As his voice fell silent,
Ryuma's figure, as if having completed his final mission, completely transformed into specks of light, dissipating into the thick fog.
And with his dissipation, a clear shadow, like a tired bird returning to its nest, quickly extended and reconnected to Brook's feet!
Brook had finally reclaimed his shadow!
The moment Ryuma dissolved into points of light and his shadow reconnected to Brook's feet, the flickering, almost-dissipating spirit bodies of the Rumbar Pirates members on the hillside all showed expressions of immense relief and joy.
"It worked! Brook!"
"Your shadow is back! That's wonderful!"
"Your skeleton is finally whole! Yo ho ho ho!"
They seemed to have forgotten the fact of their own impending dissipation, genuinely happy for Brook.
That sincere friendship, transcending life and death, brought tears to the eyes of Nami, Chopper, and Usopp, who were watching.
Brook caressed the real, incomparable shadow at his feet, which he had lost and now regained, an unspeakable excitement surging from the depths of his soul.
He looked up at his companions, whose figures were growing fainter, his boney hand gripping his cane sword tightly, his voice trembling slightly with emotion:
"Everyone... my dearest companions!" He bowed deeply, "Please... please allow me to play one last song for you! With this song, 'Binks' Sake,' our most familiar tune, to send you off!"
Upon hearing this, the Rumbar Pirates members, instead of feeling sadness, burst into a hearty, unrestrained laughter:
"Good! It's settled then!"
"Come on, Brook! Let even the Florian Triangle hear the music of our Rumbar Pirates!"
"Let's play together! Just like in the past!"
Although they no longer held instruments and their bodies were transparent, they all mimicked playing guitars, drumming beats, and drawing bows across violins!
Brook placed his cane sword under his jaw, as if it were a violin, and his rapier, the bow, touched the "strings"!
The cheerful and melodious tune of "Binks' Sake" flowed from Brook's "violin," instantly dispelling the surrounding gloom and sorrow!
The familiar melody echoed across the hillside!
The Rumbar Pirates members sang along with the melody, their voices ethereal and distant, yet filled with boundless pride and nonchalance!
In this final ensemble and song, their figures grew fainter and more transparent, like dewdrops in the morning sun, beginning to gradually dissipate.
"Goodbye, Brook!"
"Live a wonderful life for us too!"
"Keep sailing, our musician!"
With the last blessing, their figures completely transformed into countless warm and gentle specks of light, which, as if drawn by the melody, did not drift into the sky,
but rather, like rivers flowing into the sea, gently and continuously merged into Brook's luminous white soul, becoming a part of his soul's power!
Brook closed his "eyes," playing with all his might, feeling the familiar soul power integrating into him, as if his companions had never left, but merely changed their form, forever accompanying him, continuing their adventure on this vast ocean!
The music slowly ceased.
Silence returned to the hillside, leaving only the Straw Hat members.
Nami, Chopper, and Usopp were already moved to tears, wiping their eyes constantly.
"It's... it's too touching..." Chopper cried profusely.
"These guys... really..." Usopp sniffled.
Even Ron sighed slightly, a smile of emotion on his face: "Truly... I hadn't expected it. To not only reclaim his shadow in such a way but also receive his companions' final gift. That Brook..."
...Meanwhile,
Deep within the island-sized Thriller Bark castle, located at the heart of the Florian Triangle.
Gekko Moriah lay lazily on his throne, listening to his subordinates' trembling reports.
When he heard that an unprecedented, uniquely shaped, and massive warship had silently docked on the west side of his Thriller Bark, his enormous body suddenly straightened a little, and a greedy and curious light flickered in his crimson eyes.
"Hee ha ha ha ha!! A massive warship I've never seen before? Docked right next to my ship?"
Moriah let out his characteristic sharp laugh, his thick fingers excitedly tapping the armrest of his throne, "To be able to break through the thick fog and find this place, and then dock so brazenly... there must be something good on board!"
His imagination began to race, as if he already saw countless treasures: "Maybe it's a lost merchant ship of some wealthy tycoon! Or perhaps it's hiding some precious Devil Fruit!
Such a big ship looks very rich! There's bound to be many unexpected gains! Hee ha ha ha!!"
An immense greed instantly overwhelmed his inertia, and he abruptly waved his hand, shouting into the shadows of the empty hall:
"Go find Perona! Absalom! Bring them to me!"
A moment later,
The shadows in the hall twisted.
First to appear was the Ghost Princess Perona, floating in mid-air, clutching her Kumacy doll, yawning lazily: "Moriah, what is it now? I was just about to take a nap..."
Immediately after,
the wall on the other side rippled like water, and the Invisible Man Absalom slowly materialized. He was wearing a groom's suit, confidently stroking his hair:
"Ho ho ho... Moriah, is there a mission that requires the intervention of this genius commander?"
Moriah pointed to the west and loudly commanded: "Stop with the nonsense! To the west, near our ship, there's a huge vessel I've never seen before!
You two, take some men and go immediately! Scour that ship inside and out! Bring back everything valuable, everything that looks useful, and even anything strange! Hee ha ha ha!!"
Perona pouted: "Eh--? We have to search a ship? How troublesome..."
Absalom's eyes, however, lit up: "An unknown massive warship? Ho ho ho... Perhaps there's a beautiful bride waiting for my rescue!"
"Stop dreaming! Go now!" Moriah roared impatiently, "If you let this fat sheep escape, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Alright, alright~" Perona reluctantly responded, her body beginning to transform into more Negative Hollows.
"Yes, Moriah! I shall bring you abundant spoils of war!" Absalom gave an awkward salute, his body gradually becoming transparent and disappearing again…
....
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