Chapter 49: Perona’s Ghostly Ambush

The deeper they ventured into Thriller Bark, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The fog thickened, swirling around them like a living, malevolent presence. Vulcan led the way, his naginata resting casually on his shoulder, though his eyes darted warily around.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," muttered one of the recruits, casting a nervous glance at the surrounding mist.

"I've got no feelings," Brook chimed in, turning his skull to face the recruit. "I'm just a skeleton, you see! Yohohoho!"

The recruit swallowed, looking disturbed as Brook's toothy grin stayed fixed in place. Even Smoker sighed, rubbing his temple with two fingers. "Do you ever stop with the skeleton jokes?"

"No, I don't!" Brook answered enthusiastically. "They're the backbone of my personality! Yohohoho!"

Before anyone could groan, an eerie giggle echoed through the hallways, silencing all conversation. It was playful, almost childlike, yet deeply unsettling. The crew's eyes snapped toward the source of the sound, but all they could see was the swirling fog.

"Welcome, little intruders," a voice cooed from the shadows. "Ready to play?"

"Ah, we have company," Brook said, drawing his sword, a light in his empty eye sockets. "Sounds like a lady, too! Yohohoho!"

"Focus, skeleton," Smoker growled, his jitte already in hand. "We're not here to chat."

Before anyone could react, a swarm of ghosts floated into view, translucent and giggling, their hollow eyes fixed on the crew. Their grins were unnerving, and they weaved through the air with an almost joyful malice.

"Perona's ghosts!" Brook said, his voice tinged with excitement. "Watch out! They'll make you… very depressed."

"What?" Vulcan blinked. "How does that—?"

His question was cut off as one of the ghosts swooped down, passing straight through him. Vulcan staggered as a wave of crushing despair hit him like a freight train. His usually bright, determined eyes dulled instantly, his grin fading as he sank to his knees.

"What's… the point…?" Vulcan muttered, his naginata slipping from his grasp. "I'll never be strong enough... Garp… is disappointed in me…"

The rest of the crew fared no better. Hina collapsed, her usually sharp expression slackening as she stared blankly at the ground. "Hina doesn't… care anymore... Hina is… tired…"

Smoker was already slumped against a wall, his cigarette dangling from his lips. "Life's a joke. Justice is a lie. Why even bother…"

The recruits dropped like flies, some curling into fetal positions while others lay face down on the deck, muttering hopelessly. "We're gonna die here… What's the point of even trying…"

Amidst the wave of despair, only Brook remained standing. He looked around at his fallen comrades, then back at the giggling ghosts, completely unbothered by the emotional onslaught.

"Yohohoho!" Brook laughed, spinning on his heels with a flourish. "Well, I would feel sad… but as it happens, I have no flesh! Yohohoho! You see, I have no emotions left to drain! Because, well, I'm dead! Yohohoho!"

Perona's voice, now clearer and more playful, echoed through the fog. "What? How are you not affected?!"

Brook raised his hand dramatically to his bony chest. "Ah, it's a tragic tale, truly! A tale of a musician who lost his body, his life… and his emotional baggage! Yohohoho!"

Perona's giggle turned into a frustrated huff. "That's cheating! You're not even fun!"

One of the ghosts lunged at Brook, but it passed through him harmlessly, leaving the skeleton completely unfazed. He twirled his cane-sword, flashing a grin at the irritated ghost princess. "You see, dear lady, your little tricks don't work on me. Yohohoho! I'm already… hollow!"

The recruit next to Vulcan, still lying on the ground, let out a weak moan. "He's… still… making skeleton puns…"

Brook shook his head, wagging a finger. "Ah, don't be so down! Or, well, I guess you have to be, since you've been hit by a ghost. Yohohoho!"

Meanwhile, Perona, floating above them, gritted her teeth. "Whatever! I don't need to deal with a talking skeleton! Your friends are done for!"

Brook glanced at his comrades, now lying in heaps of hopelessness. Vulcan lay flat on his back, staring blankly at the sky. "I'll never live up to anyone's expectations… What's the point of training so hard…"

Brook sighed dramatically. "Oh my, this won't do at all." He tapped his bony chin thoughtfully, then drew his sword with a flourish. "Perhaps a bit of music will help lift your spirits! Yohohoho!"

With a flick of his wrist, Brook drew his sword across the air, creating a melodic hum. The sound was oddly soothing, a gentle, uplifting tune that seemed to push against the heavy fog of despair. As the music filled the air, Vulcan's eyes twitched, a spark of life returning to them.

Brook continued playing, his sword glinting in the dim light. "Ah, let me serenade you with a tune of hope! One that even ghosts can't resist! Yohohoho!"

Slowly, the crew began to stir. Smoker lifted his head, blinking in confusion. "What… What is that sound?"

Hina rubbed her eyes, shaking off the daze. "Hina… feels… something…"

Vulcan blinked, his grin slowly returning. "Wait… food… snacks… What if Garp's watching me right now?"

He suddenly sat up, gripping his naginata with renewed vigor. "We've got work to do! Can't let some ghosts get the best of us!"

Brook's song reached a crescendo as the fog lifted, and the crew stood up, shaking off their ghost-induced depression. Perona, still floating above them, looked absolutely furious.

"What?! How did you break free from my ghosts?!"

Vulcan pointed at her, his grin back in full force. "Let's just say we've got good taste in music. Thanks, Brook!"

Brook gave a bow, flourishing his sword-cane. "Ah, no need to thank me! I'm always happy to bring a little life to the party! Yohohoho!"

Perona growled, waving her hands to summon more ghosts. "You're all idiots! I'll just keep sending them until you can't move!"

Vulcan twirled his naginata and stood his ground. "Bring it on, Princess! We've got some bone-chilling moves of our own!"

"Yohohoho!" Brook added, delighted. "Now you're getting into the spirit!"

The ghosts lunged at them again, but this time the crew was ready. Smoker unleashed a plume of smoke, sweeping through the air and scattering the ghosts, while Hina summoned her iron cages, trapping several of them in mid-air. Brook, ever graceful, danced through the battlefield with his sword, cutting down the ghosts with quick, precise slashes.

"Yohohoho! See, Perona-chan, ghosts are no match for a skeleton! Allow me to show you the art of elegant swordsmanship!"

With one final swing, Brook cut through a cluster of ghosts, their giggles fading as they vanished into thin air.

Perona, now visibly frustrated, floated back, glaring at them. "This isn't over! You may have gotten lucky this time, but I won't let you escape next time!"

Before Vulcan could reply, Perona's form shimmered, and she disappeared into the fog, leaving nothing but an eerie silence behind.

"Well, that was fun," Vulcan said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Everyone okay?"

Hina sighed dramatically, brushing herself off. "Hina is… alive, unfortunately."

Smoker grunted, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "I hate ghosts."

Brook sheathed his sword, his usual grin in place. "Ah, but I do enjoy the company of a fellow spirit! Yohohoho! Now, shall we continue?"

The crew regrouped, their spirits lifted, but the tension in the air remained. Thriller Bark was full of surprises, and Gecko Moria still loomed somewhere in the shadows.

Vulcan stretched and grinned. "Let's keep moving. We're not done yet."

As they ventured deeper into the haunted ship, Vulcan couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "Ghosts or not, nothing's gonna stop us now."