#355 - Chapter 355: Live Again and Look Forward

Hearing these words, Brook felt a surge of emotion within, though his face remained expressionless.

He hadn't heard such praise in a long time, and this recognition temporarily alleviated the loneliness in his heart.

"Oh ho ho ho, I'm truly flattered! To receive compliments from such a great figure, I am truly honored!"

Brook gave an exaggerated bow, as if using this humorous gesture to conceal the fluctuations within his heart.

Jin looked at Brook before him, his eyes filled with a hint of appreciation and curiosity.

This skeletal musician, forgotten in the Devil's Triangle, was not only an incredibly magical existence, but he also possessed untapped potential.

Thinking of this, Jin's gaze deepened.

"Brook, are you satisfied with your current life?"

Jin asked suddenly, his tone carrying a hint of probing and anticipation.

Brook was taken aback, he didn't expect Jin to ask such a question.

As someone who had died once, his life had long lost its color.

Alone every day, drifting in this sea full of terror and loneliness, although he could occasionally find a trace of solace in music, the loneliness and loss deep in his heart could never be shaken off.

He was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice:

"Sir, are you trying to delve into the heart of a dead man? My life has nothing worth talking about anymore."

Jin's eyes flickered slightly after hearing this.

He felt the pain and struggle deep within Brook's heart, and at the same time, he understood that this was the opportunity to establish a connection with Brook.

"Perhaps, your life can have a new beginning."

Jin's voice was firm and full of power, as if conveying a belief of hope to Brook.

"Come with me, I need someone like you."

"Besides, continuing to stay here is meaningless for you, right?"

Brook was stunned, his head almost filled with question marks.

This Marine Admiral was actually inviting him, a pirate, to join his crew?

Was he hallucinating, or was the person in front of him an imposter?

His mind was in chaos, feeling that the development of things was completely beyond his comprehension.

"I'm a pirate..."

Brook said weakly, his voice carrying a hint of probing and unease.

He was very clear about his identity, as a pirate, his existence was inherently opposed to the Navy.

Jin's proposal made him feel confused, as if the whole world had been turned upside down.

However, Jin just shook his head slightly, denying Brook's statement.

"You've already died once, does being a pirate or a Marine matter to you?"

His tone was calm, as if stating an unquestionable fact.

Brook's expression changed, from initial shock to gradually revealing confusion.

He subconsciously raised his hand to touch his skull, although he no longer had a physical body, the confusion deep in his heart still made him feel uneasy.

He had indeed died once, his former identity, honor, and dreams seemed to have disappeared into the depths of the ocean with that battle.

Now, he was just a lonely skeleton, drifting in this gloomy and terrifying sea.

Jin saw the wavering in Brook's heart, his gaze remained firm, his voice carrying a hint of guiding power.

"Live again, then look forward."

He said slowly, each word hitting Brook's heart like a heavy hammer.

Brook lowered his head, his thoughts running wild.

He knew that he was no longer the spirited pirate he once was, but a ghost manipulated by fate.

But Jin's words made him begin to reflect on his current life.

All along, he had been wandering in the shadows of the past, constantly immersed in the pain and loneliness of losing his companions, never truly thinking about the future.

Just as Brook was lost in thought, Jin continued to speak.

"Besides, I heard from Crocus that there is a whale named Laboon, who has been hitting the Twin Capes to find his companions, but fortunately Crocus is there to take care of him, Laboon is very healthy."

He paused, glanced at Brook, his tone carrying a hint of probing.

"He should be your companion, right? Do you really want to stay here all the time?"

Hearing the name "Laboon", Brook's eyes suddenly lit up.

That whale, that loyal companion who still waited at the Twin Capes after their band disbanded, had always been the deepest pain in his heart.

The huge figure of Laboon immediately appeared in his mind, as well as his eyes full of expectation and despair.

He once vowed to return and reunite with Laboon, but as time passed, his hope was gradually extinguished by the coldness of reality.

"Laboon..."

Brook murmured to himself, the two balls of soul fire in his eye sockets seemed to burn brighter.

A long-lost impulse suddenly surged in his heart, a yearning for the future, the fulfillment of a promise, and a call for the long-lost companionship.

He raised his head, looked at Jin, his eyes no longer filled with confusion, but with a hint of firmness.

"You're right, pirate or Marine, it doesn't matter to me anymore."

Brook's voice became calm, as if he had regained some of his former strength.

"I'm still alive, I shouldn't continue to sink into the shadows of the past."

Jin nodded slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.

"Live again, you still have many things to do."

He said, his tone carrying a power of encouragement.

Brook took a deep breath, although he no longer needed to breathe, it was as if he was making a determination for himself.

He put down the violin that once comforted him, and looked at Jin with firm eyes.

"I will go with you, not for anything else, but for that promise, for my unfinished dream."

Jin looked at Brook, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes.

He knew that this skeletal musician had made his choice, and this choice would bring him new hope and strength.

"Very good."

Jin patted Brook's shoulder lightly, turned and walked towards the coast.

"Then, let's go together to meet a new adventure."

Brook followed behind him, his heart filled with long-lost anticipation and hope.

He once thought that his life was over, but now, he found that he still had more stories to write, and more dreams to pursue.

And all of this, was just beginning.

Moreover.

"Laboon, I can finally see you again, I will not break the promise I made back then, even if I am now a skeleton."

"Yohohohoho..."