Gordon's extreme reaction surprised Kuma. Could it be that the ones who destroyed the island were truly the Red Hair Pirates?
At that moment, Ace suddenly slapped his palm. "The Red Hair Pirates, Uta… I remember now! Luffy told me he had a good friend on Red-Haired Shanks' ship named Uta. But one time, when Shanks returned from a voyage, Uta was no longer on the ship."
Uta forced a smile. "Yes, that's me."
Ace was delighted. "Haha, I'm Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace! Luffy would be so happy to know you're here! By the way, how did you leave the Red Hair ship?"
Uta's smile faded, her eyes turning cold. "Maybe ruthless pirates like them don't need a naive kid like me?"
Setsuna suddenly spoke. "Sometimes, what you see with your own eyes isn't necessarily the truth. I have already understood everything from the voices of the ruins."
Gordon shuddered. "Wh-what are you saying?"
Setsuna said calmly, "I can hear the voices of all things. The ruins on this island have already told me everything. The music demon, Tot…"
"Don't say it! Please, don't say it!" Gordon was extremely agitated, pleading desperately.
Uta was equally agitated. "Why can't it be said? Was it really not the Red Hair Pirates after all?"
Setsuna looked at Gordon, his tone even. "The truth cannot remain buried forever. If hatred is allowed to accumulate endlessly in her heart, the day she learns the truth, she might choose self-destruction because of her twisted emotions."
Gordon's lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't utter a word.
Uta looked at them uneasily. "What are you all talking about?"
Setsuna turned to Uta, explaining. "Beneath the Music Island, a demon is sealed. It can only be summoned by singing a specific movement with the most beautiful voice. When you first came to this island years ago, that demon sent a piece of music to you by some means."
"You were lured by the demon, used the power of the Uta Uta no Mi to sing that movement, and as a result, released the demon. The demon destroyed this island. It was the Red Hair Pirates who exerted their full strength to reseal the demon, then voluntarily took on the crime of destroying the Music Island."
Uta's body swayed. "Is that so? So… I am the one who destroyed the Music Island?"
"No, not you!" Gordon exclaimed passionately. "It was that demon, Tot Musica! You were just a child back then. How could you resist a demon's temptation? And me… if I had stayed by your side, if I had been more vigilant, none of this would have happened!"
The surrounding pirates looked at Gordon with newfound respect. Despite his nation being destroyed because of Uta, he still chose to adopt and care for her.
Although Uta was also a victim, his magnanimity was admirable.
"The matter is quite clear now," Setsuna said lightly. "Next, we just need to open the seal, pull that demon out, and deal with it. Then we can avenge the dead."
"You want to open the seal? That's absolutely not allowed!" Gordon was frantic. "That demon is too dangerous! You'll be killed by it!"
"Helping a crewmate overcome their inner demons is exactly what a Captain should do, isn't it?" Setsuna smiled faintly. "As for worrying about our safety, that's completely unnecessary. If the Red Hair Pirates of seven years ago could manage it, do you think we can't match them?"
Gordon argued urgently, "Red-Hair is an Emperor!"
"It seems your body is on the island, but your heart is still in the outside world. You even know Shanks became an Emperor last year," Setsuna teased.
Gordon looked rather embarrassed. "Well, there aren't many entertainments on the island. I occasionally buy newspapers from the News Coo… That's not the point! If you're from the outside world, you should know even better how powerful the Emperors are!"
Setsuna said offhandedly, "They are Emperors now. Seven years ago, they were just an ordinary pirate crew."
"Old man, just listen to Captain," Enel said impatiently. "A mere demon can be destroyed by this god with a wave of my hand!"
As if to prove his words, countless bolts of lightning descended, illuminating Enel like a god.
"He's right. We are quite strong!" Ace also summoned a sea of fire, its radiance lighting up the sky.
"Incredible… incredible!" Gordon's eyes widened. He didn't know much about Haki. Judging purely by appearance, their imposing aura indeed seemed mightier than that of the Red Hair Pirates.
"Don't you want to avenge your people? This island is already in ruins anyway. Being destroyed once more wouldn't make much difference," Setsuna whispered, his words tempting.
Gordon wrestled with his emotions. How could he not want revenge?
He had been paying attention to the outside world all this time, hoping the Red Hair Pirates would grow stronger. Perhaps they would return one day and settle the monster for good!
Finally, Gordon made up his mind. "You're right. This is not just revenge for my people. It's also salvation for Uta!"
With great solemnity, he took out a piece of sheet music from his chest. "Uta, since you have chosen your companions… trust them!"
Uta took the musical score with trembling hands, but her voice was firm. "Captain… I want revenge. Will you help me?"
"I hear your request. Begin. I will end this nightmare," Setsuna's tone was steady, instilling a great sense of security.
Setsuna had the others board the ship and move away from the island. Only seven people remained on the island: him, Enel, Ace, Cavendish, Kuma, Gordon, and Uta.
Uta mustered her courage and began to sing the forbidden movement.
It must be said, although it was a forbidden movement for summoning a demon, the song was incredibly beautiful, making one involuntarily sink into it.
Finally, as the movement reached its climax, a distorted, gigantic humanoid creature descended. Its right eye was a black hole, its left eye a glowing red 'X' symbol. Burning skulls floated around its neck.
"Captain, let us deal with this guy," Ace called out eagerly.
"Alright. I'll step in after you fail," Setsuna was very calm.
"Haha, then you'll be disappointed, Captain!" Ace laughed heartily. Just as he was about to attack, he suddenly felt the surrounding space twist.
When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a bizarre virtual world filled with musical staves and notes, like a fairy tale realm.
"What is this place?" Cavendish looked around in shock.
"This is the illusory world Uta creates with her song. Anyone who hears her singing is pulled into it," Gordon explained.
Ace and the other two didn't react much, but Kuma's body trembled. "A world like this… a world of illusions… Can it free people from the pain of the real world?"
Setsuna glanced at him, 'Had he already despaired of the real world?'