One Piece: Capitalist Brook's Crew Expansion Plan-Chapter 51: Developing Soul Music

Aboard the golden ship, the Golden Ark.

During the dull stretches of their voyage, Brook played his violin, practically forced into it by Shakky and the others. They recorded his performances with a Sound Dial, capturing not just violin renditions but also piano and guitar versions.

In his past life, Brook had been a video editor, and he still remembered a vast collection of background music. Combining that knowledge with his innate musical talent, he managed to recreate these tracks with impressive accuracy—about seventy to eighty percent of their original essence.

He played classics.

These were some of his go-to dramatic soundtracks for video editing, and now he was sharing them with Shakky and the crew, teaching them the basics and recording the tracks so they could each pick their own signature theme.

Even the usually aloof Redfield found himself drawn to the idea, eventually choosing Conquest of Paradise as his personal theme. Just the name alone made it clear—it perfectly matched his refined and elegant presence.

For days, they were completely absorbed in music. Brook, however, soon grew uneasy. Despite being impressed by his own musical abilities, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was getting a little... soft. This was a world where strength reigned supreme—how could he allow himself to be distracted by music?

Determined to shake off the distraction, he immediately challenged Redfield to a sparring match, hoping a good dose of electrocution from the man's attacks would bring him back to his senses.

"Shakky! From now on, stop asking me to play music! My goal is to be the strongest—not some musician!!" Brook snapped, visibly frustrated. It was all her fault—constantly buzzing in his ear like an annoying insect.

"Hehe~ Don't you all think Captain Brook feels more human this way? Normally, he's just expressionless and cold," Shakky teased.

The rest of the crew laughed in agreement, even Redfield, who was usually just as reserved.

"...Either way, I'm done with music!" Brook declared stubbornly. He was convinced that indulging in music wouldn't help him get stronger, so there was no point in pursuing it further.

"Captain Brook, haven't you noticed? Your music is different. It doesn't just sound good—it soothes the soul, excites it, and at times, even strikes fear into it," Redfield pointed out. With his advanced Observation Haki, he had long sensed something unusual about Brook's playing.

"You mean... my music affects your souls?" Brook's curiosity was piqued. If his music could carry an additional soul-based attack, then perhaps there was something worth exploring in the concept of 'Soul Music.'

"Yes. When you played, I could feel my heartbeat accelerating. My soul tensed up, and for a moment, I couldn't even move my hands. It was as if something had directly restricted my actions," Redfield admitted, visibly shaken by the experience.

"Really? If that's the case, I need to study this further. Redfield, help me test it—let me know exactly how it affects you," Brook said excitedly.

Redfield's expression turned awkward. He wants to use me as an experiment? This kind of soul suppression was anything but pleasant.

But what choice did he have? On this ship, only he was on par with the captain in strength. If anyone had to take the hit, it was him.

"Fine. Let's get this over with," Redfield sighed.

Brook grinned, grabbing his custom-made guitar. With an energy reminiscent of a battle-hardened musician, he struck the strings fiercely, unleashing a barrage of sound waves across the deck.

In that moment, Brook entered his Underworld State. He felt as if he were rising, looking down at the crew from above. Shakky and the others seemed smaller—like children.

"Captain Brook! Your soul is out of your body again!!!" Shakky shouted, recalling the first time she met Brook and was terrified by his ghostly form.

The other crew members, seeing Brook's spectral state for the first time, were stunned. His ethereal form now stood nearly eight meters tall, gripping a translucent soul guitar as he continued his frenzied performance.

Meanwhile, his physical body remained on deck, strumming away in perfect synchronization. The overwhelming waves of music rocked the weakest members of the crew—Antonio staggered unsteadily, while Waruzu and Memory Seahorse collapsed, eyes rolling back in their heads.

"Stop! Stop! Captain Brook, I'm feeling lightheaded—this is unbearable!!" Shakky groaned, clutching her head. She suddenly felt weightless, almost as if...

Wait a second.

She turned—and saw her own body lying on the ground.

Her soul had been forcibly separated?!

Panic surged through her. Am I dead?!

Before she could react further, another wave of dizziness washed over her, and everything faded to black.

Brook, now realizing what had happened, paled—if that was even possible for a skeleton.

Did I overdo it?!

He quickly stopped playing, allowing his soul to return to his body.

"Redfield, listen, you have to believe me—I was just testing things out! I had no idea it would be this powerful!!" Brook stammered, turning to the only person still standing.

Redfield gave him a hard stare. Around them, the deck was littered with groaning crewmates. Fishman Tom and Crocus sat clutching their heads, trying to recover from the disorienting experience.

Silva, their sharpshooter, lay on the floor, drenched in cold sweat. Just moments ago, he had seen his own soul being forcefully pulled from his body. The eighteen-year-old prodigy had nearly pissed himself, convinced that Brook had just killed him by accident.

Shakky and Antonio remained completely unconscious, their faces frozen in expressions of shock. Even the ship's mascot, Qirin Lion, lay sprawled out, tongue lolling, too drained to move.

"Ugh... Captain Brook, that was... rough," Redfield muttered, feeling nauseous. Though his soul hadn't been forcibly pulled from his body, he had felt the tug. It was an unbearable, seasickness-like sensation.

Brook, meanwhile, was deep in thought. If his Soul Music could be harnessed properly, it could greatly enhance his techniques—possibly even rivaling mid-level Conqueror's Haki.

"Captain, I think your ability could be a game-changer. You might be able to control an opponent's soul with this power," Redfield mused.

Brook nodded. Against pure martial artists, this could be devastating. Perhaps only Conqueror's Haki users would be immune to his attacks.

And out in this vast ocean, how many people could truly defend against Soul Music?

Still, Redfield had no intention of being Brook's test subject again. He had no desire to experience another round of the captain's soul-purging concert.

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