This medical powerhouse didn't seem to attract many pirates, which made it difficult for Redfield to find a worthy sparring partner. After all, this country was a well-known affiliate of the World Government and one of the fifty nations eligible to attend the Reveri.
(T/N: The Reverī or Levely is a council formed by the World Government which consists of 50 of the world's leaders out of the over 170 nations affiliated with the World Government.)
Here, medical advancements were the main focus, and fighting was far from welcome. However, the Fish-Man Tom discovered many new alloys within the island's state-of-the-art medical equipment, even materials related to electromagnetic levitation.
This discovery strengthened his belief—somewhere in the world, there had to be a rare metal that could float on the sea. One day, he would build a sea train connecting entire islands, revitalizing Water 7's economy.
Meanwhile, Brook had Shakky and Antonio purchase essential medical books and supplies for their journey, sweeping through Drum Island's collection of medical literature. Though Brook himself didn't need to worry about getting sick, the knowledge would be invaluable to their crew.
At Shakky's insistence, they decided to stay on Drum Island for a night, enjoying the island's unique night scenery and bustling evening markets.
...
The Next Morning
As dawn broke, Brook and his crew crawled out of their warm beds and set sail aboard the Yellow Springs, leaving the icy winter island behind. Their destination—Twin Cape, the starting point of the Grand Line.
What did Laboon look like now? Was it really the right decision to return and take him along?
Leaving Laboon at Twin Cape only meant an endless cycle of pain, watching him hurl himself against the Red Line in vain. Rather than letting him waste away in sorrow, wouldn't it be better to bring him along on their adventure—to face life and death together?
No matter what the future held, even if it meant dying in the midst of adventure, it would be a life without regrets.
It wasn't about forcing Laboon into anything. His will should be respected. Even if they encountered danger, that was part of the journey. Regretfully staying behind was worse than setting sail in a blaze of glory. With that thought, Brook found clarity.
If not for Crocus tending to Laboon's wounds, the whale might have long since perished against the Red Line. In that case, there was no reason to hesitate—Laboon was coming with them.
...
Drum Island wasn't too far from Twin Cape. With an Eternal Pose, the trip would take only a day or two. That was also why Crocus's medical skills were so advanced—while tending to Twin Cape, he frequently traveled to Drum Island to buy medical books, learning from the best in the world.
Self-taught, he had transformed himself into an unparalleled doctor. Otherwise, how could an ordinary man suddenly master such exceptional medical skills?
"Captain Brook, we failed to recruit a doctor this time. What if Crocus refuses to sail with us?"
Shakky sighed, feeling exasperated. She had traveled from Sabaody Archipelago—the end of the first half of the Grand Line—all the way back to its very beginning at Twin Cape. This kind of journey wasn't something you saw every day.
Brook wasn't entirely sure either. But there was one thing he was certain of—Laboon would be willing to follow him. That was their promise.
"If we can't recruit him, we'll leave as soon as possible. It's time to prepare for the New World."
Brook's words fired up Redfield and the others, readying them for the challenges ahead.
Time at sea always felt slow, but Redfield's sparring sessions helped Brook push his Revive-Revive Fruit abilities even further. Meanwhile, Redfield himself was growing stronger, proving why he was a natural-born powerhouse.
Even Shakky displayed surprising talent in practicing the Navy's Rokushiki. She seemed especially suited for Soru, moving as if her entire body had been made for speed.
...
Finally, they spotted the two towering lighthouses.
Seeing them again, both Brook and Redfield were struck with nostalgia. Those lighthouses had been the first structures they saw upon entering the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain.
An unforgettable sight.
Since Shakky and the others lived on islands further along the Grand Line, they never experienced this kind of situation.
...
At Twin Cape, Crocus sat reading a newspaper when he noticed a pirate ship approaching. Normally, he only ever saw pirate crews crashing down from Reverse Mountain, but a ship returning against the current of the Grand Line was a rare sight.
A crew like this had to be either incredibly strong—capable of traveling the Four Seas at will—or a bunch of defeated stragglers fleeing back to safety. Any pirate crew with real ambition would head for the New World, eager to experience the true pirate's path.
"That Jolly Roger looks familiar…"
Crocus squinted at the flag hoisted on the Yellow Springs. A moment later, it clicked—wasn't that the insignia of Brook's Hell Pirates?
After Brook's revenge at Sabaody Archipelago, his bounty had been updated, and Crocus had learned of the Rumbar Pirates' fate.
If Brook hadn't escaped the Florian Triangle, and if the Toxic Smoke Pirates had been wiped out at Sabaody or in the New World soon after, hardly anyone would have known about the Rumbar Pirates. News outlets wouldn't bother reporting on a small-time crew like that.
"Laboon!! Brook has returned!"
Crocus shouted excitedly toward the sea. Almost immediately, the massive form of Laboon—now over ten meters long—breached the surface. When he was just a calf, he had been separated from his mother. Whether his parents had been killed or he had simply lost track of his pod, no one knew.
Drawn to the music of the Rumbar Pirates, Laboon had followed them all the way from the West Blue to the Grand Line, forming a deep bond with the crew.
Back then, Yorki, the captain, had deemed Laboon too young to continue the journey and entrusted him to Crocus, promising to return for him after completing a full circuit of the Grand Line.
But fate had other plans. Yorki fell gravely ill and was forced to leave the crew—he was likely dead. The Rumbar Pirates, too, met their end in the Florian Triangle.
"Woooo!!"
Laboon let out a joyful cry and surged toward the Yellow Springs, cutting through the waves and leaving a foamy white trail in his wake.
"Captain Brook! A sea beast is charging at us at full speed!"
Shakky shouted, peering through her telescope. Silva immediately raised his rifle, aiming at the dark shape in the water, while Redfield gripped the hilt of his cane sword.
"Relax, everyone! Silva, lower your gun! That's my old friend—Laboon, the island whale! And from now on, he'll be part of our crew!"
Brook quickly stepped in to prevent any misunderstandings. Judging by Laboon's size and energy, he'd make an excellent ship-pulling whale in the future. His growth over just half a year was truly astonishing—proof of the island whale's incredible lineage.
Brook moved to the bow, standing tall as Laboon approached, ensuring he'd be the first thing the whale saw. He wasn't sure if Laboon would still recognize him—after all, he had changed a lot.
But the bond between true companions was stronger than time.
As Laboon got closer, he stared at Brook for a few seconds before suddenly leaping from the water with a joyful cry.
"Laboon! It's been so long! Head to Twin Cape first—we'll be setting out on adventures together from now on!!"
Brook shouted, his voice carrying across the waves.
Laboon, as intelligent as any human, quickly understood and responded with even greater excitement, leaping joyfully as he led the way forward.
If the Yellow Springs had a tow rope on board, Laboon probably would've started pulling the ship then and there.
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg