On the mountain path.
"Captain Brook, that was amazing! You took down that pathetic Marine commander in one move. If it were me, I don't know if I'd even stand a chance against him."
Shakky kept fiddling with the cane sword Brook had gifted her, repeatedly drawing and sheathing it as she mimicked his sword-drawing stance with excitement.
"You should keep training hard. Don't fall behind, or Antonio might surpass you," Brook said casually. Defeating a mere Marine commander wasn't worth celebrating.
"Tch, like I'd ever let that happen! My combat skills aren't bad. Back on Sabaody Archipelago, I held my own just fine."
Shakky was indeed more naturally talented than Antonio, especially when it came to speed-based combat techniques. She progressed quickly in those areas.
"Let's go. We'll meet up with Tom and Antonio in the bustling town on Asuka Island and see if they found anything useful."
Following the crude map in Shakky's hands, they navigated from the primitive settlement to the town. By the time they arrived, Tom had already searched most of the area but hadn't found what he was looking for, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
At that moment, a small pirate ship pulled into the island's harbor, brazenly docking as terrified townspeople scattered. Some fled to notify the local Marine branch.
"Redfield, please, have mercy! I swear I'll never take advantage of you again!"
A pirate captain—desperate and trembling—begged for his life before a noble-looking man who was, in fact, another pirate. He hadn't expected the seemingly ordinary recruit he took in to be so terrifyingly strong.
"Wait here. I need to find out if the legendary cursed sword truly exists."
Patrick Redfield cast a look of disgust at the pirates. He had set out to sea in search of someone, lured by the blueprint once painted by "Soul King" Brook. At the time, Brook had been his idol.
When he first set sail, he joined what seemed to be a warm and welcoming pirate crew. He was always the first to charge into battle, growing stronger with each fight.
After entering the Grand Line, he awakened an ability that allowed him to see into people's minds. With it, he discovered the vile, treacherous thoughts of his so-called captain.
The man had been using him, sending him into the fray first because Redfield had already surpassed him in strength. In truth, the captain wanted him dead. Betrayal festered in Redfield's heart.
So, when the crew was ordered to raid a stronger pirate gang, Redfield slaughtered the enemy—and then turned on his own captain, beating him to a pulp before seizing command of the ship.
Later, when he heard that Brook's Pirates had been annihilated, he was devastated. However, news of Brook's resurrection soon followed, and Redfield realized the Soul King was sailing the Grand Line in reverse, recruiting new crew members.
The urge to chase after Brook overwhelmed him. But along the way, he caught wind of the Shichiseiken's legend. He commandeered this crew of pirates to take him to Asuka Island, hoping to claim a weapon powerful enough to make him even stronger.
(T/N: The Shichiseiken, sometimes referred to as the Cursed Holy Sword)
That way, when he finally joined Brook's new crew, he wouldn't be a burden. He would never allow Brook's second pirate crew to meet the same fate as the first.
"All of you, get on the island! If you think you'll abandon me and flee the moment I step ashore—forget it! Yes, I am a devil, hahaha!"
Redfield could see through every one of their cowardly, scheming thoughts. Though he enjoyed the power of absolute control, the constant exposure to the ugly, selfish minds of others only deepened his disgust toward pirates.
With no choice, the pirates were forced to follow Redfield onto the island in search of the legendary cursed sword, leaving only one crew member behind to guard the ship—someone who didn't even know how to sail.
…
Thanks to the Den Den Mushi, Brook quickly located Tom and Antonio, and the three of them regrouped.
"Captain Brook, did you find the cursed sword you were looking for?" Antonio asked eagerly.
"I did. What about you two? I need to craft a proper scabbard for it."
Brook unsheathed the Shichiseiken from his back, allowing Tom and Antonio to get a good look at the legendary blade.
"As expected, it gives off an ominous aura. A true cursed sword." Tom, the Fish-Man shipwright, examined it with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Captain, if you trust me, I'd be honored to forge a scabbard for you once we're back on the ship."
Cracking his knuckles, Tom was itching to put his hammer to work. As the ship's carpenter and helmsman, he rarely got the chance to craft something new. The Yellow Springs was still a new ship, requiring little maintenance, and he hadn't had a real project in a while.
"That would be great. I'll be counting on you, Tom."
Brook wasn't too particular—so long as the scabbard was functional, that was enough for him.
"Captain! How about we celebrate your new sword with a feast?" Shakky suggested immediately, her eyes already gleaming with anticipation for the island's specialties.
With Brook's approval, the group made their way toward the bustling streets. However, something felt off—the townspeople were rushing past them, their faces filled with anxiety as if trying to avoid something... or someone.
Ahead of them, an elegant-looking man strode forward, leading a group of pirates. He was seizing random passersby, interrogating them about the whereabouts of a legendary sword.
At that moment, their eyes met.
Brook barely had time to react before the man's face lit up with a mix of disbelief and joy.
"Brook-senpai!"
The man stepped forward with excitement. "I am Patrick Redfield! I set out to sea because of the dream you once spoke of. Please, let me join your crew!"
Brook's skull-like face remained impassive, but internally, he was stunned. Redfield? A future legend was standing before him, asking to join his crew?
"...I think I remember you," Brook said coolly, suppressing his surprise. "We spoke once when I docked for supplies, didn't we?"
"Yes! You actually remember me!" Redfield's eyes gleamed with admiration. "Please, let me join you. I swear my loyalty!"
[Captain Brook is acting all aloof again, haha. Are we getting a new crewmate?]
[His charisma is incredible. People are literally seeking him out to join!]
[That's the Brook I admire—his reputation spreads across the seas!]
[Captain, hurry up and form a proper crew! Let's head to the New World and take down the Roger Pirates!]
Redfield could hear the murmurs of Brook's crew, but strangely, he couldn't read Brook's thoughts at all. It was unsettling. Brook, a skeleton who should have no mind to guard, was completely shutting out his ability. As expected of Brook…
"Fine. From now on, you're one of us."
Brook extended his bony hand, welcoming Redfield aboard. Though his demeanor remained calm, inwardly, he was elated.
"Yes! Thank you, Brook—no, Captain Brook!"
Redfield grasped Brook's icy hand, his excitement evident in the way he fumbled slightly.
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg