Yorki was about to speak when Brook chimed in first.
"We're pirates, kid. Aren't you scared?"
Barn's smile faltered. "P-Pirates…?" His face went pale. Without warning, he spun around, shouted, "Forget I said anything!" and bolted for the trees. "Just pretend you never saw me! Please, let me go!"
After surviving half a month of isolation like a castaway, the first humans he encountered turned out to be pirates. Of all things—pirates.
"Nice going, Brook," Yorki muttered before leaping off the ship and taking off after the fleeing boy. "Hey, Barn, wait! Don't be afraid! We're not bad guys!"
But Barn wasn't stopping. Terrified, he kept running, though his child-sized body was no match for Yorki. Within seconds, the captain scooped him up like a bundle of sticks and hauled him back to the ship.
"Please don't kill me! I'll give you all my gold! Just let me live!" Barn cried as he thrashed wildly in Yorki's arms, drawing booming laughter from the entire crew.
Yorki gently rested a hand on Barn's trembling shoulder and spoke in a calming tone. "Easy, kid. We're the Rumbar Pirates. Most of us are musicians, not cutthroats."
Barn blinked, confused. Rumbar Pirates? That sounds… Then his eyes widened. Wait—Brook, Rumbar, a pirate crew of musicians? No way…
"This is the world of One Piece!" he blurted out. "And you're still alive, Yorki?!"
The mood on deck soured instantly. The crewmates exchanged awkward glances.
Who the hell just declares someone dead to their face? the crew silently fumed.
Barn realized his blunder too late. He let out a nervous laugh, bowed deeply, and scrambled to recover. "Sorry! Really! It's just—back on my ship, the crew said you'd passed away. I was heartbroken for weeks! I'm actually thrilled to see you alive!" His tone was raw with emotion, and despite the awkwardness, the sincerity behind his words softened the crew's judgment.
Damn it… I landed way too early. This is like, fifty years before canon! Roger probably hasn't even set sail yet, and Luffy's just a twinkle in his old man's eye! What am I even supposed to do here?! he cursed inwardly.
Yorki cracked up, amused by Barn's dramatics. "You've got spirit, kid," he said, tousling Barn's hair. "You're welcome to sail with us. Got anywhere you need to go?"
Ow. That's payback for calling him dead. Real mature, Captain, Barn thought, then quickly latched onto Yorki's leg and wailed, "Captain Yorki, my whole crew's gone… I have no one left. Please let me stay!"
His snot and tears soaked Yorki's pants as he clung like a koala. Yorki sighed with a weary grin. "Alright, alright, kid. Ease up."
Then, turning to his crew, he raised his arm and shouted, "Boys! We've got ourselves a new crewmate! What do we do?!"
"Sing and dance!" the pirates roared back.
"Then what the hell are we waiting for?!"
"Yo-ho-ho-ho!"
After weeks of isolation, Barn dove headfirst into the celebration. "Yo-ho-ho-ho!" he echoed with all his might, joining the chorus.
Captain's Quarters – Later That Night
Yorki and Brook sat at a small table, sipping drinks and gazing out the cabin window toward the lively deck, where Barn danced with the crew.
"What's your read on him, Yorki?" Brook asked quietly.
Yorki set his cup down. "You noticed his left hand?"
Brook nodded. "It's not Devil Fruit energy, exactly… but there's something unnatural about it."
"I felt it too," Yorki said. "It's like… a curse. Not from this world."
Brook's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying he's touched by a real demon?"
Yorki just shrugged and smirked. "Hell if I know."
Outside, they watched as Barn burst into laughter. But just then, a drunk crewmate stumbled and accidentally launched a full mug of ale toward Barn's head.
Brook shot to his feet. "Look out!"
But Barn, without turning around, casually took a single step forward. The mug whizzed past, missing him by inches.
"Watch it, would you?!" Barn scolded, rubbing his head and glaring back.
Brook froze. "How… did he see that coming?"
Yorki's smile widened. "He's an interesting one, alright."
Then he looked Brook square in the eye. "Brook."
"Yes, Captain?"
"You're responsible for him now."
Brook stared, then let out a soft laugh. "Understood."