And so, a legend began to circulate in Loguetown.
At the moment when darkness engulfed the world and the sea threatened to swallow humanity, a guardian beast hidden deep beneath the ocean would appear like a divine being.
With the body of a giant fish and the wings of a bird, its wings vast as hanging clouds, it could stretch across the skies, obscuring the sun, moon, and stars. Soaring upward, it would harness the sun's true flames to battle demons lurking in the deep sea. In the end, it would dive back into the ocean, strike the waters across three thousand miles, cry once, and vanish, silently watching over the world from the depths.
And yet... people would never know the truth behind the great tsunami.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
One day later, inside Laboon's miniature world.
"So that's how it is... you mean it was Luffy-san who gave Laboon these incredible powers?"
Under Luffy's explanation, both Brook and Robin gradually came to understand Laboon's new and unique abilities.
Having been granted miraculous powers by Luffy themselves, they weren't too surprised, only more curious about what Laboon might eventually become.
Even more than that, they were beginning to look forward to sailing the seas aboard Laboon's back.
Brook finally felt at ease.
After all, he remembered clearly what Luffy had once told them: in the second half of the Grand Line, powerful foes were everywhere, countless and overwhelming.
Now that Laboon had grown stronger, their safety would be that much more secure.
"By the way, Robin, how long until we reach Cocoyasi Village?" Luffy asked.
Robin thought for a moment and replied, "At Laboon's current speed... probably about a week."
"I see..."
Luffy seemed a bit dissatisfied with the long wait, but after a moment, his face lit up with excitement.
"When we get there, we'll be able to see another one of our crewmates!"
"Another crewmate?"
Robin and Brook both looked surprised.
It was the first time they'd heard Luffy mention another companion, and they were momentarily stunned.
Luffy grinned. "Yep! A very capable girl. I just wonder what she's up to these days…"
─────────🏴☠️─────────
East Blue – Marine 16th Branch, Commanding Officer's Office.
Inside, a sleazy, rat-faced Marine with long mustaches at each corner of his mouth stood before the desk, eyes gleaming with flattery as he faced the woman seated in the commander's chair.
"Nami-san, I must thank you! Without your help, I could never have become the top officer here so quickly. Please accept this small token of appreciation, two million Berries!"
"Only two million?"
The young woman sitting in the chair glanced at the pile of cash on the desk with dissatisfaction, her tone sharp as she emphasized the title: "Captain Nezumi."
Sensing her displeasure, Captain Nezumi immediately rushed to explain, "No, no, Nami-san, you misunderstand!
The eight-million-Berry bounty will be paid in full, I promise. It's just that the branch doesn't have that much cash on hand right now, we have to report to East Blue HQ. Once the funds arrive, I'll personally deliver it to Cocoyasi Village."
"As for this two million, it's a personal gift from me, just a small gesture. I hope we'll continue to work well together."
His face beamed with sycophantic flattery, as if the word "bootlicker" was stamped across it.
"Oh? Is that so... Well, don't worry. We'll have plenty of chances to collaborate in the future, hehehe~"
Nami chuckled as she swept the money into her bag.
Captain Nezumi rubbed his hands together and laughed with her. "Wonderful, wonderful! I'll be counting on you!"
To him, this small sum was nothing. He could skim ten times that much from the division's public funds without blinking. What really mattered was gaining favor with someone like Nami, a real power player. That was the fast track to promotion.
Nami stood, slinging the oversized money bag, nearly half her height, over her shoulder.
The size mismatch was comical, but Captain Nezumi didn't seem to find it strange at all. He continued bowing and scraping. "Rest assured, Nami-san. I won't forget about your reward."
He hesitated, then added with a hint of pleading, "Just one more thing..."
Nami waved him off. "I get it, I get it! No need to say more!"
"Much appreciated," Nezumi said, relief washing over his face.
Nami stepped toward the door, but as soon as she opened it, her expression changed.
The cheerful look vanished. Instead, she put on the same groveling smile that Nezumi had just worn, bowed slightly, and gently shut the door behind her.
Only once outside did she cradle the money bag like a treasure and leave the Marine base.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"Captain Nezumi sure is generous... Sharing both the bounty and the credit with bounty hunters who only work for money."
"Seriously! I don't understand why the Captain does things like this."
"And those bounty hunters, they've got the skills, but no sense of justice."
Two junior Marine janitors sweeping nearby whispered their thoughts as they watched Nami leave.
"Ahem!"
A deliberate cough came from behind them.
"Captain Nezumi!"
The two Marines snapped to attention when they saw the man himself.
They dropped their tools and stood stiffly, saluting.
"Focus on your duties, no idle chatter during work hours," he barked sternly.
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
─────────🏴☠️─────────
"Bell-mère! Nojiko! I'm back!"
A soft breeze blew through the village, as if drawn by her presence. It swirled around the orange-haired girl, lifting her hair with playful energy.
"You're back, Nami?"
Nojiko had just returned from the orchard and met Nami at the gate.
"Looks like we're cooking for three tonight. What a day!" she said cheerfully.
From inside the house, Bell-mère stretched lazily and stepped out, a long lady's cigarette between her lips. She greeted them in her usual laid-back tone.
But Nami frowned, visibly annoyed.
"Bell-mère! You've been smoking indoors again! The air's awful!"
Fanning the smoke from her face with one hand, Nami pointed accusingly at the cigarette dangling from Bell-mère's mouth.
For someone who used Sky Dragon Slayer Magic, air quality mattered a lot. After all, it was literally her power source.
This was truly a magic that let her grow stronger just by breathing.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Bell-mère quickly stubbed out the cigarette, though the smile on her face showed she wasn't exactly repentant.
"Oh right, Nami!"
Nojiko suddenly dashed back into the house, returning moments later with a newspaper.
She laid it out on the table, pointing at an article. "Take a look at this!"
"What is it?"
Nami tossed her money bag onto the table and leaned in curiously.
The headline read:
"Shocking! Guardian Beast Appears in Loguetown, Stops Tsunami Alone and Saves Thousands!"
"What's this about, Nojiko?" Nami asked, confused by the dramatic story.
"Not that, look below!"
Nojiko pointed at the smaller article beneath the headline photo.
"Warlord Monkey D. Luffy Appears in East Blue. Kills Over 500 Pirates in Loguetown with Brutal Efficiency, Greatly Easing Marine Burden."
"Luffy?"
As soon as Nami saw the name, her eyes lit up. She leaned in close, staring at the grainy newspaper image.
There was no doubt in her mind.
Even though he looked like a grown man now...
That hair. That expression. That face.
It was him.
"It's Luffy!!!" she cried out in shock.
The one who had saved them all those years ago.
The one who had given her those incredible powers.
Even after all this time, Nami had never forgotten that small but indomitable figure, or the "ten-year promise" he'd made.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
And far off the coast of Cocoyasi Island, aboard a ship nearing the shore...
Luffy held up the Poké Ball and spoke to Laboon. "You can rest for a bit, Laboon. If we get any closer, you'll crash right into the island."
"Boooo..." Laboon groaned, reluctant but obedient.
Given Laboon's immense size, they had no choice but to dock here and approach the island by boat.
If Laboon so much as rolled over near the island, it could trigger earthquakes.
Out of concern for the villagers, Luffy had to make the call.
With a flash of red light, Laboon vanished from the sea's surface.
"Alright! Let's move on!"
=============
150+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria