1.5 billion?
Golden Lion?!
A Navy Admiral?
And so many unfamiliar names.
Brook's jaw nearly dropped onto the deck. His hollow eye sockets seemed to fill with symbols of shock.
He never expected that this crew—who looked so young on average—possessed such terrifying strength and achievements!
Could all those words even be combined like that?
He'd even initially thought they might not be pirates at all, given how pleasantly they were sitting around drinking tea and chatting.
"But... but I have nothing to offer in return."
"Helping you get your shadow back is just something we'd do anyway." Luffy thumped his chest and flashed a grin. "But since you mentioned it—how about you agree to one condition once you get your shadow back?"
Brook looked at Luffy's mischievous smile and felt a strange chill run through his bones.
But after thinking it over, aside from his old bones and his life, he really had nothing to offer. So he nodded.
"If you all can truly help me reclaim my shadow, allow me to stand in the sunlight again and fulfill my promise to Laboon—then whatever the condition, as long as I can do it, I will agree!"
"Deal!"
Vivi watched Luffy and Brook shake hands and felt an urge to comment on this transaction. Luffy's scheme was completely obvious—was Brook really going along with it so easily?
Not long after, the fog ahead of the Thousand Sunny began to thin, revealing the massive silhouette of Thriller Bark.
"W-what a huge ship!" Merry exclaimed.
It was bigger than the Thousand Sunny and the Going Merry combined.
To the left appeared a towering gate shaped like a massive mouth, complete with red lips and white teeth. As the Thousand Sunny entered, the gate slowly closed behind them, sealing off the sea.
"Ooh, nice. This place is full of adventure!" Luffy was getting excited. For the next two days, he could cut loose without worrying about any unscheduled interruptions. He loved crewmate days.
From the ship, they could see a gloomy island landscape ahead—crumbling ruins everywhere, with a dark, shadowy forest in the distance. Occasional crimson glints flickered within, as if countless dangers lurked there.
At the far end of the forest, a massive Gothic castle stood imposingly, radiating an aura that sent chills down the spine.
This didn't look like a ship—it looked like an island!
Nami stared at her Log Pose, which showed no reaction whatsoever. "The Log Pose isn't responding at all. Is this a ship?"
"It is indeed a ship,"
Brook confirmed. "It's called Thriller Bark. It's a massive vessel that drifted here from the West Blue, and it's been Moria's territory ever since."
"Everyone—target decided."
Luffy was already at the bow, raring to go. "We're going to beat Moria and get Brook's shadow back! Who's coming with me?"
"Me, me, me!"
Little Merry couldn't resist something like this. She was the first to come charging over, expertly climbing onto Luffy's back and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"One more spot!"
Luffy scanned the others.
Usopp and Chopper shook their heads like bobble dolls, clinging to each other. They were absolutely not setting foot on that island first.
If possible, they wouldn't set foot on it at all!
Nami quietly shifted her weight, trying to move toward Vivi and Robin. She had already decided—she was staying with them!
But just as she reached out for Vivi, her waist was suddenly seized by Luffy's stretched arm.
"WAAH—let go of me, Luffy! I don't want to go!" Nami screamed in despair, kicking and flailing, but she couldn't break free.
"Heh heh, I know you want to come. Let's go!"
Luffy didn't care about her protests. With Nami hanging off his front and Merry on his back, he pushed off hard, his rubber arm contracting as the three of them shot like cannonballs toward the grim, foreboding island.
"Will they be okay?" Vivi asked worriedly.
"Luffy-san is with them, isn't he?" Brook asked, confused.
Everyone fell silent.
That's exactly the problem.
Brook didn't yet know the iron law of this ship: when there was no danger, the captain was the danger. Why else didn't Nami want to go?
As they landed, a patch of thick fog drifted by. The ground beneath them gave way, and all three fell into a hidden pit.
"Ow ow ow! Luffy, you idiot!"
Nami rubbed her sore rear and complained. But before she could finish, she froze, pointing in terror at a massive black shadow emerging from the fog.
"What is that?!"
Out of the mist stepped an enormous canine creature with three heads. Six crimson eyes glowed brightly in the dimness, and a low growl rumbled from three throats simultaneously.
Where it had emerged was a pile of bleached bones—human and animal alike.
It looked like a wolf, but also like a dog.
Was it a wolf or a dog?
"It's a dog!"
Merry wasn't afraid at all—instead, she shouted excitedly.
"What kind of dog is that?! That's a monster!"
Nami was scared out of her wits, scrambling to hide behind Luffy. But in her panic, she just ended up tangled around him instead.
Luffy was used to this position by now. He hoisted Nami's bottom for a better grip and walked forward.
Just as Nami braced herself for a man-versus-dog battle, Luffy reached out casually and patted the middle head.
"Don't worry. This is Cerberus."
"Cerberus?" Nami blinked.
"Yeah. You know—the guardian dog of hell."
Luffy explained. Beneath his hand, all three dog heads had closed their eyes in comfort, even nuzzling against his palm with little whines.
Nami looked at this completely incongruous scene, speechless.
That wasn't a guardian dog of hell—it was three oversized pugs!
Wait, how does Luffy know all this anyway?
"Luffy, you're not Chopper—how can you communicate with animals?!"
Luffy grinned at Nami's stunned expression, radiating confidence—but didn't answer.
His [Animal Communication Skill] was Level 2. Talking to animals was super easy!
Merry tilted her head curiously. "They're sewn together, aren't they? Looks like two dog heads, and one fox head."
Cerberus looked quite wronged. The fox head hadn't been its choice.
If any other zombie had said that, Cerberus would have bitten them. But Merry looked un-bite-able. It wagged its tail and put on a pleading expression—yes, it was exactly the kind of dog that bullied the weak and feared the strong!
Luffy patted Cerberus on the head and gave an order: "Take us to Moria."
"Woof woof woof!"
"Want to get down, Nami?" Luffy asked, having mounted Cerberus. "Riding a mount feels pretty good."
Nami eyed Luffy suspiciously. But looking down at the massive dog beneath her, she broke out in goosebumps.
No, no, no. Compared to riding Cerberus, she'd rather ride Luffy!
***
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