-
Afterward, I explained to Luffy that the one to blame for hurting Laboon was Buggy. And then, the boy seemed to explode in anger, shooting an icy glare at the unconscious Buggy (who had in fact, a few minutes before, slipped on a coil of rope and hit his head against the harpoon cannon, knocking himself out). I explained to him that I would take care of Buggy and that he should rest. He looked really tired. I wonder how much pressure he is being put under, living out in the sea?
When he understood, Luffy seemed like he wanted to take our doctor away. Or at least hug him to death. Talk about an impulsive kid...! And Zoro was still trying to recover from his near death experience. I had all of the crew help pull out the two harpoons while Chopper took all of our medical supplies and treated Laboon's wounds. (Note to self: stock up on more medical supplies.) Thankfully, Laboon wasn't hurt too bad. He looked fine when they left...
I must admit, Luffy was an interesting boy. He could speak normally— although with a limited vocabulary at times— and he was quite shy around all of the crew, always staying nearby Zoro (I swear, he was like a barnacle, clinging and following the man wherever they went on the deck). I remember that as Chopper bandaged Laboon, I brought out drinks and started a party to celebrate our new friendship. I offered some of the drink to the boy and he stared back at me in confusion. Then, he took the mug from my hands cautiously and inspected it curiously, moving his fingers across it and sniffing it with his nose now and then. It was like he had never drunk from a mug before. Or... at least he wasn't used to drinking from a mug. I guess I can understand... I mean he was out at sea for at least eight or nine years, right? Not many tankards you can find out there, floating around in the ocean.
Zoro was an interesting man, too. You don't see a guy with green hair often, do you? He drank a whole wine barrel, too! Compared to Luffy, the man seemed like a person who had more experience around people, although quite the anti-social man himself at times... I wonder... when did Zoro join Luffy and Laboon? I didn't hear or read anything about a green haired man at Laboon's last sighting. But, there was something else that interested me... it was the fact that he seemed so calm and collected even after drowning in the water. He just carried on as if nothing had really changed, chatting with Luffy from time to time, assuring the boy that he was okay. That was amazing. He could make a great sailor. Luffy, too. Maybe I should've asked them to join me? No... I couldn't do that. They're on their own with the legendary Laboon, aren't they? Why join a little rag-tag group of sailors like us? Haha.
Maybe they're true sailors. Ha, that's an interesting thought... they're really living out in the ocean like a sailor ought to. We parted when the sun started setting. I will always remember their farewell. Laboon's huge eyes smiling down at us, back glowing from the golden light bouncing along the waves. Zoro grinning at me and giving a short wave before jumping off of the ship and diving into the water. He surfaced nearby Laboon's fin and climbed his way towards the top of the whale's head. And of course I'll never forget Luffy's departure. He gave one last hug to Chopper and then gave me a small, grateful smile... I bet that his smile will haunt my mind for days. It was full of trust and contentment... it was like the full moon in the night sky, I guess... I can't describe it very well, but I'm sure I'll remember it later when I read back here. The black haired boy then dove off the side of the ship, breaking through the water below cleanly. The crew and I watched Luffy surface next to Laboon, and he turned to stare at us with large and innocent bright eyes. And then he turned away, darting through the water beside Laboon, never looking back...
-
Head count: 17
One missing. I think Buggy left while we were partying on deck.
Damn... I should've kept a better eye on him. But I wonder where he'll swim off to?
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Course: Riding the winds south-east. Still on course to Water 7.
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Stock:
10 portions of food left in refrigerator
21 dried portions in storage
3 wine barrels full, 7 empty
7 long paddles, 2 broken
7 bars of soap left
19 candles
6 lamps, 2 broken
3 harpoons, 2 need to be cleaned
5 cannonballs
10 kegs of gunpowder
Lack of medical supplies
-
Now that I think back on it, I wonder if those bandages on Laboon will hold...? Well, I won't worry about it. Chopper knows what he's doing.
I hope I will see them again one day.
-
Signed,
Shanks
END.
And Luffy, Zoro, and Laboon are off to continue their journey...! The next chapter is still milling around in my head and I've got a lot of school work all of a sudden. So, chapters will be coming out slower... But when I get the chance, I'll definitely be writing for Boundless Waves!