Brook's Promise

"Laboon!!"

Accompanied by that shout, a slender yet upright figure appeared, his legs transforming into whirlwind wheels as he rode the waves across the sea.

The black tailcoat fluttered in the wind, and the well-defined knuckles of the hand gently adjusted the top hat.

The setting sun cast its last rays upon his stark white skull, and within his empty eye sockets, tears seemed to glisten.

--It was none other than Brook, the former musician of the Rumbar Pirates.

"Waaaah... Waaah...?" The whale's enormous pupils suddenly trembled.

The "person" before me had no trace of life; only cold, white bones remained.

But that familiar posture, that gentle tone, that indescribable aura, instantly threw its heart into disarray.

Brook slowly raised his hand, his voice trembling but incredibly firm. "Laboon... it's me. It's Brook."

The whale's massive body froze instantly, its tail fin trembling slightly, stirring up towering waves.

Doubt, fear, and unease mingled in its eyes, yet that yearning burned like an unquenchable flame.

Brook slowly removed her hat and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry... I've kept you waiting too long."

"Because I... have already died once."

He gently pressed his skull, and a faint smile seemed to appear on his empty face.

"Though only bones remain, my soul still lives on."

In an instant--

Laboon trembled violently, and tears streamed down his face like a waterfall!

It roared to the sky, its sound shaking the heavens!

"Waaaaah--!"

It understood.

No matter how its appearance changes, this skeleton is the companion it has been waiting for for fifty years.

Brook gazed at it, his fingers gently lifting his own skull.

"Laboon... I bring you all's voices."

Inside the bone cavity, a yellowish Tone Dial rested quietly.

"Clatter--"

The Tone Dial activated, and a melodious tune drifted gently from the depths of time. "Ah~ where the sea breeze blows~ we sing together~"

That was the Rumbar Pirates' final chorus.

The melody traversed fifty years of darkness, passed through a sea of mist, and finally reached Laboon's ears.

The whale's massive body trembled violently, and tears burst forth along with its roars.

It closed its eyes and seemed to see its companions singing and dancing on the deck all those years ago.

Brook stood quietly, the music and song flowing through his heart.

--Fifty years of solitary voyage.

Fifty years of endless waiting.

Now, we finally have the answer.

Beneath the lighthouse, Crocus witnessed this scene, tears streaming down his face. He choked back sobs, took off his Glasses, and frantically wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.

"This is really... wonderful, Laboon!!" His voice trembled in the sea breeze, but it was full of relief and joy.

--After fifty years of waiting, we are finally reunited.

Twin Capes Lighthouse

As the sun sets, the sea is dyed a golden-red hue, shimmering like scattered gems.

The sea breeze carries a salty scent and distant memories.

Brook and Crocus stood side by side, their feet on weathered stone steps.

Before my eyes, the enormous, island-like Laboon was joyfully flapping its tail fin, the splashing waves transforming into rainbows in the setting sun.

It no longer stubbornly rammed its forehead against the indestructible Red Line, but instead peacefully immersed itself in the joy of a long-awaited reunion, its eyes glistening with tears and dependence.

Crocus's eyes reddened, and he gently wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes, sighing softly, "Ah... fifty-two years have passed in the blink of an eye."

"I never imagined that you guys would actually..."

Brook chuckled softly, his bony fingers, gripping his cane, trembling slightly in the wind.

"Yes, things at sea... no one can say for sure."

"Life is unpredictable; who can foresee what will happen next? Hehehe..."

The wind whistled past, and the two remained silent for a moment, with only the sound of the waves echoing their thoughts.

Crocus turned his head, his tone inquiring and concerned, "Brook, what do you plan to do in the future? The sea is different now."

Brook's tone became lower and more complicated. "I know. After all—I've already met Roy once."

"What?!!"

Crocus turned around abruptly, his expression changing drastically, his eyes filled with shock.

"Roy?! You... you met him?!"

Brook spread his bony hands, revealing a somewhat helpless gesture, and let out his signature laugh, trying to ease the tension:

"Hehe~ Yes. That man's strength is so great that it's impossible to even think of resisting."

In his presence, it was as if... one's entire soul was being crushed and unable to move.

Upon hearing this, Crocus frowned, remained silent for a long time, and gazed at the distant sea.

Brook shook his head slightly and turned to look at Laboon was swimming happily.

"However... I've already made up my mind."

"Hmm?" Crocus was slightly taken aback.

Brook slowly raised her hat, and a gentle light seemed to flicker in her empty eye sockets.

"I've made up my mind—I'm going to stay here. To protect these Twin Capes with you, and to be with Laboon."

You won't mind having such a talkative skeleton like me all of a sudden, will you?

Crocus paused, his nose stinging, and abruptly turned his face away, not wanting Brook to see the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Idiot... how could I possibly dislike it?!"

The two stood side by side, gazing at Laboon, whose massive body churned on the sea, the spray reflecting rainbows like a gift from time itself.

Crocus murmured, "In this world... not many of my companions are still alive."

Brook stood quietly beside him, his skull face devoid of tears, yet radiating a profound smile in the setting sun.

He slowly walked up to Laboon, raised his cane, and gently placed it on Rab's massive forehead.

"Laboon..."

His voice trembled slightly, yet it held an unprecedented firmness.

"The Promise we made back then—that we would return to see you after we completed our voyage around the Grand Line."

"But..." Brook's empty eyes drooped, "Everyone except me has already gone far away..."

Tears welled up in Laboon's huge eyes, splashing water onto the sea.

It whimpered softly, as if responding to the unfulfilled Promise.

Brook suddenly straightened up and bowed deeply in respect.

"Therefore, I will now reaffirm my vow!"

"Laboon! No matter how the sea changes, no matter how time passes—I will stay here and protect you until my last breath!!"

His voice echoed in the wind, and the skeleton's shadow was stretched long by the setting sun.

This time, it's not a farewell, but a brand new Promise!

The whale's roar shook the heavens, tears mingling with the waves as it excitedly slapped its tail fin, responding to Brook's words.

Crocus watched this scene, his eyes welling up with tears, and he murmured in a trembling voice, "Really... the Promise of the Rumbar Pirates, finally... continues here."

The sea breeze carried the lingering echoes of the song, and Brook and Laboon gazed at each other across the waves.

A new Promise was made under the setting sun.