In One Piece, Devil Fruit users have a well-known weakness: the sea. Being submerged in water causes them to lose all strength and, as a result, they sink like stones. This is one of the main challenges faced by Devil Fruit users, as it makes them unable to swim, and water becomes a constant threat. However, Brook, the skeleton musician of the Straw Hat Pirates, manages to perform an impossibility—he can run across the surface of seawater, defying the natural weakness that every other Devil Fruit user faces when near water. But how is this possible?
The General Rule for Devil Fruit Users and Water
In One Piece, Devil Fruit users are known to be “rejected by the sea.” When they come into contact with water, they experience a debilitating effect that drains their strength, leaving them unable to move properly. This rule applies to all bodies of water, not just the ocean. For example, while Luffy can stand in a bath without losing all his power, he feels sluggish and uncomfortable due to the water. However, for most Devil Fruit users, submerging even part of their body in water leads to total weakness. This makes Brook’s ability to run on water seem impossible, as he should be affected by the sea just like everyone else.
Why Brook Can Run on Water
Brook’s ability to run on water is actually explained by a combination of factors unique to his character. The first major factor is his speed. Despite his relaxed personality, Brook is incredibly fast, far faster than a normal human being. While speed alone wouldn’t be enough to run on water, when combined with other attributes of his body, it starts to make sense.
Next, there’s Brook’s body. Since he’s a skeleton, Brook’s body is extremely light, allowing him to move with greater agility and speed. This is a key point, as lighter bodies are able to exert less force on the surface of water, which helps in staying above the water rather than sinking into it.
Avoiding Submersion
While Brook is close to the water’s surface, his body never actually submerges, meaning he doesn’t experience the debilitating effects that most Devil Fruit users suffer when they are fully submerged. His bones allow him to “glide” across the surface, avoiding total immersion, which would be his downfall. His lightness, combined with his immense speed, allows him to perform this unusual feat, making it seem like he can defy the laws of the One Piece world.
Brook’s Nonsensical, Cartoonish Nature
Brook’s ability to run on water is not the only thing about him that seems to defy logic. As a character, Brook is very much in line with the series’ goofy and exaggerated sense of humor. Just like Luffy’s more nonsensical abilities (like Gear 5), Brook operates on a cartoonish logic. He can perform bizarre attacks, create illusions, and put enemies to sleep using his music. These abilities, though illogical in the real world, are perfectly fitting within the One Piece universe, where characters regularly perform seemingly impossible feats with ease.
Brook’s Character Fits the Situation
Brook’s goofy and over-the-top character is a big reason why his ability to run on water feels more like a fun gag than a serious skill. One Piece thrives on absurd, whimsical moments that make its world more playful and entertaining. Brook’s ability to run across water, while defying the established rules of Devil Fruit weakness, fits perfectly with the show’s tone. It’s a lighthearted and funny ability, showcasing the playful nature of the One Piece world, where logic often takes a backseat to creative, fun storytelling.
Conclusion
In the end, while Brook running on water might seem like a plot hole or an impossibility, it makes sense within the context of One Piece. His light body and extreme speed allow him to perform the feat, and his avoidance of full submersion means he never experiences the full effects of the sea’s rejection. Although it is certainly a quirky and nonsensical ability, it fits into the whimsical nature of One Piece, where characters are often able to perform impossible tasks without explanation—because in this world, the rules are meant to be bent for the sake of fun and adventure.
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