The Exchange with Roger

Brook's serious introduction left the sniper Silvers and Fish-Man Tom stunned.

"Captain Brook, how could I possibly be the world's greatest shipwright? Don't make fun of me!"

Fish-Man Tom quickly waved his hands, smiling modestly and a little sheepishly.

"Trust me, Tom. You'll definitely become the world's greatest shipwright!"

Brook laughed heartily. He thought of the Pluton Blueprints. If they hadn't lacked an Ancient Script expert to translate the text, perhaps he would already have started studying Pluton. Still, the designs on the blueprints should prove immensely useful to a master shipwright like Tom.

Franky had also studied the Pluton Blueprints in the future. Before Nico Robin had ever seen or translated them, Franky had chosen to burn them himself. In the end, he still built the Thousand Sunny, a ship with excellent performance and some powerful features.

It showed that even without understanding the Ancient Script, skilled shipwrights could still gain plenty of inspiration and help from the Pluton Blueprints.

"Hehe~ Captain, with so many world's bests aboard our ship, what am I the world's best at?"

Shakky chuckled as she looked at Captain Brook, who did nothing but make things up. Elegantly, she lit a cigarette, then blew out a ring of smoke that curled through the air.

"Antonio is the world's greatest intelligence expert. As for you, Shakky, you'll surely become the world's greatest rip-off artist and shady boss! Hahaha~"

Brook played along with Shakky and shared what he thought of her. His answer left her fuming, while the other three smiled. Perhaps... they really could work hard and claim a world's-best title for themselves.

"Hey, Senior Brook! How about a banquet?"

A bold voice suddenly rang out. It was Gol D. Roger. When Silvers heard him, his expression immediately changed. After all, he'd lost to Petermoo in a shooting contest at noon. Now they were supposed to have a banquet together that evening?

"Silvers, take it easy. One loss doesn't define you. And aren't the Roger Pirates a perfect rival? You'll probably have plenty of chances to compete in the future. Just beat him next time!"

Seeing the look on his newly recruited crewmate's face, Brook felt he ought to reassure him.

Roger really did brazenly jump aboard Brook's Yomi and invite him to a banquet. At the same time, he noticed Silvers. He hadn't expected Senior Brook to recruit him so quickly, and for a moment he felt awkward.

"Silvers, face your defeat without flinching and keep working hard. How can you reach the top without being tested by failure?"

Brook continued to encourage his sniper, hoping he would escape the shadow he'd trapped himself in.

"Captain Brook, I understand. Don't worry about me anymore. I've sworn I'll defeat Petermoo fair and square, and I'll take down plenty of other strong opponents too!"

The eighteen-year-old genius sniper had finally emerged from his anger and insecurity. Now, his eyes burned with fighting spirit.

"Hahaha~ Excellent! You've got the mindset of a strong man. How about joining the Roger Pirates?"

With a personality much like Luffy's, Roger had actually made that offer aboard someone else's ship. If it had been any other pirate crew, they would have started a fight. Luckily, Brook knew what he was like and didn't take offense. Silvers, however, let out an angry snort and rolled his eyes at Roger.

"Hahaha~ A banquet, a banquet! I knew Senior Brook was a brilliant musician, but I wonder if we'll get to hear your beautiful music at the banquet?"

Roger didn't dwell on the awkward moment. He acted as if nothing had happened.

Brook paused in surprise. Since arriving in this world, he didn't think he'd sung a song or played an instrument even once. Yet in his soul's memories, those skills remained as vivid as the sea.

At Roger's enthusiastic invitation, Brook and his three crewmates boarded the Roger Pirates' ship. It was an ordinary pirate ship, not even as good as the Yomi. They would probably have to wait a long time before they went to Water 7 to get a new one.

As for the Oro Jackson, which Roger would one day have built from Treasure Wood Adam, who knew how many years it would take to finish?

"Does Senior Brook follow the elite route too? Great minds think alike, so you must be a hero as well! Hahaha!"

Roger laughed like a carefree bundle of joy.

"Are you praising yourself too, Roger? Do you think you're a hero as well?"

Rayleigh's sharp retort made Gaban and Fish-Man Tom burst into laughter.

"Actually, Roger isn't wrong. He really is the darling of this era. One day, he'll create an age of his own."

Brook believed that he and Roger would both become heroes—or even legendary figures—in the future. He spoke with such earnestness that the atmosphere aboard the ship fell silent.

"Senior, are you serious?"

Roger grew solemn too. He'd been joking just now, speaking without thinking. Had Brook really taken him seriously? Was he just as full of himself?

"Yes, I'm serious. I've already seen the future. Roger, your Observation Haki that lets you hear the Voice of All Things has awakened, hasn't it? Only one or two people in each era awaken this advanced form of Observation Haki. It's a mark of the chosen one of the age. And you understand what the D means, don't you?"

Brook's words left Roger astonished.

"How do you know I awakened that so-called Observation Haki? My wanted poster doesn't even list the D in my name. How did you know?"

"The inheritors of D are the ones who shape each era. Your Observation Haki, which lets you hear the Voice of All Things, proves that this era chose you, Roger. You were destined to be extraordinary!"

"From the way you put it, what kind of great figure will I become? Hahaha~"

"The greatest!"

Brook smiled as he looked at the Roger Pirates: Rayleigh, Gaban, Spencer, Petermoo, Pan Kulo, Blumarine, Nozdon... They were all formidable men, blessed with good fortune and extraordinary strength.

"The greatest what? You'll have to be more specific!"

"You'll have to make your own way into the future. Go out and make a name for yourself! I hear your crew doesn't eat Devil Fruits. Do you have any in storage? Sell me a few?"

Hearing Brook suddenly change the subject, they didn't press him further. But Rayleigh sensed something odd. Why did Brook's way of speaking remind him of the Mobile Den Den Mushi? Could Brook have one too?

"We don't have any. We can't figure out why, but we've never been able to find a Devil Fruit. It's like they're avoiding us. It's left us so poor."

Roger looked frustrated too. He clearly wanted to get his hands on some Devil Fruits, sell them for a good price, improve their lives, and save up for a new pirate ship.

"Never mind that! Come on, let's sing! Senior Brook, show us what you can do. Let us hear the voice of heaven!"

With no other choice, Brook took out his violin. He recalled the familiar memories in his mind and began to play. The melody rang out...

[Bring Binks' Sake to you

Like the sea breeze, we ride the wind and waves as we please

On the other side of the sea

The sunset too grows rowdy

The birds' song

Draws circles in the sky

Farewell, harbor of Silk Town

Come sing a song, a song of setting sail

Golden and silver waves burst into sprays of water

We leave because of the sea...]

With Brook leading the way, the two pirate crews joined in singing. Even the merchant ships and pirate ships nearby joined the chorus. It seemed the song really was popular throughout the Grand Line and the Four Blues.

The banquet ended on a high note, with food, drink, and song...

Brook and the others returned to their ship, ready to continue sailing the next day.

"I never imagined Captain Brook could sing like that. I thought Humming Brook had died for good..."

Shakky sighed. When she'd first met Brook, he'd seemed like a cold machine bent on revenge, devoid of emotion, almost like a devil from hell.

. You provided Great God Great Karma Fire's One Piece: Hell Brook.