I, Kizaru, only came to the chat group after I became invincible

Chapter 476 Signature
"Really?" Sanji asked curiously. "Uncle Kizaru must have had to eat a lot of good food back when he was at Marine Headquarters, right?"

“There are indeed many good chefs,” Borsalino said slowly. “However, the cuisine at headquarters is mostly for efficiency and nutrition; while it tastes good, it lacks something.”

"What's missing?" Nami asked curiously.

“What’s missing,” Borsalino thought for a moment, “is the sentiment.”

"The sentiment?"

“Hmm.” Borsalino looked at the slice of ham in his hand. “In Sanji’s cooking, you can feel his respect for the ingredients, his care for the diners, and his love for the food itself. This kind of ‘heart’ is something even the most upscale restaurants might not be able to provide.”

Sanji's eyes welled up with tears after hearing these words.

"Thank you. Thank you, Uncle Kizaru," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "As a chef, to receive such praise is truly touching."

“You’re welcome,” Borsalino smiled. “I’m just telling the truth.”

“Uncle Kizaru is right,” Robin said gently. “Sanji’s cooking is always full of warmth and care.”

"That's right!" Luffy grinned. "Sanji's cooking is the best!"

"You guys..." Sanji turned around, secretly wiping his eyes. "You're really making me embarrassed."

"Alright, alright, stop getting sentimental," Zoro said. "Eat up, this kind of good ham doesn't come around often."

“That’s right!” Luffy immediately reached out to take it again.

"Wait!" Sanji stopped him. "This ham is meant to be eaten in several portions, not all at once!"

"Huh? Why?" Luffy asked, dissatisfied.

“Because this is a precious ingredient, it should be savored slowly,” Sanji explained. “Besides, eating too much at once will prevent you from appreciating its deliciousness.”

"Alright." Luffy accepted it reluctantly.

Everyone enjoyed the food and sea breeze on the deck in a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

After finishing his ham, Luffy lay contentedly on the deck, basking in the sun.

"I'm so full," he said, rubbing his stomach.

"You were only full for five minutes," Usopp retorted.

"Hahaha!" Everyone laughed.

Nami was recording the day's events in the ship's logbook. Zoro was resting with his eyes closed. Franky was checking the ship's equipment. Chopper was organizing the medical kit.

Robin sat in a deckchair reading a book, occasionally looking up at the sea.

Borsalino leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon with a faint smile on his face.

At that moment, Brooke came out of the music room, holding his beloved violin.

“The weather is so nice, it would be a shame not to play some music,” he said.

"Brook, would you like to play?" Chopper asked excitedly.

“Yes.” Brooke picked up her violin. “I want to play a piece suitable for sailing.”

He placed the violin on his shoulder and closed his eyes—even though he didn't have eyes to begin with.

Then, beautiful piano music began.

Brooke played a cheerful and light melody, as free as the sea breeze. The music floated on the sea, intertwining with the sound of the waves to create a beautiful symphony.

"It sounds nice." Nami put down her pen and listened quietly.

“Brook’s piano playing is always so beautiful.” Robin closed the book as well.

Luffy closed his eyes and swayed gently to the music.

Although Zoro appears to be sleeping, the corners of his mouth are slightly upturned, indicating that he is also enjoying the music.

Sanji leaned against the mast, a cigarette dangling from his lips, a relaxed expression on his face.

Frankie stopped what he was doing and sat on the deck to listen.

Chopper lay on the lawn, looking at the blue sky and white clouds, listening to the music.

Borsalino listened quietly, his smile softening even more.

"This is wonderful," he murmured to himself, "a time like this."

Brooke's performance lasted about ten minutes. His technique was superb, his emotions were rich, and every note was perfectly timed.

When the last note fell, everyone couldn't help but applaud.

“That’s great, Brook!” Nami said.

"Hehehe! Thank you everyone!" Brooke bowed.

Just then, Usopp suddenly pointed into the distance and shouted:

"Look! What's that?!"

Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing.

A huge dark shadow appeared on the horizon. As it drew closer, the shadow's outline became clearer and clearer.

It was a huge ship—no, it should be called a cruise ship.

The cruise ship was astonishingly large, at least ten times the size of the Thousand Sunny. Its hull was white, with several decks, and it looked extremely luxurious. Colorful flags fluttered from the top, and there appeared to be many people on the decks.

"What a huge ship!" Luffy exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s a luxury cruise ship.” Nami took out her binoculars to observe. “It looks like a passenger tourist ship.”

“A cruise ship?” Robin picked up his binoculars as well. “Indeed, there are many tourists on deck.”

The cruise ship was heading towards the Thousand Sunny, and its speed was increasing.

"Is it coming for us?" Usopp asked nervously.

“It shouldn’t be hostile,” Zoro observed. “I didn’t sense any killing intent.”

Soon, the cruise ship approached the Thousand Sunny.

Now we can see the cruise ship more clearly. The words "Ocean Dream" are written in large letters on the hull. The deck is full of people waving to the Thousand Sunny.

"Hey! That ship over there!" a loud voice came from the cruise ship.

A middle-aged man in a captain's uniform stood on the deck of the cruise ship, shouting through a megaphone.

"Hello! I am Carl, the captain of the Ocean Dream!"

"Hello!" Luffy responded loudly. "I am Monkey D. Luffy!"

“Mr. Luffy!” Captain Karl exclaimed, “We just heard beautiful music! Was it coming from your ship?”

"Music?" Luffy paused for a moment, then pointed at Brook. "Ah, it's Brook playing!"

“Indeed!” Captain Carl exclaimed excitedly. “The music was absolutely beautiful! Everyone on our ship was captivated!”

“Really?” Brooke exclaimed in surprise. “My music carried that far?”

“Yes!” Captain Carl nodded. “Although it was quite a distance, the beautiful melody traveled clearly to us! We followed the sound of the piano here!”

"Wow!" Brooke was so moved she didn't know what to say.

"Excuse me," Captain Carl hesitated for a moment, then asked loudly, "could you please ask that musician to play a piece for us? We have over three hundred passengers on board, and they all wish to hear that beautiful music!"

“More than three hundred people?!” Usopp exclaimed in surprise.

"…" Brook looked at Luffy, "Captain, may I?"

“Of course!” Luffy grinned. “Go play, Brook!”

"Great!" Brooke excitedly picked up her violin. "Then I'll play my best piece!"

“Wait a minute!” Captain Karl called again. “If you don’t mind, could you please have that musician play on our ship? The sound will be clearer, and we can enjoy it up close!” “On their ship?” Nami asked warily. “Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”

“It should be fine,” Robin said. “It looks like a normal tourist boat.”

“Besides, it was a request, not coercion,” Zoro said. “There shouldn’t be any malicious intent.”

“I want to go!” Brooke exclaimed excitedly. “It’s an honor for a musician to perform for so many people!”

“Let’s go then!” Luffy decided. “We’ll go together!”

“Luffy…” Nami sighed. “You just want to see that big ship, right?”

"Hehe." Luffy laughed sheepishly.

"Never mind," Nami shook her head. "Anyway, he doesn't seem like a bad guy."

“Then we’ll accept the invitation,” Robin said with a smile.

The two ships were brought together, and the Ocean Dream lowered its gangway.

The Straw Hat Pirates boarded the cruise ship one by one.

The cruise ship's deck was even more luxurious than they had imagined. The floor was covered with exquisite wooden planks, and comfortable lounge chairs and parasols were placed everywhere. There was a large swimming pool on deck with crystal-clear water. There was also an open-air bar serving a variety of drinks.

"Wow, this is so luxurious!" Nami's eyes lit up.

“This is what a rich person’s ship looks like,” Franky exclaimed.

Tourists gathered around, watching the Straw Hat Pirates with curiosity.

"Are they the ones playing the music?"

That skeleton is so strange.

"But the music is really nice!"

Captain Carl walked over enthusiastically.

"Welcome, welcome!" He shook Luffy's hand. "Welcome to the Ocean Dream!"

"Hello!" Luffy replied with a smile.

“Let me introduce it,” Captain Carl said. “The Ocean Dream is a luxury cruise ship specializing in sightseeing tours. We departed from Kasuga Island and are currently on a week-long sea voyage.”

"Kasuga Island?" Nami exclaimed in surprise. "That's exactly where we're going!"

“Really? What a coincidence!” Captain Carl exclaimed happily. “Kasuga Island is indeed a wonderful place; you will surely enjoy it.”

“We’ve been looking forward to it,” Robin said.

“Then,” Captain Carl looked at Brooke, “would you please play a piece for us?”

“Of course!” Brooke held up her violin. “I will play with all my might!”

Captain Carl led them to an open-air stage in the center of the cruise ship. The stage was not large, but it was exquisitely decorated and had excellent sound equipment.

Tourists gathered around the stage, sitting or standing. The scene was quite spectacular, with over three hundred people assembled.

Brooke walked onto the stage and bowed to the audience.

"Good afternoon, passengers!" he said in his characteristically humorous tone. "I'm Brook, the musician from the Straw Hat Pirates! Although I'm just a skeleton now, my love for music remains! Yohohoho!"

The audience laughed.

“Next, I will play a few pieces for you,” Brooke said. “I hope it will add some enjoyment to your journey.”

He raised his violin and took a deep breath—even though he had no lungs.

Then, the beautiful music started playing again.

This time, Brooke played a more magnificent piece, with more complex techniques and richer emotions. The music was sometimes passionate, sometimes gentle, sometimes joyful, and sometimes sorrowful, completely captivating the audience's emotions.

The audience was completely engrossed.

Some people closed their eyes, completely immersed in the music. Some swayed gently to the music. Some had tears in their eyes, moved by the emotions in the music.

The Straw Hat Pirates watched Brook proudly from below the stage.

“Brook is amazing,” Chopper whispered.

“Yes,” Nami nodded. “His music always touches people’s hearts.”

“That’s the power of a musician,” Robin smiled.

Borsalino was also in the audience, listening quietly to Brooke's performance with an appreciative expression on his face.

"To be able to influence so many people with music is an amazing ability," he murmured to himself.

Brooke's performance lasted half an hour. He played five pieces, each with a different style, but all equally excellent.

As the last note faded, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

"marvelous!"

"This is absolutely wonderful!"

"Encore! Encore!"

The audience stood up and applauded, and the applause lingered for a long time.

Brook bowed deeply, his eyes—though he didn't have any—seemingly glistening with tears.

"Thank you everyone!" he said, his voice choked with emotion. "As a musician, receiving such recognition is my greatest happiness!"

The applause lasted for several minutes before gradually subsiding.

Captain Carl walked onto the stage and excitedly shook Brooke's hand.

“Fantastic! Mr. Brooke!” he exclaimed. “It’s the most beautiful performance I’ve ever heard!”

"You flatter me," Brooke said modestly.

"As a token of our gratitude," Captain Karl said, "please allow us to invite the Straw Hat Pirates to dine on our ship! Our restaurant boasts the finest chefs and the most sumptuous food!"

"Dinner?!" Luffy's eyes lit up immediately. "Is there a lot of meat?"

“Of course!” Captain Carl laughed, “We have everything!”

"Great!" Luffy jumped up excitedly. "We accept!"

“Luffy.” Nami shook her head helplessly.

But no one else objected. After all, dining on such a luxurious cruise ship is a rare experience.

“Then it’s decided!” Captain Carl said happily. “Dinner will begin at six o’clock this evening in the deluxe restaurant on the top floor! Until then, please feel free to tour our cruise ship!”

"Great!" Luffy immediately rushed out. "I'm going to look around!"

"Wait for us!" Chopper chased after them.

Others also began to explore the cruise ship.

The Ocean Dream truly lives up to its name, boasting exceptional facilities. Besides a swimming pool and bar, there's a gym, games room, library, cinema, and more. Everywhere is luxuriously decorated.

Nami and Robin went to the shopping area, where there were various boutiques selling jewelry, clothing, souvenirs, and more.

Zoro discovered a small training room with various fitness equipment.

Sanji then visited the kitchen and exchanged culinary skills with the cruise ship's chefs.

Frankie was very interested in the cruise ship's engine room and toured it with the help of a crew member.

Brooke was surrounded by passengers who wanted to chat with him and ask for his autograph.

(End of this chapter)