บท 40: The buffet starts~!

As Moria had made his decision, naturally, it was impossible for Perona to hide from Masa, and he knew that the ghost woman from the Thriller Bark had been spying on his ship, yet he didn't think too much of it, considering the danger of this adventure wasn't as dangerous as when he fought an admiral, and at the same time, he had to say, similar to Impel Down that he mentioned in the past, Thriller Bark, Moria's ship, was also a treasure trove in his eyes.

Impel Down kept many famous criminals from all over the world, including the most dangerous ones, and Thriller Bark was the same as it kept many famous strong pirates that died.

While those pirates might not be living but dying, yet even so, Masa felt that it was a good choice for him to go to the Thriller Bark, considering all the bodies that he could devour on that ship.

It was like a buffet again, he thought.

More importantly, since he was no longer eating the Devil Fruit as he had hit the limit, he could still try to improve in terms of physical ability, "Haki," sword skill, unique fighting styles, experiences, and many other things from the corpses of those famous figures that Moria had collected.

Still, if possible, he hoped for the next Masa to appear, especially one from the modern world, where he could read stories about where all Masa lived.

Yes, this Masa might be weak as he came from the modern world, but this Masa could help them by telling them the plot and many vital pieces of information that all of them needed.

After all, even if all of them were smart and their memories were good due to their combination of the three, there was still a limit, and it wasn't like they knew everything as they weren't omniscient.

Moreover, as many of them hadn't reached the end of the story, or even many of the stories of the worlds where they were hadn't ended, this Masa from the modern world might be able to help them to update them with significant knowledge of the future.

At the same time, he really wished to eat more Devil Fruit!

Still, if the next Masa didn't appear, then there was nothing he could do, so he could only do his best, improving something else, especially fighting style, and there was no doubt that Thriller Bark was a good place for that.

"Um... did you listen to my story, Masa?"

"I did." Masa nodded and said, "You can continue, Brook."

"Hyohohoho, very well~! Let this grandpa, no, this old deadbones, tell you my past~!"

Brook was happy to meet someone, many of them, even, but then again, when he saw Carina, as usual, he thought to say that she was beautiful and also said his usual trademark.

"By the way, that beautiful lady over there, can you let me see your panties?"

Ah, of course, Brook didn't dare say those words to Carina, especially when he could see how close she was to Masa. They were probably lovers, and he wasn't stupid enough to provoke a young man who had eaten Pika Pika no Mi, an ability that could erase him completely from this world as he was currently.

Yet, even so, there were many beautiful maids around, so Brook didn't shy away; only—

Why did it feel like those maids were like mindless dolls?

More importantly, the way all of them stared at him silently like they were dead made her bones tremble.

Or rather, his body was trembling due to fear!

This young man is so scary!

"What's wrong, Brook? Is the tea not to your taste?"

"N-No! It tastes good, Masa! Thank you very much!"

Nevertheless, Brook's past was simple as he was just a pirate who went to the sea, then met many troubles from incurable diseases that robbed the lives of his captain, then was killed by the enemy pirates upon entering the Florian Triangle, then killed as he was affected by the enemy's poison weapon.

"But you are living now."

"I do, but I am all bones now~! Hyohohoho~!"

Masa smiled and asked, "So, did you eat a Devil Fruit? Zoan-type skeleton form or something that allows you to revive from the death?" He knew the truth, but he just asked anyway.

"Hyohohoho, I did eat a Devil Fruit, but not a Zoan type of skeleton form, but I did eat Yomi Yomi no Mi, which allowed me to gain a second life after my death."

"Yomi Yomi no Mi...."

Hearing that expression, Carina's expression started to change, and it quickly turned into greed, thinking if Masa devoured this Devil Fruit, then he would be okay no matter what.

"Um... is it only me, or have your lover's eyes become scary, Masa?"

"No, it's just your imagination." Masa rolled at Carina and just hugged her closely so she wouldn't do anything stupid.

To be honest, Brook was scared!

However, Brook didn't dare to run away!

After all, Brook could tell that Masa was strong, so strong that it was his first time to see someone as strong as him during his life, but he died now.

Should he say that after his death?

"By the way, what's wrong with your shadow? Did you lose your shadow after you gained a second life?" Masa asked curiously, even though he knew the truth.

"..."

Stunned, Carina lowered her head and saw that Brook had no shadow!

"M-Masa, he really isn't a ghost, right?"

"Hyohoho, you don't have to worry, young lady. I am really not a ghost, but I am a bone~! Living deadbones~!"

"...."

Carina didn't bother to talk with Brook.

"But I lost my shadow to a certain someone..." Brook's voice was a little low when he said those words.

"Can you tell us more about that? Maybe I can help you."

'Ah...'

Brook looked at Masa in surprise, then felt moved, realizing that he was wrong.

This young man was scared, but then again, as he had many that he had to protect, wasn't it natural for him to be cautious, especially when Brook had told all of them that he was a pirate?

Brook might have died before and might have retired as he was all bones at this moment, but he was a pirate before, after all.

So, wasn't it normal for Masa to be cautious?

Yet, somehow, after that talk and confirming that Brook was okay, Masa offered him help. However, how could he let this young man be in danger due to him?

While Brook didn't have any skin or muscle, it was clear that he was smiling. "You don't have to worry. Instead of thinking of my problem, you should continue your trip with your lover. You two are young, right? Instead of thinking of an old bone-like me, you should be lovey-dovey and make children~!" While he was frightened by Masa, he knew that Masa was quite chill as long as he wasn't that rude, so he tried to tease them, telling them to continue with their honeymoon.

Yes, this was the best, but—

Masa pointed his finger upward, and a bright light radiated from its tip.

"Tell me."

"Ah, yes. Also, no lights, please! I am going to die! I am going to die, Masa!"

Brook was obedient.

"Also, Brook. Let me know as soon as possible since we're already targeted."

"—?!"

Suddenly, the ship was shaking, and on the outside, a mouth-shaped gate was closed, seemingly trying to trap them, and at the same time, they could see the largest ship that they had ever seen.

Thriller Bark.

They had arrived on this horror-like ship.

Still, while everyone was fearful, Masa licked his lips since the buffet had started.

---

There are going to be a lot of things here!