Twin Cape Promise:
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"Everyone who sees Laboon asks the same thing," Crocus explained to the Straw Hats while Laboon mournfully cried up at Reversed Mountain. "Why does he keep ramming his head into the Red Line? Why does he keep howling at Reverse Mountain? Listen closely and I'll tell you Laboon's tragic story."
"Old people always tell the best stories," Y/N commented as he sat down beside Sanji and listened.
"One fine sunny day while I was fulfilling my duties as a lighthouse keeper some good-natured pirates came down Reverse Mountain. They were followed by a baby whale who I would soon come to know as the one-and-only Laboon."
-Laboon Flashback-
Fifty years ago, a clean-shaven Crocus who still had his signature flowery hair-style was manning the lighthouse when a large pirate ship came down Reverse Mountain. The ship had faded purple sails and the Jolly Roger had slanted eyes and bull-like horns. They were known as the Rumbar Pirates.
What had surprised Crocus the most about the Rumbar Pirates was a much smaller blue Island Whale that had followed them in. It only took Crocus a moment to realize that the whale, which he would come to know as Laboon, shared a strong bond with the pirates.
Laboon had been traveling with the pirates for a long time. The Captain of the Rumbar Pirates, a man named Yorki had explained that they had been traveling with Laboon for a large portion of their journey. The pirates had attempted to leave Laboon behind in the West Blue, knowing the dangers in the Grand Line, but the stubborn little whale followed them anyway.
The wear and tear on the pirate ship was severe and the Rumbar Pirates ended up staying at the Twin Peaks Lighthouses for several months. Over that time, Crocus had become close friends with the crew and Laboon. It was easy to tell that even though Island Whales were social creatures by nature and traveled in pods, Laboon saw the Rumbar Pirates as his family.
But then the day of the Rumbar Pirates' departure came, knowing the dangers of the Grand Line, they regretfully decided to leave Laboon behind so he'd be safe at the Lighthouse. Captain Yorki approached Crocus and asked him a favor.
"I have a favor to ask of you my dear friend," Yorki said, back then he was a young man with dirty blond hair that looked like Sanji's but was a few shades darker. He wore a purple captain's coat and cowboy hat, signifying him as the captain of the Rumbar Pirates. "Could you look after Laboon for a few years? When my men and I have completed out voyage around the world, we'll be back." Crocus agreed, knowing the dangers that lurked ahead in the Grand Line.
Captain Yorki explained things to Laboon as well. "Listen to me Laboon," Yorki instructed the whale, "We're taking our ship to the end of the Grand Line. Until we return I need you to wait for us here with Crocus. You can't come with us it's too dangerous, even for a might whale like you. But don't worry, three years will pass by in a flash. And don't forget, no matter the distance, our friendship will last forever."
"Well I guess it's time," Captain Yorki announced once the ship was loaded up and the Rumbar Pirates were ready to go. They boarded the ship and got ready. "ALRIGHT MEN, WE'RE SETTING SAIL! HOIST THE ANCHOR!"
The pirates cheered and they sailed off, Laboon attempted to follow them anyway, but Captain Yorki called out to him, "Laboon! You have to wait for us here and mind Crocus. Don't worry, we'll be back! I promise!"
-End of Laboon's Flashback-
"That was fifty long years ago," Crocus concluded.
"Fifty years?" Sanji repeated.
