Watching the life paper still fluttering in the sky, Ritter sighed. "Looks like they won't be coming down anytime soon."

Brook was wiping his violin with bony fingers. "Yohohoho~ Then shouldn't we find something fun to do?"

Laboon immediately nudged a crumpled flyer forward with his nose [Water 7 Carnival · Annual Celebration]!

"Bwoo! (Let's go have fun!)"

Brook's eye sockets sparkled as he looked at Ritter how a skeleton managed that expression, Ritter had no idea. This must be the logic of an anime world.

The streets of Water 7 were decked with lanterns and streamers, and fountains danced to the rhythm of music. Laboon wore two top hats stacked on his head, drawing gasps of admiration everywhere he went.

"Look! A talking little whale!"

"And it's wearing two top hats! So cute!"

Brook gave a graceful bow. "Ladies, may I have a glimpse of your panties?"

A moment later, a Marine on patrol shouted, "There's a pervert here! Somebody stop him!"

"Run!" Ritter yanked Brook by the arm. Laboon wrapped his tail around them both and took off. Ritter regretted it instantly Brook, in his own way, was just as much trouble as Sanji.

"Look, it's that 50-berry whale!" a kid yelled, pointing at Laboon.

Laboon's head drooped in disappointment. "Bwoo…"

Ritter patted him on the head. "Ignore them. The Marines don't know quality if it hit them in the face."

"Yohohohoho, looks like our Laboon's become a big-shot pirate now."

Laboon looked up at Ritter, eyes full of curiosity, as if asking if that was true.

Ritter nodded seriously. Well, someone had to dote on the kid it was the law of parenting.

At a nearby fruit stall, the friendly shopkeeper called out, "Hey there, little whale! Want an apple?"

Laboon's eyes lit up. He carefully took the apple with the tip of his fin

He inhaled deeply and, using the gentlest touch, balanced the apple on his nose, spinning it in circles with glee.

"Hey! Get out of the way!" a harsh voice snapped from behind.

A group of thugs pushed through the crowd. "If you've got a pet, don't bring it out to block the street!"

Ritter's expression turned cold.

Seriously, if these guys didn't even recognize him, what were they doing in this line of work?

His face was practically plastered all over the city. These days, any pirate who saw him in person gave him a wide berth no matter how famous Roger was, they were still pirates. And pirates respected power.

He was just about to lose his temper when Laboon acted first.

"Bwoo! (Bad guys!)" Laboon puffed out his cheeks and fired a small stream of water. A small stream for Laboon meant it could sink a warship.

The water hit the lead thug square in the crotch.

"Aaagh!" The guy jumped three feet in the air, clutching his pants.

Ritter and Brook both shivered at the sight. Ritter was pretty sure he hadn't taught Laboon that trick. Someone was getting beaten up later probably Shanks and Buggy.

The crowd burst into laughter. Vendors gave Laboon a thumbs-up.

"Nice job, little whale!"

"Those guys come around all the time, extorting money!"

"Fifty berries? That's way too low!"

Laboon proudly raised his head. Ritter fought back a smile as he dragged the little whale away from the scene.

And so, Ritter spent the day eating and drinking around the island with a skeleton and a baby whale in tow.

By the time the life paper finally pointed back to the sea, the three of them were sitting atop the highest point in Water 7, sharing ice cream.

Brook watched as the melting ice cream trickled between his ribs. "Yohohoho~ What a bizarre sensation~"

Suddenly, Laboon pointed toward the horizon. "Ship! Oro… Jackson!"

Ritter stood up. "Time to go home, boys."

With that, he leapt onto the Oro Jackson with Laboon and Brook in tow.

"Kuahahaha! Ritter! Laboon!" Roger waved, then paused. "Wait… is that… a skeleton?!"

The entire crew gathered at the rails, gaping at the talking, violin-playing skeleton.

Brook bowed elegantly. "Pleased to meet you. I am Brook. Ritter and Laboon kindly invited me aboard."

Rayleigh pushed up his glasses. "Well… that's unexpected."

Crocus came forward, curious. "Mr. Brook… Incredible. No muscle tissue… yet fully mobile and articulate… fascinating!"

"It's been a long time, Dr. Crocus," Brook said warmly. "You're looking well."

Crocus burst into tears comically shaped like soba noodles as he pointed proudly to Laboon. "I kept my promise! Look how well I raised him!"

(Note: Laboon's scar on his head is now gone, having shrunk in size.)

"Yohohoho, Dr. Crocus, you've practically become a little old man!"

Laboon eagerly dragged Brook into the crowd, pointing at him with a fin. "Frie…nd!"

"Laboon can talk now?!" Shanks and Buggy shouted in unison.

Roger laughed and jumped off the ship, throwing an arm around Brook. "Welcome aboard the Roger Pirates! Kuahahaha! We've been needing a musician!"

Blue light flickered warmly in Brook's eyes. "It's an honor, Captain. But… may I have a peek at your underwear?"

BANG!

Rayleigh punched him into the sea. "This pervert skeleton's going overboard!"

"Wait!" Roger stopped him. "Every pirate crew needs its quirks! Kuahahaha!"

Ritter stood there stunned. Brook, what the hell are you doing?! Roger's a living legend are you trying to seduce him?!

And just like that, Brook officially became a member of the Roger Pirates.

That night, during the celebratory banquet, his violin played for the legendary ship for the very first time.

Laboon curled up beside him, humming along with the music, mumbling new words he was learning.

Ritter watched them, a smile unconsciously tugging at his lips.

"What are you thinking about?" Rayleigh came over and asked.

"I was just thinking…" Ritter said quietly, "some meetings are fated. Brook will meet another crew in the future, but for now…"

"He's our crewmate," Roger said from behind them, raising his glass. "To new adventures!"

"To new adventures!" the whole ship echoed.

Shanks and Buggy grabbed Laboon and dragged him off to try fruit wine.

Brook's glowing eyes gleamed warmly. Watching the three youngsters laughing together, he murmured, "Laboon's made new friends of his own, too."

He knew, deep down, that a brand-new journey was beginning and this time, he wouldn't be alone.

Just as Shanks and Buggy were bragging about how much they could drink in front of Laboon, a sudden chill crawled up their spines.

They turned stiffly.

Ritter was standing behind them with a smile.

A warm, gentle smile.

But all they could see was pure malice.

"I'd like to ask… who taught Laboon to fight like that?"

The two glanced at each other.

They knew they were busted.

Simultaneously, they pointed at the other.

"It was Shanks (Buggy)!"

Smack! Whack!

"We're sorry, Ritter!"

Snap!

"We won't do it again!"

Snap, snap!

Snap!

At the back of the ship, Shanks and Buggy dangled upside-down from the railing, suspended by fog-tentacles just inches above the water. Tiny Sea Kings leapt up occasionally, curious to taste their salty flavor.

The positioning was so precise that as long as they tried really hard, they could dodge every bite.

Sea Kings jumped, Shanks and Buggy flailed.

Ritter watched the two struggle in midair and smiled with satisfaction.

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Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolution and stay ahead of the crowd.

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