When I was first getting into the series I remember there being a little bit of a controversy about Zoro stealing Brook's fight. I don't know if there are still people out there who don't like it, but I've come around on the idea. Brook's main job isn't swordsman, it's a fun little bonus that helps round him out, and Straw Hats helping Straw Hats has always been an important part of the series.
And this ends up being a really nice, understated part of Brook's character. He is a man without pride, all he cares about is getting back to Laboon and fulfilling the promise of his dead crew. How that happens doesn't matter. It's an interesting theme to dissect throughout the series, because there are times in One Piece where pride is extremely important, and others such as this when it's best to set it aside. The difference between the two is figuring out if a person's pride is in service to their dream or convictions. Zoro thinks wounds on the back is shameful because it ties into his identity as a swordsman, but Brook running away from his own zombie is what's necessary to reunite with Laboon. It's comparing apples to oranges, and I like that Oda includes that kind of nuance in the series.
