The Promise From a Distant Day The Pirates' Song and a Small Whale

Hogback and Absalom steal away from Thriller Bark with the unconscious Moria, remarking that Blackbeard won his place among the Warlords by bringing down Ace. A day later the crew feasts on their victory, baffled by how badly Zoro has been hurt. The Risky Brothers explain that he absorbed every bit of Luffy's pain, and Sanji binds them to silence so the captain never finds out, unaware that Robin is listening in. The musician learns from Luffy that the whale Laboon is alive and thriving, and the news leaves Brook in tears as his thoughts drift to their first encounter.

A newspaper confirms that Blackbeard climbed to Warlord rank by capturing Ace. The crew uncovers Moria's hoard and heaps food into the courtyard for the festivities. To spare Luffy any sorrow, Sanji hushes those who witnessed what Zoro endured. Luffy renews his offer for Brook to join now that the shadow has returned, but Brook refuses on account of his vow to Laboon, relenting only once Luffy assures him the whale is well. Overcome, Brook takes to the piano and looks back on the day the Rumbar Pirates first met Laboon.

Pandaman appears twice, once during the feast and again inside a flashback. The newspaper Hogback hands Absalom carries a 'Secretary wanted' headline showing Iceburg and Peepley Lulu, a nod to the Water 7 events and a manga cover page. The episode starts to open the door into Brook's extended backstory.