Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Atop Reverse Mountain, beside the iconic lighthouse at Twin Capes, an old man reclined in a chair, leisurely reading the day's newspaper. It was Crocus, the former doctor of the Roger Pirates, and a man who had once guided the Straw Hats into the Grand Line.
"It seems fewer and fewer pirates are setting out these days," he mused, looking out over the water. This was the only entrance to the first half of the Grand Line, a channel that once saw new, hopeful crews passing through almost daily. It was the legacy of Roger's Great Pirate Era. But now, it seemed that era had drawn to a quiet close.
"Those Straw Hat kids," Crocus shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. "They really went and did something incredible."
Just then, a colossal shadow fell over him. A gargantuan island whale surfaced by his side, letting out a series of deep, mournful cries that were both childlike and deafeningly loud.
"Alright, alright, I hear you, Laboon," Crocus said, waving a hand to soothe the giant creature. He reached into his coat and pulled out a worn bounty poster, one depicting a skeleton with a magnificent afro. "I've shown you this a thousand times. Don't you ever get tired of seeing it?"
The moment Laboon saw the poster, his immense tail slapped the sea, sending a ten-meter wave crashing against the cape. Despite seeing it countless times, the sight of his long-lost friend still filled him with uncontrollable excitement.
"Don't you worry, Laboon," Crocus said gently. "The papers have confirmed it. That's Brook of the Rumbar Pirates. He'll remember you. They must have run into some trouble that kept them away. But he's joined the Straw Hat Pirates now. Once they've sailed the Grand Line, they'll come back around to see you. I promise." He patted the whale's scarred head. "In fact, this old man has a feeling you'll be seeing him very soon."
As if in response to his words, both man and whale turned their heads. Not far away, the air itself seemed to shimmer and part, opening into a glowing gateway. From within, a cheerful, musical laugh echoed across the water—a sound both of them recognized instantly.
"Yohohoho! Have we finally reached the Twin Capes? Oh, I can't wait to see Mr. Laboon and Mr. Crocus! Just the thought makes my heart pound... ah, but I have no heart, for I am a skeleton! Yohohoho!"
From the shimmering portal stepped Brook, dapper in a handsome suit and top hat, a cane in one hand and a violin case strapped to his back. His gaze fell upon the lighthouse keeper and the giant whale, and for a breathtaking moment, time seemed to stop.
The next second, it exploded.
"LABOON!"
"BWAAAAAH!"
Brook and Laboon cried out in a simultaneous eruption of joy and disbelief. Then, they charged toward each other. Laboon swam with the force he once used to ram the Red Line, his tail churning the sea into a frenzy. Brook ran across the water's surface, his feet creating a flurry of tiny waves as he held his top hat in place.
He leaped into the air and collided head-first with Laboon's brow—right where Luffy's crude, hand-drawn pirate flag was still painted.
The skeleton and the whale burst into tears. A promise that had spanned fifty years, a promise neither had ever given up on, was finally fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye and Merry approached the lighthouse keeper.
"Mr. Crocus, it's been a long time," Bai Ye said with a respectful nod. "This is Merry. You've met her before, though she was still a ship back then."
Even without the introduction, Crocus recognized the spirit. "Oh? A ship's Klabautermann who ate a Devil Fruit?" he marveled. He had seen many wonders sailing with Roger, but never something as magical as this.
His gaze shifted to Bai Ye. "You and your companions have done something truly amazing, Bai Ye boy," Crocus said, his tone full of admiration. "To change the world as you have, without even reaching the final island Roger left behind... if the old crew were still around, Rayleigh and the others would never let Roger hear the end of it."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir," Bai Ye replied. "I came here today because I have a favor to ask of you, Senior."
"It's for that little ship's doctor of yours, isn't it?"
"Yes. If you would be so kind."
"No problem at all," Crocus said, turning and walking into his home. He returned a moment later with a thick, heavy stack of notebooks. "These are my medical notes and research from over the years. Give them to that little reindeer. Besides," he added with a grin, "I knew his mentor, Dr. Kureha, quite well. We old timers have to stick together. Now, come, stay for some food and drink."
Out on the water, the storm of tears had subsided. Laboon was now spinning joyfully in circles with Brook on his back, letting out a series of happy, melodic cries.
"Yohoho, as if we could ever forget you, Laboon!" Brook laughed, affectionately stroking the whale's head. "You've always been a member of the Rumbar Pirates."
Laboon closed his eyes in bliss, as if he were a small calf whale again, swimming alongside his beloved musicians. A moment later, his eyes opened, and he let out another cry—this one more excited, more eager, a clear and specific request.
"Yohoho! You haven't changed one bit, old friend."
Brook understood instantly. Reaching behind him, he unstrapped his violin, tucked it neatly beneath his chin, and raised his bow.