Picking up where Chapter 442 left off, the mysterious skeleton greets the rest of the crew and introduces himself as "Dead Bones" Brooke, much to the Straw Hat's unease. Usopp and Chopper can't believe what they're seeing, so Usopp declares he must be in a dream, much to Chopper's relief. Brooke notices Robin and starts to flirt with her, upsetting Nami. Zoro demands Luffy to explain about Brooke, to which Luffy explains he's now a comrade. Zoro then scolds Nami and Sanji for allowing Luffy to make such an impulsive decision. Brooke decides it's time for dinner and invites everyone inside the cabin, which irks the crew even more. In the cabin, Brooke begins to sing praises about the architecture of the ship, which pleases Franky enough to compliment Brooke's taste, much to Sanji's annoyance. Brooke is interested in food because he hasn't eaten in many years, then he makes a skeleton joke that amuses Luffy. He explains that as a gentleman, he's very patient and admires people who patiently wait for food even when they're hungry, but his own hunger gets the better of him and he starts to bang on a table and demand it, angering Sanji again but exciting Luffy. Luffy starts to talk to Brooke, giving Brooke the opportunity to ask Luffy his name. Luffy tells him then asks Brooke what he is, to Zoro's frustration. Sanji interrupts the conversation by bringing food, though Brooke is skeptical about being able to finish. However, he notices Robin's large plate and offers her a trade, again angering Sanji. After the meal, Brooke begins to explain that he's alive by virtue of the "Yomi Yomi" Devil Fruit, a unique fruit that gives its user the ability to come back from the dead. Brooke was originally a pirate and his crew patrolled the waters of the Demon Sea, but all of them died at the hands of a particularly powerful and ferocious crew of pirates. Brooke's soul returned from the underworld, but because of the thick fog he could not find his old body until a year later, when it had rotted away to nothing but a skeleton. Franky admits that Devil Fruits have terrifying powers, and Sanji thinks that Brooke's power is like a curse. Zoro wonders why Brooke still has an afro, and Brooke claims it's because his hair has strong roots, a claim Zoro is skeptical about. Usopp questions if Brooke isn't a ghost, to which Brooke explains he isn't, and further says he dislikes ghosts so much he'd cry if he saw one, prompting Nami to ask if he's looked in a mirror. Brooke starts to scream in the mirror's presence, leading Usopp and Chopper to discover that Brooke has no reflection. Luffy is surprised, and the rest of the crew tense enough to get out of their seats. Usopp then notices Brooke has no shadow, but Brooke pays it little mind and continues to sip his drink, despite Sanji and Usopp raising a ruckus. Brooke then explains that his lack of a shadow is unrelated to his Devil Fruit power. Brooke teases everyone by saying he'll elaborate later, to Sanji's fury, but he does continue and says his shadow was stolen by someone. Because he lacks a shadow, Brooke would disintegrate if he had any contact with direct sunlight, and explains that a similar fate befell a person he once knew. Broke concludes his story by saying that everyone he ever knew has died, but "Dead Bones" Brooke lives on. Sanji believes Brooke has lived a terrible life, but Brooke counters by saying he's still living on, upsetting Franky and Sanji. Brooke then breaks into song, dumbfounding Usopp. Brooke then announces he's quite happy because he's met people, as he's lived a very lonely life for a long time and he's quite happy. The crew is surprised by his words and they remain silent as he speaks. Brooke asks Luffy if he was serious when Luffy said he could become a comrade in arms, thanking him for the opportunity. To Luffy's surprise, Brooke rejects membership in the Straw Hats, claiming that he'll crumble to dust shortly after leaving the protection of the fog in the Demon Sea. Luffy demands to know who took Brooke's shadow, claiming he'll take it back for him, to Brooke's surprise. Brooke compliments Luffy by saying he's a good man, but refuses to tell the thief's name as doing so in his mind is the same as a death sentence, and he doesn't have the heart to do that to people he's just met. Franky asks if Brooke's enemy is strong, asserting that the Straw Hats can handle things with just the name of their target, but Brooke stubbornly refuses, explaining that if he meets the Straw Hats again, he could be a force to reckon with in battle. Brooke decides to change the subject by singing a song, for which he takes out his violin. Brooke explains that he was the ship's musician on his old crew, which excites Luffy enough to beg Brooke to join up. As Brooke begins a sailor's tune, the crew notices a large white ghost has entered the cabin through one of the walls. Zoro feels a vibration, which shocks Brooke enough to rush to the deck. The crew notice a large set of jaws behind them, and Brooke claims that the closing of the gate was the source of the vibration. Brooke then asks if the crew opened a floating barrel before they met him, and Luffy confirms they did. Brooke explains that every since the Straw Hats did that, they've been followed by an unseen presence. Somebody notices a dark, gloomy isle in the horizon, which Brooke solemly identifies as the Island of Ghosts, Thriller Bark. Nami comments that the Log Post isn't reacting to the island at all, and Brooke explains it's because Thriller Bark was originally from West Blue. Brooke climbs up on Thousand Sunny's figurehead, impressing Sanji at how light he must be. Brooke bids goodbye to the Straw Hats, thanking them for their hospitality and warning them to stay away from the island, as it's impossible to anchor anywhere near it. Brooke then leaps off of Sunny's head, much to Luffy's shock, since a Devil Fruit user cannot swim. To everyone's surprise, Brooke starts running across the water, straight toward Thriller Bark's shore. Brooke's ominous words spread unease through the crew, but Luffy is too overwhelmed by the call of adventure to notice.
Notes
1. After Brooke's tantrum about needing food, Luffy calls Brooke "korobokkuru", which means 2. "Yomi Yomi" means 3. The Yomi Yomi fruit is a Paramecia type. 4. Luffy compare's Brooke's search for his body to Zoro, a reference to Zoro's horrible sense of direction.