The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

Following the sound of laughter, everyone looked over and saw another solitary cell where a tall, thin, and rather withered old man stood, smiling at them.

To be precise, they were looking at Brook, who had a white skeleton, among their group.

"This uncle is 750..."

Luffy scratched his head. "And who are you?!"

Suddenly, one after another, unfamiliar figures jumped out, leaving Luffy feeling confused.

"This uncle..."

In contrast to Luffy's bewilderment, a glint of light suddenly flashed in Zoro's eyes.

"Wow, that's amazing!!!"

Moreover, he was so strong that he was on a completely different level from the other prisoners in the cell!

Aside from the terrifying aura emanating from a nearby multi-person cell, which made Zoro quite wary.

According to his vague senses, the strongest person on the entire sixth underground level should be this tall, thin old man.

Moreover, not only was he powerful, but it was also obvious that his cell was kept very clean, practically spotless!

Even his clothes were perfectly wrinkle-free, his face was clean and neat, and he looked incredibly refreshed and capable.

This dignified demeanor gives the impression of a noble duke from a kingdom!

His name is Ryder.

Link's gaze also fell upon this living legend, and he said calmly:

"【Red Earl】Baroric Redfield, a man who lived in the same era as Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard."

"He is also known as the 'Lone Red' or the 'Red Earl,' possessing immense strength. He is considered by the current Fleet Admiral Sengoku to be on par with Roger and Whitebeard single-handedly!!"

To receive such a personal evaluation from the Admiral?!

A look of shock resurfaced in everyone's eyes.

They had no idea how many times they had been shocked since arriving here.

However, every great pirate who reveals his identity has a remarkable background, and his abilities are fully worthy of his reputation.

"Another legendary pirate (cfbg)..."

Luo also breathed a sigh of relief, concealing his inner surprise.

"As expected of Level 6 of Impel Down, it truly is a place where hidden talents abound, with all sorts of formidable figures residing there..."

He remarked there that the emotions surging within others were not much less than his own.

Especially the Straw Hat Pirates~

"Ryder?"

Brooke thought to himself, "I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."

He fell into deep thought there.

"Wait, what you just said..."

Nami, still sounding somewhat shocked, exclaimed, "You want to drink our little brother's sake with Shiryu too?!"

"Really?!"

Usopp and Chopper were quite incredulous:

"Aren't you a pirate with a great reputation on the high seas? Why did you choose to join our pirate crew?!"

"That's right~"

Sanji added, emphasizing his own words, "While our pirate crew isn't bad, it's nothing special either. Is it worth someone like you condescending to join us?!"

His expression turned serious. "What exactly is your purpose?!"

"That's right, if it really is Ryder, there's absolutely no way he would join any faction!!"

Ivankov, who was standing next to him, was also shocked and quickly chimed in.

"'The Lone Ryder,' this is the consensus of everyone on the high seas!!"

"A reclusive personality, without any companions, all alone, disliking alliances, and adhering to solitude as his creed—that's the real Ryder!!"

Ivankov found it increasingly incomprehensible as he spoke, "How could someone like Ryder possibly form an alliance with anyone?!"

"If it were anyone else, I truly have no desire to approach or converse with them, let alone form an alliance..."

Ryder twitched his crimson eyebrows, a fiery glint in his eyes:

"But if it's that man, everything will be different!!"

That man...

Following Ryder's gaze, everyone instinctively looked over and saw Brooke leaning on his cane, deep in thought.

"Eh?!"

Brooke, sensing that something was amiss, snapped out of her daze.

He looked up and was slightly taken aback to see that everyone was looking at him.

"What's wrong, everyone?"

He scratched his afro, looking puzzled. "Is there something strange about it?!"

"Hehehehe, it's been decades, and you still have the same tone as before."

Ryder's elegant laughter, tinged with a hint of excitement, rang out again, "Mr. Brooke~!!"

Mr. Brooke...?!

The group of people noticed a subtle respect in Ryder's address.

"Hey, Brooke, have you ever known this old man named Ryder before?!"

Usopp asked Brook, somewhat puzzled.

"Ryder... Oh ho ho ho ho, I do think I've heard that name before~"

A flicker of reminiscence crossed Brooke's empty eye sockets. "But that was a long time ago."

"My memories are getting a bit blurry, yo ho ho ho."

“Mr. Brooke, you may have forgotten, but I have always remembered.”

A smile of nostalgia appeared on Ryder's weathered face.

"That day, on the shore, was the day we first met."

"I clearly remember how spirited you looked when you were with the Rumbar Pirates, wearing sunglasses!!"

He spoke softly, as if pulling his thoughts back to that shoreline.

"Yo ho ho ho ho, what's your name?"

"My name is Ryder!"

"Ryder? That's a really nice name, it represents 'red'! And my name sounds a lot like 'blue,' don't you think?"

"Is that so?!"

"Hey ho ho ho ho, don't be so reserved! To celebrate the meeting of [Red] and [Blue], how about we have a song?!"

"What...panties?"

"Huh? How did you know I was thinking about panties? Cough cough, that's not important!! Anyway, let's sing together, yo ho ho ho ho!!"

As the sun sets, the last rays of its rays fall upon the coastline.

The two figures, one tall and one short, stretched out very long.

"I am so grateful for that encounter in my life!!"

"Ever since I met the Rumbar Pirates when they were resting on shore when I was a child, and chatted with Mr. Brook, I was inspired by his ideals and vowed to become a pirate when I grew up!!"

Ryder chuckled, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"As things stand, I have indeed done it, and done it quite well, without letting you down~ Hehehehehe!!"

other people:"……"

You've become a legendary pirate, on par with Whitebeard and Roger. Such achievements are more than just impressive!

This is practically the pinnacle that all pirates on the high seas can never reach, right?!

Everyone was internally complaining, but on their faces they were all shocked.

"Brook, I never imagined you knew such an important person!!"

Usopp and Chopper's eyes were also filled with starlight and admiration, "Wow, that's amazing!!"

"Impressive? Hehehehe, it was just a chance encounter from the past."

Brooke laughed merrily, looking at Ryder's expression.

Decades ago, the small figure on the shore gradually became clearer, and as it merged with the old man in front of him, he recognized that familiar feeling.

"I never thought so many years had passed, yo ho ho ho ho."

Brooke chuckled softly; he had clearly recognized the old man in front of him as the little boy from years ago.

"We've all changed. You've grown old, and I've become a pile of bones."

“In my heart, Mr. Brook will always be Mr. Brook, without any change.”

Ryder shook his head slightly. "And to meet here, even as bones and old age, isn't that fate?"

"Yohohohoho, that's true~"

Brooke laughed nonchalantly, "If I hadn't turned into bones, I probably would have died long ago and wouldn't be able to see you again~"

"And there's no chance for me to become Luffy's or Link's crewmates either..."

He turned his head and glanced at his many companions behind him, feeling a surge of joy filling his chest.

Ah, though he was just a skeleton, without a chest.

"It was thanks to Mr. Brook's guidance back then that I embarked on the path of piracy..."

Ryder gazed at the skeletal body and whispered:

"And now, having met Mr. Brooke once again, I only wish to hear his teachings once more."

His solemn and dignified voice slowly echoed within the sixth layer of the ocean floor.

~~~~~~~~~

[Thanks to 'woai..' for the 7,500 points! You're awesome!!!]

333 We hereby pledge, willing to risk our lives, to formally declare our allegiance to the Straw Hat Pirates!!

Brook and Ryder can be seen as the relationship between Shanks and young Luffy.

The former were all the latter's guides on the path of piracy.

Furthermore, both Ryder and Luffy hold their mentors in high esteem and admiration!

Ryder's admiration for Brook is no less than Luffy's admiration for Shanks.

Even in [Endless World R], after the battle with the Straw Hat crew, Ryder knelt down and once again asked Brook, his mentor, for advice on the future path of pirates.

After being encouraged by Brook once again, he decided to set sail for the New World again with the goal of becoming the Pirate King.

"I can tell that although Mr. Brook has changed his crew, they are all interesting people, just like the seniors of the Rumbar Pirates."

Ryder, old yet elegant, smiled as he surveyed Luffy and his crew with his eyes.

Ryder is called "The Lone Ryder" because he has never sought out any crewmates since he set sail to become a pirate.

That's because he possesses the same powerful Observation Haki talent as Queen Otohime!

From a young age, he was born with a powerful Observation Haki, which allows him to hear the thoughts of others, just like Queen Otohime.

And as he grows older and stronger, he becomes able to see through people's hearts!

Even touching someone with your palm or making physical contact with them can allow you to read their memories!

However, while gaining such a powerful talent, he also became accustomed to the ugly hearts of those around him, which caused him to develop a strong aversion to people and a withdrawn personality.