Chapter 107: Whale Labu (Please subscribe, recommend, and vote!)

Buffon was deep in thought and about to speak when Baggio’s shout came from the crow's nest: "There’s a fleet of warships ahead!"

Hearing the words "fleet of warships," everyone on board instinctively tensed up and gathered toward the bow. Knowing that Buffon had killed a Celestial Dragon, they immediately assumed the Navy had come to hunt them down.

Sure enough, not far ahead, a number of warships could be seen vaguely clustered together. Behind these ships stood Reverse Mountain.

Reverse Mountain is the entrance to the Grand Line, and in a sense, its end, as the other side of the mountain marks the edge of the New World. It is an incredible yet perilous mountain range, serving as the gateway from the four seas into the Grand Line. The mountain features five channels arranged in an X-shape, with water flowing in from four directions and out through one.

These four channels connect to the East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue. The ocean currents from these four seas are so powerful that they overcome gravity, flowing upward. The final channel leads into the first half of the Grand Line, commonly known among pirates as Paradise.

Just then, Vivi, holding a monocular, called out loudly: "They’ve surrounded a whale and are planning to capture it! That whale is named Laboon!"

Vivi’s initial encounter with the Straw Hat crew had begun with her and Mr. 9 attempting to hunt Laboon. At that time, she was working with Mr. 9 to carry out that very mission.

Hearing this, Buffon noticed the whale, its head covered in crisscrossing scars and painted with a crooked, straw-hat-wearing skull. While mentally mocking Luffy’s drawing skills, Buffon began to eye the creature.

Laboon was grown now, and since Brook was still on his ship, the whale’s modified anatomy could easily function as a submarine. In a world without sonar or radar, a "submarine" would be an invaluable asset for both surprise attacks and stealth.

Thinking of this, Buffon’s gaze shifted to the flagship of the fleet. Seeing the bronze lion sculpture on the bow and the massive main cannon, he searched his memory for the plot.

"Vivi, since you met Luffy and his crew, did they ever mention anything about a Millennium Dragon?"

Vivi recalled for a moment, then shook her head. "No. What is a Millennium Dragon?"

Buffon didn't answer, instead turning the matter over in his mind. If Luffy hadn't encountered it yet, it was hard to say if the legendary Lost Island would emerge as it did once every thousand years. If all went well and he could lure a few Millennium Dragons back, his air force would be set.

With that, Buffon commanded: "Battle stations! Save that whale, and seize a warship to cross the Calm Belt."

Because the currents of Reverse Mountain only flow in, the only way for Buffon to reach the East Blue was through the Calm Belt. He had originally planned to use the technique he employed during his fight with Teach to propel the ship across, but since there were warships to be taken, it would be much easier.

Upon his order, Saul used his newly acquired ability to create a massive assault boat. With the four newly recruited giants rowing with wax-coated oars, they sped toward the fleet.

Lili shrank down, stood on Reiju’s shoulder, and flew over with her. Piero ran to the bow and began firing soccer-ball cannonballs toward Buffon’s side.

When Buffon’s first kicked bomb hit the iron netting between two warships with pinpoint accuracy, the Panda-man, who had been munching on bamboo, asked, "Captain Buffon, would you mind kicking me over?"

Buffon nodded. "Alright!"

The Panda-man curled into a ball, his black-and-white fur making him look exactly like an oversized soccer ball. Remembering the Panda-man’s claim of having a strength of 3.3 million catties, Buffon took a few steps back, took a short run-up, and kicked with all his might—nearly using his "Goalkeeper’s Ultimate."

However, the moment his instep touched the fluffy body, Buffon realized he had misjudged. It was definitely not 3.3 million catties—300 was more like it.

But it was too late. The "Panda-ball" drifted through the air, soared over the fleet, and slammed directly into the side of Reverse Mountain.

"Goalkeeper’s Ultimate: Backfield Falling Leaf Shot!" a voice echoed in Buffon’s mind.

"Nice," Buffon murmured, feeling a twinge of guilt for the Panda-man, but there was no time to dwell on it; he would find him once the battle was over.

As Buffon’s explosive soccer balls continued to strike the netting, the naval formation was shattered. The Navy, though under heavy assault, remained disciplined and turned their cannons toward the *Juventus*, firing back. This was why Buffon and Baggio had stayed behind—to intercept the incoming shells.

Buffon could have used his Conqueror’s Haki to knock the soldiers unconscious in an instant, but he had two reasons for not doing so. First, he wanted his new crew members to gain experience working together; there was no chance of failure in such a small skirmish. Second, he recognized this fleet belonged to Admiral Nelson Royale of the 8th Marine Branch.

This man, along with Erik, had come here seeking the bones of the Millennium Dragon to empower himself. There was a high probability that Apis, the young girl Buffon was looking for, was on one of these ships. A burst of indiscriminate Haki would only waste time searching for her. As for Laboon, the fleet had likely run low on supplies and intended to kill the whale for food.

Once the giant assault team reached the warships, it was like throwing hungry grizzly bears into a fish pond. Saul, coated in his wax armor, ignored the various blades and clubs hitting him, crushing through the opposition like a meat grinder. The other four giants, having been told of Buffon’s legendary medical skills, fought without restraint. Though not as brutal as Saul, each of them easily toppled a warship on their own.

Reiju and Lili headed straight for Nelson Royale’s flagship. With Reiju’s poison and Lili’s ability to shift sizes unexpectedly, their coordination was flawless.

In little time, only the Sickle-Sickle Fruit user, Erik, remained to put up a fight. But after Reiju used a bit of charm to distract him, Lili suddenly grew in size and kicked him off the ship!

The entire battle lasted less than half an hour. The naval fleet was crippled, with all ships except the flagship rendered immobile and combat-incapable.

Buffon jumped off the *Juventus* and swam to the flagship, picking up the non-swimmer Erik on the way. After a brief interrogation, the pig-like Admiral Nelson spilled everything. As Buffon had predicted, Apis had been captured. According to Nelson, she had been forced to guide them from the East Blue to find the legendary Lost Island and the Dragon’s Nest.

"That girl has quite a bit of courage for the sake of the Millennium Dragon," Buffon thought to himself. He went below deck and released Apis.

Hearing that they were pirates, Apis was instinctively terrified, fearing they were also after the dragon bones. But after some gentle persuasion and comfort from "big sister" Reiju, her defenses crumbled, though she remained tight-lipped about the Millennium Dragon.

Just then, the now-safe Laboon swam slowly toward them. Standing on its massive head was a sturdy old man with feathers stuck into the back of his hair. Judging by the soot on his clothes, he had helped shield Laboon from the cannons throughout the battle.

"Thank you, young pirates!" the old man shouted with a hearty voice. But then, seeing Vivi standing on the approaching *Juventus*, his hostility returned. "What? You still have designs on Laboon? You failed before, so you brought stronger reinforcements?"

The old man tightened his grip on his harpoon as he spoke.

Buffon was stunned for a moment, then realized the source of the hostility, recalling Vivi and Mr. 9’s previous attempt to hunt the whale. He pulled a Sound Dial from his coat and said calmly, "We’ve come to take Laboon away!"

The old man blinked, surprised. "Kid, Laboon has been waiting here for years. You aren't from that previous pirate crew, so that excuse is a bit weak."

Without a word of defense, Buffon activated the Sound Dial. It contained the final chorus of the Rumbar Pirates, which Buffon had asked Brook for before he left the ship. Since their destination was near Reverse Mountain, Buffon had long planned to see if he could take Laboon with them.

As the Dial played, the melodic singing filled the air: "Binks’ Sake, bringing it to you... friends waiting on the sea... chasing hopes, waves lull us to sleep... the ship is our home..."