The Kingdom of Elegia In the burning forest, the Blood Bat Clone, with more than ten blood holes pierced by spears all over its body, disintegrated into a swarm of bats after completing its mission. They carried Uta's small body and flew back to Sephiroth.
After Sephiroth held Uta in his arms, the black bats re-entered him, giving him the energy they had not consumed.
"My name is Shanks. Thank you very much for your help. What's your name?" Shanks, after putting Griffin back in its scabbard, walked toward the silver-haired young man.
"My name is Sephiroth, and I am a Marine..."
Hearing that, Shanks's smile froze, and his steps stopped. Beckman, Yasopp, and the other members of the Red-Haired Pirates quickly aimed their weapons at Sephiroth. Although they had just cooperated, the opposing identities of Marine and pirate and the presence of Uta in Sephiroth's hands made them wary.
They had also heard of Sephiroth's bad name, "The Hitman." Shanks had been warned by Rayleigh not to cause trouble in the Sabaody Archipelago so as not to disturb Sephiroth, or the situation would become very serious. Because of that, he knew that Sephiroth had once trained with the three Boa sisters under Rayleigh's guidance. He didn't expect to meet Sephiroth in this kind of situation, and it turned out that the mysterious man was him.
"Shanks, I will not return Uta to you..."
As soon as that statement came out, Shanks's eyes sharpened, and Beckman, Yasopp, and the others immediately pointed their weapons at him.
"I once persuaded you not to come to the Kingdom of Elegia, where there was a Music Demon King, but you refused to listen. It has led to this tragedy."
After the Music Demon King disappeared, the citizens of the Kingdom of Elegia slowly woke up. The endless screams, cries, and wails filled the ears of Sephiroth and the members of the Red-Haired Pirates, piercing their hearts.
"Just now, when I hypnotized Uta to release the people in the dream world, I confirmed one thing... The true form of the Music Demon King is actually the Awakened state of the Uta Uta no Mi Devil Fruit! Uta, by singing a specific song, used it as an Awakening key, and then entered that special state. Because her own power was too weak, she was dominated by the will of the Music Demon King..."
"She once sang that song once, and she has related memories stored in her mind. In other words, there is a possibility that her power will explode again!"
Shanks: "..."
"Given that you cannot be relied upon, it is very likely that a similar tragedy will happen again. With her power, if not handled properly, she could even destroy the world! Moreover, right now only I can release her ability, and I have to monitor her... Therefore, I do not plan to return her to you!"
Sephiroth's tone was full of seriousness and firmness, showing no signs of backing down. Uta's Uta Uta no Mi Devil Fruit was a very unstable factor, with a very high level of danger! If she ran amok, she could take everyone in the whole world into a dream world, causing humanity to become extinct.
Sephiroth was afraid that if he killed Uta but did not get the Uta Uta no Mi Devil Fruit, the fruit would fall into the hands of others, which would only add to the uncertainty. Therefore, he chose the middle path, which was to monitor Uta to minimize the risk.
Hearing Sephiroth's words, Shanks could only try a last resort. "Ahem!... About you, I've heard a little from Mr. Rayleigh. Actually, I've wanted to get to know you for a long time! How about... you join my pirate crew?"
"...Oh my goodness! There are no secrets in this world that are not revealed, this old man Rayleigh even leaked my secret!? Huh?!... It seems I never told him that our business should be kept a secret... I miscalculated!..." Sephiroth muttered to himself.
Seeing that the silver-haired young man did not answer, clearly not interested in his offer at all, Shanks was silent for a moment, before finally speaking slowly:
"What will you do to Uta?"
"I will take good care of her, let her grow up healthy and happy... You can be sure of that!"
"Mm!... Uta is still a child, she doesn't know anything. This is not her fault, it's my fault... I hope you don't take your anger out on her... Please! I will bear all this alone!"
Shanks's words were full of a heavy heart. Although he knew from Rayleigh and Shakky that Sephiroth was a pretty good person, he was still hesitant to hand over his adopted daughter directly to that person.
"And one more thing, I hope you can help me. Please don't tell Uta the truth. The truth is too cruel for her... Just tell her that the Red-Haired Pirates were after the treasure of the Kingdom of Elegia, and then launched an attack..."
"I understand! The Marine warships will be here soon... You'd better leave quickly! For Rayleigh's sake, I won't interfere this time..."
"Mm!... But, I still have to find Gordon, to apologize to him..."
Shanks pressed the straw hat on his head, covering his two eyes. He held back the heavy feeling in his heart, no longer looking at Uta.
After that, he stomped hard on the ground, his body leaped into the air, and flew into the distance. Before leaving, he had to properly apologize to Gordon. Even if this apology felt very empty and helpless...
Sephiroth stood in his place, watching the Red-Haired Pirates leave. He did not leave immediately, but instead split himself into a large group of bats again, spreading in all directions, looking for something nearby.
Shanks & Gordon Not long after, on a hill near the sea, Shanks found Gordon. He was kneeling on the ground, staring blankly at the city that had turned into a sea of fire.
Thick red blood flowed from Gordon's forehead. His two eyes behind his black glasses were filled with confusion and emptiness. This was all his fault!
Since ancient times, this country has always had a legend about the Music Demon King. As a king, he certainly knew that under this country, a mysterious and ancient musical score was hidden. Gordon once could not hold back his curiosity, he also secretly saw it and played it, but nothing happened. Over time, he considered the story of the Music Demon King as an intangible legend. Unexpectedly, today the Music Demon King appeared in the real world just because of a little girl!
Right now, Gordon's heart was filled with regret. If only he had destroyed that musical score from the start, something like this would not have happened!
In the distant sea, three warships slowly emerged from the water's surface. The lookouts on the ships, using searchlights, continuously sent signals toward the island. Seeing that, Gordon just stared blankly, then no longer cared. His heart was still drowned in sadness and regret.
Shanks walked in front of Gordon, he slowly said:
"Gordon, I hope you don't spread to the outside world that today's incident is related to Uta... This truth is too cruel for a little girl..."
Hearing that, Gordon, who was sitting limply on the ground, said in a hoarse, low voice, "Okay! I understand, I will tell the Marines that this is all my fault..."
"No! This is our fault. You just spread to the outside world, and to the people of Elegia, that all of this is the doing of Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates... I have entrusted Uta to a Marine... If the matter is leaked, in the end it won't be good for her."
Gordon got up, nodding in agreement, "I understand!"
After finishing his discussion with Gordon, Shanks and the members of the Red-Haired Pirates immediately ran toward the beach where the Red Force was anchored, preparing to set sail.
The Cruel Truth On the other hand, under the search of tens of thousands of bats, Sephiroth quickly found several Video Den Den Mushi that were still recording. They had recorded everything that happened tonight.
If the recording was spread, Uta would become the focus of attention for the World Government's top brass. At that time, Sephiroth would have to choose: to hand over Uta honestly, or to become an enemy of the World Government!
Not long after, the Den Den Mushi was lifted by a group of black bats and delivered to him. Sephiroth hardly thought twice, he immediately reached out and erased the recording in it.
Saving evidence or whatever... Forget it!
After he was done, he flapped the pair of black wings on his back, and flew toward Gordon.
Not long after, Sephiroth arrived at his destination. His body descended from the air, standing beside Gordon who was still frozen in place. He snapped in a low voice, "Hey! Your Majesty King of Elegia... This is not the time for you to keep daydreaming, is it? Your people are still waiting for you to lead the rescue efforts!"
Sephiroth's snap finally woke Gordon, who was drowning in regret and sadness. He began to murmur, "That's right!... I can't keep being like this! My people, they still need me..."
Their words woke Uta, who was sleeping. The girl mumbled something softly, and slowly became aware. As soon as Uta opened her eyes, she found herself being carried by a silver-haired young man she didn't know. She tried to struggle a few times, and the silver-haired young man put her down.
Uta stood on the hill, looking around, and stared at the city that was lit with towering flames in the distance. Her two eyes were filled with confusion.
"Mr. Gordon, what happened?... Where are Shanks and the others!?"
Hearing that, Gordon immediately put on an expression of panic and helplessness, raised both hands, and wailed, "All the goods have been stolen! They killed many people!"
"Where is Shanks!?"
As if remembering something, Uta's face immediately changed. However, her heart unconsciously rejected the answer.
However... Gordon's next words made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave, and sunk into deep despair.
"Their plan was to use your voice to approach Elegia, and then steal our treasure..."
Hearing that, Uta's eyes slowly lost focus, and her brain became blank. She still held a glimmer of last hope and asked, "Are you talking about the Red-Haired Pirates...?"
"Yes!... They, the Red-Haired Pirates... You have been lied to all this time by Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates..." Gordon nodded in confirmation.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the distant sea, three warships found the Red Force flying a black flag sailing away from the shore. The warships immediately launched an artillery attack toward it, playing a drama of the army catching thieves...
In Sephiroth's view, this action of Shanks was really forcing himself to bear the blame. In fact, the Red Force could have secretly gone in the opposite direction, but he deliberately made it visible to the warships.
Uta was attracted by the sound of the warships' artillery fire, she looked for the source of the sound, and saw the Red Force slowly moving away on the sea.
Seeing this scene, she ran quickly down the hill. Although she fell and her right knee was injured and bleeding, she didn't care, got up and continued to run.
"Shanks!" "Shanks!" "Wait for me!" "Don't leave me!" "Why!"
Uta ran while screaming toward the Red Force, trying to call back the family that had left her. She wanted to be taken away with them.
Sephiroth and Gordon, who were following behind, saw the girl crying so hysterically. They could only let out a heavy sigh, feeling sorrow in their hearts.
After reaching the beach, Uta saw the Red Force that was still moving away. She immediately recklessly jumped into the sea. Seeing that, Sephiroth quickly stepped forward and hugged Uta from behind, stopping her irrational action.
As a Devil Fruit user, Uta would immediately drown if she fell into the sea. Sephiroth, who was also a Devil Fruit user, could only hold her tightly.
"Give up. They won't come back," Sephiroth advised.
"Hiks... hiks..."
Hearing that, Uta cried even more sadly, tears falling one by one. She cried for so long that she finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
The Meeting at Marineford As the night deepened, all sounds became quiet.