"Haha, don't say that. It makes my ship seem dangerous."
Gawain chuckled and ruffled Uta's hair; her red and white hairstyle looked quite amusing.
Gawain said to Uta while patting his head.
"Besides Charlotte Linlin and Whitebeard, who else on this high seas would bring their son and daughter with them when they go out to sea?"
"But even without him, I still go out to sea occasionally!"
Just like now, haven't I left the City of Music Elegia and come to Sabaody Island to play on your ship?
We've encountered quite a few storms along the way!
I can go out to sea by myself, but when he left, he didn't want to take me with him at all.
All that talk of love is just an excuse; he just saw me as a burden!
Uta muttered to himself reluctantly.
"Also, didn't you go to sea too? But you still took Shirahoshi with you!"
If you love someone, or care about someone, you can't take them out to sea to face all the dangers together!
"You who brought Shirahoshi on board, don't you love or care about Shirahoshi at all?!"
"I..."
Hearing Uta's words, Gawain pursed his lips slightly. Shirahoshi, that girl, is Poseidon!
To be honest, if they were to face a life-or-death situation on this vast ocean, Shirahoshi would actually be the one most likely to survive.
Thinking of this, Gawain patted Uta on the head.
"Wait, Uta, haven't we gone off-topic?"
Now I'm inviting you to be the musician on board.
We don't seem to be discussing whether your dad loves you or not..."
"Why?"
Uta was taken aback; it seemed that was indeed the case...
For a moment, Uta blushed and lowered her head. What was with the person in front of her?!
That kind of voice and attitude that possesses unparalleled Haki while also being infinitely gentle.
Ahhh!
This feeling is so much like the father I remember; I can't help but vent my emotions by treating him like my father!!!
Uta rubbed his face, looking terrible, took a few deep breaths, and then looked at Gawain solemnly.
"Saint Gawain, I'm sorry, I was a little... impulsive just now!"
Regarding your invitation for me to serve as the ship's musician...
At this point, Uta shook his head apologetically.
"I'm sorry, sir, I cannot agree to that!"
Because I am the greatest singer in the world, I want to bring my voice to everyone in the world!
Although I really like your ship, I really like Shirahoshi, and I even really like you, but... huh?!
Uta was stunned...
"No no no no no no no no!!!"
In that instant, Uta transformed into a diva-type rattle-drum, shaking her head frantically at Gawain.
"That's not what I meant, I didn't. I meant you're a bit like my father, not even a little bit, that's what I meant!!!"
Ahhh, you'll understand when you meet my father, he... he looks just like you!!!
Oops!!!
I definitely won't agree to your request. My voice belongs to the whole world, and I want to bring happiness to everyone who listens to my songs!
Although the adult ship is really great, I still want to go back to Elegia, that's my hometown, and the City of Music of the world!!!
At this point, Uta, her face flushed, covered her eyes with her hands with a sharp sound.
This Celestial Dragon must be cursed! Why does he look so much like his father?!
Ugh, how could I have said such a terrible thing?!
Meanwhile, the people dining around them also looked towards Uta.
Among them, Hancock and Gion's gazes were particularly sharp.
However, after just one glance, when they saw that Uta was only thirteen years old and less than 1.5 meters tall...
The two of them snorted in unison.
He's still just a child, completely defenseless!
And so, the two of them looked at each other in tacit agreement.
Gion looked at Hancock's perfect figure and charming demeanor in the swimming pool and couldn't help but let out a soft hum.
Hmph, you vixen who brought ruin to the country!
With Shirahoshi's help, Hancock rolled over, Gion a cold look, and then let out a soft snort.
Hmph, middle-aged woman!
For a moment, the two turned their heads away and refused to look at each other again.
Hancock and Gion quieted down, but Rayleigh's side was just getting started. After hearing what Uta had just said, old man Rayleigh laughed and stroked his beard.
"Haha, as expected of Gawain! He possesses the most noble status in the world, a luxury cruise ship worth hundreds of billions, and can perfectly combine Haki and gentle qualities, while also having a popular face!"
With all these factors combined, Little Gawain's charm is probably comparable to that of this old man in his youth, hahaha... burp?!
Thump!
Shakky, with a cigarette dangling from her lips, raised her fist with a look of utter disdain.
After delivering a divine intervention to Rayleigh, she grabbed Rayleigh foot and dragged him off the deck.
"So you're that charming, huh? Well, let me see for myself, you old codger who speaks so inappropriately!"
Thus, Shakky dragged Rayleigh for two kilometers, passing through the rest area, and finally disappearing into their cabin...
Meanwhile, on the deck, hearing Uta's rejection, Gawain chuckled and shook his head.
"Being rejected is quite a strange experience, so..."
At this point, Gawain revealed a mischievous smile, and then he gently stroked the little girl's hair.
"So, let me use my Celestial Dragon privileges too!"
Uta, you've been captured by the Celestial Dragon. From now on, you'll stay on my ship.
"Huh?!?!"
Uta was immediately alarmed and quickly backed away from Gawain.
"How could you force me to stay? You can't do this, sir...!"
"Haha, okay, okay, it was all just a joke. But I always felt that even if you stayed on my ship, it wouldn't contradict your dream, would it?"
Gawain smiled and reassured Uta, then explained softly.
"What's your main reliance if you want to spread your singing to the whole world?"
It's a record, right?
After all, as far as I know, you rarely perform on other islands besides Elegia, the City of Music.
Even if you came to Sabaody Island this time, it was only because you received an invitation from Celestial Dragon, that is, me, that you had no choice but to come, wasn't it?"
"This..."
Hearing Gawain's words, Uta nodded nervously.
"Yes... yes."
"That's right!"
Gawain clapped his hands lightly.
"Look, you can burn records in Elegia, and you can do it on our ship too."
Whether it's your team or any equipment you need, you don't think I can't handle it, do you?
Furthermore, my business department can help you open up all the channels for record sales. With my resources, you could probably become the richest girl on the Dark Bird Ship, right?
"With my Celestial Dragon friends helping with the promotion, your record sales will definitely be much higher than before!"
"But... but... huh?"
For a moment, Uta was at a loss for words to refute Gawain's statement...
At least in terms of records, there's no arguing about that...
After pondering for a long time, she finally continued speaking to Gawain.
"Wait, sir!"
Your ship is not the same as Elegia's!
Although I've been performing in Elegia, as City of Music, countless music lovers gather there every moment!
Anyone who loves music will travel to the City of Music, even if it means facing storms and pirates, to seek the sounds they need that can bring them happiness!
The me they saw live was different from the me they heard on the album!
At this point, Uta looked intently at Gawain.
And Gawain...
Faced with Uta's eyes filled with a love for music, Gawain's expression darkened slightly, and he said in a deep voice.
"Uta, do you mean that anyone who cannot go to Elegia is not qualified to hear your song?"
At this point, Gawain gently patted the little girl's head.
"Elegia is in the New World, a place that 99% of the people in this world can never reach in their lifetime!"
Not everyone has the courage to leave their hometown, abandon everything, and brave storms and the threat of pirates to reach the legendary City of Music!
Compared to those lucky fans who can hear your songs in the City of Music, there are millions of people in this world who will never be able to go to sea in their lifetime!
Those people can only endure hardship in their hometowns and use the money they've painstakingly saved over a long period to buy one of your records as a small consolation!
Gawain's eyes were filled with indescribable emotions as he looked at the little girl. He gently stroked her head and continued.
"If you stay in Elegia, you'll still be leaving all your fans waiting for you behind. But on my ship, little girl."
You can travel all over the world with my ship, and I can help you build a stage on every island we pass by.
With my wealth, I don't even need your fans to pay for tickets. Whether they are poor or rich, they all have the opportunity to hear you live!
Don't you want to bring happiness to every fan in the world?
Then you should think about it carefully!
What are the true identities of most of the people who can travel from the Four Blues to the Grand Line, then from the Grand Line to the New World, and finally come to Elegia to listen to songs?
Those who simply own their own boats, or have the financial means to buy tickets for long voyages...
Do they really need you to bring them happiness more than those on the Grand Line and islands around the Four Blues who can't even afford a ticket?
If you still hold onto the dreams you once spoke of, then at least open your eyes and see who in this world truly needs your voice, Uta!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain withdrew his hand and looked at Uta expectantly.
As for Uta...
She lowered her head, struggling to think through everything Gawain had said.
Yes, the sea is so dangerous, and going to sea is a difficult choice for everyone.
Compared to those who have the opportunity to reach Elegia, the rest of the people are destined to spend their entire lives on their own islands and in their own villages.
Aren't they the ones who need happiness the most?
For a moment, images of her childhood flashed through Uta's mind, back when she was still with her father.
It was around that time that I met the silly Luffy.
He and his father stayed in Windmill Village of the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue. Ninety-nine percent of the villagers there never left Windmill Village in their entire lives...
Did they... really hear their own singing?
At the same time, seeing Uta's increasingly confused expression, Gawain smiled and squatted down.
As he squatted down in front of Uta, Gawain reached out and gently tidied the strands of hair at Uta's temples.
This little girl in front of me is only thirteen years old, and in the next five years, she'll be the boss in a Pirate King movie...
What kind of life would transform her from her current innocent and naive self into a boss-level girl?
Is it really necessary for a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl to endure that kind of life?
As he thought about it, Gawain patted the little girl's head.
"Don't hesitate any longer, Uta, stay on my ship from now on."
This is just a ship, not a prison. If you want to go home, we can take a trip to the New World anytime.
Staying in Elegia is nothing compared to going out and seeing the world!
Besides, weren't you very unhappy about your father abandoning you to go to sea?
If you stay in Elegia, will you be able to wait for your father?
As for me, just imagine, I will meet Shanks someday, such a hero who roams the seas, and I will eventually stand in his way.
When that time comes, you can also stay by my side and loudly express your grievances against Shanks!
What do you think?
"I... I..."
Uta was truly at a loss, regardless of how determined she was about her future goals.
Right now, she's just a thirteen-year-old girl...
So, a bewildered Uta looked at Uncle Gordon was not far away, with a pleading look in her eyes.
Noticing Uta's gaze, Gordon lowered his head, cold sweat pouring down his back.
Uta was the most important person in his entire plan!
But now they were facing Celestial Dragon had even fought and confronted Whitebeard!!!
Gordon nervously looked up, then forced a smile, intending to make one last attempt to explain something to Uta on Gawain's behalf.
Before he could even speak, Gawain raised his hand and gestured for him to stop.
"This is between Uta and me; you have no right to interfere."
After saying a few words with a smile, Gawain turned to look at Uta, and saw him lean forward and gently take Uta's small hand.
"If you are hesitant, it means that both my suggestion and your original plan have merit for you."
"In that case, I'll decide for you, Uta!"
At this point, Gawain reached out and gently picked up the little girl.
Of course, he used the posture of holding a small child.
Feeling herself sitting on Gawain's arms, Uta was completely stunned. Before she could say anything in shock, Gawain spoke directly to her.
"From now on, you will be the chief musician on the Dark Bird Ship. I look forward to your future singing and your new songs, Uta."
As for me, I am Gawain. Just call me by my name; you don't need to call me Saint Gawain anymore!
After speaking, Gawain looked at Uta in his arms. Faced with Gawain's gentle gaze, Uta's eyes instantly reddened.
Many years ago, her father held her like this at the bow of the ship, leading her to gaze at the vast ocean...
So, amidst endless reminiscence, Uta held back her tears, pursed her lips, and gave a soft "hmm."
Hearing Uta's voice, Gawain smiled with satisfaction, then quickly called out to Shirahoshi, who was beaming with delight in the swimming pool.
"Shirahoshi, come quick! Uta has decided to stay!"
"Received! Wow, I'm here! Hehe!"
Shirahoshi immediately wagged her large tail and floated towards Uta.
Just as Uta's expression suddenly turned sour, she was snatched away by Shirahoshi.
Holding the tiny Uta warmly, Shirahoshi's eyes sparkled as she spoke to Uta.
"Sister Uta, it's so great that you're willing to stay!"
Can I learn to sing with you sometime?
I also want to be a sparkly, radiant songstress!!!
After shouting happily, Shirahoshi joyfully hugged Uta to her chest.
Uta was completely stunned...
"I can't see anything, I can't see anything at all, I'm... I'm trapped...!"
Help!!!
The average order value is already 1400, which is three times the initial sales figure. Saint Gawain is amazing!
Also, I received a comment from a reader today, and I think I understand why my grades are so low...
My book title doesn't contain the word "pirate," so readers searching for "pirate" won't find my Gawain at all!!!
Wronged...