LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 141: Awake
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--xLOVEx--
When Coby opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was the warmth pressing against both sides of his body. His arms were pinned down by something soft. Blinking a few times, his vision cleared, and he realized what it was—Nami on his right and Robin on his left, both hugging him closely, their heads resting on his shoulders.
He smirked. "Just in time," he thought, feeling the softness that nearly suffocated him. Brook's familiar voice echoed through the room, singing Bink's Sake, accompanied by the gentle tones of piano. It wasn't just Brook, though. The rest of the crew and crowd freed on Thriller Bark were singing along, and in the background, a recording from the video dial played the same song—the last one his old crew had performed for Laboon.
Coby couldn't help but grin. "Didn't I live on for these?" he muttered to himself, his eyes flicking between Nami and Robin, who seemed to be lost in peaceful slumber. Their boobies pressing on his body.
He closed his eyes again, not from exhaustion, but to savor the moment. The pain was still there, but faint now, like a dull throb at the back of his mind. What he focused on was the overwhelming comfort of being surrounded by his girls, hearing the song and feeling the presence of Nami and Robin pressing against him. Their steady breathing was almost hypnotic, their warmth pulling him into a sense of calm he hadn't felt in a long time.
Luffy's voice broke through the haze of comfort. "Oi, look who's awake!" he shouted with his usual excitement.
"Keep it down, idiot," Nami mumbled sleepily, shifting but not moving away from Coby. Her arm was draped over his chest, fingers lightly gripping his shirt. Robin didn't stir much, but her arm tightened slightly around his torso, and her lips curled into a small, knowing smile as she dozed.
Zoro, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, gave a grunt of acknowledgment. "You took your time."
Sanji, who had just entered the room with a tray of food, glanced over with a sly grin. "Looks like someone's enjoying himself," he said, setting the food down with a flourish. "Not everyone gets that kind of VIP treatment, Coby."
Coby chuckled softly, still enjoying the attention. "I'm not complaining."
Brook's music continued to fill the room, his skeletal figure swaying as he played. Franky, Usopp and Chopper were sitting near him, singing along with enthusiasm, though Usopp's voice cracked occasionally.
"Yohohoho!" Brook laughed in between verses. "It's been a while since I sang Bink's Sake for an audience. It's even better when everyone joins in!"
Coby closed his eyes, soaking in the moment with Nami and Robin still comfortably pressed against him. He felt their warmth and soft breathing, the song from Brook filling the room, the crew's laughter, and chatter blending into the background. It was one of those rare, peaceful moments that came after surviving something that could killed them all. He sighed, then called out after the son ended, "Hey, Brook."
The skeleton tilted his head. "Yohohoho! Yes, Coby-san?"
Coby smirked, eyes still closed. "I have a song. I want to hear it again, but I'm no singer. Think I could leave it to you?"
Brook, feeling the weight in Coby's voice, nodded solemnly. "Of course, Coby-san. I will do my best. What's the story behind this music?"
Coby chuckled, finally opening his eyes and grinning as he shifted slightly between Nami and Robin. "It's the greatest opening song of all time from the greatest crew ever created. The only regret I ever had is that the characters from that story never got to hear it. I think they would loved it."
The crew exchanged confused glances, not really sure where Coby was going with this. Luffy leaned forward, his face lighting up with excitement. "A song about a great crew? Sounds awesome! Let's hear it!"
Brook, intrigued but respectful, nodded again. "I understand. I shall prepare myself." He adjusted his bowtie and moved closer to his piano, readying himself. "Could you write down the notes and lyrics for me?"
Coby raised an eyebrow, realizing he didn't actually know the technical aspects of the song. He wasn't a musician. "Yeah, give me a sec." He then quietly accessed the System in his mind, spending some SP to acquire musical talent from Brook. Immediately, a surge of new knowledge flowed into his mind, and his hands twitched slightly, now knowing exactly how to write out the notes and lyrics.
He scribbled down the sheet, humming the melody under his breath. As Brook leaned over to read the music, his hollow eyes widened. "This… this is a masterpiece!" Brook exclaimed, his skeletal hands trembling slightly as he held the sheet.
Luffy's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What is it, Brook?"
Without answering, Brook slowly sat at the piano, adjusting his posture as the room quieted down in anticipation. His bony fingers hovered above the keys for a moment before he began to play the opening notes of We Are! from the One Piece anime. The tune was lively, uplifting, and immediately filled the room with an infectious energy.
The crew blinked, surprised by the unfamiliar yet catchy melody.
Luffy's grin grew impossibly wide. "Oi, I like this song already!"
As Brook continued playing, the melody built, and Coby hummed along with the tune. He could see the rest of the crew starting to tap their feet or nod their heads to the beat. Even Zoro, who usually wasn't one for music, was quietly bobbing his head.
When the chorus hit, it was impossible not to feel the excitement. Luffy, unable to contain himself, jumped up and started swaying to the rhythm, his arms stretched wide. "This is awesome!"
Nami and Robin, now awake, smiled as they leaned back into Coby. Robin spoke first, her voice soft. "This is a good choice, Coby."
Nami nodded, resting her head on Coby's shoulder again. "Yeah, it fits us."
Franky, always a sucker for a good tune, shot up from his seat, his huge arms pumping to the beat. "THIS SONG IS SUPER!!!" He yelled, joining Luffy's little dance.
Usopp grabbed his Kabuto and used it as an air guitar, strumming along with a huge grin plastered across his face. "We're the greatest crew! This song is about us!"
Chopper in his tiny form and started twirling in circles, his little arms flailing in pure joy. "It's so catchy! I love it!"
"...We are!" Brook finished the song, his fingers lingering on the piano keys as the last notes echoed through the room. The crew and the crowd freed on Thriller Bark stood in awe, the melody still buzzing in their ears.
Coby grinned, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Told you it was a good one."
Brook, his hollow eyes gleaming, looked over at Coby and said, "Coby-san, this song is truly amazing. I can feel the spirit of adventure in every note."
"I know. Used to listen to it all the time," Coby replied, his smirk widening as he glanced at the others still swaying to the rhythm.
For a moment, the entire room was filled with laughter and goofing around. Then Brook stood up suddenly, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with something more serious. In a swift motion, he pulled out his old wanted poster and smashed it to the ground. The sound silenced the room as all eyes turned to the skeleton.
"This is my old wanted poster," Brook declared, his voice deep and resolute. "I was once known as Dead Bones Brook or Humming Brook, with a bounty of 33 million Beri. But from this day forward..." He paused, raising his hand in a solemn gesture, "...I pledge my loyalty to Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates." He smiled widely. "Can I be an excess load on your ship?"
Luffy jumped forward, laughing. "Of course! You're part of the crew now!"
"Yohohoho! Thank you, Luffy-san!" Brook laughed, bowing deeply.
The rest of the crew cheered in unison, welcoming their newest nakama. Usopp slapped Brook on the back, nearly knocking him over, while Franky offered his signature pose. "SUPER!" he shouted, his voice booming through the room.
PS: I just love We Are opening!
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