In the stillness of the Calm Belt, a few seagulls flapped lazily overhead, their wings slicing the quiet sky. As they passed over the cold, flat waters, they stirred delicate ripples across the ocean's surface.
A warship-like vessel cruised freely across this windless sea, utterly unbothered by the dangers that lurked below.
Thanks to the Seastone plating on the ship's hull, the Sea Kings beneath the waves remained unaware of its presence, mistaking it for nothing more than part of the ocean itself.
From time to time, massive schools of fish would swim alongside the ship, drawn to it like kin. Excited, they would leap out of the water, casting glistening arcs of rainbow-like droplets into the air.
On the main deck, Brook stood quietly. He wore a fitted white trench coat with eerie black patterns stitched along the hem, strange symbols that almost pulsed against the fabric.
His hollow eyes were fixed in the distance, staring toward some unseen point on the horizon, as if something out there called to him. Whatever thoughts stirred behind those endless eye sockets remained locked away in the depths of his soul.
Suddenly, Brook turned his head, sensing someone's approach.
"Brook, what are you looking at?"
Luffy stepped out from below deck, yawning as he stretched lazily. He walked over with a curious look and asked:
"Why are you up so early?"
"Ahh… it's nothing, Luffy-san."
"I just couldn't sleep."
There was a faint excitement on Brook's face, subtle, but unmistakable. As always, he maintained the air of a gentleman, doing his best to suppress the bubbling emotions inside him. His voice rose slightly in pitch, but he still spoke slowly and evenly.
Luffy smiled gently, stifled a yawn, then leaned against the railing. He turned his face to Brook and asked teasingly:
"You're excited because we're starting a new journey, aren't you?"
"Or… is it because you're hoping to see Laboon soon?"
"Ah–"
Brook's skeletal hand trembled slightly as it gripped the railing, and for a moment, moisture shimmered in his hollow eye sockets.
After a pause, he looked out at the vast sea and spoke softly, his voice tinged with longing:
"Yes... It's been so long. I wonder… if he's doing alright."
Tiny tears welled at the corners of his empty eyes, just barely held in place.
"Want to go see him first?"
"No."
Brook shook his head firmly, answering without hesitation.
They had other important things to do. Brook didn't want to delay the crew's plans just because of a personal matter.
He knew, if he so much as asked, Luffy would agree in a heartbeat.
And that's exactly why… he didn't want to ask.
He would rather wait, a little longer, for Luffy's sake.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"It's not a big deal."
Luffy shrugged, still smiling as he looked up at the sky, casually calculating their available time.
They weren't in any real hurry.
He'd even skipped the recent Seven Warlords summit, citing "illness" as an excuse.
According to Moria, who returned laughing his head off, Garp had stormed the meeting in a rage, knocking aside Marines left and right. He'd smashed through the conference room doors and slammed his iron fist on the table so hard that even the six fearsome pirates in attendance were scared stiff.
Ignoring Sengoku's efforts to calm him, Garp had roared that he was going to give Luffy a proper beating the next time they met.
Remembering how Moria had laughed while recounting his grandfather's tantrum, Luffy's face flushed with embarrassment.
They still had about ten months until Ace set sail.
For now, this ship, purchased directly from the Marines under Luffy's new status as a Warlord, would serve them well. It was an older model, but far faster than any ordinary sailing vessel.
Time was on their side.
So why not grant Brook's long-held wish first?
Besides, Luffy himself was curious to meet the lovable giant whale.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"Luffy-san…"
Brook's voice trembled slightly. His bony fingers gripped the railing tighter, equal parts nervous and overwhelmed. Emotions swirled in his chest.
"Hahaha! Then it's settled!"
Luffy suddenly straightened up, grinning from ear to ear.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and called out:
"I'm going to ask Robin to change our course!"
"Aye, Luffy-san!"
Brook snapped to attention, watching Luffy disappear back into the ship. Silently, he whispered in his heart:
"Laboon, I bet you've been waiting too, haven't you?"
"Meeting Luffy-san… it really was the best thing to happen to me. I know you'd feel the same, Laboon."
─────────🏴☠️─────────
Down in the control room at the bottom of the ship, Robin was carefully studying a world map, calculating their route while monitoring various gauges and switches to ensure stable navigation.
"Robin!"
Luffy's voice rang from the upper deck.
"I'm here, Luffy!"
She called back immediately.
Luffy followed her voice into the control center, curiosity written all over his face.
Though they'd owned the ship for a while now, this was his first time stepping into the control room. In fact, he hadn't handled any of the logistics at all, he'd merely suggested the idea, and Robin had taken care of everything else.
She'd contacted Marine Headquarters through Den Den Mushi, negotiated the purchase, and acquired this recently decommissioned military vessel.
Robin had been running the entire show.
Over the years, she had put her brilliant mind to full use for Luffy's sake, studying tirelessly. Now she could cook, clean, navigate, sail, heal, and fight. She'd even mastered both types of Haki.
A true queen of all trades, equally at home on the battlefield or in the kitchen. She could outwit a general and beat up a thug without breaking a sweat.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"Robin, we need to change course."
Luffy said as soon as he entered.
"Hmm? Change course? Where are we headed now?"
Though she had spent hours calculating their most efficient route, Robin didn't object, she simply tilted her head in curiosity.
Luffy grinned mischievously, flashing his perfect white teeth:
"We're going to the entrance of the Grand Line!"
Robin blinked, puzzled, then her eyes lit up in sudden understanding.
"Ah… I see. Of course, Captain Luffy."
She opened the world map provided by the Marine, took out a pen and paper, and began recalculating. Her fingers danced over the control panel, pressing a sequence of buttons that Luffy didn't even try to understand.
The ship gave a soft lurch.
Its direction slowly began to shift.
They had just crossed the edge of the East Blue. One more push across the Calm Belt, and they would've entered the weakest of the four seas.
Now, they were turning back, heading the opposite way toward the Twin Capes: the entry point to the Grand Line.
That detour was the main reason Brook hadn't brought it up earlier. Both he and Robin knew Luffy's goal was to return to the East Blue for Ace's departure ceremony.
Even though Brook missed Laboon dearly, he'd never once voiced that desire aloud.
Which is why Luffy hadn't thought of it either, until he saw the longing in Brook's eyes.
Just as the ship began charting its course for the Twin Capes, the Den Den Mushi rang out with a shrill:
"Brrrru… Brrrru… Brrrru…"
=============
150+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria