The Underworld is where souls rest, so it must have a way to preserve souls indefinitely.
Thinking of this, Chiga immediately prepared to activate the power of the Fruit he had just obtained.
Just then, Brook's voice echoed in Chiga's mind.
"Mr. Chiga, after losing the Revive Revive Fruit, my soul seems unable to return to my body. Perhaps it's better if I just leave."
"What?"
Chiga frowned. Wasn't Brook eager to see the outside world before? Why the sudden change of heart?
Brook calmly explained,
"Having left that skeleton, I suddenly feel… free. I've lived long enough and wish to reunite with my companions. It's been so long."
Hearing those words, Chiga fell silent.
He wondered if bringing Brook back even made sense now. Did Brook truly wish to pass on? A long life wasn't necessarily a blessing. Without loved ones, it could easily become torment. And Brook had neither fully belonged to the living nor to the dead.
But if Chiga let Brook's soul drift to the Underworld like this, wouldn't it mean Brook died by his hand? What would be the meaning of everything he'd done up until now?
More importantly, Brook wasn't without ties in this world. Laboon, the whale, had been waiting for him at Reverse Mountain for nearly fifty years.
Brook couldn't die. Not yet. Not by his hand.
With that thought, Chiga's left eye began to emit a faint, cold blue mist. It was fundamentally different from Aokiji's cold, as it originated from the Underworld.
"Brook, you still have a promise to fulfill. Live on because of it."
The Underworld's mist surged toward Chiga's hand, enveloping Brook's soul.
Without powerful Haki or special abilities, touching this mist would instantly freeze both body and soul. But Chiga wouldn't allow that to happen. The mist could harm, but it could also heal and nourish.
After acquiring the Revive Revive Fruit and enhancing it through his Rinnegan, Chiga could freely manipulate its effects.
Enveloped by the mist, Brook's soul let out a few contented sighs. But before he could grow too comfortable, Chiga grabbed him and stuffed him back into his skeletal body.
As his soul returned, Brook's brow ridge twitched and he spoke hesitantly.
"Am I… alive again?"
"Yes. You're alive."
Chiga confirmed, then added,
"I've infused your soul with the Underworld's cold mist. You can use its power from now on. But remember, once it's depleted, your soul will separate from your body and return to the Underworld."
He had given Brook a choice, letting him decide his own fate.
Brook quickly understood. Complex emotions flashed through him, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Seeing Brook standing there in silence, Chiga thought he was still contemplating life and death.
"Stop overthinking. If you'd rather reunite with your companions, you can use up the mist now. Don't worry, you won't feel a thing when you pass."
Brook remained silent, but gratitude filled his heart.
Brook's former Rumbar Pirates had been adventurers, known for spreading joy through their music. Their motto said it all: "Make even crying children smile."
Yet pirate crews like that were rare. Brook had witnessed other crews plundering without mercy, living by blood and fire. It was the harsh truth of the Grand Line.
Although Brook had never lived that way, he'd grown accustomed to it. He knew someone as strong as Chiga could've taken the Revive Revive Fruit from him by force. But Chiga didn't. He even sought out Moria to recover Brook's shadow and then preserved his life.
Brook felt as though he owed Chiga, and it made him uneasy.
Chiga, unaware of Brook's thoughts, would've laughed if he'd known. He felt like he'd struck a bargain gaining the Revive Revive Fruit. What was there for Brook to feel indebted over? In this world of pirates, such feelings were rare.
Chiga figured it wasn't right to leave Brook here either. It would be far better for him to see Laboon again. Perhaps it might even stop the whale from endlessly ramming his head into the Red Line.
An idea sparked in Chiga's mind. He looked at Brook.
"Do you still remember Laboon?"
"Laboon!?"
Brook froze, stunned to hear that name spoken by Chiga.
He hadn't heard it in decades. How could he forget Laboon? Although just a whale, Laboon had been more than a companion — he was family.
Brook grabbed Chiga's shoulders, his bony fingers clenching tight.
"Chiga-San, how do you know Laboon? Have you seen him? Is he okay? Where is he now?"
A torrent of questions spilled out, his emotions raw.
Chiga understood Brook's loss of composure. That early One Piece storyline about Laboon had deeply moved him back when he first watched it.
Sometimes, emotions between men weren't as sincere as those between man and beast.
Chiga had fulfilled countless dreams within the world of pirates. This time, he would help these two fools fulfill theirs.
He looked at Brook's hollow eye sockets and spoke gently.
"He's still waiting for you, in the same place. Never left. Do you want to see him?"
"Of…"
Brook nearly shouted Of course, but then hesitated, remembering the promise. They had vowed to circle the world first before reuniting with Laboon.
After leaving him at Reverse Mountain, tragedy had struck. Disease claimed the Rumbar Pirates, one by one. Only Brook had survived through the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit. Alone on a ghost ship, fifty years passed.
Brook's heart had ached to see Laboon again. It had nearly driven him mad. But that promise… it was sacred.
A man's word was his bond.
Brook stood there, torn between his longing to reunite with his oldest friend and his vow to keep that promise.
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