One Piece Chapter 443: Thriller Bark

A ship sails through stormy seas as a cheerful voice calls out "A CHEERFUL GREETING!!!" and "YOHOHO HOHO!!!". Brook, a skeleton with an afro, bursts forward declaring "I'M 'DEAD-BONES' BROOK! NICE TO MEET YOU!!" and "HELLO, EVERYONE! HOW DO YOU DOI SEEMS LIKE MY SHIP AND I CAUSED SOME TROUBLE." The Straw Hats react in shock: "ARE YOU JOKING!!!I WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY!!!I" while Brook replies "YOHOHO, DON'T BE SO HARSH!!" Luffy, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, and others stare in disbelief.

Usopp panics "BEGONE FOUL SPIRIT, BEGONE FOUL SPIRIT!!!" while yelling "REALLYI I'M GLAD IT'S JUST A DREAM!" and "THERE'S NO REASON FOR A SKELETON TO TALK, WALK, OR WEAR AN AFRO!! THIS IS A DREAM, IT'S JUST A DREAM!!" Sanji shouts "IT'S A SKELETON!!!" Luffy laughs "I WON'T ACCEPT THAT!! HE'S FUNNY, SO I MADE HIM OUR NAKAMA." Brook asks Nami "OH, HELLO, YOUNG LADY! COULD YOU LET ME SEE YOUR PANTIESI" prompting her furious "STOP THAT, YOU PERVERTED SKELETON!" The crew argues about Brook joining as they head toward the ship, with Brook inviting "LET'S GO INSIDE THE SHIP!!!" and "YOHOHOHO! WELL, IT'S NOT GETTING ANY WARMER OUT HERE!" while someone yells "DON'T GO DECIDING BY YOURSELF!!!" and "WE'RE ASHAMED."

Inside the ship's dining room, the crew admires the interior. Franky declares "YOU HAVE GOOD EYES, INDEED. THAT'S RIGHT, 'SUPER' FRANKY MADE THIS SHIP!" Brook exclaims "THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SHIP, YOHO-HOHO! AND THE KITCHEN, TOO! OH, SUCH A WONDERFUL DINING ROOM!" with a large "はーん!" sound effect. Someone warns "DON'T BE SO FRIENDLY WITH HIM, FRANKY." Brook jokes "SKULL-JOKE!! OR ON MY BACK!! YOHOHO HO!! BUT OF COURSE, I DON'T HAVE SKIN ON MY BELLY," and continues "IT'S BEEN DECADES SINCE I'VE HAD A PROPER MEAL... BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD START EATING." He adds "I LOVE HOW UNCONCERNED THAT SOUNDS... SINCE I'M A GENTLEMAN, I'LL 'WAIT FOR THE MEAL'." and "EVERY DAY I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS PAIN, AS THOUGH THE SKIN OF MY BELLY AND MY BACK WERE STUCK TOGETHER."

At the dinner table Sanji snaps, "SHUT UP AND WAIT QUIETLY!!" while serving food. Brook and the skeleton crew sing "DINNE~~~~R DINNE~~~~R" with musical notes as Luffy grins nearby. Sanji adds, "I'M MAKING IT! PLEASE DRINK YOUR MILK IN THE MEANTIME." Luffy asks the skeleton, "BY THE WAY, KOROPOK-KURU..." The skeleton replies, "I'M BROOK. UMH..." Luffy continues, "YOU TWO DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER!!!" Brook explains, "BY THE WAY, ON EARTH ARE YOUI I DON'T KNOW YOUR NAME YET..." Luffy answers, "I'M LUFFY." A woman offers, "OH, YOUNG LADY, YOUR MEAT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIGGER THAN MINE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADEI" Brook urges, "YOU CAN HAVE MORE, SO EAT YOUR OWN!!" Luffy cheers, "NMAHOOO! HEY, BROOK, EAT A LOT OF THIS; SANJI'S FOOD IS THE BEST!" Brook agrees, "IT'S TIME TO EAT. LET'S POSTPONE EVICTING THE SKELETON FOR A WHILE." Someone mutters, "I SHOULD WHAT...I INSTEAD OF MY STOMACH, MY HEART IS FULL..."

Brook's voice continues explaining his power: "A DEVIL'S FRUIT, RIGHTI" and "YOMI-YOMI NO MI"I A note reads "YOMI-GAERU IS THE VERB FOR RESURRECT." Brook elaborates, "IN SHORT, THE YOMI-YOMI NO MI DEVIL FRUIT HAS THE POWER OF REVIVAL. I WAS PROMISED THAT I COULD LIVE A SECOND TIME AS A 'REVIVED HUMAN'." He adds, "FIRST, CLEAN YOUR FACE. HOW CAN YOU BE SO DIRTY AFTER EATINGI" and "THE TRUTH IS, I ALREADY DIED SOME DECADES AGO." Nami reacts with surprise. Brook continues, "UNLUCKILY, WE HAPPENED TO ENGAGE WITH SOME FRIGHTENINGLY STRONG FELLOWS AND MY ENTIRE CREW WAS ANNIHILATED." He recalls, "OF COURSE, I ALSO DIED AT THAT TIME!" and "WHEN I WAS ALIVE, THE ONLY ABILITY THE YOMI-YOMI GAVE ME WAS THE INABILITY TO SWIM." Brook admits, "I WAS A PIRATE IN THOSE OLD TIMES. ON THE SHIP YOU SAW EARLIER, I CAME TO THIS 'DEVIL'S SEA' ALONG WITH MY NAKAMA."

Brook explains further, "BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE IS A THICK FOG ON THIS SEA AND I GOT LOST." He adds, "IF I HAD RETURNED TO MY BODY IMMEDIATELY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN RESURRECTED," and "MY SOUL WAS RETURNED FROM THE UNDERWORLD!" A Marine-like figure appears in a panel. Brook says, "THAT DAY, AT LAST, THE FRUIT'S ABILITY WAS ACTIVATED." Luffy reacts with "YOH HO" and "YOU'RE JUST AS STUPID AS ZORO, HUHI" Brook recounts, "I WAS UTTERLY SURPRISED - I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE MY EYEBALLS! YOHOHOHO!!" and "WHEN I FOUND MY OWN BODY, IT WAS ONLY WHITE BONES." He continues, "MY SOUL WANDERED AROUND THIS FOG FOR A WHOLE YEAR!" Brook notes, "THE ROOTS OF MY HAIR ARE STRONG," and "USUALLY, WHEN YOUR BODY ROTS AWAY YOU ALSO LOSE YOUR HAIR. BUT YOU'RE AN AFRO SKELETON..." Luffy asks, "HEY." Brook replies, "WELL... YEAH, WHATEVER." Zoro comments on the curse, and Brook concludes, "BEING RESURRECTED EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE ONLY WHITE BONES IS THE DREADFUL POWER OF THE DEVIL'S FRUIT. SO THAT'S HOW YOU BECAME A TALKING SKELETON!"

Brook asks, "HAVE YOU SEEN YOURSELF IN A MIRRORI" and declares, "IF I HAPPEN TO SEE ONE, I'LL SCREAM!!" He adds, "BUT I STRONGLY DISLIKE GHOSTS!" Nami holds up a mirror and questions, "EVEN IF YOU WERE A HUMAN, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE ONE AT ALL!! SO, ARE YOU A GHOST AFTER ALL, OR NOTI" Brook panics, "THE MIRROR...!!!" and "EH!I WAIT A MOMENT! TAKE AWAY THAT MIRROR!!" as he screams "GYAA AAAAA!!!" Nami and others react in shock. Luffy yells, "REALLYII THAT'S INCREDIBLE!!" Brook stares into the mirror in horror, exclaiming "REFLECTED IN THE MIRROR!!I" and "YOU'RE NOT...!!!" while covering his face. The crew watches the chaotic mirror reaction unfold.

The crew erupts in panic around the dining table as Brook stands tall. Someone shouts, "HE'S... A VAM-PIREII" Usopp recoils with "!!I AND..." while the skeleton looms. A close-up of Brook's massive boots draws the eye: "UWAH! IT'S TRUE!! WHAT ARE YOUII" and "LOOK CAREFULLY. YOU DON'T HAVE A SHADOW!!" Franky yells from the left, "WE'RE MAKING ALL THIS RACKET BECAUSE OF YOU!!" Sanji demands, "HOW CAN YOU BE THAT CALM!I" Brook calmly sips tea with a loud "SLUURP" as Zoro glares silently from the right panel with "..."

Brook sits at the table and begins his tale. "SINCE I BEGAN DRIFTING ON THIS SEA... IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME..." He continues, "BEING A SKELETON... AND NOT HAVING A SHADOW... ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS." A flashback shows a shadowy figure: "A MAN SNATCHED AWAY MY SHADOW... SOME YEARS AGO..." Brook pleads, "TELL US EVERYTHING NOW!!" Luffy stares in shock with "..." Nami questions, "SNATCHED AWAY...I" Brook explains further, "BUT IT COULD, A SHADOW BEING STOLEN... IT MEANS THAT I CANNOT EXIST IN A WORLD WITH LIGHT." Nami touches her face, murmuring, "YOUR SHADOW...I" and "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY. IT WON'T SURPRISE US ANYMORE, RIGHTI"

Brook recounts the horror: "I SAW SOMEONE I MET DISAPPEAR UNDER THE SUN IN FRONT OF MY OWN EYES!! IT WAS A HORRIBLE SIGHT FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH I'M A SKELETON." He adds, "IF MY BODY IS EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT, IT WILL START TO DISAPPEAR." Sanji sweats, "WHY ARE YOU SO CHEERFULI YOUR LIFE SUCKS." Brook replies brightly, "I'M 'DEAD-BONES' BROOK! NICE TO MEET YOU!!" and "MY NAKAMA WERE ALL ANNIHILATED!" He explains, "IN SHORT, MINE IS AN EXISTENCE REJECTED BY LIGHT! I ALSO CANNOT BE SEEN IN A MIRROR OR IN A PHOTO-GRAPH!" Brook laughs "YOHO HOHOHO HOHO~" while raising his arms. Sanji snaps, "SHUT UP!!" as Brook finishes, "AS A SKELETON, THOUGH, AND EVEN THEN, I'M STILL ALIVE AND KICKING!" Usopp asks nervously, "HEY, ARE YOU ALRIGHTI"

Brook beams with joy, "I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME-BODY!! TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY!!" He recalls his lonely voyage: "ALL ALONE ON A SHIP THAT WON'T OBEY ITS RUDDER. HOW MANY YEARS I'VE BEEN WANDERING! I COULDN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY AND TOMORROW ON THIS DARK SEA WITH A THICK FOG." The crew listens in silence. Brook continues, "LONELY AND AFRAID! SO MUCH THAT I WANTED TO DIE!!" Nami looks moved, Sanji sweats with concern, and Chopper shouts tearfully, "I'VE BEEN REAAAAALLY LONELY!!!"

Luffy grins widely in his straw hat. "YOU INVITED ME TO BE YOUR NAKAMA!" Brook, the skeleton musician with an afro, throws his arms wide in joy. "IF I HAD TEARS, I COULD CRY WITH HAPPINESS!! I'VE LIVED A LONG TIME!! PEOPLE ARE A DELIGHT!! FOR ME, YOU'RE MY DELIGHT!! YOHOHO!!" Luffy replies happily, "I'M REALLY GLAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH." Brook continues, "RIGHT NOW, I'M PROTECTED BECAUSE OF THE FOG OF THIS DEVIL'S SEA. EARLIER, I TOLD YOU THAT MY SHADOW WAS STOLEN. MY BODY CANNOT LIVE UNDER THE SUN. BUT THE TRUTH IS, I SHOULD DECLINE. HEY! WHYII" Luffy looks shocked. Brook insists, "I HAVE TO GET BACK MY SHADOW, WHICH IS STILL HERE. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A MIRACLE DAY!! YOHOHOHO!! EVEN IF I COULD LEAVE THIS SEA WITH YOU, IT WOULD BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY BODY DISAPPEARED." The Going Merry sails through rough seas toward a distant burning ship.

Luffy shouts furiously, sweat flying, "IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE'LL GET YOUR SHADOW BACK!!! TELL ME WHO STOLE IT!! WHAT ARE YOU SAYINGII WE'RE NOT STRANGERS!!" Brook's skull looms close. "YOU'RE REALLY A GOOD PERSON. I'M SURPRISED. EVEN THEN, I CANNOT TELL YOU THAT." Luffy demands, "WHERE IS ITII" Brook answers, "NO, I WON'T SAY IT. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! YOHOHOHO. IT WON'T HURT IF YOU JUST TELL US HIS NAME. IS THE ENEMY SO STRONGI I ONLY JUST MET YOU. IF I CAN DO THAT, I'VE DECIDED THAT I WILL FIGHT HIM. I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO MEET HIM BEFORE MY SECOND LIFE ENDS. YOU SHOULDN'T SAY THAT 'YOU'LL DIE FOR ME'." The crew watches tensely around the dining table as Luffy glares.

Brook pleads dramatically, "EEHII REALLYII I'M BEGGING YOU, BE MY NAKAMA, YOU IDIOT!! YOHOHO!! LET'S HAVE A HAPPY SEA SONG!" A small ghost floats above, saying "NUU..." Luffy yells with excitement, "HOWEVER, LET'S SING A SONG! IN HONOR OF THE GOOD ENCOUNTER WE HAD TODAY. I'M VERY PROUD OF MY ABILITIES. I USED TO BE THE MUSICIAN ON MY PIRATE SHIP." Suddenly the sea erupts with massive waves and impact lines. "GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!! HEY, WHAT'S HAPPENINGII" The crew reacts in panic. A ghost appears inside the ship. "A GHOST!!! WAH!! WHAT'S THAT VIBRATIONII UWAAH!! THERE'S SOMETHING!!" Debris flies as the skeleton and others are thrown about.

The Going Merry crashes through massive waves toward a towering, eerie castle on a misty island. "WHY IS THERE AN ISLANDII" Brook yells in shock. "THIS IS THE 'GHOST ISLAND' THAT WANDERS THROUGH THE SEA... 'THRILLER BARK'!!!" The crew stares in horror. On deck, Brook panics, "WHAT'S THISII IS THIS SHIP UNDER 'SURVEILLANCE' ALREADYII" The gate slams shut with a crash. "THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE VIBRATIONS!! PLEASE LOOK AT THIS!! THE FORWARD GATE HAS ALREADY CLOSED! AH!! WE DID!! DID YOU PICK UP A FLOATING BARREL* ON THIS SEAI TARGETEDII WHAT DOES THAT MEANI EVEN THOUGH THIS SHIP ONLY JUST GOT HERE... THAT WAS A TRAP. THIS SHIP HAS BEEN TARGETED EVER SINCE THEN. LOOK BEHIND THE SHIP, PLEASE!!"

Brook stands triumphantly on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, arms spread wide as he declares, "MY HEART'S DESIRE WAS FUL-FILLED!! YOHO HOHO!!!" He continues, "NOT ONLY WAS I ABLE TO MEET SOME PEOPLE! THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S BECAUSE THIS ISLAND CAME FROM FAR AWAY WEST BLUE. A WANDERING ISLANDI THE LOG POSE ISN'T RESPONDING...!!! BUT TODAY WAS A LUCKY DAY!" Nami and Franky react with surprise nearby. In another panel, Sanji gapes in shock, "WOW! HIS BODY IS SO LIGHT!!!" as Brook is tossed lightly through the air. Brook then strikes a dramatic pose atop a structure, shouting, "DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT LOWERING YOUR ANCHOR AT THIS ISLAND!! I'M SO GLAD THAT I MET YOU TODAY AND COULD EAT YOUR DELICIOUS FOOD. I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU!!" He adds with a flourish, "YOHOHOHO!! THAT'S RIGHT! AS LIGHT AS DEAD BONES! PLEASE, TRY TO BREAK THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GATE AND ESCAPE!!"

Luffy yells in alarm, "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING JUMPING IN THE SEAII HEY, HEY! YOU'RE A DEVIL'S FRUIT USER!!" as Brook leaps from the ship. A crewmate shouts, "HEY! WAIT, BROOK!!!" Brook calls back while falling, "IF IT IS FATED, WE'LL MEET AGAIN ON SOME OTHER SEA!!" He lands on the water and runs across the surface, laughing "YOHO HOHO" as the crew reacts in amazement: "HE CAN RUN ON TOP OF THE SEA!!! WOW! INCREDIBLE!!!" Luffy, now back on deck with stars in his eyes, asks excitedly, "YOU WANT TO GO TO SEA!I DID YOU SAY SOMETHINGI" Nami replies, "A-ANYWAY, LET'S DO AS HE TOLD US, LUFFY!! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT THIS ISLAND IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS!"

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