84: Chapter 84 Laboon the Whale, Luffy's Promise with LaboonLooking at Luffy's benevolent expression, Vivi and the man couldn't help but swallow hard.Just now, they had also recognized Luffy as the pirate with a bounty of 100 million.Facing opponents of that caliber, they had absolutely no idea how to defeat them.
"Miss Wednesday, what to do?"
"How should I know, Mr.9?"
Luffy grinned and pulled out a bundle of rope, saying, "Whether I knock you out, tie you up, and throw you into a sea of stomach acid, or you obediently come here and get tied up, it's your choice.But let me tell you, I bet you'd rather be slowly corroded by this stomach acid, right?"
Luffy had a grin on his face, appearing as a sunny, cheerful boy to everyone else, but to Vivi and Mr.9, it was a devilish smile.The two obediently stepped forward and were tied up by Luffy, standing aside.At that moment, Crocus swam over and said to Luffy, "Straw Hat Kid, come with me, I'll take you out." Crocus then led Luffy and his crew to an iron gate, opened it, and released them.He then returned to shore to reunite with Luffy and his crew.Once ashore, the group began asking about the whale's story.Crocus slowly explained, "Actually, this whale isn't from the Grand Line.It was brought from the ordinary sea by a pirate crew from the Rumbar Pirates.To be precise, Laboon himself came to the Grand Line with the Rumbar Pirates."
"After spending some time with Laboon, the Rumbar Pirates decided to venture into the Grand Line.However, due to the extreme danger of the Grand Line, they had to leave Laboon at Reverse Mountain, asking him to wait there for a while.'We'll meet again when we return after circling the world,' these were the last words the Rumbar Pirates left for Laboon."
"So Laboon stayed behind with tears in his eyes, waiting for the Rumbar Pirates to return on this side of the Red Line, but that wait lasted fifty years."
"Countless changes have occurred over the years, and little Laboon has grown into a whale larger and more imposing than any island.Everything in the world has changed, but Laboon still waits patiently on this side of the Red Line for its master's return.Desperate to see its master, for decades it has relentlessly rammed its head against the unbreakable Red Line, leaving itself battered and bruised, emitting mournful cries."
Listening to Crocus's story, Zoro and the others couldn't help but feel sympathy for the whale named Laboon.Luffy knew that Brook of the Rumbar Pirates wasn't dead, but trapped in the Devil's Triangle."For so many years, I've constantly tried to persuade Laboon not to wait anymore, because the rest of the Rumbar Pirates might already be dead.But Laboon just wouldn't listen.I know it's doing this because it's afraid of losing the meaning of waiting, but it'll just crash into the Red Line and die sooner or later."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.Suddenly, Luffy charged at Laboon, entering Gear Second and unleashing a Gum-Gum Jet Cannon that struck Laboon.Laboon, in pain and anger, glared at Luffy and charged again.Luffy didn't retaliate, letting Laboon be knocked away.Luffy then got up and used a Gum-Gum Spin Ball, hitting Laboon in the chin.The others watched Luffy's actions with confusion.Just as Laboon was about to charge at Luffy again, "evenly matched," Luffy suddenly called out to Laboon.Laboon looked at Luffy with a puzzled expression."I'm strong, right?You really want to beat me, right?We haven't decided a winner yet, so we have to keep fighting.Even though you're alone now, I can be your eternal rival.We must fight again and see who's stronger.I promised you, after we circle the Grand Line, I'll definitely come back to find you, and then we'll fight again!"
Laboon could no longer hold back, tears streaming from his eyes.The crew watched Luffy with smiles, finally understanding why he had done what he did.Then, just like in the original story, Luffy drew a skull on Laboon's forehead, a symbol of their promise.Crocus, watching Luffy's actions, also felt his eyes welling up.He had a premonition that the Straw Hat boy would fulfill his promise to Laboon