Chapter 312 The Time to Defeat the Demon King
In the world Brett couldn't see, unlike the reality where Elegia had been completely destroyed, this spiritual realm still held the island intact, not yet sunk beneath the waves.
However, the monster still rampaged all the same.
"Hey, it's been way too long, Uta."
Red-Hair looked up at the monster in the sky with a grin. "You've really grown up. By the way, I watched every single one of your performances. Even got everyone to vote for you."
Inside the Demon King's body, Uta's lips trembled. Two streams of tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks as her slender shoulders shook.
After summoning the Demon King again, she finally understood everything.
She'd grown much more than she had been five years ago. After summoning the monster this time, she hadn't immediately lost consciousness. She'd witnessed this creature's wanton destruction across the island.
Now everything was crystal clear.
She was the one who destroyed this island.
She was the source of all this tragedy. That's why Shanks had abandoned her, wasn't it?
"ROAR!!"
The Demon King raised its arm and smashed toward Red-Hair.
"Looks like I'll have to deal with this guy first before we can have a proper chat."
Red-Hair drew his blade. "Big guy, don't get in the way of a father meeting his precious daughter!"
He charged forward without dodging.
"What the hell are you thinking, you idiot!"
Uta clenched both fists. Tears had already blurred her delicate face as she screamed with everything she had.
"Why didn't you tell me anything! Leaving on your own, shouldering all the blame—did you think that was cool?!"
"It was all my fault, wasn't it! But you let me hate you for so long! Why would you do something like that, you idiot!"
Red-Hair leaped upward, his blade trailing long black lightning. He laughed loudly.
"Because you're my adorable daughter."
CLANG!
Blade met the Demon King's arm.
The next instant, the Demon King's arm shattered completely.
In the outside world, Brett had synchronized his punch.
"Pay attention to the timing, Shanks!"
Brett grinned wide.
The spiritual world and reality, once separated, had been connected through the Demon King's existence.
Brett could sense Red-Hair's presence through his Observation Haki. As long as he attacked simultaneously with Red-Hair's strikes, this previously indestructible Demon King could finally be defeated.
In the spiritual world, the girl trembled as if she'd been shot.
This time tears poured down like a broken dam. Her expression completely lost control. Even her nose was running.
"SHANKS!!"
Unable to hold back any longer, the girl cried out, calling the name of the father she admired most.
Red-Hair landed on the ground, then launched himself up again. "Just wait a little longer, Uta! I'll save you right now!"
The Demon King sprouted more arms that scattered toward him like tentacles.
"Get lost!"
Red-Hair swung his blade.
A black-red sword wave instantly severed several arms.
At the same moment in the outside world, Brett released thick bolts of thunder that shattered those same arms.
"Perfect! This is going well!"
On the warship deck, Tesoro pumped his fist forcefully. "Haha! Monster, your reign of terror is over!"
"Go get her, Captain! Bring back our little princess!"
On the Red Force's deck, the officers cheered their encouragement.
Brett kept pushing forward. One arm after another of the Demon King's was pulverized. One powerful beam after another was deflected.
The distance to the Demon King's main body was now mere inches.
"Clear the way!"
In the spiritual world, Red-Hair jumped above the Demon King and raised his sword high.
"ROAR!!"
The Demon King roared in defiance. An enormous sphere of light gathered before its mouth, then transformed into a brilliant beam shooting forth.
In reality, Brett took a deep breath as the massive light beam approached.
"This is the final strike, Shanks! Don't you dare screw this up!"
He clenched his right fist. His stored power began converting.
"That's my line!"
Black lightning surged even more fiercely around Red-Hair's blade.
"HAH!!"
The sword fell.
"King Cobra Punch!"
Brett swung simultaneously.
BOOM!!
In the spiritual world, the massive light beam was torn apart by the sword wave.
In reality, the identical beam was completely shattered by the shockwave from Brett's fist.
Two different worlds. Two different attacks. At the exact same moment, both struck the Demon King's head.
"ROAR!"
The Demon King wailed.
But now it had no chance left to struggle.
Two powerful attacks gave it no room to escape, instantly pulverizing its body.
Brett exhaled in relief.
Finally done.
"We did it!"
On the warship, Queen Otohime couldn't help cheering loudly.
In the spiritual world, the moment the Demon King shattered, Uta flew toward Shanks.
Red-Hair opened his arms and embraced his daughter.
"I'm sorry, Uta."
Red-Hair said softly. "I was too presumptuous. I thought if you didn't know about this, you could live happily here and achieve your dream."
"Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
Uta buried her head in her father's chest, her right fist continuously pounding his torso.
"Yeah, yeah, I really am a huge idiot."
Red-Hair's hand gently patted Uta's trembling back.
The girl gradually stopped crying and simply leaned quietly against her father.
"Your arm." She spoke softly. "What happened to your arm?"
"This?"
Red-Hair smiled. "I bet it on the new era."
"What new era!"
The girl straightened up and shouted. "What really happened, Shanks!"
"Hahaha!"
Red-Hair laughed heartily. "It was Luffy. I gave up this arm to save him. Left him my hat too, while I was at it."
"What! Luffy! Because of that idiot?!"
The girl puffed out her cheeks. "Next time I see him, I'm definitely going to give him a piece of my mind!"
"What kind of terrifying enemy did he provoke to make you lose an arm!"
In the girl's heart, her father was invincible.
Red-Hair couldn't help but smile awkwardly at that.
Then Uta threw herself into his embrace once more.
"I finally get to see you again, Shanks. I missed you so much."
"Yeah. I came to get you, Uta."
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