Revelry and Crisis
Sabaody Archipelago Concert Venue
Ladies and gentlemen—!
The host's voice, amplified by the giant megaphone, resounded throughout the venue:
"Next up! The most anticipated moment in the world is about to begin!!"
"Let's welcome the 'Songstress of the New Era' with the loudest cheers!! U-ta--!"
"Whoosh--!"
The crowd erupted like a tsunami, their shouts like giant waves, causing the entire stage to tremble slightly.
A magnificent symphony suddenly began to play, and the rising platform in the center of the stage slowly started to move.
Brilliant lights converged from all directions, illuminating the slender figure that was gradually rising in the center.
White mist surged and colorful lights intertwined, like the curtain of a dream being slowly drawn back.
Uta – finally here!
Her long, red and white hair swayed in the light and shadow, like flames and snow blending together;
Her feather-adorned dress shimmered like starlight, trembling slightly with her steps.
A white mini-skirt paired with a black bow tie is both pretty and dignified, while the pair of symmetrical red and white wings on her back slowly unfold, making her look like an angel fallen to earth.
Her long, slender legs gleamed under the Flame, and her thick white boots tapped lightly to the rhythm, the pink circular patterns on the boots shimmering like points of light breathing with her heartbeat.
Uta slowly raised the microphone, her red eyes shining brightly amidst countless beams of light.
A faint smile curved her lips, "--Let the song begin!"
--boom!!
The first high note, like thunder at dawn, pierced the night sky!
The singing was powerful and pure, like waves crashing against the heartstrings, making the hearts of countless viewers race!
Suddenly, the music burst forth, and beams of light, fireworks, and fountains intertwined on the stage to create a magnificent spectacle.
Holographic projections bloomed in the air, with peace doves, stars, naval flags, and colorful flower rain falling simultaneously, transforming the entire Sabaody Archipelago into a dreamlike stage ocean!
The audience was completely swept up in the frenzy.
"Uta--! Uta--!"
The fans chanted her name, their voices creating a massive wave!
Wearing a pink support shirt, Bepo held up a glittering fan with both paws, tears welling in his eyes, and shouted, "Uta- san is the best!! Today is the happiest day of my life!!"
The fan club followed suit with a frenzy of cheers, the scene almost Heaven Breaker!
On the high platform, Nami crossed her arms, smiling gently, "As expected of the 'Songstress,' truly the most popular person in the world..."
Luffy to the side, tilted his head, looking serious. "Eh? The most popular person in the world? But... her songs are really good!"
Nami smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in her heart, as she looked at the pure and unadulterated appreciation in his eyes.
On stage, Uta closed her eyes, completely immersed in the song.
Her voice can be as powerful as thunder shaking the sea, or as gentle as a whispering dream, sometimes tender and healing, sometimes tearing at the soul.
At this moment, she is not just singing, but speaking with her life.
The stage Flame, and waves of music surged forth.
On the other side, Baby-5 struggled through the crowd until, under the dazzling light, she finally spotted that familiar figure.
"Luo--!"
She excitedly rushed to his side and grabbed his hand without hesitation.
The rhythm was breathtaking, and she couldn't help but sway gently to the melody, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
Luo was slightly taken aback and subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but after seeing the pure joy in her eyes, the strength in her hand gradually loosened.
He sighed, his tone helpless. "Hey, hey, hey... I'm on a mission."
That being said, he did not actually break free.
The stage Fire Charge across the night sky, and the waves of music cleansed the soul.
At this moment, he simply let the warmth of his palm wash over him, standing silently beside her.
--The front stage is a carnival for all, a grand celebration belonging to the whole world.
However, on the other side, the atmosphere was completely different.
In the backstage Rest Room, under the dim lights, the air felt suffocatingly still.
Gordon leaned weakly against the wall, cold sweat dripping from his temples, his breathing rapid.
The figure rushed to him urgently, the heavy cloak unable to conceal the anxious expression on his face.
"Gordon!! What on earth happened?!"
The newcomer was none other than Shanks!
Gordon struggled to open his eyes, his gaze filled with fear and despair.
"Shanks--!"
His hoarse voice seemed to Sky Splitter: "Quickly... stop Uta!!"
"She wants to use the Sing-Sing Fruit —to pull all of humanity... into an eternal dream!!"
"Everyone... will become... the living dead!!"
"What--?!"
Shanks' pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart skipped a beat.
He suddenly looked up towards the stage.
On stage, the lights and shadows shone brightly, and the singing was pure and beautiful.
Uta smiled, her red and white hair fluttering in the wind, her wings spread behind her, like a saintly maiden.
But that beautiful singing voice, like a venomous snake, quietly coiled around the hearts of the audience.
The cheers and applause had now become an ominous prelude.
She opened her arms, and her singing voice poured out like ocean waves—gentle, pure, and heavenly.
The audience was initially captivated, their faces beaming with smiles and their eyes sparkling with fervor and joy.
But soon, that joy gradually froze.
Their movements slowly came to a halt, their hands still raised high, yet they resembled puppets devoid of soul.
His once bright eyes gradually lost focus, and his smile froze on his face, as if frozen in time.
Bepo was still waving his support fan, tears streaming down his face, but his movements gradually became mechanical, as if he himself was unaware of it.
The cheers from the surrounding audience did not stop; instead, they became even more unified, like the harmonies of some kind of ensemble responding to the songstress on stage.
--It's too orderly; it's so orderly that it no longer feels like a carnival, but more like a ritual.
On the high platform, Nami's smile gradually froze, her brows furrowing. "Something's not right..."
Luffy first clapped his hands and laughed, "Haha! That was a really good song!"
But the next second, he suddenly realized that everyone around him had the same expression, and their smiles were freezing. He was stunned.
"Hey... Nami, they... they're so weird."
Nami felt a chill run down her spine, her gaze sweeping across the entire audience. "This isn't just a simple Concert... this is some kind of power?!"
Luo, already sensing something amiss in the crowd, gently opened his palm, and the spatial ripples of ROOM silently spread out, capturing the energy entangled within the crowd.
"Really..."
He murmured to himself, his eyes fixed on Uta on the stage.
At this moment, the strangeness was not limited to Sabaody.
The images transmitted via Live Broadcast Den Den Mushi) are broadcast to all corners of the world.
In countless homes, children were listening to music, holding puppets, and laughing at the screen, but suddenly they froze, their eyes vacant.
In the bustling city square, the initial clamor of the crowd gradually subsided, replaced by orderly mutterings and mechanical smiles;
Even some naval soldiers watching the live broadcast at their base froze, their weapons falling to the ground, yet they maintained their smiles and hummed along to the melody.
The whole world is gradually being eroded by this song.
On stage, Uta's smile was pure, her purple eyes sparkling, and her voice was gentle yet firm. "A new era... I will usher in it."
At this moment, the gentle singing voice transformed into a nightmare that enveloped the entire world.