Father and Daughter Reconcile

Sabaody Archipelago - Concert Backstage Rest Room

"Tap--tap--tap--"

The footsteps grew louder as they approached, each step like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's hearts.

The air in the Rest Room suddenly froze, as if even breathing was being suppressed.

As the figure slowly appeared, Luffy, Law, Nami, and the others simultaneously widened their eyes in surprise and awe.

"Roy!!"

The figure was as steady as a mountain, his steps firm and cold; he walked straight past Shanks.

Even just brushing past each other, Shanks' back was drenched in cold sweat, his knuckles clenched tightly, and his heart felt as if it were being squeezed in someone's hand, yet he dared not stop it in the slightest.

Roy came to Uta's side. The girl was sleeping quietly, with the stubbornness of madness still lingering between her brows.

He bent down and extended a palm.

"Buzz--" Ripples spread from the palm, and spatial waves vibrated slightly.

"Stop!!"

Shanks roared, his pupils contracted sharply, and his voice was hoarse and urgent.

"Roy! Let her go! I'll do anything!!"

His words were filled with pleading and fear, even tinged with the father's helpless trembling.

However--

Roy's eyes were cold, and he did not respond.

The next moment--

"Click--!"

The space suddenly shattered like a mirror, and a hideous demonic shadow was forcibly ripped out of Uta's body!

The shadow twisted and roared, a blood-red "X" burning in its eyes, like the mournful cry of a ghost from the depths of hell, "Aaaaaah--!"

The afterimage of Tot Musica was instantly torn apart and vanished into nothingness!

Uta's brows slowly relaxed, his breathing returned to calm, and he finally fell into a peaceful slumber.

Roy slowly withdrew his hand, stood up, and turned to look at Shanks: "You're all flustered... You've really lost your composure, Shanks."

Shanks shuddered, his face turned deathly pale, and his eyes dimmed.

Roy's voice continued to echo in the silent room, "The influence of Tot Musica, I have eradicated."

"But what she did almost plunged the whole world into an abyss."

"She must undergo a year of naval training; the rest... out of the question."

His words were like thunder, sending a shiver down everyone's spines, and the entire Rest Room fell into a deathly silence.

Shanks trembled all over, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He understood that this was the only way to save Uta's life.

Roy turned and led the group away. As he left, he walked past Shanks, his voice low and deep:

Remember what you said.

Everyone left.

Shanks was left standing there, his eyes cloudy, staring blankly at Uta sleeping peacefully on the bed, but he could only silently reach out and gently stroke her forehead.

"Uta..."

The whisper was hoarse, sounding like guilt, yet also like a vow.

Time passed slowly, and the previous tension and noise gradually subsided, leaving only the sound of low breathing.

Uta lay on the bed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as if struggling to wake from a nightmare.

Shanks noticed immediately, bracing himself on the edge of the bed with one hand, his voice trembling as he suppressed a whisper, "Uta..."

The girl slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still filled with lingering confusion and exhaustion.

She looked at the man guarding her, his face haggard, his lips parted slightly, but he ultimately said nothing.

Seeing this, Shanks' eyes welled up with pain, and his voice trembled but was gentle. "Uta, actually back then—"

Before he could finish speaking, the girl gently interrupted him.

"Actually... I know everything."

That short sentence startled Shanks, who froze completely.

Uta's eyes reddened, her gaze wandered, and her voice trembled with sobs:

"Over the years, I've been constantly developing the power of the Sing-Sing Fruit... but sometimes, scenes from back then always flash through my memory."

Her voice trailed off, tears blurring her vision. "Those cries, that destruction... I finally understand, it was all... caused by me."

I can't deceive myself.

Shanks felt as if his heart had been ripped apart. He pulled her into his arms tightly, his voice almost hoarse.

"No! No, Uta! That's not your fault!!"

With his one arm tightly around the girl's trembling shoulders, Shanks' eyes reddened. "If we hadn't been careless... you wouldn't have been haunted by that kind of demon!"

"You're just a child, yet you've been forced to bear a darkness that doesn't belong to you!!"

Uta could no longer hold back her tears; she weakly pounded Shanks' chest with her fists, her sobs coming in broken chokes.

"But I know very well! The destruction of the island was indeed caused by me!!"

"I know you are innocent... but the thought of you abandoning me, and the resentment I feel towards Pirates, keeps haunting my mind!!"

"These things... these emotions, they've been weighing on my heart. I'm so tired... so much pain..."

Shanks closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face, but his voice was gentle yet firm. "Uta... you don't have to bear this alone anymore."

"You can cry, you can hate, you can be confused, you can be weak."

"But remember—no matter where you go, no matter what mistakes you make, I will always be your father."

As long as I'm here, you'll never be alone.

Uta's body trembled uncontrollably, and tears soaked Shanks' clothes.

Finally, she could no longer hold back, and she hugged Shanks tightly, crying out in heart-wrenching sobs:

"Father--!"

This sound seemed to shatter a hardened shell that had been building up for years.

Shanks, his eyes blurred with tears and his one arm trembling, held her with all his might, his voice low and gentle:

"Yes... I'm here, Uta. I've always been here."

The girl's crying gradually subsided, and her breathing became long and even.

Through her teary eyes, she finally collapsed from exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep once more.

Shanks gazed at her peaceful face, his eyes filled with regret, and murmured softly:

"I'm sorry... I'm late."

The knot in the father's heart was finally untied amidst tears and embraces.

Inside the room, the crying gradually subsided into silence.

Uta fell asleep again, her tear stains not yet dry, but her breathing became steady.

Shanks bent down and gently pulled the blanket up for her, his movements so careful as if he were afraid of disturbing even a wisp of wind.

His gaze lingered on the girl's face, his eyes brimming with tenderness and guilt.

That cry of "Father--" seemed to still echo in my chest, lingering for a long time.

--Outside the door.

Gordon leaned against the door, his old eyes bloodshot.

Hearing Uta finally utter that long-awaited cry, his body jolted, and he covered his mouth with both hands to prevent the sob from leaking out.

His rough hand brushed against the corner of his eye, and he choked back tears as he murmured, "Silly child... you've finally spoken up."

Inside, the Flame flickered; outside, emotions surged.

Soon, the door was gently pushed open.

Shanks stepped out, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible.

He gave Gordon a deep look, his voice low and steady, yet carrying an undeniable sense of entrustment:

"Uta... please take care of her."

Gordon nodded, his voice trembling, his voice breaking, "Don't worry... she's my life."

Shanks remained silent for a moment, then turned and left without saying anything more.

--Outside the Concert, the night air was cool and refreshing.

In a corner outside the stadium, Roy was already standing there with his hands behind his back, waiting quietly.

The footsteps drew closer.

Shanks' expression was cold and stern, the gloom between his brows making the night seem even darker.

He walked up behind Roy, his voice low and resolute. "Tell me... what do you need me to do?"

Roy slowly turned around, staring at him with a half-smile.

"Shanks, do you know why I let you go?"