Chapter 59: A New Idea, A New Path

The sun was setting over Marine HQ, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The once chaotic energy of the Thriller Bark mission had subsided, and the surviving crew members found themselves at a strange crossroads. They had won, but at a heavy cost. Brook, standing at the dock with his signature top hat and cane, prepared to leave his newfound comrades.

"Yohohoho! It's been quite the adventure, hasn't it?" Brook said, his skeletal face somehow managing a smile. "I never expected to find myself among Marines, but it's time for me to continue my journey."

The crew stood by, their expressions mixed. Even Smoker, always stoic, looked somewhat reluctant to see him go. Brook had lightened the mood in the darkest of times, and now his departure felt like the end of an era.

Vulcan, arms crossed, smiled at the skeleton musician. "Take care of yourself, Brook. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to find us."

Brook chuckled. "You've got a promise from me, Vulcan. Maybe we'll cross paths again, but I must continue my search for my beloved ship and crew. The seas are vast, after all!"

With a dramatic bow, Brook turned and walked down the dock toward his small ship. As the sails unfurled and the wind caught them, Brook gave a final wave.

"Goodbye, everyone! Yohohoho! May the winds be in your favor!"

As the ship sailed away, a heavy silence fell over the crew. They had grown fond of Brook's eccentric presence, and now it felt like another chapter was closing. But they had no time to linger. There was still much to be done.

Vulcan turned to Smoker and Hina, giving them a nod. "I've got something to discuss with Sengoku. I'll meet you guys later."

In Sengoku's office, the Fleet Admiral sat behind his desk, sorting through piles of reports and documents. The faint sound of a knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in," Sengoku said, his voice sharp but curious.

Vulcan entered the room, standing at attention. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, sir. I'd like to discuss something regarding Thriller Bark."

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, motioning for Vulcan to continue. "Go on."

Vulcan took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about how we could use Thriller Bark to cut down on the number of pirates entering the New World. Most pirates use Fishman Island as their main route into the New World. If we were to position Thriller Bark as a chokepoint somewhere in the Grand Line, near the routes leading to Sabaody Archipelago, we could intercept pirates before they even get close to the New World."

Sengoku's eyebrows rose slightly. "A chokepoint?"

"Yes," Vulcan continued, his eyes serious. "By stationing Thriller Bark there, we could effectively filter out weaker pirate crews, capturing or eliminating them before they ever reach the New World. Over time, this would reduce the number of pirates entering the Grand Line, weakening the overall pirate forces. It would also send a message: that the Marines are taking control of key routes."

Sengoku listened carefully, nodding occasionally as Vulcan spoke. When the young Marine finished, there was a brief silence as the Fleet Admiral mulled over the proposal. Finally, Sengoku leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk.

"Hmmm... It's certainly a bold idea," Sengoku said, his tone thoughtful. "Using Thriller Bark as a chokepoint would give us a significant strategic advantage. It's big enough to house troops, it's mobile, and it's powerful. But…"

He gave Vulcan a sharp look. "Do you realize what you're proposing? The New World is home to some of the most dangerous pirates in existence. Yonko territories are spread throughout it, and any serious attempt to control the flow of pirates could provoke conflict with them. Not to mention, there are logistical issues—Thriller Bark is still linked to Moria's powers. We can't use it effectively until we understand how those abilities work."

Vulcan nodded. "I understand the risks, sir. But if we can re-engineer the ship and control it fully, we can control pirate activity in the Grand Line more efficiently. We'll stop the smaller threats before they ever become larger ones."

Sengoku leaned back, rubbing his chin. He couldn't deny the potential of such an idea. Thriller Bark, in the right hands, could change the balance of power on the seas. He smiled slightly, impressed with Vulcan's foresight.

"You've got a sharp mind, Vulcan. I have to admit, I didn't expect this kind of strategic thinking from you. You've gone from reckless to... ambitious in a short time."

Vulcan allowed himself a small grin. "Thank you, sir."

Sengoku tapped his fingers on the desk, his mind already turning to logistics. "We'll need Vegapunk for this. No one understands technology and Devil Fruit abilities like him. If we want to make Thriller Bark functional for the Marines, we'll need him to dissect its mechanics."

Vulcan nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. This plan was coming together.

Sengoku stood, motioning toward the door. "For now, leave it with me. I'll handle the logistics and speak to Dr. Vegapunk about this re-engineering project. In the meantime, I want you and your team to stay sharp. There will be more missions to come, and I expect you to be ready."

"Yes, sir," Vulcan said, saluting.

As he turned to leave, Sengoku's voice stopped him.

"Oh, and Vulcan…"

Vulcan paused, glancing back.

Sengoku smiled faintly. "You've got potential. Keep this up, and you might just become one of the pillars the Marines need."

Vulcan's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected praise, but he kept his composure. "I'll do my best, sir."