The dense fog of the Florian Triangle reduced visibility to less than ten meters.

But for Ritter, it felt like coming home. After all, whenever he set the stage for battle, he always began by generating a large volume of fog.

That was also the most physically exhausting part. No exaggeration at his current strength, with enough time, he could virtually assimilate the entire Florian Triangle into his domain.

"Wooo…" Laboon let out an uneasy whimper, his small top hat soaked by the mist and drooping weakly on his head.

"Don't be afraid." Ritter gently stroked Laboon's head as the blood mist slowly began to blend into the sea fog. "We'll take our time searching."

Ritter didn't have any precise way to locate Brook. All he could do was let the blood mist gradually sense the area.

They searched like this for several days, to the point where Ritter almost considered turning back with Laboon.

Then, suddenly, a strange melody floated through the fog. Laboon perked up his ears at once, letting out an excited "Wooo!"

"Brook?" Ritter stood up warily, already gripping the Black Tide greatsword in his hand.

A dilapidated ghost ship gradually emerged from the thick mist. Its sails were tattered, and the deck appeared deserted, yet the music grew clearer and clearer.

"Yohohoho~ Welcome aboard my ship. Though I am but bones, yohohohoho~"

A skeleton in a formal suit and top hat suddenly appeared at the bow, hollow eye sockets glowing faintly with well, hollowness.

Laboon yelped in fright and immediately ducked behind Ritter, his little hat askew.

"Brook?" Ritter called out tentatively.

The skeletal musician paused, clearly startled. "You… know me?"

Ritter sighed in relief and lowered his weapon. "We came looking for you. Or rather, Laboon wanted to see you."

Laboon poked his head out cautiously from behind Ritter and curiously inspected the skeleton.

Brook began to tremble all over the moment he saw Laboon. "Laboon?"

"Wooo! (Brook!)" Laboon leapt up excitedly, nearly flipping the small boat.

Brook collapsed to his knees on the deck, his voice choked with emotion. "Laboon, you poor thing! You haven't been eating, have you? You've shrunk so much…"

Ritter: ???

Laboon: ???

On the ghost ship's deck, Brook played a familiar tune on his old, worn-out violin Binks' Sake. Laboon swayed gently to the rhythm, occasionally letting out joyful cries.

"I see… a Devil Fruit," Brook said after hearing Ritter's explanation. "You came all this way just to find me… I'm truly grateful. If it weren't for you two, I don't know how long I'd have kept drifting here. I got lost."

"I ate the Yomi Yomi no Mi and became a Yomi Human. But my soul took too long to return, and by the time it did, my body was nothing but bones. Yohohoho."

Ritter shook his head. "It's Laboon who never forgot you. He's been waiting for this reunion every single day."

Brook gently patted Laboon's head. "I'm sorry, Laboon. Sorry for keeping you waiting so long…"

Laboon affectionately nuzzled Brook's hand, his little hat shimmering in the moonlight.

The cheerful sea shanty echoed across the water. Laboon spun in circles around Brook, too excited to contain himself.

Then, just as Brook reached the song's climax, Laboon suddenly opened his mouth and spoke.

"Broo… Brook! Wel…come!"

Brook was stunned. "You can talk?!"

"Ritter… taught me!" Laboon proudly raised his head, the water droplets on his small blue hat sparkling under the moonlight.

He carefully pieced together his words. "Waited… long… but no regret! Hat… Ritter gave me. I like… very much."

Brook's skeletal form trembled slightly. He lowered his violin and solemnly knelt by the ship's edge. Removing his tattered top hat, he gently placed it beside Laboon's small blue one.

"Look double top hats."

Ritter turned his face away, pretending to examine the density of the fog.

Brook, you old charmer… Why are my eyes tearing up like Crocodile's?

As the final note of Brook's violin faded, the fog-shrouded sea fell into a brief silence. Laboon gently nudged Brook's bony hand with his nose, letting out a satisfied hum.

It was the sound of a family reunited.

"Yohohohoho! Just now, I sensed an overwhelming presence. I thought I was going to die but then again, I'm already a skeleton, so who knows if I even can." Brook looked at Ritter.

"My beautiful lady, you're incredible. The entire mist turned red."

"I mean, I've been alone here for so long, I haven't talked to anyone in ages. Please don't take offense."

"Laboon is so tiny and adorable now! Oh, oh how did you know I was here?"

Brook didn't even wait for Ritter or Laboon to respond.

Yes, Brook might be a skeleton, but he was still human. All these years of loneliness… he'd only survived with his unshakable optimism.

"Ritter… sees the future… told Laboon," Laboon replied.

"You bastard, I'm a man!" Ritter snapped.

"Oh! My apologies, I didn't get a good look… though I don't exactly have eyes. Yohohohoho!"

Ritter watched this reunion that had spanned half a century, then suddenly spoke. "Brook, did you know? In the distant future, even if I never appeared, you would still meet another group of very special crewmates."

Brook lifted his head, his empty sockets gleaming with hope. "Yohohoho~ You say the funniest things, young man. Someone like me… a skeleton… can I really meet new crewmates? Really? Really? Tell me about them!"

He nearly pressed his entire skull against Ritter's chest in anticipation.

Ritter couldn't take it anymore and kicked Brook aside.

He was honestly terrified Brook might blurt out something like, "May I see your—"

"You won't just meet them," Ritter said firmly, "they'll become the family you treasure most. The adventures you'll have together… will be incredible."

Brook's skeletal fingers softly stroked his violin strings. "Sounds like wonderful companions. But right now… I already have an amazing family."

He hugged Laboon tightly.

"Wooo!" (Of course!) Laboon chirped and nudged his two hats proudly.

"But before that," Ritter stepped forward, "why don't you sail with us for a while?"

(Don't worry I won't take any main crew members away from the Straw Hats. This is just temporary. Gotta stack some plot armor here, sorry.)

"The Roger Pirates are uncovering history," Ritter said, his voice echoing through the fog. "Witnessing this era with your own eyes will help you on your future journey. And…"

He glanced at Laboon. "You'll have more time to be with him."

Laboon immediately turned hopeful eyes toward Brook, silently pleading.

Brook looked at Ritter's outstretched hand and gave a gentlemanly bow. "I would be honored to join your voyage."

"Wooo!" (Hooray!)

And so, they headed back toward the Oro Jackson, leaving the Florian Triangle behind. Ritter took out a piece of Vivre Card only to look up and freeze.

"…They seriously went to Skypiea?!"

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