"Time to get u-u-up! Yohohoho!" Only Brook could have come up with such a bizarre wake-up call. Looking as though he had seen a ghost, Barn sprang up and took a defensive stance. The other crewmates got up at their leisure and greeted one another, clearly used to it.
A bald, mustached man with an exceptionally muscular build stood up and shouted at Brook, "Honestly, Brook! Look how badly you scared the kid!"
Ignoring Barn's obvious reluctance, he pulled him into his arms. Barn shouted, "Let go of me! You bodybuilding geezer! You damn homo! Pervert!" The man's face blossomed into a broad grin, and his arms squeezed tighter and tighter. "S-stop! You're going to squeeze me to... death!" This man was Bullong, the Rumbar Pirates' chief combat officer.
"Haha, Bullong, let him go. He really looks like you're about to squeeze him to death!" York's voice rang out amid his laughter. Seeing that the order had come from Captain York, Bullong released Barn. At that moment, Barn looked at York as though he were an angel. He had never found the old man so lovable.
"Boys! Do you remember what we came to this island for?" York shouted.
"Treasure!" The men aboard the ship were fired up, brimming with excitement.
"That's right! Haha! Then let's get going! Barn, stick with Brook. He'll look after you!"
"Yeah!"
"Okay!"
"Tch!" Brook curled his lip reluctantly. The moment Barn heard they were going treasure hunting, he sobered right up. Coming all the way to the world of the Pirate King without finding any treasure would be such a waste. He was still full of anticipation for it.
In the island's forest, Barn lay on Brook's back as Brook walked slowly along.
"Barn, have you ever seen a real devil?"
The question left Barn utterly confused. "Why do you ask?" he replied.
"Captain York said he sensed the presence of a Devil Fruit in your left arm, but it wasn't a Devil Fruit power. He thinks it's some sort of curse a devil placed on you, so I guessed you'd met a real devil."
A thousand thoughts raced through Barn's mind. He had been worrying about how to explain why his left hand, cursed by Kazaan, had appeared in this world of the Pirate King. Someone had handed him a pillow just as he was getting sleepy. York Sunny, you really are a good man.
"Barn! Why aren't you saying anything?" Brook turned back to look at Barn's vacant eyes. As though sensing his gaze, Barn immediately turned his head away, while Brook murmured to himself, "Just as I thought."
It had to be said that Barn's acting was worthy of a best actor award. He tightened his arms around Brook's neck, tears welling endlessly in his unfocused eyes. Then, in a low, hoarse voice, he said:
"That's right. When I was very little, a fire broke out in my yard, and a devil named Kazaan carried me away. He called himself the Wave Devil. He was very weak then, and he said he didn't want anyone else to use his power. He told me, 'Though the earth trembles, the heart remains calm. Though the eyes cannot see, all things can still be sensed. Thus I came to understand the folly of those who see only with their eyes. Abandoning the light, I trained without cease, until darkness, too, became my friend. Standing beneath the pitch-black heavens and upon the trembling earth, I explored myself and my surroundings. Those at whom I pointed my sword were overcome with terror. Then they saw the eyes I had already forsaken. Across the boundless black sky, countless eyes floated, watching all things from the very beginning. Come, gaze upon me, eyes of waves. Unclosing eyes, comprehend the pinnacle of my waves.'
"After saying that, he sliced open the left side of his chest with his sharp nails, revealing something like a fruit, covered in mysterious spiral patterns. He grabbed my left hand and plunged it viciously into his heart. Excruciating pain shot through my left hand, and I passed out. When I woke up, I was blind, and my left hand had become like this. From then on, everyone in the village treated me like a monster. Only my parents cared for me without hesitation. But now... sob... they're both gone..."
And so, with a story that was thirty percent truth and seventy percent lies, Barn fooled Brook. He even moved himself enough to shed a few crocodile tears. "Gazing" at Brook, he asked between sobs, "Brook, you won't treat us like monsters too, will you?"
Brook sighed and patted Barn's head. "You fool!" Knowing his bluff had worked, Barn made an enormous victory sign in his mind.
After a long silence, Brook asked again, "If you can't see, how do you sense us?"
"Oh, that! I call it Mind's Eye. Not only can I sense people, I can even sense approaching danger and hostility from anyone coming toward me. I only dared approach you so recklessly because I couldn't sense any hostility from you."
Brook nodded now and then as he listened to Barn's answer. "Then why are you making me carry you instead of walking yourself?"
"I can only sense people's presence. I still can't see the path. Besides, walking is tiring, isn't it?" Barn said with a pout.
"You! Get down and walk yourself!" Brook was just about to turn around and peel Barn off his neck when he caught sight of Barn's big, watery eyes. "Brook, you really do dislike me after all."
Brook sighed and gave up on making Barn get down. Through gritted teeth, he said, "You little devil!" Hearing that, Barn gave him thirty-two likes in his mind!
They continued like that for a long time, and Brook gradually let down his guard around Barn. Seeing Brook so cheerful, Barn thought to himself, Now this is the real Brook. He's a pretty good guy.
"Barn! There's a cave up ahead. That should be it-the place where the treasure's hidden! Haha! Who would've thought we'd be the first to find it? Come on, Barn, let's go inside and take a look!" Brook said happily.