Stranded Dick

"Did you guys hear the sound last night?"

The next day, many people in the tavern were enthusiastically discussing the events of last night. It was evident that many had heard the piercing scream that cut through the darkness.

"I heard it. It was eerie. I heard it was a few guys who were planning to steal, but accidentally ran into a ghostly skeleton."

"Heh heh, want to know the details?"

"Do you know?"

Upon hearing this, many turned their attention to the speaker.

The man, feeling proud under the gaze of the others, explained, "Of course I do. It was my wife's brother-in-law's wife's brother's son's friend's brother who serves as a guard at Lord Oden's mansion. He told me about it. Those guys were caught by the patrolling warriors."

"Tell us what happened exactly?"

Many became interested at this point.

"Ahem, let me clear my throat."

The man cleared his throat and tapped the table lightly with the empty bowl in his hand.

Seeing this, others quickly poured him some more wine.

After taking a sip, the man spoke, "It's similar to what you heard. Indeed, someone did run into a ghost last night. According to those guys, it was a half-bodied skeleton, filled with the resentment of death. Flames of the underworld surrounded him, and anyone touched by them would turn to ashes. It seems that the skeleton was once a ruthless warrior who died in battle long ago in Bakura, known as the 'Executioner Slasher'. However, Lord Oden has already sent for a monk from the great temple in Flower capital to suppress the evil spirit. It won't be long before it's taken care of."

After finishing his story, the man took another sip of wine and noticed a skeleton decoration on the tavern wall.

"Boss Guo, what's that?"

The man looked puzzled as he pointed to the skeleton on the wall.

"Oh, that's just a decoration. My wife uses it to practice bone setting. After all, only with persistent training can one better help the injured."

Nicolas explained with a smile, looking at the skeleton decoration.

Since their identities were well disguised, even Vista, the small giant, wasn't too surprising in the world of pirates. However, a talking skeleton would draw too much attention. After unanimous agreement, Brook became one of the decorations in the tavern.

Brook readily accepted, especially after Nicholas told him that in his soul state, he could see all sorts of interesting things in the women's bathhouse.

Nine miles, the port of Kuri.

A large three-masted ship, resembling a giant white whale, lay stranded on the beach. The ship's three masts were broken, the sails torn, and the hull damaged. Clearly, this ship had sustained severe damage while climbing the waterfall in Wano.

"We did climb the waterfall, but why are there islands and a sea here?"

"It seems someone lives on the island. We don't have to worry too much about supplies now. I never thought the ship's hold would flood. Most of our supplies and provisions are unusable."

"Haha, that's my fault. I didn't expect so many reefs in that waterfall."

The navigator said apologetically.

"I'm going to the island to see if there are any settlements and collect supplies. Anyone want to come with me?"

A voluptuous beauty with blueish hair smiled and asked the others.

"I'll go, I'll go!"

"Me, and me."

"I'm Miss's guard dog."

"I want to go too."

A small guy with a pineapple-like head also raised his hand.

"Little guy, you stay here and help with the ship repairs as an intern. Going to collect supplies with Miss is not your turn."

"Jozu, what are you talking about! I'm very strong! Don't forget I have the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit power of the Undying Bird!"

"Marco, strength? Didn't someone get chased around by a bunch of flame chickens like little foals last time? The Undying Bird? I think it's more like a Ground Chicken."

With Jozu's words, everyone burst into laughter.

"You... you..."

Thinking of the embarrassing moment when he was chased around by a flock of flame eagles, Marco's face turned black, and a bluish-green flame began to emanate from his body.

"Marco, wipe it off."

A simple-looking guy standing nearby handed Marco a piece of cloth, indicating he should wipe it off first.

"Thank you, Thatch..."

Before Marco could finish, the simple guy continued, "It smells."

Marco:...

"Haha, that's our esteemed Undying Bird Marco for you. Haha."

Seeing Marco's embarrassment, Jozu laughed again. It seemed that having an intern on the ship indeed brought a lot more fun.

After wiping his head, Marco looked at Whitebeard with resentment, "Dad, you must have noticed what happened just now with your Observation Haki, right? Why didn't you remind me?"

To Marco, it was not just about Jozu and the others not reminding him. How could even Whitebeard not remind him?

"Marco, people need to grow. Do you expect me to remind you on the battlefield in the future, my dear son?"

Whitebeard reached out and rubbed Marco's phoenix head, seemingly not minding the lump of excrement that was just there.

[AN-There's something I need to attend to today, so there are only two chapters.]