Uta's New Era Plan
Sabaody Archipelago - The Night Before the Concert
The Concert test lights had already illuminated the night sky, with huge beams of light intertwining among the clouds, immersing the entire Sabaody in the atmosphere of the upcoming grand event.
The streets were bustling, the audience cheered, Flame —as if foreshadowing a grand carnival for the "singer".
However, in a Rest Room deep backstage, Uta sat alone in a chair, her back to him thin and lonely.
The half-drawn gauze curtain let in the cold moonlight, stretching her shadow infinitely long, like a silhouette forgotten by time.
Her slender fingers unconsciously caressed a Tone Dial, the movement mechanical and repetitive.
His eyes were vacant, peering through the bright yet cold Flame outside the window, as if gazing at a figure that would never return.
"Click--"
The door was gently pushed open.
A man in a green tuxedo walked in, his steps slow and his eyes filled with weariness.
The moonlight and lamplight intertwined on him, highlighting a gentle demeanor.
--It's Gordon.
The ruler of Elegia, the guardian of the Music Island, and also Uta's teacher and second adoptive father.
Gordon stared at Uta, a feeling of indescribable heartache welling up inside him.
He sighed softly, "Uta... are you thinking about Shanks again?"
Uta's body trembled slightly, and he slowly raised his eyes.
A chilling glint flashed in his purple eyes under the moonlight, but a mocking smile curled at the corners of his lips.
Worried about him? No.
"From the day he abandoned me in Elegia, I... stopped wasting even a single emotion on him."
She slowly rose, her slender figure appearing exceptionally resolute in the cold light.
"Pirates... are the root of all evil."
Uta's voice gradually sharpened, and the hatred that had been suppressed for so long finally burst forth:
"In this world, there are still people storming execution grounds and releasing death row inmates...!!"
"How is this any different from him personally destroying Elegia back then?!"
"Uta!"
Gordon took a sudden step forward, his voice urgent, his eyes filled with anxiety and pain.
"That's not how it is! Shanks actually—"
"That's enough, teacher."
Uta suddenly raised his hand, interrupting Gordon.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was as cold as frost, carrying an undeniable resolve.
After a moment of silence, she slowly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and said in a hoarse but increasingly firm voice, "From a young age... I understood."
She gripped the Tone Dial tightly with her fingertips, her nails almost digging into her palm.
"Shanks abandoned me. From that day on, I knew—that so-called 'bonds' are the most illusory thing."
She raised her head, her voice gradually rising. "'The Red Hair Pirates,' they fought the Navy time and time again, leaving cities Scorched Earth! Every clash ended with the blood of innocent civilians!"
"I firmly believe that this real world is ugly!! It is full of war, hunger, betrayal, and suffering!!"
Gordon's pupils contracted sharply, a chill running down his spine, his voice trembling. "Uta, you..."
However, Uta was completely absorbed in his own beliefs.
She slowly opened her arms, as if to embrace the whole world.
A near-manic fervor burned in his purple eyes. "The real world will not change. Only an eternal dream can bring true happiness and peace!!"
"I want to become the songstress of the 'New Era'!"
"With my singing, I will always protect you all!!"
Gordon's expression changed drastically, and he took a step back in shock. "New Era?! What are you talking about?!"
Uta's voice was cold and resolute, each word like iron. "I will use the power of the Sing-Sing Fruit to draw the consciousness of all humanity into the 'Uta World' through this live broadcast!!"
"There, there is no hunger! No war! No suffering!"
"Only joyful songs, only happiness—an eternal utopia!!"
"Uta!!"
Gordon staggered forward, grabbing her wrist tightly, his face deathly pale, his voice trembling with fear:
"Are you insane?! This isn't salvation!! This is an act of world destruction!!"
However, Uta simply lowered her head, humming softly. Twisted sound waves appeared in the air, the melody beautiful yet seeping into the mind like poison.
"New Era will begin with me..."
"No hunger, no bloodshed... only endless songs of joy!!"
"This is true liberation for all mankind!!"
Gordon's eyes were bloodshot as he shook his head frantically, "No! No, Uta! You're wrong!"
He roared, "The Navy has wiped out most Pirates! The world is getting better!! You don't need to—"
"Getting better?"
Uta suddenly looked up, a burst of purple light flashing within him, his cold smile like a knife.
"Ha... as long as humanity exists... greed and strife will never cease."
"You... you don't even want to understand me, teacher?"
"Uta--!"
A nightmarish melody suddenly erupted, and the air was instantly enveloped in purple light.
Gordon's body jolted, his gaze gradually unfocused, and his consciousness slowly sank into darkness.
"No... doing this... will ruin everything..."
"Don't... let Him control you..."
His final cry faded into the echoing song.
Gordon collapsed unconscious.
Uta withdrew his hand and turned to walk towards the window.
She stared at the Flame Sabaody Archipelago, her gaze cold and crazed.
"Tomorrow's Concert-- "
"This will be the Finale for the old humanity."
"And the New Era..."
"I will be singing solo!!"
The Concert opens the next day.
On this new day, the Sabaody Archipelago Flame, and enthusiastic cheers echo in the sea breeze.
The enormous crystal stage resembled a floating castle, with suspended balloons flashing the word "UTA" in the air, and beams of colorful light sweeping across the night sky, as if even the stars paled in comparison.
Fans from all over the world flooded in, and countless support signs and glow sticks formed a sea of light on the surface of the water.
The entire Sabaody was bustling like never before, resembling a global carnival.
Near the backstage area, Nami, dressed in a navy uniform, is leading an elite force to maintain order.
As she took notes, she would occasionally glance at the enthusiastic waves of the audience.
Hey--Luo!! You're here too!
A familiar voice rang out.
Nami turned her head and saw Luffy excitedly, his Marine Cap almost being blown away by the wind.
Amidst the crowd, a figure slowly walked over, his white Marine Cap pulled low, a rare smile on his face.
It was Luo.
"Ah..."
Luo raised his eyes, his voice unusually relaxed. "Grandpa Sengoku saw that I was too tired from handling naval affairs these past few days, so he let me come and relax."
"Besides, I have a feeling this trip... might bring some unexpected gains."
Nami paused for a moment, then laughed, "It's rare to see you make that kind of expression~"
Luo simply lowered the brim of his hat slightly and turned his face gently. Beside his closest companions, he did not show his usual coldness, but instead revealed a rare touch of gentleness.
--On the other side of the stage, the fan support area was equally bustling.
"UTA! UTA! UTA!!!"
A polar bear wearing a pink heart-shaped shirt is frantically waving a giant pink, glittering fan with the three large words "UTA" written on it.
--It was Bepo.
He is no longer Pirate, but the leader of Uta's fanatical fan club.
Thirteen years ago, in his pursuit of his Zepo, he mistakenly boarded a ship bound for the North Blue, and from then on, he drifted further and further away from Zou, his memories of his hometown gradually fading.
In order to survive, he studied navigation diligently, and later, by chance, he became an apprentice to learn martial arts and even stayed in the area as a martial arts instructor.
Now, dressed in this comical yet fiery pink support outfit, he strode confidently into the Concert venue with a group of equally enthusiastic fans.
"Lord Uta!! We will always support you!!"
They waved support flags and shouted deafeningly, their momentum no less than that of an army.
On the enormous stage, the Flame gradually went out, leaving only the central beam of light shooting straight into the sky.
The Concert about to begin.