New World, Kingdom of Caron.
Like all non-government allied nations in this world, this country had long been surrounded by poverty and hunger.
And now, it was caught in the most terrifying phenomenon born from this poverty and hunger.
War.
The civil war in the Kingdom of Caron had been raging for several years.
Its already fragile industry and barely sufficient agriculture to feed its people had been destroyed beyond repair.
The citizens were displaced, starving, and never knew when death would come knocking at their door.
But even so, the King's army and the rebels fought fiercely.
This country had no food, no medical care, no transportation, no education, but what it did not lack was weapons.
Weapons of unknown origin flowed endlessly into this nation, with both the King's army and the rebels desperately expanding their arsenals.
The soldiers couldn't even afford meals, yet their arms were plentiful.
The bullets in both sides' hands could kill the entire population ten times over and still have plenty left.
In short, this was a country even pirates showed no interest in.
Even the most notorious pirates couldn't find anything worth looting here.
Inside a refugee camp in this country.
The refugees sat motionless, their faces blank.
Most of them had no strength to move; hunger had pushed their bodies to the brink of collapse.
They had gathered here waiting for the King's army or the rebels to come recruit soldiers.
Years of constant war had turned the entire country into a meat grinder, with an entire generation wiped out in battle.
Both sides of the conflict had no choice but to drastically expand their conscription efforts.
Not only were women being recruited, but even the elderly and children — anyone capable of wielding a weapon could become a soldier.
But today, something unexpected happened.
Soldiers from the king's army did arrive, but instead of immediately recruiting soldiers, they brought out a Den Den Mushi.
"I really don't understand what the higher-ups are thinking. A concert? At a time like this? In a place like this?" the soldiers whispered complaints among themselves.
"It's apparently an order from some unimaginably important person. Just follow it quietly. Hurry up, the announcement time is almost here!" one replied.
The refugees didn't pay much attention, so the soldiers quickly set up the Den Den Mushi and attached a loudspeaker.
Then, they activated the device.
Before long, a voice came through the phone.
"Can you hear me?"
It was the voice of a very young girl — nervous and slightly anxious.
The refugees remained indifferent.
Of course, there were some who cared very much.
Somewhere in the New World, aboard the Red Force.
"Uta!!"
The pirates were already cheering.
"I knew it! It's Uta!"
"Stop yelling! This is a crucial moment!"
Shanks stared at the Den Den Mushi without blinking, his eyes full of anticipation.
Besides them, at the various territories and Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin closed her eyes, trying hard to dodge Katakuri's attacks while listening to the live broadcast.
"What is that damn kid Ian up to this time?"
On the later part of the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
"My name is Uta. Next, I will perform some freshly written songs for everyone who used the Den Den Mushi earlier…"
"Looks like she's a bit nervous, huh?"
Vista spoke with some surprise.
"What the hell is that brat planning now?"
Marco's tone was serious.
That kid, whom they regarded as an enemy, had become even more terrifying.
He led the Charlotte family to defeat, made the Giants his allies, and now with revenge on their mind, things have only become harder.
"Let's just listen."
Whitebeard said calmly.
At Dressrosa.
"Heh heh heh, all this trouble just for a little girl?"
Doflamingo's expression was hard to read — a smile or something else. "That Ian guy, still as unpredictable as ever."
Somewhere in the New World.
Crocodile smoked his cigar with a cold expression.
In Paradise, the Florian Triangle.
Gecko Moria gritted his teeth.
Even in Mary Geoise, the room of the Five Elders.
Just defeated that woman Charlotte Linlin. What the hell is that bastard up to again?
An entertainment company? Does he really have the leisure to promote some little girl?
Isn't that a good thing? If he focuses more on this kind of thing, we can finally relax a bit.
Speaking of which, a gold mine was discovered near Hive Island. The mine itself isn't the issue, but it was found by the fishmen underwater.
Underwater? Are there really mineral deposits under the sea?
The seabed is also land. In a world where the sea covers the vast majority, the mineral resources underwater are probably far richer than on land.
So, the fishmen from Wano are secretly developing underwater mineral deposits too?
No wonder their growth has been so rapid.
Damn, we never noticed this—we thought they were just building a fishmen army!
The fishmen seem more useful than we imagined. The wealth of underwater resources is beyond imagination!
So, for this upcoming Levely, will Fishman Island be invited?
Fishman Island has been a member of the World Government for two hundred years, yet it has never been invited to the Levely.
The scene shifts back to the Caron Kingdom.
In a refugee camp, Uta's cautious voice still comes through the Den Den Mushi.
"Anyway, please listen to my song now!"
The girl says solemnly.
The line on the other end falls silent for a moment, but if you listen closely, you can still hear soft breathing.
Then, the music accompaniment starts playing by chance.
It was soothing, like the first ray of sunlight in the early morning, lazily stirring a gentle itch in the heart.
The rhythm gradually became lighter, and the girl's voice, clear and flowing like a mountain spring, rose along with it.
"Morning light gently brushes over sleeping eyes,"
"Softly awakening every tomorrow,"
"In the breeze, I hear,"
"The call of freedom rippling in my heart."
Her voice was crisp and melodious, like a pure, almost transparent mountain stream. As it flowed past the ears, it seemed to wash away the noise of the world.
The already quiet refugee camp instantly became even more silent.
Normally, people need to satisfy their most basic survival needs before they have the energy to seek other fulfillments.
But at this moment, the residents of the camp—those struggling daily on the edge of death—could not help but be drawn in by the song.
"I write down my story, my song."
"Between every word, freedom flows."
"It teaches me courage, it teaches me strength."
"Even if tears sometimes blur my sight."
"I still believe there's a more beautiful scenery ahead."
This was by no means a great song. The lyrics and melody were simple and unpolished, and the girl singing it still lacked skill.
Yet, the song was so pleasant to hear.
It felt as if it could penetrate the soul, reaching directly into the hearts of everyone listening.
Suddenly, suppressed sobs arose within the refugee camp.
"Do we... still have a tomorrow?"
Suddenly, someone whispered softly.
"Freedom? What is freedom?"
Another voice followed.
This song was so deeply moving, it made people involuntarily lose themselves in it.
Though it was a beautiful song, singing of freedom, it stirred nothing but sobbing throughout the entire refugee camp.
Even the soldiers who came here to install the Den Den Mushi phones felt a sharp ache in their hearts.
This country had neither freedom nor a tomorrow. There was only war and the looming shadow of extinction.
This refugee camp was by no means an exception.
Everywhere in this country where Den Den Mushi phones were set up for live broadcasts, wherever the girl's voice was heard, the only sound that followed was crying.
After the tears came, people couldn't help but wonder.
Why?
What was the reason that led them all to this wretched fate?
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24