Ch. 21- Brook's Plan

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard © Me

Back with Franky and Robin, Brook had told them of what their plan should be, and it was…

"Go back to the Sunny?" Franky repeated, questioningly.

"Precisely," Brook answered. "The worst case scenario is that your friends have already been captured and their shadows have been stolen from them. However, having your shadow taken from you won't actually kill you. I mean, look at me!"

A pause came.

"GAH!" Brook gasped. "I'M DEAD!"

"YOU ALREADY TOLD US THAT STORY!" barked Franky. "In any case, what you're saying is that they're still alive, right, Bones?"

"Indeed!" Brook answered. "However, the time period after their shadows have been stolen will be their weak point. They will be in a coma for at least 2 days. During this time, they put the strong ones back into their ships and set them adrift from Thriller Bark. I know I've said this before, but do either of you know why this is?"

"So that the victims won't try to come back to the island and get their shadows back, right?" asked Robin.

"Exactly!" Brook answered.

"So wouldn't it be best if we killed 'em off?" asked Franky.

"Oh, no, no, no!" answered Brook. "That's a very vital part! Let me explain. Even if the shadow and body have been separated, they are still one being! Therefore, if the body were to die, the shadow would be doomed as well, thus causing the zombie to die, again. That means that the enemy must make sure that the body stays alive. So, if your friends did have their shadows stolen, they must've taken back to your ship. At this rate, if you two happened to have your shadows stolen, then it would doom your entire crew! Bear this for now, my friends. Once your friends regain consciousness, it will give you the chance to save their shadows!"

"Now I get it," said Franky. "So your story has a point, after all."

Brook pulled out two pouches and handed them to Robin and Franky.

"Take these, please," said Brook.

"What are these?" asked Franky.

"The zombies' weakness," Brook answered. "It's effectiveness against that giant spider-monkey is proof, is it not? Yo-ho!"

"They're weakness?" Franky repeated, questioningly. "What is it?"

"Salt," Brook answered.

"Salt?" Franky repeated. "So what you're saying is we're defeating some sort of evil by purifying it?"

"Well, if you put it as simple as that, yes," Brook said. "The real source of the zombies being able to move is because of the Shadow Shadow Fruit. Since salt holds the power of the sea, it undoes the bond between the false corpse and the shadow."

"Oh, I see," said Franky. "So that black blob thing that came out from the giant spider-monkey was a shadow, right?"

"Yes!" Brook answered. "Now, in order to defeat the zombies, the trick is to just throw a bit of salt in their mouths!"

"How is it that you know so much about the zombies, pray tell?" asked Robin.

"Well, when my shadow was stolen 5 years ago," Brook began, "I was cast off in my ship, as well. My luck was strong, however, and I managed to awaken just in time for myself to find my way back. When I returned to retrieve my shadow, I fought like I had never fought before…and the result…was my crushing defeat! Back then, I was such a coward, so I shamefully ran to save myself! I didn't want to end up dying again, for I was the last remaining member of my crew. I swore that some day, I shall escape this cursed sea…but because of the promise I made to…them…I ran like the devil himself was after me!"

Franky and Robin just stood there, listening to the skeleton.

"Even though I have managed to live for such a long time," Brook started, "my endeavors were fruitless. Which is why this time…I refuse to run away, here and now. Not until I find that man and get my shadow back!"

A long pause came. Franky and Robin stared in awe at Brook's sudden seriousness.

Just then, Brook suddenly lit up, tipping his hat.

"Yo-ho-ho!" Brook chortled. "Well, my apologies, my friends, but I'm afraid I must go on ahead by myself from here! Carry on!"

With that being said, Brook turned to leave, but then, Franky stopped him.

"Wait just a minute there, Bones!" Franky called. "Just answer me this one question before you go!"

Brook turned to Franky. If he had still had skin of his face, you would see an inquisitive look.