Under the watchful eyes of everyone (and every Felyne), the sky fish that had been "possessed" by Brook twitched its tail twice, then quickly went still again.
The next second, Brook soul seemed to be pushed out by some invisible force and was "ejected" from the body of the sky fish.
"No... no good. I used up a lot of energy… I could only make the fish tail move a bit. And after possessing it, I felt a strong sense of rejection."
Brook soul gasped heavily, as if he had just gone through intense exercise, before quickly returning to his own body.
"Yohohoho! My own body still feels the most convenient to use." Brook stretched his limbs and showed a relieved expression.
Meanwhile, Haibara Meow and Purah Meow huddled together again, whispering.
"He was able to move the sky fish, which means it possible for him to control other bodies too.
The reason it feels difficult is probably because his development of the fruit power is still in the early stages, meow."
"Most likely, meow. After all, even the ability to separate his soul was something Brook-san only used after Sherwin reminded him…" Purah Meow shook her head in disappointment.
"Hasn't he eaten the Yomi Yomi no Mi for decades? How is his mastery of the fruit still this low, meow?"
"I heard that! I heard you two talking bad about me!"
Brook couldn't help but call out from the side.
But Haibara Meow just shot him a disdainful look. "We're not talking bad about you, meow — we're just stating the truth.
You really are useless, meow. It been decades, and you've never even thought about developing your Devil Fruit powers properly, meow."
Struck by the comment, Brook instantly collapsed to the ground, kneeling in despair as he muttered,
"I didn't even know the Yomi Yomi no Mi had these abilities… I always thought it just gave me one more chance to live."
Still, as a future member of the Straw Hat crew, Brook personality was naturally carefree and bold.
Before long, he bounced back and continued cooperating with the two research Felynes for several more experiments.
"The last question," Haibara Meow pointed at Brook feet and asked, "You don't have a shadow — is that also related to the Yomi Yomi no Mi, meow?"
"No, that a different matter." Brook tone suddenly grew solemn.
"My shadow was taken away two years ago by a certain man."
"As expected, it was Gecko Moria… Do you know where he is now, meow? That idiot Sherwin is looking for him. That another reason we came to this sea, meow."
Haibara Meow had asked about his shadow precisely to bring up the topic of Moria, so before Brook even finished, she continued pressing for details.
Though she called him "idiot" with her mouth, this tsundere little Felyne was clearly helping Sherwin gather information.
"W-What? You're looking for that dangerous man for what reason?"
"Probably… to fight him?" Haibara Meow tilted her head, then pouted. "I don't even know what that idiot Sherwin is thinking all day, meow!"
"I have my own reasons for finding him." Sherwin walked over and ruffled Haibara Meow little tsundere head — only to be bitten as expected.
"But most likely, yes, I'll end up fighting him."
"You might not understand just how terrifying Moria is. He not someone who can be defeated easily!" Brook warned seriously.
Sherwin shrugged, too lazy to explain. After all, Brook had been stuck in the Florian Triangle for years and was cut off from the outside world information.
So he simply said, "Either way, we're definitely going to find Moria."
Brook hesitated for a moment, then stopped trying to dissuade him. "If that the case, then take me with you.
I've been searching for Moria myself these past two years, hoping to reclaim my shadow.
Unfortunately, ever since it was stolen, I haven't been able to find him."
Sherwin naturally didn't mind. As for meeting Moria, with Klee Meow around, he wasn't particularly worried.
Then, he brought over the long-waiting Seijuro Meow and Link Meow to stand before Brook.
"Sir, you're also a swordsman, right? Would you honor me with a spar, meow?" Seijuro Meow bowed politely.
"Speaking of which, I actually learned the sword style of your guard division from Lord Sherwin."
He drew his Kikyo Sendougetsu and gave a few thrusts into the air to demonstrate that he wasn't lying.
(=`=)
Meanwhile, Link Meow performed a similar set of moves, though his form differed slightly in the finer details.
Both of them were exceptionally gifted Felynes of the cutting type, and like Sherwin, they had long since integrated Brook fencing style into their own sword techniques.
"Yohohoho! You two are from the West Blue as well?!"
Brook asked excitedly. He hadn't expected that aside from Laboon, he and Sherwin group would also share a connection through swordsmanship.
(ω≡ω)
(=ω=)σ
(=`ω=)
(=)
"So that how it is — Sherwin learned that sword style from the West Blue and then taught it to you? I never would've guessed. You both wield it quite skillfully."
After a series of expressive gestures from Link Meow, Brook finally pieced together the whole story.
Then—
"Wait a second! How did I just understand what you were saying just now?! Is this… some kind of Devil Fruit ability?!"
╮(=ΦωΦ=)╭
Similar situations had already happened before — Link Meow had gotten used to it back when they were in the Monster Hunter world, so he calmly spread his paws and continued to explain with gestures.
"It actually a natural talent? How fascinating, yohohohohoho!"
Brook easily accepted this explanation, then drew his cane sword.
"Well then, let begin… Let me test how well you've mastered this rapier style — and whether your combat application of it is truly as proficient as your earlier demonstration!"
And then, he was mercilessly beaten up in turns by Seijuro Meow and Link Meow.
Both cats used only their respective refined and evolved versions of the rapier technique — without using any Haki at all.
"..."
orz
Utterly crushed, Brook collapsed on the deck again, falling to his knees in despair, questioning his very existence.
However, Sherwin only said one simple sentence, which immediately brought the dejected skeleton back to life—
"We're about to eat. You can eat food, right?"
"Of course!" Brook dashed over excitedly.
"For decades, I haven't eaten anything! Every day I had to endure the torment of hunger — so hungry that my chest stuck to my back… though I don't have a chest! Or a back! Yohohohohohoho!"
Although they had already confirmed earlier that Brook could taste and digest food, Purah Meow and Haibara Meow were still very curious about how exactly he managed to eat, so...
"Mr. Brook, when you're eating, can you take off your clothes so I can see how the food gets digested, meow? Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
"Of course not!" Brook refused decisively.
"I'm a gentleman! Eating while naked would be far too improper!"
Although it was a pity they couldn't see how Brook digested food, just watching a skeleton eat was already quite the spectacle.
Especially since this skeleton ate with such gusto — the sauces from the dishes splattered all over his skull…
So tell me, where exactly is your gentlemanly demeanor while eating, huh?!
Just as Sherwin silently grumbled to himself, a small white ghost — one that actually looked rather cute — suddenly emerged from the wall of the cabin.
"Sherwin-nii! Look! It a ghost meow!"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow, who was beside him, naturally spotted the ghost at the same moment. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she pounced forward with excitement.
However, the ghost only floated in a circle above the dining area before quickly slipping through the ceiling and vanishing, leaving Klee Meow to pounce into thin air.
Immediately after, the Dodo Advance beneath their feet began to shake violently, and faint mechanical sounds could be heard coming from outside.
"It Moria!"
Brook stood up and exclaimed in alarm.
—