Water Style Shower? Damn Xi Yan, How Did You Even Think of That?!

"Eat rice! Eat rice!"

At the dining table, everyone devoured their food as quickly as possible, as if something terrible would happen if they were slow.

"Yohohoho, this is so exciting!"

"What's wrong with you?" Usopp asked Brook. "You've been super excited since this morning."

What exactly happened?

As he spoke, Usopp glanced at Xi Yan. If he remembered correctly, Xi Yan was always the first one to wake up every day. Did the other party know something?

"I know!" Merry said, holding out her little hand. "Brook said he looked at the logbook yesterday."

"That's right!"

Brook exclaimed excitedly, "I've read everyone's adventure logs, they're so exciting!"

"For you all, the matter of the Thriller Bark is utterly insignificant!"

"The rebellion in Alabasta has been quelled!"

"We went to the legendary Skypiea!"

"You even clashed with the World Government in Water Seven and Judicial Island, and even the Buster Call was no match for you..."

"Seeing all this, I was so shocked my heart almost jumped out of my chest!"

"Ah, even though I don't have a heart, yo-ho-ho-ho!"

The contents of the diary filled Brook with immense excitement. How wonderful it would be if he could participate in those operations with his friends!

"Without realizing it, we've already been through so much, hahaha!" Usopp laughed loudly.

"That's true. I wonder what else we'll experience in the future."

Nami rested her chin on her hand and began to dream about the future.

"From today onwards, you will also be recorded in the ship's log, Brook."

"That's right, that's exactly what I wanted to say!" Brook slammed his hand on the table and said excitedly, "Now that I've become everyone's partner, I must make some contributions!"

Seeing Brook's excitement, the others laughed; clearly, they understood Brook's thoughts.

"Hey, Brook ~" Xi Yan grinned and said, "I have a suggestion for you."

"Mr. Xi Yan, I am all ears."

"Here, you absolutely cannot relax while eating!"

"Yes, I will be fully prepared!" Brook waved his hand and said, "If any enemy tries to attack us at this time, I will..."

Just then, Luffy was eating nearby, suddenly said, "That dish of food looks good, it's mine!"

"Huh?!"

Brook was dumbfounded when he saw Luffy take away his plate of food.

"So that's what 'not letting your guard down' means..."

He thought enemies might take advantage of this opportunity to attack the Straw Hat Pirates, but it turns out... it's because Mr. Luffy eats so wildly that the food might run out at any moment?

Brook glanced at Luffy, who was happily eating, and suddenly laughed.

Although the food was taken away, it means that Mr. Luffy did not discriminate, but treated everyone equally.

Brook glanced at Luffy, who was being fed chili peppers for stealing Usopp's meat, and laughed even harder.

"Yohohoho~"

"I will work even harder so that I can become everyone's partner as soon as possible!!"

"Don't be so tense, relax."

Sanji patted Brook on the shoulder, gesturing for him to sit down and eat, and then handed him a plate of food.

Clearly, Sanji knew Luffy's nature, so he always prepared a very large amount of food for him, without worrying that anyone would go hungry.

As for not being able to eat?

With Luffy around, we can eat anything!

"Yes, I will try my best to eat!"

"Yohohoho!"

Watching Brook quickly devour the food, Sanji smiled and said, "That's more like it."

We're already partners, why say such formal things? Let's just eat.

Soon, thanks to Luffy's efforts, not a single grain of rice was left; Luffy devoured it all.

"Mr. Luffy really can eat..." Brook remarked.

It's fair to say that most of the food ended up in Mr. Luffy's stomach, while the others only ate a small portion.

"Hahaha, because Sanji's cooking is so delicious!" Luffy said with a loud laugh.

After saying that, Luffy ran off.

Seeing this, the others also left the restaurant one after another to do their own things.

"Mr. Sanji, let me help you wash the dishes!" Brook volunteered.

"Oh, that's a huge help!"

Sanji gave Brook a thumbs-up, showing his appreciation.

"Merry, let's go too." Xi Yan said to Merry, "I'll teach you something."

"Also, let's test how well you've learned everything."

"The ones from before..."

Little Merry's eyes became somewhat unfocused; she was clearly not a good student.

Seeing this, Xi Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems our Little Merry hasn't been studying hard enough."

"Come with me, I'll test you."

Watching Xi Yan walk away, Merry sighed resignedly.

She knew she couldn't escape this test.

Left with no other choice, Merry could only follow Xi Yan onto the deck.

He skillfully took out a small scroll from his Ninja Tool Bag, then clapped his hands together to turn it into a large scroll.

Xi Yan spread it out on the ground and sat down on it as well.

"Come on, little one."

"I've already taught you how to make a scroll for the Summoning Technique. Now, draw it for me using the methods you know."

"We'll research other Sealing Technique later."

This little guy can't learn Ninjutsu; he can only work on Sealing Technique.

However... if one can master Sealing Technique, their effects are also immense.

"Okay, I understand..."

Merry pouted and obediently sat on the ground to start drawing. It was just that her drawing skills... made Xi Yan's eyelids twitch.

'It seems the time was still too short...'

But it's okay, it's better to start learning now than not to learn at all. He believed that the little guy would be able to learn it sooner or later.

As for the wasted scrolls?

He can make as much of this as he wants as long as he has enough materials, so he doesn't care about the cost.

"Making a scroll bigger with just a clap of hands, that's an enviable ability," Chopper remarked.

Seeing Chopper approaching, Xi Yan asked, "Are you planning to dry these herbs?"

"Hmm, it's rare to find some decent herbs."

Although the environment around the Thriller Bark isn't great,... some rather unique herbs still grow there.

"Let me help you."

"OK!"

Seeing Chopper walk to the side to dry herbs, Merry's little eyes immediately lit up.

"No slacking off, do you hear me?!"

Merry:...

"Knew."

Seeing the now obedient Merry, Xi Yan snorted. He knew all too well what the little one was thinking.

You could say he's done all of this before.

Back when his Tsunade Gang was forcing him to learn things, he slacked off quite a bit.

Of course, he also got beaten up quite a bit.

"Hey, Xi Yan."

"What's wrong?"

"Speaking of which, what's the deal with that bear?" Chopper said, fiddling with the herbs. "He could have just killed us, but he chose to ask those questions twice..."

Is it a perverse sense of humor?

"To be honest, I don't know either," Xi Yan said, shaking his head.

He couldn't understand Xiong's purpose in doing this; it gave him the impression that... the other party didn't really want to kill them, but in reality, they didn't hold back when attacking them.

Could it really be, as Chopper said, a twisted sense of humor?

"Hey, Xi Yan, Chopper, look! Franky seems to have a new weapon to test!" Luffy exclaimed.

After he finished speaking, he ran over and began to observe closely.

"Um?"

The two men who had finished placing the herbs turned to look at Franky and Usopp standing at the bow of the ship, and found the two of them fiddling with a strange-looking... cannon?

What is this?

"Oh!"

"This is a custom-made cannon that I made!" Franky exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up. "Both its accuracy and power have been significantly improved!"

"That's right!" Usopp laughed, "With my superior sniping skills, this cannon will unleash even greater power!!"

"Hahaha!"

Watching the two men fiddling with the cannon, Xi Yan couldn't help but recall the events before Luffy and his crew arrived at the Grand Line.

If I remember correctly... Usopp also used a cannon to bombard a Small Island Reef, right?

Let's hope two more people don't get blown out.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan's expression became somewhat subtle.

"Hey everyone, is there anything I can help you with?" Brook ran over and asked.

"Oh, we're still missing a can of Coke. Could you go and get me some?"

"Good!"

Brook, who had received the task, was very happy and went to retrieve a large barrel.

"Just pour it in," Franky pointed to the entrance.

"Here...?"

After pouring the liquid from the bucket into the container, Brook walked away and said, "Is it ready now?"

"That's right, let me show you my cannon!"

"Usopp, fire!"

"Profound!"

He slammed his foot on the accelerator, instantly increasing the pressure on the cannon and causing a large amount of steam to billow out.

"Fire!"

"..."

A gust of wind blew by, but no shells flew out; only the vibration of the Pressure Cannon could be heard.

Usopp:???

"What's going on?"

"Maybe the pressure isn't enough?" Franky pushed up his Sunglasses and said, "Try pushing the pressure to the limit."

"Good!"

As Usopp manipulated the cannon, the pressure began to rise sharply, eventually causing it to vibrate violently.

The next moment...

"Boom!!"

The cannon exploded, spewing out a large amount of cola mixture, staining everyone present with its color.

Xi Yan:...

Xi Yan, who had been sprayed with cola, twitched at the corner of his mouth. What on earth was going on?

"It doesn't seem to be cola..." Chopper licked his lips and said, "It's salty."

"Salty?!"

Franky paused for a moment, then his eyes widened and he exclaimed, "Brook, you didn't mistake soy sauce for cola, did you?!"

"It really is... it does look like soy sauce."

"You bastard, what exactly do you mean by this?!"

I'm so sorry!

Watching Franky chase after Brook, Luffy laughed loudly, "This guy is really interesting."

"Is it interesting...?"

Xi Yan helplessly, then glanced at Chopper and said, "Your herbs need to be washed again."

"Instead of this, I think you should look at Merry."

"Um?"

As if remembering something, Xi Yan turned to look at Merry and immediately noticed the little one's miserable state.

The once-clean dress was now stained with other colors, and her face looked like Little Cat.

The scroll on the ground was also contaminated with a mixture of cola and soy sauce.

"Puff..."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Seeing Merry's expression, Xi Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hmph, you stinky Xi Yan," Merry said angrily.

She's already in this state, and instead of comforting her, they're just laughing at her.

"Well, what can I do? You look so funny." After saying that, Xi Yan glanced at Nico Robin, who was holding Watering Can, and said, "Robin, go take Merry to wash up."

"Um?"

Nico Robin couldn't help but chuckle at Merry's miserable state.

"How did this happen?"

"Brook just delivered a bucket of soy sauce to Franky, which caused Franky's cannon to explode," Chopper said.

"I see..."

Nico Robin nodded; she felt as if she had discovered something.

After signaling to Merry to follow her, Nico Robin handed the watering can to Xi Yan, indicating that he should help her water the flowers.

"Leave it to me!" Brook suddenly ran over and said, "I can help!"

Looking at the large bump on Brook's head, Xi Yan's lips twitched. Was that from Franky's beating?

But... what's wrong with that old bastard Brook?

Why did he sense this guy was so unsettling?

It was as if... someone was worried about something.

Nico Robin, who also noticed something was wrong, asked directly, "Brook, why... do you look so uneasy?"

What are you afraid of?

Upon hearing this, Brook fell silent, and the optimistic expression on his face vanished instantly.

This scene also made Nico Robin realize that he was indeed right.

"Fear?"

Chopper glanced at Brook, not understanding what the other was afraid of; hadn't the shadow already been retrieved?

"Yes, I am indeed very scared right now..." Brook said, bowing his head. "I was very happy when Mr. Luffy asked me to join you."

"But... can I really do it?"

"In the process of embracing the New World, we will surely encounter unimaginable enemies and difficulties. If I not only fail to be everyone's assistant but also become a burden to everyone..."

"Will we be forced off the ship then?"

"I'm going to lose my companions again... and return to those lonely days... I'm terrified of that day coming."

Seeing Brook's dejected state, everyone present understood why Brook had been exhibiting all sorts of strange reactions since the morning.

So... he was worried that he wouldn't fit in and would eventually be kicked out?

"Brook ..." Nico Robin began, "I used to be just like you."

"Huh?!"

"Miss Robin also..."

"Hmm." Nico Robin glanced at the distant sky and said in a complicated tone, "I used to be afraid that I wasn't worthy to be their partner, so I thought about giving up my life for them to protect them..."

"At the time, I thought that was what a qualified partner would do."

"But they showed me with their own experiences that this is wrong." As Nico Robin spoke, she glanced at Chopper and Xi Yan, who were watching her with smiles, and the corners of her mouth gradually turned up.

"We even defeated the Buster Call to save this awkward guy," Xi Yan laughed.

When Nico Robin heard Xi Yan say that she was an awkward person, she wasn't angry at all; instead, she laughed even more happily.

She did feel very awkward at the time, but... it also made her realize what kind of people her companions were.

"An awkward... guy?"

"Brook, true friends don't need to worry like that," Nico Robin said. "If you still can't find the answer, just go ask Luffy."

"Good luck, Brook!" Merry waved her little hand.

Nico Robin smiled, turned around, and left with Merry.

"Should we just ask Mr. Luffy...?"

"Yes, I agree." Chopper said, "When we meet Luffy, we all have all sorts of questions, but in the end... Luffy always gives us the answers."

Although he didn't know what was going on with Luffy's amazing intuition, every word he said was spot on.

Therefore, I completely agree with Robin's words.

"Asking about Mr. Luffy... I..."

"Hey Luffy, Brook's looking for you!"

"Huh?!"

"Mr. Xi Yan, what's wrong with you...?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Luffy on his face and asked Xi Yan, "What do you want?"

As he spoke, Luffy took a bite of the meat in his hand, eating it with great enjoyment.

"Brook has something to ask you," Xi Yan said, pointing at Brook.

It's best to address Brook's psychological issue as soon as possible, otherwise... he'll be having a very difficult time.

Now that they've become partners, Xi Yan doesn't want the other party to act this way.

Luffy blinked, looking at Brook curiously, and asked, "What is it?"

Looking at Luffy, Brook paused for a moment before saying, "Mr. Luffy... is it really okay for me to join the Straw Hat Pirates?"

"Um!"

"Huh?!"

"You answered so readily?" Brook stared blankly at Luffy and said, "But I..."

"I've already approved of you, so of course you can join!"

"Brook, you're my partner!"

Brook was stunned as he stared at Luffy, who was grinning with his teeth showing.

For some reason, he felt very at ease by that smile, and gradually relaxed without realizing it.

'Because... I was recognized...?'

"Now you can rest assured, Brook," Xi Yan said with a smile.

Hearing Xi Yan's words, Brook subconsciously looked at Xi Yan, and then at the other companions on the deck, only to find that everyone was smiling and looking at him.

At this moment... Brook's heart was completely at peace.

"Um!"

"Everyone, please take good care of me in the future!"

"Profound!"

Xi Yan suddenly jumped up, grabbed Luffy and Brook, and jumped to Franky's side with Chopper.

"Huh?!"

"Xi Yan, what are you doing?"

"To celebrate Brook letting go of her worries, let's take a shower together!"

"Hahaha, okay, let's go right now..."

Before Usopp could finish speaking, he noticed a swirling pool of water suddenly appearing on the deck not far away.

Seeing this, Usopp's heart skipped a beat.

"Could it be...?"

"Boom!!"

A Water Dragon suddenly burst forth, rushing directly towards Xi Yan's head before transforming into a waterfall and cascading down.

"Splash~"

The powerful flow of water forced all six people to the ground.

"Damn Xi Yan! Who uses Water Style Shower?!" Usopp roared, opening his shark-like mouth. "Are you trying to kill us?!"

Usopp looked up, about to continue his tirade, when a mouthful of water was poured into his mouth, nearly choking him.

"This is so much fun, hahaha!"

"Yoohoo!" Brook laughed loudly, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of interacting with his friends.

This made him feel incredibly safe and relaxed.

"Xi Yan, make the water flow stronger!" Luffy shouted.

"That's right!" Franky shouted. "Today, Super isn't afraid of mere water!"

"Bigger! Bigger!"

"Clear!"

"Boom!!"

"Damn Xi Yan, I... glug glug..."

"Hahaha."