I agreed to win with Roger, but the guy I met was too young Chapter 045

Perhaps influenced by Buggy, moonlight spilled across the deck of the Oro Jackson. The sound of the waves was gentle, and the entire ship was immersed in slumber.

Rett pushed open his cabin door and found Laboon and Buggy.

Buggy was practicing with his dagger in the distance.

Laboon sat in the center of the deck, a pristine white feather floating before it. It cautiously extended the tip of its fin, gently touching it—the feather was lifted by a gust of air, spinning as it fell to the ground.

Laboon didn’t get discouraged. It picked up the feather and tried again.

“Still awake?” Rett leaned against the ship’s rail, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Laboon turned its head, letting out a low rumble, its eyes resolute.

Rett chuckled, “Then let’s add an extra drill—help me get the wine bottle.”

He pulled a bottle of rum from his embrace and gently placed it on the deck. Laboon took a deep breath, slowly extended its fin, and carefully circled the bottle with its fingertip—

Perfectly steady.

Not a single drop spilled.

“Woof!” Laboon excitedly wiggled the bottle, its eyes shining like stars.

Rett rubbed its head, “Well done.”

Roger and the others emerged from their rooms.

Rett looked at them, wondering if none of them had slept. That was ridiculous.

The tranquility under the moonlight was suddenly shattered. Many rookie pirate crews wanted to make a name for themselves by stepping on the Roger Pirates.

Buggy’s shriek pierced the night sky, “Enemy attack! Th-they’re approaching!”

This was why Roger, Crocus, and the others had come out.

The deck of the Oro Jackson instantly became brightly lit.

“Laboon, get behind me!” Shanks drew his weapon, his eyes sharp.

Buggy, meanwhile, hid behind the mast, poking out his red nose, “These guys actually dared to ambush us? This great me will show them what’s what!”

Rett retorted, “Buggy, it would be more convincing if you came out from behind there.”

Buggy should have no problem dealing with these pirates now, but perhaps due to his personality, Buggy’s first reaction was always to run, which gave Rett a headache.

Rett didn’t move, just quietly watched Laboon. “Laboon, are you ready?”

Laboon lowered its head, looked at its fin, then looked up at the approaching enemy ship—it was a pirate ship flying a flag with an iron hook.

The deck was filled with fierce-looking pirates. The captain, leading them, grinned maniacally and brandished a huge iron hook, “Roger Pirates? Tonight is your doom!”

But Rett’s face darkened: Seriously, buddy, you’re here to ambush us. Why are you yelling so loudly?

Laboon’s eyes slowly changed from confusion to determination. It took a deep breath and took a step forward.

“Woof! (I can do it!)”

Rett smiled, “Then go ahead. You can go all out.”

—

The battle was about to begin.

The crew of the Iron Hook Pirates leaped onto the Oro Jackson, brandishing their weapons and charging forward. Laboon stood at the very front. Facing the first enemy that lunged at it, it instinctively raised its fin—

“Bang!”

That pirate flew out like a cannonball, directly crashing through the enemy ship’s mast.

Silence fell across the deck.

Laboon stared blankly at its fin, seemingly surprised by the power of that strike.

“M-monster!” The Iron Hook Captain’s face turned pale, but then quickly became ferocious again. “All together! Take down that… that whale!!!!”

The pirates swarmed forward. Laboon was a little flustered, but it quickly calmed down.

It closed its eyes, feeling the power within its body. As the martial arts techniques integrated—

“Whoosh!”

Its figure instantly vanished from its spot, reappearing a second later in front of a pirate. Its fin tip gently flicked—

“Thud!”

That pirate immediately fell to his knees, clutching his stomach and passing out.

Laboon’s movements became smoother and smoother. It no longer used brute force, but precisely controlled every ounce of power, just as Rett had taught it. It weaved among the enemies, each strike perfectly timed, neither harming their lives nor allowing them to fight back.

Buggy watched in astonishment. “Th-this Laboon is amazing, sugge sugge!”

Shanks excitedly waved his iron sword. “Amazing! Laboon!”

Seeing the unfavorable situation, the Iron Hook Captain roared and swung his iron hook, charging at Laboon. “Die, monster!”

Laboon didn’t dodge, but stood steadily in place. The moment the iron hook was about to hit it, it raised its fin and gently blocked—

“Crack!”

The iron hook broke, and the captain’s attack came to an abrupt halt.

Laboon’s eyes sharpened. It felt the rhythm of battle for the first time.

It didn’t continue attacking, but instead pressed its fin tip against the captain’s throat, emitting a low rumble. “Leave…”

The Iron Hook Captain’s legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground. “W-we’ll go now!”

—

The battle ended faster than expected.

The Iron Hook Pirates scurried away, and no one stopped them. On the deck of the Oro Jackson, Laboon stood in place, looking down at its fin, still seemingly disbelieving.

Rett walked over to it and patted its shoulder. “Well done, Laboon.”

Laboon turned its head, its eyes sparkling, and let out a joyful chirp. “Woof! (I did it!)”

Roger laughed heartily, walking over and rubbing Laboon’s head. “Kuhahaha! It seems our little Laboon is already a qualified warrior!”

Rayleigh pushed up his glasses, a slight smile on his lips. “Not bad, your control is much better than before.”

Shanks and Buggy rushed over, hugging Laboon from either side. “So cool! Laboon! From now on, you’re our ace!”

Laboon was a little embarrassed by the praise, but its eyes were filled with confidence. Rett stepped forward and took out his small blue top hat, gently placing it on Laboon’s head.

“Excellent, Laboon, apprentice crewmate of the Roger Pirates, you have successfully completed your training. Congratulations, congratulations,” Rett’s mist simulated fireworks in the air.

Even more touching were the bursts of dazzling red mist from the distant Iron Hook Pirates’ ship, as if they too were happy for Laboon. It looked so festive.

Under the moonlight, the Oro Jackson continued its voyage, and Laboon’s first battle became the most shining moment on its path to growth.

The morning sun streamed onto the deck. Laboon was carefully eating breakfast with a seastone fork.

Shanks leaned over. “Laboon, next time, teach me that move of yours, huh huh ha hei? It looked so cool!”

Buggy immediately pushed him aside. “Get lost! If Laboon’s going to teach anyone, it’ll be this great me first!”

Shanks and Buggy butted heads. “Wanna fight, you bastard?”

“Come on, who’s afraid?”

Laboon looked at the two of them, then suddenly grinned and extended its fins—

“Slap!”

One on each side, simultaneously pressing against their faces, though the force was very light.

“Woof! (You’re both my subordinates!)”