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Crocus receives a package containing a letter, a tone dial, and a note with very clear directions. Read the letter aloud to Laboon and play the tone dial for him at the letter’s end. Then, play Laboon the tone dial as many times as he would like forever after.
Crocus, of course, follows these directions to a T because he knows the sanctity of the requests of the dying and the dead.
My Dearest Laboon!
There are so many things that I wish to tell you that even though I have composed this letter so many times in my mind, I still hardly know how to begin it. At the very least, though, I am happy to know you will have an answer about the fate of the Rumbar Pirates whether I am ever able to greet you in person or not.
If you are receiving this letter, you, Laboon, are the last surviving member of the Rumbar Pirates. In fact, you even outlasted me long before receiving this letter! You see Laboon, I experienced many adventures after our parting, and one of them changed me greatly. I know, of course, that you have changed, too.
I have carried many fears in my heart (Though I have no heart! Yo-ho-ho! That’s a skull joke, Laboon, for you see I am a skeleton now) that because of these changes, we may not have recognized each other if we were to reunite. You would not be able to tell me apart from any other skeleton, or I would mistake you for another island whale. And we have both changed in more ways than that, from the man and young whale we were when we first met.
In that regard, I only wished to see you again (But I have no eyes! Yo-ho-ho! It’s another skull joke, Laboon!) and feel proud of how much you have from that little whale who we all feared would not survive the horrors of the Grand Line. Of course, now I only see foolishness in our confidence that we grown men would have had a better chance. The Rumbar Pirates are many things, Laboon—brave, charming, excellent musicians—but we are not wise. Though perhaps that is what made us so brave and charming and willing to sing and play out music even when we were too drunk to carry a tune.
That is our legacy, Laboon, and it belongs wholly to you now. I know you can carry it, especially because you have always been a wonderful singer! In the years I have spent sailing, your chirps are still one of the sweetest sounds that have ever blessed my ears (Though I have no ears! Yo-ho-ho! Another skull joke, Laboon. I hope they are not alarming to you. I started making them to help come to terms with ways that I had changed that I thought at the time were truly unsurvivable. But there is always a positive! Once the worst thing that will ever happen in your life has passed, the pendulum can only swing back the other way, and it did for me, Laboon, know that it did and that I lived a good life).
While I cannot be there to sing the duet with you that I have dreamt about for these 50 years, I do have a recording to bequeath to you of the Rumbar Pirates’ last song. Of course, it is not complete until you have added your own melody, Laboon.
May your song stretch all the way across the Grand Line to let the rest of the world know that the Rumbar Pirates live on!
Yo-ho-ho!
“Gather up all of the crew…”
-
The mayor of Water 7’s twelve year old secretary almost throws away the letter addressed to Ice-for-Brains. But she remembers from Mr. Iceburg’s stories that he had a brother with an obsession with cola, and the envelope practically reeks of it.
She places it unopened on his desk along with that morning’s newspaper, his daily agenda, and a fresh cup of coffee.
Yo Ice-for-Brains,
I gotta tell you bro, it’s weird writing this thing. Like SUPER weird. I was off for a whole week just thinking about it—can you imagine that? A whole week of me not being super? That’s how messed up this whole got me, and you know I’m not a sensitive guy.
But I gotta say it, though I’m guessing you probably already heard since news travels fast in your part of the world. Still, hope you hear it from me first. I’m dead. Don’t know how Sunny is, but I gotta bad feeling because while this new crew of mine is super, they’re a wild bunch. Hell, just yesterday I had to beat two of ‘em over the head cause they embedded a damn sword in the mast! What are you supposed to do with something like that!?
But I know you don’t want to hear me go and on about that, ‘specially since I just dropped a huge bomb on you about the whole me dying thing. I know you thought I died once before, and I gotta admit I’m kinda hoping that’ll soften the blow a little bit for this time, but I know that’s not how these things work.
Truth is I can’t get my mind off of what’ll happen to the Sunny after I’m gone. Crazy to think I almost didn’t go along on the adventure to keep her safe, huh? I have to thank you for talking me into that. And I know I’m being sappy saying stuff like that, but I gotta huge favor to ask, too.
Will you take care of Sunny? We both know there are only two people in the world that have the skills to keep her running if she needs repairs, and you’re one of them. She’s my ship of dreams, but you helped build her so that means she’s your ship of dreams at least a little bit, too right?
The following lines are smeared and blotted, nearly impossible to read.
Sorry, bro. It was raining when I wrote this!
Anyway, my point is that when you get this letter, my crew should already be on their way to bring Sunny home. Fix her up for them as best you can, okay? They’re a rowdy bunch, but they’re good kids. Nico Robin ended up being pretty super, (Can you believe we were scared of her when we were kids? Turns out she’s just a super lady!) and there’s skeleton-bro, too, and—
Another line is indecipherable.
Damn, this rain just won’t let up! Always seems to start whenever I think about my crew trying to sail Sunny by themselves. Anyway, they’re super, so give them as much help as they need, okay?
And, you know, do the rounds for me, okay? Let the Franky Family know that their bro is still looking out for them. And, I don’t know what to say to Granny Kokoro. I don’t want her to start drinking like crazy again or anything, specially since she has Chimney to take care of. I trust you’ll think of something to say. You’ve always been smart like that.
So, thanks Iceburg. For a lot of stuff. You were always a stick in the mud, but sometimes you could be a pretty super guy.
– Franky
-
There is a letter tucked away marking Robin’s favorite page in one of her favorite books. The letter reads:
To my crew,
Thank you for helping me be brave enough to keep living and for supporting my dream even in the face of its many enemies.
No one in this world is meant to be alone, and I trust you will all continue to sail on together into the new dawn.
P.S. Read this story if you get a chance. It always makes me nostalgic.
The letter marks the beginning of an old fable about a city of gold and the adventurers who saw their dreams come true there.
-
Mail deliveries to the castle are slow in Drum Island due to the frequent blizzards. A heavy package sits in town for three days and is only handed to the doctor when she makes her trip down the mountain.
Dear Doctorine,
Hi! It’s Chopper! Nami (our navigator (she was the one who was really sick)) said that everyone on the crew should write a letter home just in case something happened to them. So this is my letter!
Thinking about that something bad that could happen is really scary. I mean I know being a pirate is dangerous but what could it be??? I hope it’s not that bad or that it never happens at all! Of course, if nothing happens then you’ll never get this letter, which would actually probably be really good!
Usopp (our crew’s liar and sniper (I don’t know if you remember him but if you ever see pictures of our crew, he’s the one with the long nose)) said not to focus on that part and just write down anything I really want you to know. And I’ve learned lots of stuff since I’ve been away!
I learned all about different kinds of poisons since Luffy (you definitely remember him!) eats a lot of stuff he shouldn’t. Also lots of emergency first aid techniques which didn’t come up as often on Drum Island.
And that’s made me realize something else I wanted to ask you about. Treating people that you know and love is really scary. I mean, I like that I have the ability to help so I’m not just useless if they get hurt, but sometimes I still feel useless because you can do all this stuff for someone and sometimes it still won’t be enough even if you do everything right. Do you know what I mean?
Thinking about everyone else writing their letters to send to their families is making me nervous because it’s my job to make sure those letters never get sent! It makes me think a lot about Doctor Hiriluk. Even if he didn’t know what to do, he still wanted to do something.
And also that even when you die, you don’t really die-die because other people will still remember you. I know I remember Doctor Hiriluk every day, and I’m scared because when I die, that means he might actually be gone.
Doctorine! Please remember Doctor Hiriluk as much as you can and for as long as you can! I know my crew will remember me but someone has to remember him!
To help, I wrote down everything I remember about Doctor Hiriluk, even the really little things so you won’t forget. I’m going to send you that and all of my medical journals along with this letter. I hope they help!
Love,
Tony Tony Chopper
PS! Usopp said I should also tell you not to forget me, too!
PSS! Do you know what neutralizes giant squid poison??? Luffy tried to eat one while it was still raw—actually I’ll just call you to ask so never mind!!!
-
There is rarely time to check the mail during the busy days at the Baratie. Owner Zeff only takes the time to read mail in the evening unless a letter is marked urgent. This letter is not.
Geezer,
I’ve run away from home. Well, technically I ran away to become a shitty pirate when you basically kicked me out. But now I’ve found some place I like better than your shitty restaurant, and I’m going to stay. I’d figured maybe I’d come see you once after traveling with my new crew, but why leave a good thing just cause you’re feeling sentimental? I bet you feel the same way, so there’s no point in visiting each other.
I’m not planning on calling or writing a whole lot either, but it’s not like you want me bugging you all the time, and you know I don’t look forward to your shitty letters. That means this’ll probably be the last time we talk, and I got some stuff to say.
You’re a shitty, stubborn bastard but I do actually love you, even if
Also, just so you know, I haven’t done any of those things you told me not to do. I don’t fight with my hands, I’m not ever going to hurt a woman, and I don’t let anyone go hungry. You told me a bunch of crap about parents taking responsibility for their children, so I’m just saying all of this so you know you don’t need to do anything like slit your own throat or come find me and slit my throat. And I know you are my real dad even if we don’t always
I’M NOT SAYING THIS TO MAKE YOU THINK YOU DID A GOOD JOB RAISING ME BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T!!! So don’t start congratulating yourself or anything, shitty old man. I’m just saying that things could have turned out worse and they haven’t. I know you’re a stubborn bastard and will never say anything cheesy about being proud of me even if there were times where I really, but I’m just letting you know how things currently are and that I’ve followed all of the shitty rules you gave me.
AND I’M NOT FOLLOWING THEM BECAUSE I WANT YOUR APPROVAL! They just make sense, okay? There isn’t anything more to it than that. But if you are proud of me then
The only thing I do want to apologize for is that I haven’t found the All Blue yet. You weren’t kidding when you said the Grand Line was full of amazing and weird shit, though, so I know it’s probably out there somewhere. I’m sorry I failed
Our beautiful navigator Nami is an absolute goddess and so amazingly talented at her job that just thinking about her charting a course makes me feel faint! And she makes such wonderful maps, too!
I told her a little bit about the All Blue, and she promised to help you find it if you get in touch with her after receiving this letter. I know you’ve said your adventuring days are behind you, but if you have the opportunity to find it, there’s no reason to wait on me. It was your dream first, so don’t stop yourself on my account.
Anyway, this letter is already too long, so I just want to say I’m really going to miss you
I know you never wanted kids and that saving me ruined your life
I just want you to be proud of me
You’re my dad and I love you and I’m sorry I never told you that
I owe you everything, and I will never forget your kindness.
Thanks.
Sanji
And another letter arrives somewhere in the north.
Reiju—
This letter means that I am dead. You are now the last member of our shitty family with something resembling a heart.
So leave. Get out.
I know the only thing that has ever motivated you is the fear that I might die. Well it’s happened. SO DO SOMETHING. Leave those assholes behind and go.
If not for me, then for mom. At the very least, you owe her.
I’m begging you.
Sanji
-
Letters to the estate manner on Syrup Village are rare, but they arrive promptly once they reach the island.
Dear Kaya,
It’s me, Usopp, the fearless warrior of the sea back with another tale of my grand adventure conquering the Grand Line! Instead of following up on my last story, I have a different, very important one to share.
You see, in my travels, I have bested many foes with my wit and skill and strength (and sometimes even my charm and natural good looks!), but occasionally there is a mountain that is too steep and treacherous for even the great Usopp to climb! This tale takes place atop one of these mountains.
Leading up to this grand battle, I handily defeated enemy after enemy after enemy until a thousand ten thousand laid at my feet. Only then did a ghostly, towering figure emerge, who must have been twenty feet tall! And in its hand, it carried a scythe with a blade that was as big as its body and it held one boney hand out to me and said, “Oh Great Warrior of the Sea, you have fought well and attained all the glory one has to offer on this mortal realm. But to reach even higher heights, you must acknowledge that the most honored and noble warriors always depart this world in a blaze of glory on the battlefield.”
And while I rejected its offer to become the king of the underworld because there was still work to be done here, I knew then that eventually there would come a time where the great Usopp’s strength would be needed elsewhere, and that the very best warriors of the world are so often cut down in their peak.
So, as you can tell, the thing about being a great warrior is that it’s really dangerous, you know? And I don’t WANT to die, but sometimes stuff happens. And by the time you’ve received this letter, then something has happened. To me. I don’t really know how else to say this.
While I obviously don’t know exactly how it went down while I’m writing this, I promise that I tried my best to live. It’s definitely one thing to preach about honor dying in battle, and part of me knows that I’d probably look cooler if I just let myself go out like a brave warrior is supposed to, but I can’t.
And it’s kind of frustrating because I want you to think of me as that cool, brave warrior who is able to face death and just kinda smirk or say it’s no big deal. But it is a big deal, and when it does happen, I’m gonna try every single trick in the book to get out of it, and hey, if I succeed then you’ll never even see this letter, so it won’t matter!
I think I just have to come out and tell you all of this because the thing is that I don’t want to lie to you. I mean, not-not lie, but mostly I don’t want to leave you in the dark, you know? Wondering if I’m gonna come back and watching the shore wondering if that blurry dot on the horizon is my ship or if the next one is. Or the one after that even though you’re 99% sure it’s the fishing boat you saw leave a few hours ago, but you still want to hold on that 1% chance that it’s not.
I don’t want that for you because while I know I can go on and on about what a great warrior I am, you’re a great warrior, too! I mean, I can dream about fighting death, but you’re actually doing it with your studies! What bigger opponent is there than that?
So yeah. If you get this letter, I’m not coming home, but I want you to know I’m still rooting for you. In fact, if you look up at the sky at night, you’ll see one star that’s brighter than all the rest. That’s me! All great warriors become stars, and that means that many, many, many, maaany years from now, we’ll see each other again.
Yours,
Usopp
PS. Tell the Usopp Pirates that I became a great warrior of the sea. But also tell them that it’s okay to be scared and even a little unsure sometimes. What really matters is that they come through in the end and save the day in the way only they can!
Somewhere else in the world, the Red-Haired Pirates read the news that a member of the infamous Straw Hat Pirates has died. No letter arrives for them, and Yasopp knows that that is what a man who has outlived his wife and child deserves.
-
Along with many various odd jobs, mail delivery at Cocoyashi Village now falls under the purview of two former bounty hunters. The tangerine farm on the outskirts of the village receives letters sporadically, and they deliver even the one in the slightly frayed envelope without any further thought.
To Nojiko,
I’m just going to rip the bandaid off: you’re getting this letter because I’m dead. I want to be responsible and make sure you hear it from me first and have something to remember me by. I don’t want to leave you wondering or unsure about anything regarding me or how I feel about dying or about our family.
I’ll also let you know what parts of this can be shared with Genzo, though I’m sure you could also figure it out on your own since you know how he is.
In some ways it’s still hard to believe that I ended up choosing this life, but it’s also hard for me to imagine any other life now that I’m living it. And both of those things are still true even though I’m sitting here thinking about the day being a pirate is going to get me killed.
Of course, it all just makes me wonder if Bellemere would have been proud of me. I know the obvious answer and the one you and Genzo will probably insist when you get this is that of course she would have. But I’m not so sure because there are times when I’m not proud of myself. Because being a pirate means being brave and free and following your dreams, but I’ll admit that I’m often just as happy to use it as an excuse to do some less than great things (do NOT share that last part with Genzo).
I’ve come a long way, but being on the Grand Line has made me more than aware that there are so many people who are way, way stronger than me. Sometimes I feel in over my head, but I think back to what Bellemere taught us and I use everything I have, even if it’s a little underhanded, to get ahead. And maybe that’s not the “noblest” way to be, but I do think she would be proud of me in times like that.
But all of this is talking around the point that I’m preparing myself and trying to comfort you and Genzo for the day when I don’t come out ahead. (Do not share this next part with Genzo) Even though I’m in one of the most renowned pirate crews currently on the seas, I’m still weak and I’m still a coward and there are still times where my game plan is to run, hide, and beg until someone else can come help me. But they do help me every time I ask, and that makes me feel safe even when things are really, really dangerous.
(Okay all clear) I have grown a lot as a person in the years we’ve been apart, and that alone makes me think that this journey has been worth it—of course if there is no actual treasure at the end I am NOT going to be happy. Like you should just see my world map! It’s definitely still a work in progress, but I’ve personally explored so many islands and seen so many amazing things I wouldn't have if I never left East Blue.
I’ve also really bonded with these idiots on my crew. I remember the days when it was just us against the world, and while we were always there for each other, I don’t think either of us can deny just how lonely that time was.
And you’ve met some of these guys, so you know they’re not the brightest and there are times where we’re low on money and I think about maybe turning one of them in for their bounty (but definitely rescuing them back!). But they’ve come through for me.
So when you get this letter, don’t be mad at them because I know that they would have done everything they could have to help me. And I’d probably do everything I can to help these idiots, too.
I think that’s another lesson I learned from Bellemere that maybe I shouldn’t have: I can’t truly deny or reject the people I love even when it doesn’t make any sense or might even get me killed. (Definitely don’t share with Genzo—he would freak out) And that’s something I didn’t know about myself until I was literally doing it a few times.
Please take care of Cocoyashi, Bellemere’s orchard, and Genzo (because he is definitely getting older and needs the help). I miss you and I love you, but I also know that you’re strong and you’ll be okay. As long as you can survive, good times will come!
Love,
Nami
-
The sword Wado Ichimonji arrives at a dojo in Shimotsuki village. There is no letter attached, but the message of a sword arriving without its owner is not difficult to decode.
But a letter is sent to an almost empty castle on an almost empty island.
I failed. I will not be able to challenge you.
Thank you for what you have taught me.
-
There are no letters for Luffy’s family for a long time, and they are only created when he is alone on an island to train and become stronger. Because even though he had seen death before, it only felt like something that could happen to good, strong people when he was holding it in his arms.
And as captain, he has a greater responsibility than most.
Hey Brook!
I wanted a musician for a really long time! Play lots of songs for me, okay?
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Franky!
Thank you for building Sunny and giving us a home!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Robin!
Thank you for joining my crew. I am so happy you want to live and sail with us!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Chopper!
You are the coolest monster I ever met (seven transformations!!!)!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Sanji!
Thank you for always making me lots of yummy food! You’re irepla irriplay irreplacab You cannot be replaced!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Usopp!
You’re the best liar ever! Tell everyone really cool stories about me, okay?
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Nami!
Thank you for always taking me where I want to go! I also still don’t have the money to pay you back.
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Zoro!
Hey future world’s greatest swordsman! You can do it! I believe in you!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
PS. Take care of everyone for me, okay? If you’re not very good at it, ask the others for help! Nami and Sanji can probably help a lot, even if you don’t want to ask them.
Hey Jinbei!
Thank you for saving me and for being Ace’s friend.
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Vivi!
Thank you for teaching me to be a better captain! It helped a lot!!!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Makino!
Thank you for taking care of me and feeding me lots of tasty snacks!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Dadan!
Thank you for raising me! You’re pretty okay for a mountain bandit.
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Grandpa!
You never had to hit me that hard!
Love,
Monkey D. Luffy
Hey Shanks!
I didn’t do it, but I still wanted to return your hat back.
Thank you,
Monkey D. Luffy
Sabo,
I miss you, and I promise I tried really, really hard to save Ace.
Love,
Luffy
PS I’m not a crybaby anymore!!!
Ace,
I love you. I don’t know if you wanted to see me again this soon, but here I am!
Love,
Luffy