Ritter stood at the stern of the ship, cradling the Human-Human Fruit Martial Artist Model in his palm, his gaze steady as it fell upon Laboon.

"Laboon, the choice is yours."

His voice was as gentle as ever, yet it reached Laboon's ears clearly over the sound of the sea.

When it came to calming others, Ritter considered himself something of an expert after all, hadn't he raised both Shanks and Buggy into plump, happy kids?

Laboon's enormous eyes stared at the Devil Fruit, as if deep in thought.

Ritter had already explained: if Laboon ate it, he would gain new powers, but lose the freedom to roam the ocean as he once did. And yet, if he could move like a human, maybe just maybe he'd find Brook faster...

What a dilemma for a whale. (●'?'●)

Crocus stood nearby, his expression conflicted.

"Ritter, are you really sure about this?"

Ritter smiled faintly.

"I'm just giving him a chance to choose."

Laboon let out a low, rumbling cry. Then, without warning, he opened his massive mouth. A powerful suction swept the fruit up and swallowed it in one gulp!

For a whale his size, that little Devil Fruit was like a grain of rice.

The moment the fruit hit his stomach, Laboon's body suddenly burst into a radiant light! His massive form began to shrink rapidly, his blue skin smoothing out, and his muscles tightening into lean, powerful lines.

"Woooo—!"

Laboon let out a high-pitched cry no longer the deep resonance of a whale, but now tinged with something... almost human.

As the light faded, what appeared on deck was a small, blue whale, just a little shorter than Shanks. His tail was now agile, his posture upright, even able to stand like a person! He resembled a kung fu dugong, though Ritter thought Laboon looked cuter.

But before Laboon could fully adjust to his new body, his expression twisted in discomfort, alarming everyone around him.

Ritter hadn't read about this happening before. As the crew began to panic, Laboon opened his mouth and managed to squeeze out a strained syllable:

"Guh—naaa…"

Ritter, fluent in "baby talk," instantly understood.

"Laboon, you mean the Devil Fruit tasted horrible, right?"

Laboon nodded miserably, his big watery eyes staring up at Ritter like he had just been betrayed by a trusted parent.

How could you trick a child like this?

"Waaaah! Laboon turned into a mini whale-man!"

Buggy's jaw practically hit the floor.

Shanks ran over, wide-eyed with excitement.

"That's so cool! Laboon, can you understand us now?"

Laboon blinked and nodded eagerly. From his throat came a fuzzy, unclear but unmistakable sound:

"Broo… Brook…"

Ritter chuckled.

"Looks like the fruit worked. He's not fully speaking yet, but he can express himself."

Crocus adjusted his glasses, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"Incredible…"

Laboon took a few hesitant steps still clumsy, but stable. He looked down at his new form, then up at Ritter with eyes full of gratitude.

"Woooo!"

He suddenly threw himself at Ritter, nuzzling his head into Ritter's chest as if to say thank you.

WHAM!

Caught completely off guard, Ritter was sent flying. Though Laboon was technically still a juvenile island whale, as the old saying goes "the strongest essence comes in the smallest jar." It felt like getting hit by a freight train.

His sheer strength was already nearing that of a Marine Commodore.

Roger burst into hearty laughter.

"Gorororo! Looks like we've got another interesting crewmate!"

Rayleigh smiled softly.

"Now Laboon can travel the seas with us."

"However—"

Ritter climbed out of a pile of wooden debris, brushing sawdust off his shoulders as he turned to Laboon with a serious expression.

"You can't swim anymore. But I can use my blood mist to shield you from seawater's curse, letting you act in the ocean for a short time. Just remember until your resistance is strong enough, if you're fully submerged in seawater, you'll lose all your strength."

Laboon nodded earnestly, though his eyes still brimmed with guilt.

"Then—"

Ritter extended his hand. A soft red mist gathered and formed a faint aura around Laboon.

"Welcome to the Roger Pirates, Laboon!"

Laboon pumped his tiny flippers excitedly and let out a cheerful chirp, bumping fists well, flippers with Ritter.

(〃￣)￣)人(￣)￣〃)

Ritter was launched again.

Everyone: "..."

Laboon froze. His big eyes filled with tears once more:

"Woooo… (I didn't mean to!)"

Shanks and Buggy rushed over, trying to pry Ritter out of the wooden wall.

Buggy poked him.

"Hey, you still alive?"

Ritter calmly shook his head. Compared to Garp's fists, Laboon's bump didn't even break his defense.

"…Still alive. Might take a while to dig myself out though."

Laboon ran over nervously, trying to help. But with one clumsy tug—

CRACK!

An entire plank came off. Ritter flopped to the ground.

Little Laboon panicked and began running in circles, not daring to use his flippers again.

Roger laughed so hard his sides hurt.

"Little Laboon, you'll need to get a handle on your strength!"

Shanks and Buggy, having rarely met anyone younger than themselves on the ship, suddenly felt a deep sense of big brotherly duty with the arrival of the new little crewmate.

"Hey, Shanks! Laboon obviously likes playing with me more!"

Buggy stood proudly on the deck, arms crossed.

Behind him was Laboon, who he had "meticulously styled" an oversized captain's hat perched on his head, a shiny string of glass beads around his neck (Buggy insisted they were "priceless jewels"), and a big red clown nose stuck on Laboon's snout to match his own.

"Ha? What are you talking about, Buggy?"

Shanks sat cross-legged on the mast, twirling a wooden sword.

"Laboon trained swordplay with me yesterday. He totally looks up to me!"

"Besides, that red nose of yours looks ridiculous on a blue whale."

"You little are you mocking the great Buggy?!"

"Woooo?"

Laboon tilted his head, glancing between the two, clearly confused by what they were arguing about.

Rayleigh sipped his coffee calmly from the side, not even looking up.

"They're at it again. Laboon, you'll need to work on speaking properly too."

Roger roared with laughter.

"Gorororo! Youth really is full of energy!"

Ritter strolled over and whispered conspiratorially to the trio:

"Hey, between you three, who's closest with Laboon? Look at our Captain Roger he's got so many loyal crewmates. Don't you all dream of having your own pirate crew someday?"

He gestured toward Laboon.

"Imagine having Laboon on your ship. He's insanely strong in combat. Picture him as… Rayboon, or Jabbaboon… or even Ritterboon. Not impossible, right?"

Buggy and Shanks knew the deal: when other pirates challenged them, Roger never even bothered stepping in. Instead, it was Rayleigh, Jabba, and Ritter three unshakable mountains.

Now imagine having their own crew, sailing the Grand Line, when some no-name pirates try to pick a fight. And then—

Laboon steps forward, eyes cold, voice deep:

"You weaklings aren't even worthy of standing before my captain."

Buggy and Shanks exchanged glances first grinning, then giggling, then bursting into full-blown maniacal laughter.

Their expressions twisted with ambition, delusion, and pure, unfiltered joy.

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Hooked already? Let me know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!

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

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