(Posting late because of some weather-related internet issues at my place this week.)

I think this chapter is going to be unpopular among a certain kind of reader. It’s short, it doesn’t move the main plot forward and it has the misfortune of landing right before a break. And that’s a true shame, this one is full of great characterisation and subtext.

Before the story jumps back, it first jumps forward seven years from the last one. It’s hard to say when the time period for the main part of this flashback is going to be. Brook has about a decade to go before he can meet Laboon, but I don’t think it’s clear how long he was a pirate before that. Shuri still looks younger here than she does as Gunko in the present, but we don’t know if she was made immortal and ageless right away after killing her father and ascending, or if she had to work for a few years before getting that privilege. Interestingly, we can now calculate that she was given ageless immortality while still holding the rank of Devoted Blade, given that she would be close to 40 for her God Valley appearance and sure as hell didn’t look it. Why her, while the full-fledged knight Garling was left to age into an old man?

The character dynamics in this royal family are super cute now that we have the full context for Brook’s relationship with the king and queen. His crush on Candelle and the way he and Reuven joked about it all read a lot more innocent now that the age gap between them has been made clear. And it forms a parallel with Shuri’s crush on Brook. Yes, it’s a bit less innocent when she tries to talk about her boobs, but that’s teenagers for you. And Brook is quick and direct in shutting it down, so I think that keeps things in a healthy state.

My only nitpick in this scene is the panties joke. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, but I had kind of a headcanon that Brook got so weird and direct about that because of the 50 years of complete social isolation, but it turns out he was always a little bit of a sex pest. Too bad.

Brook sings, and we’re two for two on chapters being named after his songs. It would be really cool if the whole flashback could keep that pattern up.

The new layer of flashback has Oda playing the hits of a tragic childhood to make us feel. The poverty. The childlike sincerity of trying to make a functional instrument out of trash. The determination to find pleasure in whatever small things his life offers, even terrible meals of curry-spiced boiled frog. Young Brook doesn’t get all down about his lot in life, he finds more beauty in the world than people who have so much more. Of course you’re on his side. And of course it’s an injustice that makes your blood boil when a corrupt and cruel authority stomps down on this happy little guy. My heart broke when he started singing to comfort himself.

But there’s a lot that goes unsaid as well. In just a few panels we see the nation’s wealth disparity and the disdain people have for the lower classes. Brook has enough political awareness to blame the king in his song. Reuven comes to the junkyard looking a little beat up and dirty despite his nice clothes. He’s got some very strong opinions about misuse of authority when he comes to Brook’s rescue. And despite being fairly young as princes go, he’ll have taken the throne within a decade to be the new king. Definitely makes you wonder about what quality of king and father Reuven’s dad was and how exactly the throne become vacant.

I love the small moment where we see the origin of Brook’s passion for swordsman ship in the middle of this, and yes, I was touched by the final page where Brook is shown such kindness after so long struggling. These tropes are classics because they work.

So what comes next? Do we go back to 63 years ago and continue with Shuri’s transformation into Gunko, or are we staying at 79 years ago to answer some of those burning questions about Revuen’s father and maybe see how Reuven took the throne and how Brook earned his Battle Convoy spot? Whatever the case, I’m here, hooked, and ready to be hurt again.