Sanji subconsciously glanced down, confirming his shadow was still there.
Ron nodded, confirming the incredible fact: "That's right. On this sea, there exists a very special and eerie ability—to cut and steal others' shadows. And those whose shadows are stolen will never again be able to stand in the sunlight, otherwise..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the chill had already spread to everyone.
Brook seemed to have painful memories stirred up. His skull lowered slightly, and his bony fingers unconsciously caressed the location of his ribs, as if the pain of being torn still lingered there.
His low and hoarse voice took over, filled with endless bitterness:
"Yohohoho... This gentleman is right."
His laughter now sounded incredibly desolate, "That was many years ago. I encountered a terrifying large ship... a man like a demon..."
Brook's voice seemed to travel through time, returning to that nightmarish moment: "He possessed an eerie and unpredictable ability... able to easily cut and steal a person's shadow from beneath their feet, just like cutting paper!
My shadow was stolen..."
He raised his hand, pointing to his feet—there was nothing there but the cold deck.
"Losing one's shadow means being completely abandoned by the sun. Once even a trace of sunlight is touched, the body will turn to ash as if ignited..."
Brook's voice was filled with despair, "So, even if I could miraculously escape this fog, what awaits me is merely a 'survival' forever unable to see the light of day, imprisoned in darkness... Yohohoho... Perhaps this is my punishment for failing to protect my companions and existing alone in this form..."
Listening to Brook recount such a tragic past with his eerie laughter, the Straw Hat fell into complete silence.
The previous fear and absurdity of the skeleton were now replaced by profound shock, sympathy, and anger.
They finally understood what a heavy burden this new companion carried.
Brook's bitter and despairing narrative made the atmosphere incredibly heavy; however, this heaviness did not last long.
Luffy suddenly pressed down on his Straw Hat, swung his rubber arm, breaking the silence, his voice filled with undeniable determination:
"So that's it! His shadow was stolen! That's easy! Since it's a new companion's shadow, we'll just go get it back for him!"
Although Nami still had a hint of fear on her face regarding the skeleton and the shadow-stealing ability, she took a deep breath and nodded: "Although it sounds terrifying... since he's already a companion, we can't just stand by and do nothing! Right?"
"That's right!" Although Usopp's calves were still trembling, he was infected by Luffy's fighting spirit and bravely stepped forward, "Let Great God Usopp devise a perfect plan to retrieve the shadow! I guarantee that shadow-stealing guy will get what's coming to him!"
Chopper also mustered his courage and nodded vigorously: "Mmm! Let's help Brook get his shadow back!"
Zoro folded his arms, a hint of battlelust curving his lips: "An ability that can steal shadows? Sounds like a good challenge."
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring: "Letting a companion live in the shadows is not what a gentleman should do."
Just in this atmosphere of shared indignation and high spirits, Ron clapped his hands with a smile, proposing an unexpected suggestion:
"Retrieving the shadow is inevitable. However—" He looked around at everyone, a relaxed smile on his face, "Before that, according to the tradition of us Straw Hats, there's something even more important that must be done first!"
"Hmm?" Luffy tilted his head, looking confused, "Something more important? What is it? Meat?"
Ron laughed heartily and announced loudly:
"Of course—to hold a grand welcome banquet for our new companion, Brook!"
"Eh?! A banquet? Now?!" Nami was a little taken aback, "In this godforsaken place?"
"Yohohoho?! For... for me, a welcome banquet?!"
Brook's hollow eye sockets seemed to widen. He pointed to his ribs in disbelief, "I... in this state... is that really alright?"
"Of course it is!" Ron's tone was unequivocal, "Once you're on our ship, you're our companion!
No matter what happened before, or what we'll face in the future, a welcome banquet for a new companion can never be skipped! That's the rule!"
Upon hearing the words "banquet," Luffy instantly cast aside the matter of retrieving the shadow and jumped up excitedly: "Banquet! Great! Let's have a banquet! Welcome, Brook! I want meat!"
"Super—! It's banquet time!" Franky also struck his classic pose.
Zoro shook his head helplessly, but his hand was already reaching for the flask at his waist: "Tsk, what a reckless bunch... But, there's plenty of sake."
Sanji was already thinking about the menu: "What can a skeleton eat... No, drink? Is black tea okay?"
"Yohohoho~ Thank you, everyone!"
Instantly,
the heaviness and fear lingering in the thick fog were completely dispelled by this sudden proposal of a banquet.
The Straw Hat had this ability; they could use the most absurd methods to give their new companion the most direct warmth and acceptance.
Brook watched the suddenly busy crowd, his skeleton trembling slightly. For the first time, his eerie laughter carried an uncontrollable choke, though he couldn't produce a crying sound:
"Everyone... really... really thank you so much! Yohohoho... Although I no longer have tears, I'm truly... truly so touched!"
Brook listened to the sounds of everyone instantly becoming busy and boisterous to welcome him, looking at their sincere and enthusiastic faces. In the place where his heart used to be, he seemed to feel a long-lost, burning warmth.
"Ev... everyone... please... please wait a moment! Really... really no need to go to such trouble!"
His hollow eye sockets "looked" at everyone, his tone filled with immense gratitude and a hint of unease: "To be recognized by all of you, to become your companion... for me, it is the greatest, unimaginable gift and emotion after decades of lonely wandering!
There really is no need to specially hold any welcome ceremony for me..."
....
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