York was dead, a dagger buried in his chest.
York had killed himself, leaving without the slightest warning. There was a sheet of paper by his bed, bearing his last words:
"Barn, Brook, Mondo... I'm leaving. I can't bear to part with this ship or this sea. From the day we set sail until now, no matter how hard things got, we made it through together. But now, I'm truly exhausted. I want to rest. Take another ship and leave me aboard this one. It hurts so much. Let me go in search of true freedom. I hope you can stay alive... York"
After Brook finished reading those words, everyone aboard the ship wept. York had been a deeply charismatic man who had touched and influenced every member of the crew. Now that he was gone, it was truly hard to accept.
"Captain!"
York was gone, taking the ship with its sails raised and his dreams with him, off to seek his freedom. Brook and the others changed ships and sailed aimlessly.
Today, Bullong died. Even at death's door, he had mocked Barn for eating so little in his trademark booming voice. He figured that since he was going to die anyway, he might as well die happy, with a full stomach. There was still a chicken drumstick between his teeth when he died.
Mabu died too. He had been at the helm in the wheelhouse at the time, and that was where he died, slumped over the wheel.
No one else aboard knew how to navigate, so they could only let the ship drift with the currents.
Eventually, the ship drifted into waters shrouded in poisonous fog. The poison hastened the progression of their illness, and three people had already died today. Barn no longer fished either. Every day, he simply lay sunning himself on the deck, "watching" the black sun...
Brook could no longer bear the helplessness of waiting for death without being able to fight back at all. Standing at the bow with his violin in one hand, he shouted to the dispirited pirates:
"Friends, cheer up! We'll be seeing Captain York soon. Don't let him laugh at us! We're the Rumbar Pirates! Let's play this Pirate Song of freedom one last time!" As he spoke, he tucked his violin beneath his chin and drew his bow across the strings.
Brook's words still carried weight. Those who had been lying there waiting to die sat up. Those who could play brought out their instruments, while those who couldn't sang at the tops of their voices! Barn took out the harmonica he had made and played that familiar melody too.
Fitz stood on Barn's head and sang with little chirps, enjoying this final moment of joy with everyone.
In these waters filled with poisonous fog and the breath of death, the pirates' song of freedom rang out!
"Yo-ho-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho-ho
Bring on Binks' Sake, through wind and rain and towering waves, beneath clear skies, the flag I love flies high
Though this frail body is filled with dreams, a man like me can roam to the ends of the earth
Bring on Binks' Sake, with friends beside me, you and I chase hope across the sea
The waves lull me to sleep, the ship is home, a shelter from the storm
The skull flag flying in the wind gives me strength
We open a new chapter in this age, each pursuing our own dreams
The beating drums resound through every corner of sea and sky
No matter how fierce the wind and waves, we press on bravely without fear
This is how a man should live, a life full of splendor
Yo-ho-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho-ho
Bring on Binks' Sake, alone at midnight
Drunk, I relive the days gone by in dreams
Always there beside me, like the bright moonlight
Spilling across the sea, another beautiful night
Bring on Binks' Sake, let the music ring out once again
Cast everything aside and sing the song of the sea together at the tops of our voices
What does it matter if the road is long, if hardships and setbacks lie ahead?
We have wine, we have friends, we'll revel until dawn."
As the song continued, the crew members fell one after another...
"A quartet..."
"A trio..."
"A duet..."
Brook was counting down to the end. Only he and Barn were still alive now. But soon, after Brook drew out one final, lingering note on his violin, its sound faded too.
"A solo..."
Barn played the final notes of this song of freedom on his harmonica, then collapsed on the deck as well...
So this is how it ends...
Silence returned to those waters. Fitz patted Barn's head, trying to wake him, but it was no use. Barn did not respond. A faint smile rested on his face, as though he had merely fallen asleep...
Fitz lay down beside Barn's head, rested his own head against Barn's cheek, and fell asleep...
That night, a faint green glow rose aboard the ship...
"It's not over yet..."
"Mm, where am I..."