oliver obeyed and tossed them into the water, waking them up.

"AGH! What is this?!" Mr. 9 shouted.

"The sea of gastric juice?!" Miss Wednesday asked.

"No! This is the real sea, Miss Wednesday!" the man said as he realized where they were.

"It looks like we were knocked out by those pirates, Mr. 9!" the woman said.

"So, who are you guys?" Luffy asked them.

"Shut up! This is none of your business!" the bounty huntress yelled.

"No, wait, Miss Wednesday. Don't you see? They're pirates. Our business is with pirates," the man said.

"You're right, Mr. 9. The organization will be very interested in them. Just wait!" the woman shouted at everyone. "Then, we will meet again, filthy pirates!"

"And you, Crocus! Someday, we will get your whale!" the man yelled.

They quickly fled the cape, leaving them behind.

The Straw Hats got off the ship to rest, repair Luffy's favorite seat, and check if the acidic water had damaged anything.

"Do you really think its friends will return after 50 years of waiting here?" Sanji asked.

"Those pirates sure have made it wait for a long time," Luffy said, lying down.

"Idiot, this is the Grand Line. Anyone who says they'll be back in two or three years won't return in fifty. That's ridiculous. They're dead. They won't come back, no matter how long it waits," Sanji said pessimistically.

"How can you say such hopeless things, bastard?!" Usopp shouted angrily at Sanji's words. "You don't know! They will return! This is a dramatic story about a whale that continues to believe in its friends' promise!"

"But the truth is even crueler than you imagine."

Crocus' words made everyone listen carefully.

"They fled the Grand Line. It was all part of their plan."

"Q-Q-WHAT?!" Usopp said, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"And they left this whale behind?! But to escape, they would have to cross the Calm Belt!" Nami shouted.

"Yes, and from that point on, no one knows whether they are dead or alive. But even if they were alive, they would never come back here. Everything—the seasons, time, ocean currents, and wind direction—would make it impossible," Crocus said in a serious tone. "Common sense is something this sea lacks. The terror of the Grand Line instantly invades the hearts of the weak."

"And those with weak hearts, before even considering how much that promise meant to them, escaped from this sea," Sanji said.

"Are you saying they just abandoned this whale?! And this poor creature has been waiting here for 50 years because it believes they will come back for it?! That's despicable!" Usopp yelled, furious at those who had abandoned the whale.

"If you know that, why haven't you told it? This whale can understand people when they speak, can't it?" Nami asked.

"I told it. I didn't leave anything out of the story. But it doesn't listen," Crocus said.

He told them that he had explained everything, but the whale started screaming to block out the truth. Since that day, it had been staring at Reverse Mountain, howling and ramming its head against the Red Line as if begging for its friends to return.

"Why would a whale keep waiting even after being betrayed?" Sanji asked, unable to understand. "Especially when there's nothing left to wait for."

"Even if you keep telling it, it will continue to wait. It refuses to believe it was abandoned or that they are dead. It keeps holding onto that promise," Oliver said. 'In the end, you were right. You're quite perceptive, Laboon.'

"Its homeland is on the other side of the Red Line, in the West Blue. It's too late for it to return, so all it wanted was to befriend those it traveled with," Crocus answered.

While they were talking, Luffy went to the Going Merry, ripped out the ship's mast, and started running toward Laboon, climbing up its body, which confused everyone.

"Alright, I made it to the top! This is where your new wound is, right?!" Luffy said, looking at Laboon's injury. "GOMU GOMU NO IKEBANA!!!"

He stretched his hands, raising the mast high into the sky before bringing it down at full speed, stabbing it right where the whale's wound was.

"Isn't that the mast?" Zoro asked.

"The mast..." Sanji said, analyzing what was happening.

"Yeah, from our ship," Usopp confirmed as he realized it.

Laboon didn't know what had happened until it felt a sharp pain, causing it to scream and thrash around.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!!" everyone shouted, both angry and terrified.

"DON'T DESTROY THE SHIP!!" Usopp yelled as he saw the damage.

Luffy was flung around wildly until Laboon finally stopped, enraged, and charged at the Red Line to get rid of whatever was on its head.

"IT'S COMING THIS WAY!!" Zoro shouted as he saw Laboon charging again.

"IT'S GONNA CRUSH ME!!" Usopp screamed in fear.

Everyone scrambled out of the way to avoid being crushed.

Crocus was terrified, thinking Laboon had killed Luffy.

"W-WHAT?! K-KID?!" he asked in shock, ready to intervene.

"NO, IT'S DANGEROUS!! HE'LL BE FINE! HE WON'T DIE EVEN IF HE GETS CRUSHED!" Nami said, stopping Crocus.

Laboon roared again in pain from the headbutt and backed away.

"Hahaha, idiot!" Luffy laughed, suffering no serious injuries but covered in scrapes.

Luffy stretched his arm and delivered a strong punch to Laboon's eye, making it even angrier and provoking another attack.

Laboon retaliated, launching Luffy far away, sending him crashing into the lighthouse.

"Luffy! What do you think you're trying to do?!" Zoro asked, confused by his captain's actions.

Laboon was about to attack again, but Luffy suddenly shouted:

"THIS IS A TIE!!!"

His words stopped Laboon in its tracks.

"I'm really strong, huh? Our fight isn't over yet. Someday, we have to battle again! Your friends are dead, but now I'm your rival. Once we finish sailing the Grand Line, I'll come back to see you."

Tears of happiness welled up in Laboon's eyes.

"AND THEN WE'LL FIGHT AGAIN!!"

Laboon roared once more, but this time, it wasn't out of sadness or pain. It was because, for the first time in a long while, it was truly happy.