The turbulent river finally calmed down, and the Going Merry burst out of the rapids, steadily sailing into an open sea.
The surrounding water was tranquil and smooth, the sky was azure, seagulls circled leisurely in the air, and the sunlight spilled onto the sails, giving a long-lost sense of peace.
"It's finally calm!" Nami wiped the sweat from her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. "We finally passed the Reverse Mountain exit safely."
"Wow, it's so beautiful ahead!" Luffy stood at the bow, pointing excitedly into the distance.
The others looked up and saw two towering capes in the distance, standing symmetrically on either side of the sea like guardians.
"Is this Twin Capes?" Usopp hugged the mast, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "It feels like a huge gate."
"It certainly looks like an entrance." Zoro stood nearby, his gaze calmly sweeping the surroundings. "It seems this is the true starting point of the Grand Line."
Nami held the helm and nodded slightly: "Twin Capes is the exit of Reverse Mountain and the first stop into the Grand Line.
Legend has it that this is the starting point for countless adventurers, and also the end for many ships."
"End?" Usopp's face instantly stiffened. "Are you saying there's danger here?"
"Of course." Nami glanced at him, her tone serious.
"Do you think passing Reverse Mountain means you're safe? This is the Grand Line, everything is full of unknowns."
Kai stood at the bow, arms crossed, his gaze calmly fixed on the sea between the capes.
Just as everyone was observing Twin Capes, a figure walked out from beside the distant lighthouse.
It was an old man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, with a strange hat on his head.
His beard was white, his face full of wrinkles, but his eyes held a shrewd and capable glint.
"Welcome to Twin Capes." The old man smiled slightly, his tone relaxed.
"You adventurers, it looks like you just passed Reverse Mountain, didn't you?"
"Who are you?" Luffy jumped to the edge of the deck, asking excitedly, "Are you someone who lives here?"
"I am Crocus." The old man smiled, a hint of humor in his voice. "The guardian of the lighthouse, and also a doctor."
"A doctor?" Nami raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "A doctor here? No one lives here, do they?"
"That's none of your concern." Crocus waved his hand and pointed to the distant lighthouse.
"I guard this place simply to provide a little support to those who need help, and to keep an old friend company."
"Old friend?" Zoro frowned, just about to ask further when the ship suddenly rocked.
Everyone turned to look, only to see a huge black shadow slowly emerging from beneath the water, blocking a large patch of sunlight.
As water splashed, a gigantic whale appeared beside the Going Merry.
Its body was as massive as a small island, its dark skin covered in scars, especially its head, where scars crisscrossed, looking shocking.
"So big..." Usopp froze in place. "Is that the whale from before?"
"Is this the old friend you mentioned?" Kai turned to look at Crocus, his gaze calm. "Why is it like this?"
Crocus nodded, a touch of tenderness in his eyes:
"Its name is Laboon, an island whale.
It originally sailed with a pirate crew, but that crew, to protect it, left it at Twin Capes and promised to return for it."
"And what happened?" Nami asked softly.
"They broke their promise." Crocus sighed, a hint of loneliness appearing on his face.
"For all these years, Laboon has been waiting here, trying to ram open the Red Line, wanting to find its companions.
The scars on its head are all from hitting the mountain."
"It waited so long, and it still hasn't given up?" Zoro's voice dropped, a hint of complexity in his eyes.
"It's for the promise." Crocus said softly, "That's Laboon's resolve."
After hearing Laboon's story, Luffy stood quietly at the bow, his gaze fixed on the gigantic whale.
His fists were clenched, and a determined glint flashed in his eyes.
"Hey, Laboon!" Luffy suddenly shouted, his voice carrying an unusual seriousness, "Let's fight!"
Laboon slowly turned its head, its huge eyes filled with confusion.
"Take this punch!" Luffy jumped onto the whale's head, his fist covered in Armament Haki, and gave Laboon a mighty punch.
"Bang—!"
The tremendous sound shook the entire sea, water splashed, and waves instantly surged outwards.
Laboon's head tilted back slightly, then it let out an angry roar.
"It's angry!" Usopp screamed, terrified, hugging the mast. "Luffy's going to be eaten by it!"
A hint of anger flashed in Laboon's eyes, its tail swung violently, creating a huge wave, and its head slammed towards Luffy.
"Come on!" Luffy showed no fear, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Boom!"
The enormous impact instantly sent Luffy flying, his body shooting out like a cannonball.
He directly crashed into the rock wall of the Red Line, making a huge sound.
"Luffy!" Nami screamed, her face instantly turning pale. "Is he okay?"
"Don't worry." Kai said calmly, "He's a Rubber-Rubber Fruit user, that level of injury won't hurt him."
Sure enough, Luffy slid down from the rock wall, rubbed his head, and grinned: "That hurt! You're pretty strong, Laboon!"
Laboon paused slightly, seemingly not expecting Luffy to still be able to stand.
"But that's not enough!" Luffy straightened up, pointed at its eye, and loudly declared:
"We haven't decided a winner yet! So we have to keep fighting!"
Laboon quietly watched Luffy, a hint of confusion and bewilderment flashing in its huge eyes.
"Hey, Laboon, listen carefully!" Luffy took a deep breath, the smile on his face gradually fading, and his tone became serious.
"Even if your companions are dead, I'll always be your opponent!"
A ripple of emotion flashed in Laboon's eyes, and it shook its head slightly, as if responding to Luffy's words.
"So, when we've circled the Grand Line, I'll definitely come back for you!" Luffy's voice carried an undeniable power.
"At that time, we'll fight again! To see who's stronger!"
Laboon stared at Luffy and let out a low roar, its voice filled with relief and acknowledgment.
"It's a deal!" Luffy grinned, shouting loudly, "You have to remember, wait for me to come back! Before then, you're not allowed to ram the mountain anymore!"
Laboon gently swayed its tail, its gigantic figure slowly sinking into the water, as if agreeing to Luffy's promise.
"Luffy, that's so you." Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, subtly curved the corners of his lips. "Solving problems with a fight."
"But it worked this time." Zoro, arms crossed, spoke with a hint of admiration. "That whale really seemed to be convinced by him."
Kai stood at the bow, his gaze deep as he looked at the now calm sea, and said in a low voice: "Sometimes, sincerity and determination are more powerful than any weapon."
Just then, two figures suddenly emerged from the sea and swam towards the shore.