Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

The ship was swept out of the waterway by the ocean current and crashed heavily onto the sea, creating huge waves. The entire ship rocked violently for a few moments. Bai Yu immediately manipulated the puppets to stabilize the rudder and adjust the sails, allowing the ship to slowly come to a stop on the turbulent sea, just a short distance from Labu.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the enormous whale. Kanna peeked out from Unohana's arms, her round eyes full of curiosity. She had never seen such a large whale in the West Sea.

Rangiku raised an eyebrow, her tense expression easing, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She raised a hand to brush aside the wet hair obscuring her vision: "There are whales this big in this world..."

"That whale came from the Western Sea..."

The ship slowly steadied itself on the surface of the Twin Gorges. The sea breeze, carrying a faint salty dampness and water mist, swept across the deck. The raging waves that had just surged forward gradually receded, leaving only the low sobs of the lap and the muffled thuds of the waves crashing against the rock walls, echoing repeatedly in the fjord.

An aged yet resonant voice came from the direction of the lighthouse on the left shore, piercing through the thin mist and the sound of waves: "What an extraordinary young man! It's rare to see someone navigate the Reverse Mountain's descent channel so smoothly."

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man with a strange hairstyle standing under the lighthouse on the banks of Twin Gorges.

This guy is Crocus, the former doctor of the Roger Pirates, and now the lighthouse keeper at Twin Capes.

He can be considered one of the world's best doctors, with exceptional skills in both pharmacology and surgery.

In addition, this strange old man possesses Observation Haki, extremely strong physical endurance, and excellent hunting skills, and is very adept at using a whale harpoon.

He was leisurely leaning back in his recliner, his gaze fixed on Bai Yu and his group with a hint of curiosity.

Bai Yu wiped the seawater off his face, his gaze falling on the old man. He nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and was about to speak when Crocus took a step forward and walked straight to the side of the gradually calming whale.

It seems this whale isn't as outrageous as it was when it met Straw Hat Boy ten years later...

Crocus gently stroked the whale's scarred forehead with an incredibly tender touch. The whale, which had been whimpering softly, gradually slowed its movements, its huge eyes drooping as it nuzzled Crocus's hand, its eyes brimming with grievance and longing.

"Sorry, the tranquilizer took a little long to work. This child's name is Labu, and he's a lonely whale. Would you like to hear his story?"

For some reason, Crocus immediately wanted to tell Laboon's story to a stranger like Shiraha.

Crocus sighed, tilted his head back and took a sip of wine from the flask. The wine slid down his chin, but he didn't care. His gaze fell on the cratered rock walls of the Red Line, and his voice gradually lowered as he began to recount that long-forgotten past.

Laboon is a giant island whale.

This whale comes from the Western Sea and is a species unique to the Western Sea. When it grows to adulthood, it is huge, like a small island, and its eyes are several times larger than those of an ordinary ship.

Overall, Laboon is a sentient whale that can understand human speech and sense human emotions; it is a large, friendly animal.

Decades ago, Laboon, who was one year old at the time, got separated from a group of whales and followed the Rumbar Pirates, becoming one of their crew members.

Later, when the Rumbar Pirates passed through Twin Capes, fearing that their journey along the Grand Line would harm the island whale, Captain Rumbar entrusted Laboon to Crocus's care before departing. Laboon made a promise that they would circle the Grand Line once and then return to Twin Capes to meet it, leaving Laboon to wait for them there.

Labu believed it and stayed in Twin Gorges, gazing at the direction of Upside-Down Mountain every day. But this wait lasted for decades.

Crocus knew the dangers of the Grand Line, and he knew that none of the crew members had returned. It was certain that the Rumbar Pirates had perished during their adventures on the Grand Line. Laboon, unaware of the truth, believed only that his companions would return. Day after day, year after year, he remained in this sea, his longing turning into illness. He began to ram his body against the Red Line, trying to break through this barrier to find his friends, never giving up even when he was battered and bruised.

Crocus said that he stayed here for two reasons: first, to protect the lighthouse and guide passing ships; second, to keep an eye on Laboon in case it had a moment of despair and smashed its head; and third, to keep the unfulfilled promise for the Rumbar Pirates.

His voice was calm, yet every word conveyed endless regret and helplessness.

Robin leaned against the ship's railing, listening quietly. Her wet hair still clung to her neck, but she didn't raise her hand to brush it away. Her gaze fell on Laboon's scarred forehead and Crocus's gentle movements.

Throughout her life, she had witnessed betrayal and separation, tasted loneliness and wandering, and understood best this kind of persistent waiting and endless longing. The promise between the Rumbar Pirates and Laboon, though simple, weighed a ton, reminding her of her past.

Thinking of those who had accompanied me but were eventually lost, an indescribable feeling welled up in my heart. Fortunately, I now have everyone on the ship.

Rangiku concealed her surprise, her golden hair gently swaying in the sea breeze. She leaned against the railing, the sake gourd in her hand to her lips, but she didn't drink, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.

Her time in Rukongai had given her a deep understanding of loneliness, and she naturally understood Laboon's torment.

Kanna listened, seemingly understanding but not quite, clutching Unohana's kimono with her little hands. Looking at Laboon's aggrieved expression, she softly said, "Laboon, so pitiful."

Just then, as if remembering his companions, Labu's massive body trembled violently. He raised his head again, intending to crash into the rock wall of the Red Earth Continent with even greater force than before. Clearly, he was caught in the extreme longing and pain, and blood began to seep from the fresh wound on his forehead once more.

"Don't do anything foolish."

Bai Yu's voice suddenly rang out, not loud, but carrying an undeniable power that pierced through the sound of the waves on the sea surface.

He took a step forward and stood at the bow of the ship. His aura suddenly changed, and an invisible pressure burst forth from him. It was the power of Conqueror's Haki, vast and heavy, like a sleeping dragon suddenly awakening, sweeping towards Labissiere.

This Conqueror's Haki was far more powerful than ordinary Conqueror's Haki, carrying Bai Yu's will and power, and directly enveloped Laboon's huge body.

Labu, who was about to crash into the rock wall, froze instantly. His huge body trembled violently, and the grievance and rage in his eyes were suppressed.

At the same time, even the seawater rippled due to this domineering pressure, and even Crocus subconsciously gripped the wine jug in his hand, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.