Watching the interaction between Uta and Shirahoshi, Gawain couldn't help but laugh; now there was another child on the ship.
In the past, although Shirahoshi didn't feel anything, it was because she had just left Fish-Man Island and was full of new and exciting things.
As time went by, Shirahoshi gradually realized that when she was surrounded by a group of adults and old men, she naturally felt lonely.
No matter how much the adults try to coax her, she won't be happier than playing with other children!
As for Uta...
At this moment, Uta was excitedly climbing out of Shirahoshi's chest. Despite her arrogant appearance, she was probably overjoyed.
As a child, Uta's only travel experience was accompanying Red-Haired Shanks on a trip to the East Blue.
When Red-Haired Shanks decided to return to the New World and fight for the Pirate King's throne, he no longer dared to take Uta with him.
After that, I don't know what kind of life Uta led.
But she probably won't be very happy.
Only those who are unhappy truly understand what unhappiness feels like.
Like every comedy master, he suffered from depression to some extent.
The reason he's so good at bringing laughter to others is because he himself hasn't laughed in so long, and the more unhappy he is, the clearer he understands what unhappy people need most...
Thinking of this, Gawain clapped his hands lightly.
"Welcome musician Uta to the Dark Bird Ship. From now on, we can request songs from Uta anytime."
However, remember to prepare snacks to feed our songstress!
Furthermore, the banquet will continue tonight, both for Uta and for Mr. Yixiao!
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, Shirahoshi's attention was immediately drawn to the banquet. She hugged Uta and moved closer to Gawain, asking in a low voice.
"My lord, may I have a little wine tonight? You never let me drink, but I really want to try it again!"
"Since you've already asked me, then don't use the word 'secretly,' and try it again to see what happens...?"
Gawain asked Shirahoshi, amused.
Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi smiled and bent down.
"You fed me a drink on Fish-Man Island, so you agreed, right?"
As she spoke, Shirahoshi inadvertently forgot about the Uta on her chest, and the Uta spun around and fell off.
As luck would have it, with a thud, Uta landed right on Gawain's neck.
At that moment, Uta shrank back nervously, like a frightened little animal.
Gawain smiled and looked up, but when he caught sight of Uta's tense face...
His eyes lit up, and then he carried Uta on his back and jogged towards the pool.
"Hey, are you ready to swim, Uta?"
"Why?!!"
Uta was shocked, but before she could say anything, Gawain carried her on his back and leaped high into the air toward the pool.
In mid-air, Uta screamed and clung tightly to Gawain's head, even squeezing her legs together.
Gawain, laughing loudly, took Uta with him and plunged into the pool with a splash.
Glug glug glug~.
Uta burst into a series of bubbles, but Gawain pulled her out of the water the moment he went in.
Holding Uta in one hand, letting Uta float on the water, Gawain used his other hand to chuckle and pinch Uta's cheek.
"Get used to it slowly. People on the Dark Bird Ship don't have to be strong, but they must be happy!"
If we don't even feel happy, how can we possibly bring happiness to every household?
"Gurgle gurgle~ Waaaaaah, but... but I'm Devil Fruit User, waaaaaah!!!"
In that instant, Uta burst into tears and threw herself into Gawain 'Gawain arms, sobbing as she repeatedly pounded his chest with her weak, feeble fists.
"I can't swim! Waaah, it's so scary!"
How could you do this, Dad?!
"Why?"
Wow?!
"What?"
As soon as Uta finished speaking, everyone around them who had been laughing heartily immediately turned to look at Uta.
And Uta...
One second she was still shouting and protesting, the next she was completely silent, her face flushed red.
As for Gawain, he looked at the little girl in his arms with amusement and put her on his back.
As Uta instinctively clutched his head, Gawain said.
"You startled me too. Do I really look that much like Shanks? No, right?"
Or do you want to recognize me as your godfather, Uta?
"I don't!"
Uta shouted back to Gawain while gently resting her head on the back of Gawain head.
Covering her face, Uta bit her lip tightly. Although her father had abandoned her, she was not an unwanted child!
Waaaaah... No way...!
Seemingly sensing Uta's mood, Gawain carried the little girl and swam in the pool for a while. After a short while, Uta finally calmed down and then raised her head again.
She reached out her little hand and gently ruffled Gawain's hair.
"Gawain ..." she said, "Could you tell me where we're going next?"
"Of course, after Whitebeard finishes his coating, we'll say goodbye to him, and then we'll head towards the East Blue along Water 7."
On each island he visited, Franky would establish a Hydrological Observation Station and a preliminary construction site for the Sea Train.
As for where we'll end up, haha, we'll just have to wait and see!
We're far from being at the point where we need to shoulder pressure. Since it's a trip, let's enjoy the unknown journey to the fullest!
As he spoke, Gawain suddenly turned around, then grabbed the little girl and threw Uta high in the direction of Hancock.
Seeing Uta flying towards her, Hancock raised her head and then barely managed to reach out and catch Uta in her arms.
Pia!
Uta landed a precise slap on Hancock's chest, and Hancock...
She gently patted Uta's head, then whispered something to Uta.
"Uta, cough cough, how about calling me 'Mom'? Mom will take good care of you~."
"No way!!!"
Uta rolled her eyes in annoyance, then quickly escaped from Hancock's arms. They were at the edge of the pool, and after escaping, she sat down on a high-level resting spot in the pool, curiously observing everything around her.
In her eyes, Gawain walked between her and Hancock, and then Gawain tapped Hancock on the head.
"What are you thinking? You actually want Uta to call you 'Mom'? Do you want to be Shanks' woman?!"
"Ha?!!"
Hancock was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter and threw herself into Gawain's arms.
Hugged against Gawain like an octopus, Hancock gently licked her lips.
"What does that have to do with Shanks? I only heard her call you 'father'..."
"It was just a slip of the tongue, and besides, it's just calling me 'Dad.' If you like, you can call me that too."
Gawain responded irritably, while patting Hancock's butt to signal her to get off him, as Uta was watching.
And Hancock.
Upon hearing Gawain's words, she loosened her legs from around his waist and leaned close to Gawain ear.
"Daddy~."
After calling out softly, Hancock, her cheeks flushed but her face full of pride, asked Gawain.
"I've called you that, so do you like it, Gawain!"
"I not only like listening to it, I also like you."
Gawain pursed his lips, leaned forward, and captured Hancock's lips. The two of them instantly fell into the pool water.
Hancock can't swim, but this time she didn't seem to have much oxygen deprivation...
A moment later, their lips parted, and Gawain brought Hancock to the surface of the water. He then lifted Hancock by the waist with both hands and carried her to sit down by the pool.
Beside Hancock, Uta and Shirahoshi, two little girls with flushed cheeks, looked at each other and then quickly moved further away from the two big hooligans in their eyes.
Gawain looked up at the sky; it was already past noon.
So he went back to shore, changed out of his wet clothes, and anxiously ate dry food while still wearing his beach shorts.
We need to finish our food quickly; we still need to exercise later!
While Gawain was eating, several hundred meters away on the ship's side, Ichisho and Jinbe stared at each other.
A moment later, Jinbe turned around and shouted at Gawain.
"Sir, could you please use Conqueror's Haki? We're not catching any fish at all!!!"
"No way, no way! How could we Fish-Man cheat by relying on an adult's Conqueror's Haki!"
Ichisho quickly interrupted Jinbe, then patted Jinbe on the shoulder.
"Fishing is a game of luck, and waiting is an art. As long as we wait long enough, the fish will definitely bite!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Xiao gently clapped his left hand, and in the next instant, a tuna over sixty meters long flew directly out of the sea!
He smiled and was overjoyed.
"Look, we've caught a fish! Let's get started!"
"Well done! Together!"
Jinbe laughed and pounced into the air. He grabbed the big fish by the tail and threw the bewildered fish onto the deck!
Before the big fish could struggle, Jinbe threw a punch.
"Fish-Man Karate, Fish-Striking!"
Bang!
A punch pierced the fish's head, and the fish died instantly.
With a smile, he suddenly pulled the Cane Sword from his hand.
"Gravity Blade, Sashimi!"
Brush!
With a flash of the knife, the fresh fish was instantly divided into two portions, one of which was a large piece reserved for grilling.
The other piece had turned into countless thin slices, like snowflakes—that was Sashimi.
With a flick of his wrist, he made the Sashimi float in the air, while simultaneously transferring large chunks of meat onto the fire.
"Jinbe, add more fire!"
"Alright, Brother Yixiao!"
Jinbe burst into the forest with a hearty laugh, and then, chased by a group of Black Ice Terrace members, he stole two large trees from the forest.
Yi Xiao chopped wood, Jinbe to the fire; their lively interaction attracted Gawain's attention.
Soon after, Uta sang, Shirahoshi danced, and everyone joined in, while Gawain continued his exercise after eating and drinking his fill.
With a musician added to the outfit, the atmosphere really kicked off!
That afternoon, at five o'clock, aboard the Moby Dick.
Franky gently wiped the sweat from his brow, then excitedly patted the hot spring pool in front of him.
"Haha, all done! Super Franky and Super Spandam General went at it together, their speed was truly remarkable!!!"
"Lord Franky is absolutely right!"
Beside him, Spandam gave a mechanical thumbs-up, quickly echoing Franky's boast.
Upon hearing this, Franky patted Spandam's mechanical belly with satisfaction.
"Alright, now that it's all sorted out, let's go tell that Whitebeard that we should head back and continue repairing our ship!"
"I'll do as you say, Lord Franky!"
Spandam then gave another thumbs up.
Thus, the two bid farewell to Whitebeard and his crew, and returned to the Dark Bird Ship amidst the cheers of the crowd.
As soon as they boarded the ship, the two sensed that something was off about the atmosphere that evening. Why was it still so lively?
A Barbie Q on the deck, an outdoor lampshade—is this another party?
"Is this banquet a reward from Lord Gawain for me?"
Haha, I don't need any reward, that's just our duty!
As he spoke, Franky lunged towards the Coca-Cola section, then reached for his chest and abdomen.
Franky opened his chest and abdomen, replaced the empty Coke bottle with a new one, and then let out a satisfied burp.
"Stimulate!"
With a loud shout, Franky lunged at the food area again, grabbing food and stuffing it into his mouth.
As he was eating, old man Rayleigh walked towards him listlessly.
"Put a pat on Franky's shoulder, "Rayleigh asked.
"Have you finished dealing with things with Whitebeard?"
"Of course, with me, Franky, it's a piece of cake! A little kiss!"
"But Mr. Rayleigh, what's the situation on our ship tonight?" Franky asked while eating.
"We've got new members. First, to commemorate the arrival of combatant Yixiao, and second, to commemorate the boarding of musician Uta."
Rayleigh agreed and then sat down next to Franky.
"Didn't Whitebeard say anything to you when you left?"
"No, when I left, the old man with the Whitebeard was getting an IV drip over there. Seeing that he was sick, I just left."
Marco did give me a large jug of wine, but the way I look at it, it seems like it belongs to our ship.
Listening to Franky's explanation, Rayleigh took a deep breath.
"Sigh, I just got back and they're already on an IV drip...?"
After saying that, Rayleigh stood up forlornly, muttering something under his breath as he walked away.
Time flies, and we all grow old...
While reflecting on his experience, Rayleigh returned to Gawain's vicinity, sat on the sofa, picked up his glass, and took a large gulp of strong liquor.
As he put down his glass, Gawain looked at him.
"Grandpa, Franky and Spandam are back?"
"Yeah, I'm back. I guess I didn't want to bother you since you didn't call out..."
They both seem quite afraid of you.
Rayleigh responded.
Gawain nodded knowingly at Rayleigh's words.
"There's nothing I can do; the way I got to know them was a little different from how you did."
"It's alright, they'll get better soon. Kalifa, call them both over, I have something to say to them."
"Yes..."
As Kalifa was replying, suddenly, a figure leaped onto the ship's side not far from the Dark Bird Ship.
The figure hovered in the air for a moment, then suddenly plummeted down beside Gawain.
Kneeling on one knee, Shiryu, who had just returned, leaned on Raiu and nodded to Gawain.
"My lord, I have already killed 4,322 lawbreakers and captured 86 others. For the foreseeable future, no one will dare to disturb the Fishman Five Islands!"
However, on those islands frequented by lawless individuals, it seems we'll need to send people to clean up the mess!
"I see."
Gawain nodded, then waved to the distance.
"Franky, Spandam, come here!"
"My lord has arrived!"
Franky immediately sprinted away, but he was much slower than Spandam, who, in his mechanical attire, reached Gawain in the blink of an eye.
Spandam knelt on the ground, practically wagging his tail, and said to Gawain with a mixture of excitement and respect.
"Gawain, please give me your orders. Even if it costs me my life, I will not hesitate for a moment!"
Looking at Spandam like this, Gawain smiled and nodded.
"Shiryu killed some people in the Lawless Zone of Sabaody during the day. You take the action team members on Sabaody Island and go collect the property of those dead people."
From now on, whenever there is fighting, the cleanup work will be your responsibility. You can go now."
"Yes, yes, yes... I obey!!!"
Spandam trembled with excitement. He... could finally work for the Celestial Dragon! Hahahaha!!!
Upon receiving the order, Spandam didn't even bother with the boat. Instead, he extended two metal paddleboards from his feet and sped off towards Sabaody Island!
After Spandam left, Gawain looked at Shiryu with amusement and asked jokingly.
"So, Shiryu, are you satisfied with today?"
"Gawain, it is my greatest honor to serve you. I am extremely pleased, hehehehe!!!"
The moment Shiryu's laughter rang out, Shirahoshi and Uta, who were drinking juice not far away, suddenly hugged each other tightly.
That laughter was terrifying!!!