Maybe it was Bucky's influence under the gentle moonlight that bathed the deck of the Oro Jackson, the sea whispered softly, and the entire ship seemed to have drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Ritter pushed open the cabin door and saw both Laboon and Bucky outside.

Bucky was practicing with his dagger in the distance.

Laboon sat in the middle of the deck, a pristine white feather floating before him. He cautiously extended the tip of his fin and lightly touched it—the feather spun away with the breeze and gently fell to the floor.

Undeterred, Laboon picked it up and tried again.

"Still awake?" Ritter leaned casually against the ship's railing, a faint smile on his lips.

Laboon turned his head and let out a low hum, his gaze unwavering.

Ritter chuckled. "Then let's add one more drill fetch me that bottle."

He pulled a bottle of rum from inside his coat and placed it carefully on the deck. Laboon took a deep breath, slowly reached out a fin, and gently looped it around the bottle—

Steady.

Not a drop spilled.

"Woop!" Laboon gave the bottle an excited shake, eyes gleaming like stars.

Ritter patted his head. "Well done."

The rest of the crew began to emerge from their quarters one by one.

Ritter looked at the group and blinked. Wait, don't tell me none of them were asleep? That's insane.

But the stillness under the moonlight was suddenly shattered. Some no-name pirate crews were clearly hoping to make a name for themselves by taking on the Roger Pirates.

Bucky's shriek pierced the night sky. "Enemy attack! They-they're coming in close!"

So that's why Roger and Crocus came outside.

The deck of the Oro Jackson was instantly ablaze with lantern light.

"Laboon, to the back!" Shanks drew his weapon, eyes sharp and focused.

Bucky ducked behind the mast and peeked out with his bright red nose. "They dare ambush us? I'll make 'em regret it!"

Ritter snarked, "You might be more convincing if you weren't hiding back there, Bucky."

At this stage, Bucky could probably handle these weaklings, but maybe it was his nature his first instinct was always to run, which Ritter found a little exasperating.

Ritter didn't move. He simply looked at Laboon and asked, "Laboon, are you ready?"

Laboon lowered his gaze to his fins, then lifted his head to look at the oncoming enemy ship a menacing vessel flying a black flag emblazoned with a steel hook.

Its deck was packed with fierce, bloodthirsty pirates, and at the front, the hook-handed captain cackled as he waved his oversized weapon. "The Roger Pirates?! Tonight marks your end!"

Ritter's face twitched. Buddy, you're the one launching a sneak attack. Why are you yelling like you're on stage?

Laboon's confused eyes began to sharpen. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Woop! (I'm ready!)"

Ritter smiled. "Then go. You have permission to go all out."

The battle erupted.

The crew of the Hook Pirate Crew leapt onto the deck of the Oro Jackson, weapons swinging wildly. Laboon stood at the front. As the first pirate lunged at him, Laboon instinctively lifted a fin—

Boom!

The pirate shot through the air like a cannonball, slamming clean through the enemy ship's mast.

Silence fell.

Laboon stared blankly at his fin, seemingly just as stunned by the force of his own attack.

"A-a monster!" the hook-handed captain blanched, but then bared his teeth in a twisted grin. "All of you, attack! Take down that freak whale!"

The pirates surged forward. Laboon looked flustered at first, but quickly found his focus.

He closed his eyes and centered himself, feeling the power inside him. With each breath, the techniques Ritter had taught him began to settle in.

Swoosh!

Laboon vanished from sight and reappeared in front of a charging pirate. His fin flicked gently—

Thud!

The pirate dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach before collapsing unconscious.

Laboon's movements grew fluid and confident. He no longer relied on brute strength but, just as Ritter had instructed, carefully controlled every bit of force he used. He weaved through the enemy ranks, and each precise strike incapacitated an opponent without causing fatal harm.

Bucky's jaw hung open. "Laboon's incredible! Sugoi sugoi!"

Shanks twirled his iron sword with excitement. "You're amazing, Laboon!"

The hook-handed captain realized the tide was turning and roared, charging straight for Laboon with his iron hook raised high. "Die, you monster!"

But Laboon didn't move. He stood his ground. Just as the hook was about to strike him, he raised his fin and gently deflected the attack—

Snap!

The hook shattered. The captain's assault ended in an instant.

Laboon's gaze turned razor-sharp. For the first time, he felt the rhythm of battle.

He didn't counterattack. Instead, he pressed his fin to the captain's throat and growled low:

"Leave…"

The captain's legs gave out, and he crumpled. "W-we're leaving! Right now!"

The battle ended far faster than anyone expected.

The Hook Pirate Crew fled in disgrace, and no one on the Oro Jackson even bothered to chase them down. Back on the deck, Laboon stood motionless, staring at his fin in disbelief.

Ritter walked over and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Nicely done, Laboon."

Laboon turned to him, eyes sparkling, and let out a joyful hum. "Woop! (I did it!)"

Roger burst into hearty laughter and came up to ruffle Laboon's head. "Gahahaha! Looks like our little Laboon is a proper warrior now!"

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, lips curled into a slight smile. "Much better control than before."

Shanks and Bucky rushed over, each grabbing one of Laboon's fins from either side.

"You're the coolest, Laboon! You're officially our ace now!"

Laboon looked a little embarrassed by all the praise, but his eyes brimmed with confidence. Ritter stepped forward and gently placed a small blue top hat on his head.

"Well done. Laboon, trainee of the Roger Pirates, you've successfully passed your trial. Congratulations, sincerely."

A burst of red mist shaped like fireworks shimmered in the air above them, courtesy of Ritter's Fog-Fog powers.

Even more heartwarming was the sight of the faint red fog drifting from the enemy ship in the distance it looked almost like it was celebrating with them, casting a festive glow over the ocean.

Beneath the moonlight, the Oro Jackson sailed onward, and Laboon's first battle had become the brightest moment on his path to growth.

The morning sun spilled across the deck. Laboon was now carefully eating breakfast with a small seastone fork.

Shanks leaned in. "Hey Laboon, can you teach me that move from last night? The 'wham-pow' move it was so cool!"

Bucky shoved his way in. "Back off! If Laboon's teaching anyone, it's me first!"

The two pressed their foreheads together, growling.

"Wanna fight, you bastard?"

"Bring it on, idiot!"

Laboon looked at them, then suddenly grinned. He raised his fin

Smack!

One fin on each of their faces, light as a feather.

"Woop! (You're both my underlings!)"

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

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