The Shepherd of Souls

Trafalgar Law is undoubtedly a delusional teenager.

He is not only a loyal fan of Germa 66, but also obsessed with ninja-themed stories.

In other words, Big Bird Network's expansion in North Blue has been relatively slow; otherwise, Trafalgar Law would probably already be a loyal user of "Infinite Tsukuyomi" long ago.

When Ma Qiao talked about gods, it clearly piqued his curiosity greatly.

Because of his tragic childhood and the painful memory of Mr. Corazon dying in front of him without being able to speak, Trafalgar Law had always hidden his adolescent personality, but at this moment he finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Does God really exist? Do the dead go to heaven? Or do their souls enter the realm of the dead?

Luo packed up the room, not bothering to rest, his eyes fixed intently on Ma Qiao.

"This is the ultimate secret of this world, why would I tell it..."

"Boss!"

"All right..."

Looking at this inquisitive and somewhat immature teenager, Teacher Ma sighed.

Are there gods in the world of One Piece? Ma Qiao really doesn't know.

The Celestial Dragons claim to be descendants of gods, but who knows whether their ancestors were mortals like Enel who claimed to be gods, aliens like the Otsutsuki who claimed to be gods, or even true gods.

It's even more unknown whether any of those gods survived.

Ma Qiao remembered that when he frequented the online forum "One Piece" in his previous life, he often heard the claim that the so-called Lord Imu was actually a Celestial Dragons ancestor who had survived to this day.

The truth of the matter is too difficult to discern, Ma Qiao can only listen to it for now.

However, one thing is certain: gods definitely exist in the League of Legends universe.

However, based on Ma Qiao's current observations...

When deities like Aurelion Sol were summoned, they didn't exhibit any special characteristics whatsoever.

He's just an ordinary champion in Summoner's Rift; a fully equipped Master Yi can kill him in two hits.

The idea that "the stars that once created miracles, bestowing their magnificent grace upon the boundless, desolate cosmos" is completely unfounded.

However, there is another possibility.

Just like a hero's skill undergoes a qualitative change when it reaches the maximum level, a hero might also undergo the same change when its level is maxed out.

If that were the case, there would be more than one or two gods who could be manipulated by Ma Qiao.

Of course, the amount of money needed to level up a hero to level 18 is an astronomical figure, which is completely unrealistic for Ma Qiao right now.

Relatively speaking, the cost of leveling a hero to level nine and maxing out a certain skill is still within an acceptable range.

In this way...

Since we've already come all this way to North Blue, it wouldn't be like Ma Qiao to not make a purchase; it's really not in his nature.

Ma Qiao sighed.

It seems that despite all my careful planning, I'm still destined to become a charlatan in the end...

"There really are wandering souls in this world..."

Ma Qiao lowered his voice and spoke slowly in a chilling tone.

"Really?"

Whether it was Trafalgar Law, Bepo and the others from the Heart Pirates, or even Vivi and Nami, they all showed intense curiosity.

Ma Qiao rolled his eyes at Vivi: "When the airship was overloaded, didn't you say that the ancestors of the Nefertari Family would protect us?"

"Uh... it's just a wishful thinking... that's what we Alabastas usually say..." Vivi stammered as she explained.

"What a waste of all the good wine and food I sent them during the New Year."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "But let me tell you, souls and spirits really exist. When I was out treasure hunting with Buggy, I saw ghosts and talking skeletons in a foggy sea... Look, here's the video I recorded."

Ma Qiao pulled out Big Bird Den Den Mushi), which contained a violin solo performed by Brook.

Brook's shadow, Ma Qiao, has already used his own face to get it back from Moria's brother.

To be honest, using Brook's shadow to stitch together Shimotsuki Ryuma's zombie is a waste of the zombie or the shadow.

In terms of combat strength, Brook's shadow seriously dragged Ryuma down.

In terms of earning power, even ten Shimotsuki Ryuma wouldn't be worthy of carrying Brook's shoes.

In the original work, the Soul King rock star who swept the world and drove countless fans crazy was no joke.

Michael Jack's use of Russian troops for a concert in Moscow was already outrageous, but Brook even managed to get his fans to willingly use their bodies to block the Navy.

This kind of musician is no ordinary musician; we must strike hard.

So while returning the shadow to Brook, Ma Qiao also used his almost forgotten secret technique [Penguin Style Ultimate - Victory Contract] to sign a long-term contract with Brook.

The validity period is until the date of death of Ma Qiao, president of the Big Bird Consortium, the client.

Brook, on the other hand, thought the contract was very fair.

Because Ma Qiao not only helped him find his shadow, but also told him that the whale Laboon was still waiting for him at Twin Capes.

Furthermore, Ma Qiao agreed that Brook should first go to Twin Cape to meet with Laboon, and then report to the Big Bird Consortium.

As a result, Brook naturally received a great favor from Ma Qiao, and it was only natural that she became his employee and performed music for him.

Moreover, in Brook's view, although Boss Ma Qiao was relatively young, he himself was an immortal being.

Even if Boss Ma Qiao lives to be a hundred, I only need to work for him for another seventy years to regain my freedom. At that time, the world will be vast, and I can roam freely and enjoy admiring women's underwear to my heart's content.

To this, Boss Ma could only say: Our friendship will last forever.

In short, Brook is currently enjoying a happy time with Laboon at Twin Capes, and Vivi and Nami haven't seen him yet.

Fortunately, it wasn't a living skeleton that appeared in front of them.

Watching a skeleton play the violin through a screen significantly reduces the level of fright.

Curiosity took its place.

"So there really are talking skeletons in the world! That's amazing!"

"And his afro was very well maintained; he must have been a person who knew how to take care of his health when he was alive!"

Everyone was captivated by Brook's video, each offering their own opinion.

Trafalgar Law, however, gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

"What? You're not interested in a talking skeleton?"

Ma Qiao took the coffee Tahm Kench handed him, ignoring the Amber Lead contamination dust, and plopped down next to Trafalgar Law.

"Mr. Ma Qiao..."

"Um?"

"I mean, boss... does that skeleton in the video who calls himself Brook really have his own consciousness and memories of his past life?"

Seeing the glint in Trafalgar Law's eyes, Ma Qiao knew what he was thinking.

After all, Luo lost too many loved ones in his short life.

Whether it was his parents or Mr. Corazon, Luo had so much to say to them.

Even if the other party is just a skeleton.

If this skeleton is merely a puppet manipulated by a sorcerer, as described in the popular ghost stories of the North Blue, then it is meaningless.

But if that skeleton still retains the memories of its life and the souls of its friends, then...

While the world of One Piece does have the concept of letting the dead rest in peace, it doesn't share the same strong sentiment as in the Chinese world of the past.

Every culture has a different view of death.

The Chinese believe that burial brings peace and tranquility.

Some cultures mummify the dead in the hope that they will one day be resurrected.

Some of the deceased used the remains of their loved ones as a way to express their longing.

Every few years, they would dig up the bones of their loved ones from the ground, dress them up, and hold solemn ceremonies and celebrations.

Clearly, Trafalgar Law's views are closer to the latter.

However, Ma Qiao shook his head, shattering his illusions.

"Brook's birth was due to many coincidences; combining a spirit with one's own remains is extremely difficult, but..."

Ma Qiao glanced at the dejected Trafalgar Law and smiled:

"If you just want to see them and talk to them, not hug them, it's not that difficult..."

"What? You can summon the undead? You're a necromancer?"

Trafalgar Law looked at Ma Qiao with a mixture of fear and excitement.

"I don't like dealing with dead people."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "However, I know a friend who is very good at communicating with the dead, but he's not a necromancer, he's a monk... His name is Yorick, you could also call him Shepherd of Souls..."

Yorick was once one of the least popular champions in League of Legends.

Back then, he was still called the Gravedigger.

However, he now has a more prestigious title— the Shepherd of Souls.

As the name "Shepherd of Souls" suggests, Yorick is no longer obsessed with digging up corpses from graves, but has become more adept at controlling the spirits within them.

Of course, Ma Qiao couldn't recruit a level 18 Yorick. Even a level 9 Yorick would be equally adept at communicating with the dead and manipulating their spirits.

Yorick's max-level Q ability [Last Rites /Awakening] summons Mist Walkers from nearby graves.

In the game, these Mist Walkers are Yorick's main means of attack, possessing strong offensive power, but they are relatively fragile.

However, once this skill is maxed out, it undergoes a qualitative change.

The Enlightened Ones summoned by Yorick are permanent beings.

Moreover, they are no longer simply zombie-like ferocious beasts, but like Kikyo who was resurrected by the pottery ghost, they possess complete memories of their past lives and can think and act like ordinary people.

Ma Qiao had previously considered using Yorick's abilities to recruit some cute, well-educated female ghosts to work as customer service representatives at Big Bird Company.

However, considering that the ghost employees don't align with the positive and upbeat corporate image of the Big Bird Consortium.

Not to mention, neither Alabasta nor the Goa Kingdom is suitable for a large number of ghosts, lest it cause panic among the people.

Therefore, Ma Qiao shelved the plan.

Now it seems that Flevance, an island shrouded in toxic fumes year-round, forgotten by the world, and sealed off by the World Government, is the best place to rebuild the Shadow Isles and establish the Land of the Dead.

Whether it's the undead summoned by Yorick or the undead summoned by Ma Qiao after learning Yorick's Awakening skill, the underlying logic is the same as the Mist Walkers recruited in the game: they must obey the commands of Yorick and Ma Qiao.

However, these dead were, after all, living, breathing people in life.

Ma Qiao doesn't like to exploit his employees using crude and simplistic methods.

He will try his best to help these deceased souls and fulfill some of their wishes from their lifetime.

They are also actively building places and recreational facilities where the dead can live, learn, relax, and enjoy themselves.

Of course, in return, Ma Qiao would naturally become the undisputed king of Flevance.

And the undead who want to enjoy these entertainment facilities naturally have to work for the Big Bird Consortium.

A sweet-voiced young lady can work as a customer service representative.

Other undead can enter the Infinite Tsukuyomi and serve as various NPCs.

This is a very fair trade.

Take me to the cemetery.

Ma Qiao patted Luo on the shoulder. "My friend is on his way. Before that, let's talk to your parents..."

"You know this trick too? And you still say you're not a necromancer?" Trafalgar Law said.

"I, Ma Qiao, have friends all over the world, and I've learned a great deal."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "Anyway, let's go ask your uncle and aunt if they'd like to return to this world..."