As Nami continued recounting their incredible journey, a light began to bloom in Uta's eyes.Warm childhood memories surfaced in her mind, and she quickly found common ground with Nami and the others, chatting and laughing together with ease.
Watching Uta already joking around with Nami's group, Leno couldn't help but sigh. Friendship between girls really did form easily.
Through Uta's introduction, they learned that this place used to be the kingdom of music—Elegia.The revelation left Nami and Robin astonished. Once again, they had somehow ended up in the New World.
Led by Uta, the group made their way toward the island's interior, laughter and cheerful voices echoing along the way.Most of the conversation came from Uta, whose curiosity and longing for the outside world were written all over her face.
Before long, they arrived at a well-preserved castle. A tall figure wearing headphones was already waiting at the gate.When she saw him, Uta ran ahead joyfully and introduced both sides.
"Mr. Gordon, these are new friends I met by the sea—an adventuring crew!""Everyone, this is Mr. Gordon, the man who raised me and taught me everything I know about music!"
Looking at the man's mad scientist appearance, Leno's lips twitched. This musician sure had a... unique aesthetic.He gave Gordon a polite nod, while the man's eyes softened as he looked at the smiling Uta.It had been so long since he'd seen her laugh like that—genuinely, from the heart. Perhaps this was a chance... though that old promise still weighed heavily on his mind.
"Welcome, everyone. It's been ages since anyone came here. The conditions are rather humble, so please don't mind the roughness."
At his invitation, they entered the castle.Lagging behind, Nami leaned toward Robin and whispered, "This gloomy-looking uncle doesn't seem like someone easy to get along with~""Hehe... he actually looks quite approachable to me," Robin replied with an amused smile.Seeing Nami's mischievous expression, Robin could only shake her head helplessly—she already knew Nami was up to something.
Though Gordon had described the place as "simple," the interior was luxuriously decorated—just old and dusty from time.Uta eagerly showed Nami and Robin around her castle, while Leno sipped tea across from Gordon, making idle conversation.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, evening had come. Everyone finally got to taste the delicious meat of the Anglerfish.
"It's amazing! So good! This is from that gigantic fish? It's too delicious!"Uta praised Carmen's cooking endlessly, still astonished that they'd managed to defeat such a monstrous creature."Yeah, it's our first time eating fish this tasty too," said Leno."Do you think the bigger the fish, the better the meat?" Chopper and Yamato mused aloud, earning an eye-roll from Carmen."Of course not! It depends on the species. Take sharks, for example—no matter how big they get, the meat still tastes terrible."
The dinner table was full of laughter and chatter.
When Nami and the others learned that only Uta and Gordon lived on the island, they were stunned.Their eyes drifted toward Acier and Olga, who were wolfing down their food—the whole scene felt strangely familiar.Just like those two, Uta and Gordon had lived for years in isolation from the world.It was almost a mirror image of Olga's story—except this one carried a deeper sense of separation.
"By the way, Nami, have you run into many pirates during your voyage?""Pirates? They're everywhere on the seas! You'd have to try not to meet them.""I knew it... pirates are the cancer of the ocean, always bringing pain and death to innocent people!"
Upon hearing the answer she expected, Uta's face darkened, and she cursed under her breath.
Not long ago, she had found a video Den Den Mushi by the shore.When she realized she could use it to broadcast her songs, she was overjoyed, believing she could finally share happiness with the world through music.But before long, the Den Den Mushi began relaying the voices of countless listeners—cries of grief, tales of suffering, and laments about the pirates' atrocities.
The flood of stories shook her deeply. For days, she had been tormented by what she heard, a seed of dangerous resolve beginning to take root in her heart.Even today, she had only gone to the seaside to clear her mind... and instead stumbled upon Leno and his crew flying out of a fish's mouth.
"Uta, are you okay?"Nami quickly broke in when Uta's expression started turning frightening.
Snapping back to herself, Uta smiled apologetically."I'm fine. I just remembered something... it made me a little sad.""Did something happen? Maybe we can help," Nami asked gently."It's nothing big. I just... found a Den Den Mushi a while ago."
As Uta spoke, Leno's gaze sharpened, his expression turning grim.That Den Den Mushi—her life had changed entirely because of it.
She could have kept singing happily, spreading joy through the waves.But she couldn't ignore the messages from her listeners.To them, she wasn't just a singer—she was someone who would listen, who cared. They poured out their pain, their anger, their despair...One person, ten people, a hundred—soon, thousands upon thousands.
For a kind, pure-hearted girl like Uta, such an ocean of sorrow was an unbearable weight.Day after day, the negativity seeped into her soul, twisting her wish for peace into something extreme: a desire to create a world of false happiness—her "Tsukuyomi World."
As Leno's thoughts returned to the present, he looked at the cheerful girl laughing with his friends and made a quiet vow: he would save her—no, rescue this girl before she fell into the abyss.
He glanced at Gordon, who had remained silent the entire evening. Leno decided then and there—he'd bring both of them to Skypiea, just like Acier and Olga.They could teach the island's children about music and science, finding peace in a new home.
With his plan set, Leno began scanning the castle, mentally noting which things might be worth taking.After all, once they left, no one would be here anymore. It'd be a waste to leave everything behind.
But as Leno pondered what to "pack," in another corner of the New World—the headquarters of the Red-Haired Pirates—an earth-shaking roar erupted.
"NA-NI?!!!""What did you just say?!""An unidentified ship entered Elegia waters—possibly the Gale of the Thunder God?!!!"
…