"So terrifying."
"Father was killed."
"I don't want to be killed!"
A little girl, about three years old, wearing heavy ghost makeup, her face streaming with tears, making the makeup even more terrifying.
At this moment, she was immensely scared.
Her father had been murdered.
"Yohoho, where are you going, my cute little girl?"
As the little girl continued to run, not wanting to be caught, a skull with fluffy hair and a skeleton body, dressed in a black suit and evening gown, emerged and smiled at her.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the skull, the little girl fell to the ground and immediately burst into tears.
"Don't kill me!"
"Don't kill me!"
"I'm so scared!"
The little girl cried out, waving her hands frantically. Simultaneously, ghosts followed her movements, flying towards the skull.
"So scary!"
"I'm not worthy of a girl's panties!"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been a human!"
The skull knelt on the ground, filled with despair and extreme dejection.
Hearing the skull's words, the little girl was taken aback. She looked at her hands, then excitedly stood up and said, "I am very powerful."
"Yohoho, my dear beautiful young lady, can I see your panties?"
Just then, the skull, who should have been dejected, suddenly lay on the ground excitedly, placing his hands on his chest and pleadingly exclaiming.
The little girl screamed, covering her skirt in fright, and retreated repeatedly.
"Why... why are you alright?"
"Negative Hollow!"
The little girl attacked again, and streams of ghosts passed through the skull.
The skull remained standing there, blankly, showing no sign of dejection at all.
The little girl, finding it unbelievable, attacked once more, saying, "Negative Hollow."
However, the result was still the same.
"Yohoho, I am the user of the Yomi Yomi no Mi, I have been dead for many, many years."
"Your abilities are ineffective against me."
"Ah, I'm very sorry, I forgot to introduce myself."
"My name is Brook, I am a musician... I'm so sorry, I forgot I was dead... but it's wonderful that I can still speak and sing."
Brook became more excited as he spoke, his skeleton body wriggling with joy.
For some reason, the little girl quieted down. Her big, round eyes stared at Brook, and she suddenly said, "You are the skull who had his shadow stolen by my father and then bullied me like a zombie general."
The little girl suddenly remembered that her toys were occasionally killed or destroyed by someone.
Her father had sent people to investigate, and they reported it was a skull who had stolen his shadow.
However, because the skull could not die, otherwise the zombies created with his shadow would also die, they had not dealt with him yet.
"Yohoho, I've been found!"
"Should I silence you?"
"But you're only three years old, I can't bring myself to do it!"
"Ah, should I go to hell... but I'm already dead, wahahahaha!"
Brook's performance became increasingly exaggerated, and his voice grew louder.
Consequently, the soldiers of the Xuanwu Navy gathered, and soon they surrounded the two of them.
At the same time, Benedict, along with Jing Ke and Dao Zhi, also arrived.
Seeing Benedict's arrival, the little girl fearfully retreated and hid behind the skull.
"Musician Brook."
Benedict looked at Brook and smiled, "After being trapped on this ship for so many years, you are now free. Where do you plan to go next?"
Having defeated Gecko Moria, Brook's stolen shadow had returned to him, and he could now leave this dark place freely and venture into the sunlight.
Brook glanced at the shadow beneath his feet. His demeanor suddenly became somewhat serious and focused.
"Decades have passed, yet someone still remembers my existence."
"Then you should know, I am a pirate."
"Marshal Benedict."
Although Brook had been trapped on Thriller Bark, he had seen the promotional poster.
Therefore, he recognized Benedict and the Xuanwu Navy.
Because of this, he knew how terrifying Benedict was.
"You are a musician."
"And also a captain of a certain country's guard."
Benedict gazed at Brook, a smile appearing on his face as he spoke.
Brook looked at Benedict with disbelief, feeling a sense of emotion.
If not for that internal conflict, he would still be the captain of the guard.
If the country hadn't fallen, he wouldn't have become a pirate.
Benedict continued, "You have been dead for decades. The past is smoke and clouds, and it has nothing to do with you anymore."
Brook's body trembled. Suddenly, he knelt on both knees, and tears began to fall.
Seeing Brook kneeling and crying, the little girl was at a loss and felt bewildered.
The skull she was supposed to rely on was no longer dependable.
"Yohoho!"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't cry, because I have no tears!"
Brook let out a few comical sounds, then said very seriously, "Thank you for your kindness, Marshal Benedict."
"Please allow me to join the Xuanwu Navy and contribute my strength to the justice in my heart."
Brook (Enhanceable)
Age: 68
Combat Power: D-Class
Weapon: Cane Sword
Abilities: Dawn Song: Aurora Jump, Lullaby: Waltz, Soul Release, Nasal Hum: Three-Peck Swallow Cut.
Potential: B-Class.
Loyalty: 70%
Lacking Observation Haki and Armament Haki, Brook was indeed too weak now.
It was understandable.
If he had mastered either Armament Haki or Observation Haki, and his strength had improved again, dealing with the arrogant Gecko Moria would have required only a little time and effort to reclaim his shadow.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been trapped here for decades.
"Welcome to the Xuanwu Navy, Brook." Benedict extended his hand to Brook and smiled.
"Thank you!" Brook shook his hand and smiled, "I will work hard."
At the same time, Benedict activated the talent enhancement for Brook.
"Ding! Brook's talent enhancement is complete. Soul strength increased, physical resilience enhanced, Armament Haki awakened, potential raised to A-Class."
Brook (Enhanceable)
Age: 68
Combat Power: C-Class
Weapon: Cane Sword
Abilities: Dawn Song: Aurora Jump, Lullaby: Waltz, Soul Release, Nasal Hum: Three-Peck Swallow Cut, Armament Haki Lv1.
Potential: A-Class.
Loyalty: 80%
With an added Armament Haki and a rise in potential to A-Class, his loyalty had also increased slightly. He wasn't fully loyal, but still worth observing.
His Devil Fruit abilities still needed development.
After carefully reviewing Brook's information, Benedict had a clear understanding of his role.
Brook clearly felt the change in himself.
His soul strength had become significantly more vigorous, and he felt more spirited overall.
All of this had occurred after shaking hands with Benedict.
"Even though you died many years ago and are now an old man, I still hold great expectations for you."
"I hope that one day, you will hold a position in the Xuanwu Navy's high command, Major Brook."
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Brook saluted Benedict and said, "Thank you for your trust, Marshal. Brook will work hard."
"Then, only you are left, Perona." Benedict smiled and then looked at Perona, who was standing nearby.
"This is a pitiful child. If Marshal trusts me, then let this child accompany me," Brook said, picking up Perona and smiling.
"What are you talking about? I'm not a pitiful child." Perona was somewhat afraid of Benedict, but at the same time, she was displeased that Brook called her a pitiful child.
"Yohoho, your adoptive father is dead. I've watched you grow up for the past three years, you're just a pitiful little brat," Brook said with a grin, not holding back at all.
Perona thought of something and instinctively glanced at Benedict. However, facing Benedict's amused gaze, Perona felt afraid but suppressed it, channeling her fear into anger as she retorted to Brook, "I'm not a pitiful little brat at all."
Brook laughed "Yohoho," showing no fear, and even began to argue with her.
"Alright, then this little girl is yours to keep," Benedict said with a smile.
He really couldn't bring himself to harm a three-year-old girl.
Since that was the case, he would let her remain in this little girl's care for now.