Buggy (brimming with confidence): "Laboon, come here!"

Laboon obediently swam over. Buggy immediately pulled out a slab of meat. "Look! This is my very own special roast! I'm the only one in the world who can make something this delicious!"

Laboon's eyes lit up. He reached out with a fin—

But couldn't control his strength. The fin kept going...

Smack!

The meat flew out of his hand and splattered directly onto Spencer's face as he passed by.

Expressionless, Spencer wiped the meat off. "...Should I be glad it wasn't Laboon himself that flew over? Buggy's allowance is halved."

As the ship's treasurer, Spencer handled everything from petty cash to major expenditures. Without his financial management, the Roger Pirates would probably spend half the year starving because, other than Ritter, none of them ever saved money.

This was the reality of life at sea: no one knew if their treasure would last until the next island.

Anyway, back to the story.

Buggy scratched his head awkwardly. "Ahem... that was an accident! Purely accidental!"

Shanks took the opportunity to wave Laboon over. "Laboon! Over here!"

Laboon turned and waddled over enthusiastically.

Shanks lifted a wooden sword. "Here, try swinging this! It's yours now, Laboon."

Laboon excitedly grabbed the sword and mimicked Shanks' stance, swinging it down—

Crack!!

The wooden sword instantly snapped in half. The broken tip spun through the air and nailed Buggy squarely in the butt.

Buggy: "Aaaagh!!! Shanks!! You totally did that on purpose!!!"

Shanks struggled to hold back a laugh. "Not my fault! Laboon's the one who swung it!"

Laboon looked down at his fin, letting out a soft whimper. "Ooo…"

Seeing Laboon's dejected face, Buggy's heart softened. He turned to glare at Shanks, who, of course, knew exactly what was coming. He pulled out a 100 Beli coin.

Buggy snatched it without hesitation and instantly recovered as if nothing had happened. Classic Buggy.

Ding ding ding Round One of the Laboon Contest ends in a draw

(Though Buggy suffered more injuries)

Buggy refused to admit defeat. "Hmph! Swinging a sword is nothing! I'll show you a real move Behold! Buggy Bomb: Special Edition!"

He pulled out a small round bomb and shook it with pride. "Watch closely! This is my exclusive invention!"

Laboon leaned in, curious. Just as Buggy was about to demonstrate—

Boom!

The bomb exploded instantly. When the smoke cleared, Buggy's face was pitch black, and his hair stood on end like a sea urchin.

He coughed out a puff of black smoke. "...Why am I always the one getting hurt?"

Laboon gently wiped the soot off his face. The little explosion had done no real harm to the massive whale, and he simply stared at Buggy expectantly, as if asking, What's next?

Buggy started panicking. His grand demonstration had blown up in his face literally. But those big, hopeful whale eyes were locked onto him... Come on, think, you idiot!

Shanks laughed so hard he nearly pulled a muscle. "Buggy, your 'special edition' might be a bit too sensitive."

Buggy bared his shark-like teeth. "Shut it!!!"

Shanks turned back to Laboon. "Let me show you something more useful—Observation Haki!"

He closed his eyes and said seriously, "Try to sense the presence around you..."

Laboon copied him, eyes closed in concentration—

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open and smacked the deck with a fin!

Boom!!

The deck split open with a thunderous crash. From below, Crocus was blasted into the air, holding a half-finished bottle of booze.

Crocus blinked, dazed. "...Whoa, is it morning already?"

Everyone scrambled to catch the airborne doctor.

Round Two: Another Draw

(But the ship takes damage this time)

Buggy was still not ready to give up. "Laboon! Come give me a hug! That'll prove I'm your favorite!"

Laboon ran over joyfully. He always tried to be careful with his strength unless someone specifically asked like now. And this was a hug from Buggy!

He threw his fins wide and gave Buggy a full-on whale-sized bear hug—

Boom!!

Buggy was crushed nearly breathless. His face turned crimson, legs kicking wildly in the air.

His face now deep purple, Buggy still gasped out, "I-it's fine... doesn't hurt... at all…"

Shanks laughed so hard he almost cried. "Hahaha! Buggy, your face is turning violet!"

Alarmed, Laboon quickly let go. He hadn't meant to squeeze that hard. "Ooo?!"

Buggy dropped to the ground with a thud, gasping for air, but still managed to give Laboon a shaky thumbs-up. "Huff... Huff... Such a passionate hug..."

Confidently, Shanks stepped forward. Surely it was just Buggy being too weak. "Laboon, try hugging me!"

Apparently, he forgot that even their big brother Ritter had once been sent flying by Laboon.

Laboon carefully wrapped his fins around Shanks, deliberately using a gentler force—

Crack!

Shanks' ribs made an ominous sound.

His smile froze. "...Just a bit gentler next time?"

Laboon instantly let go. Shanks clutched his waist, barely able to stay upright. "I-I'm fine... really…"

Meanwhile, Ritter, having expanded his mist to keep an eye on the three of them, watched in silence. All these injuries were no problem for him easy fixes. And everyone knew Laboon's past with the Rumbar Pirates. That story moved even the hardest hearts. Everyone genuinely respected and cared for him.

So of course, they were extremely tolerant of him. After all, with Ritter around, healing came quick and left no scars.

Round Three: Draw Again

(But both Shanks and Buggy took damage this time)

As the two continued bickering, Ritter walked over, holding a small hat in his hand.

It was a tiny blue top hat—Ritter was planning to cosplay "Rorry" with "Shankbo."

Heh.

Laboon's eyes sparkled the moment he saw the hat, but Ritter didn't give it to him right away.

"I'll give it to you when you've learned to control your strength. That's our promise, okay?"

Laboon nodded seriously, eyes full of anticipation.

Then Ritter said, "Aren't you forgetting something?" He crouched down and patted Laboon's head. "Laboon is a lot older than you guys. Technically, you should be calling him 'Boss Laboon.'"

Laboon blinked, then puffed out his chest proudly. "Ooo! La-boon! Boss La-boon!!"

(That's right! I'm the boss! Boss Laboon!)

Buggy and Shanks froze. "...Wait, what?!"

Then realization struck. Their mischievous big brother Ritter was at it again.

"Damn it, Ritter!" they shouted in unison.

Roger burst out laughing. "Kuhahaha! Well said! Laboon is the boss!"

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, a smirk on his lips. "Seems like you two will have to fight for the right to be his underlings."

Buggy protested, "Wait a second! There's no way I'm anyone's underling!"

Shanks chuckled. "Fine by me. I'll be Laboon's vice-captain then~"

Laboon happily wrapped both of them in a fin hug. "Ooo! (We're all crewmates! Let's get along, everyone!)"

He cherished this new bond deeply.

Crack!

Buggy and Shanks' bones both let out an audible creak of agony.

Everyone fell silent.

Ritter sighed, a misty haze spreading around the trio. "...Strength control training starts tomorrow no exceptions."

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