Buggy (puffing out his chest): "Laboon, come here!"
Laboon obediently waddled over. Buggy immediately whipped out a piece of meat: "Look! This is my special grilled meat! Only I can make something this delicious in the whole world!"
Laboon's eyes sparkled as it reached out with its fin—
But it couldn't control its strength. The fin didn't stop in time.
*SMACK!*
The meat went flying, splattering right onto Spencer's face as he passed by.
Spencer wiped the meat off expressionlessly: "...Should I be grateful it wasn't Laboon flying at me instead? Buggy's allowance is cut in half."
Spencer managed all the finances on the pirate ship. Without his budgeting, the Roger Pirates would've been broke half the time—because aside from Rhett, none of them ever saved money.
That was how pirates lived on the sea. Nobody knew if their treasure would last until the next island.
Buggy scratched his head awkwardly: "Ahem... total accident!"
Shanks seized the moment, waving at Laboon: "Laboon! Over here!"
Laboon turned and waddled over eagerly.
Shanks raised a wooden sword: "Here, try swinging this! It's yours now, Laboon."
Laboon excitedly took the sword and mimicked Shanks' swing—
*CRACK!!*
The wooden sword snapped in half instantly. The broken tip spun through the air and stabbed right into Buggy's butt.
Buggy: "OW!!! SHANKS!!! YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!!!"
Shanks stifled a laugh: "Not my fault! Laboon swung it!"
Laboon looked down at its fin guiltily: "Ooo..."
Seeing Laboon's pitiful expression, Buggy's heart softened. He glared at Shanks, who immediately knew what he wanted. Shanks dug into his pocket and pulled out 100 Berries.
Buggy snatched it and instantly bounced back like nothing happened. Classic Buggy.
*Ding ding ding! Round One of the Laboon Competition: Tie* (though Buggy took more damage).
Buggy huffed: "Hmph! What's the point of swinging a sword? I'll teach Laboon a real secret technique—*Buggy Ball: Special Edition!*"
He pulled out a round bomb and shook it smugly: "Watch this! My one-of-a-kind invention!"
Laboon leaned in curiously. Just as Buggy was about to demonstrate—
*BOOM!*
The Buggy Ball exploded instantly. When the smoke cleared, Buggy's face was pitch-black, his hair sticking straight up.
Buggy exhaled a puff of smoke: "...Why does this always happen to me?"
Laboon wiped its sooty face—the explosion hadn't even scratched an island whale. It stared at Buggy expectantly, waiting for the real show.
Buggy panicked. His grand demonstration had just blown up in his face. What now? But Laboon's hopeful eyes pinned him in place. Think, damn it!
Shanks, barely holding in laughter: "Buggy, is your 'Special Edition' a little too special?"
Buggy (shark teeth): "SHUT IT!!!"
Shanks turned to Laboon: "Laboon, I'll teach you something actually useful—*Observation Haki!*"
He closed his eyes solemnly: "Try sensing the presence around you..."
Laboon mimicked him, squeezing its eyes shut and concentrating—
*"Ooo!"*
Suddenly, its eyes snapped open. It seemed to sense something and slammed a fin onto the deck!
*BOOOOM!!!*
The deck shattered into splinters. Crocus, who'd been chilling below, got launched into the air mid-sip of his booze.
Crocus (dazed): "...Huh? Did the sun rise early?"
Everyone scrambled to catch the flying Crocus.
*Round Two Result: Tie* (but the ship took +1 damage).
Buggy refused to give up: "Laboon! Come give me a hug! Prove you like me best!"
Laboon happily trotted over. Normally, it was extremely careful with its strength—unless asked otherwise. But this was a hug request from Buggy!
Laboon spread its fins and crushed Buggy in a bear hug—
*CRUNCH!!!*
Buggy turned purple, legs kicking wildly as he dangled midair.
Despite suffocating, Buggy forced out: "I-I'm fine... doesn't hurt..."
Shanks cackled: "Hahaha! Buggy, you're turning blue!"
Laboon gasped and let go, realizing it had overdone it: "Ooo?!"
Buggy *thudded to the ground, wheezing, but still gave a thumbs-up: "Hah... hah... enthusiastic* hug, Laboon..."
Shanks stepped forward confidently—surely Buggy was just weak. "Laboon, try hugging me!"
Laboon gently wrapped its fins around Shanks, being extra careful—
Shanks' ribs made a concerning sound.
Shanks (strained smile): "...A little lighter?"
Laboon immediately released him. Shanks clutched his side, swaying: "I'm... great..."
Rhett, who'd been watching the chaos through his blood mist, sighed. He could heal all these injuries easily—just a bit of pain. Everyone knew Laboon's story with the Rumbar Pirates and adored the whale.
So they let it slide. After all, Rhett's healing left no scars.
*Round Three Result: Tie* (both contestants injured).
As the two argued, Rhett walked over, holding a tiny blue top hat.
He was cosplaying "Rorret" and "Shanks-Boo."
Heh.
Laboon's eyes sparkled at the hat, but Rhett didn't hand it over.
"I'll give this to you when you learn to control your strength. That's our promise."
Laboon nodded eagerly.
Rhett crouched down, patting its head: "Did you forget something? Laboon's way older than you. By age, you should call it Boss Laboon."
Laboon blinked, then puffed out its chest proudly: "Ooo! La-Bu-Boss!" (Translation: "That's right! I'm the boss! Boss Laboon!")
Buggy & Shanks: "...Huh?"
They quickly realized their sadistic big brother was messing with them again: "You jerk, Rhett."
Roger roared with laughter: "GYAHAHA! Well said! Laboon's the boss!"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, smirking: "Guess you two are fighting for 'underling' positions now."
Buggy squawked: "Wait! I can't be a lackey!"
Shanks grinned: "Then I'll be Laboon's vice-captain~"
Laboon happily scooped them both into a hug: "Ooo!" (We're all friends! Let's get along!)
It treasured this bond deeply.
Buggy and Shanks' bones screamed in unison.
Everyone: "..."
Rhett sighed as blood mist enveloped the trio: "...We're starting strength control training first thing tomorrow."