Chapter 313: Uta's Decision
The Demon King had been completely defeated. Its massive body dissipated rapidly, transforming into wisps of purple smoke that gradually faded before vanishing entirely into the air.
Brett released flame clouds to catch Uta as she fell from the sky.
The girl's eyes were open. She'd already regained consciousness.
"I'm very sorry, Director Brett. I caused you so much trouble."
The young songstress spoke apologetically.
Though she was still reminiscing with Shanks in the spiritual world, that didn't prevent her from making conversation with Brett in reality.
Uta was quite skilled at managing both threads simultaneously.
"It's nothing."
Brett said with a smile. "When you first entered the auditions, Shanks came and asked us to look after you. We agreed we'd take good care of you."
Uta froze slightly. Then the corners of her mouth curved upward in a faint smile.
"Let's go. Time to see some old friends."
Brett flew back with Uta. Soon they'd already arrived above the Red-Hair Pirates' ship.
Seeing their arrival, the pirates on the Red Force's deck erupted in cheers.
"Uta!!"
The pirates called the girl's name loudly, welcoming their musician's return with the warmest reception.
"It's been too long, our little princess!"
Lucky Roux waved the chicken leg in his hand forcefully. "Did you miss my cooking?!"
"Seriously, without our musician's singing, I haven't been able to sleep properly at night!"
The dreadlocked sniper also said with a laugh.
"Everyone—"
Tears were already welling in Uta's eyes.
Brett smiled as he let the clouds carry Uta down to land on the deck. The girl was immediately surrounded by her family.
A crowd of burly pirates encircled little sister Uta completely, asking about her experiences over these past few years in a chaotic chorus.
How was the food there? Did it suit your taste? Did you have trouble sleeping in a new bed? Did you make any new friends?
Just like parents who hadn't seen their child in a long time, worrying about how their kid had been living.
"Alright, you guys, back off a bit. Let our little princess breathe some fresh air, would you?"
On deck, Red-Hair—who'd been lying motionless—sat up.
The reminiscing in the spiritual world had ended. He'd returned to reality.
Red-Hair smiled and turned his head to nod lightly at Brett in the sky.
Brett returned his smile, then descended to Fish-Man Island's warship and released his ability, returning to his original form.
Then he heard Tesoro muttering beside him.
"This is bad!"
The guy's eyes were fixed intently on Uta, who was chatting happily with the officers aboard the Red-Hair Pirates' ship. His brow was deeply furrowed, the muscles in his face twitching.
"At this rate, Uta's going to run off with them!"
Brett chuckled softly.
Uta was indeed safe and sound, but for Tesoro, the real danger wasn't over yet.
The question was—now that Uta had reconciled with the Red-Hair Pirates, would she still remain with All Stars and continue being an idol?
President Tesoro was genuinely worried about this.
And at precisely this moment, he couldn't help but hear the discussion nearby.
"How wonderful."
Queen Otohime watched Uta's beaming smile and couldn't help dabbing at the corner of her eye. She smiled with relief. "Uta looks truly happy right now."
"But she might leave with the Red-Hair Pirates afterward."
Apoo said. "Didn't you hear them? They're calling Uta the Red-Hair Pirates' musician."
"That would be nice too, wouldn't it?"
Otohime said with a smile. "Being together with family is naturally the greatest happiness."
Apoo pursed his lips. "I don't really care either way."
Someone else certainly did, though.
Apoo glanced sideways at Tesoro.
The president was indeed clenching his teeth tightly at the moment.
Uta was his self-proclaimed disciple! Someone he believed could be trained into the world's greatest musician.
Wouldn't it be such a waste for her to run off and become a pirate?
Brett placed his hand on Tesoro's shoulder without saying anything.
But Tesoro already completely understood what Brett wanted to say.
He could only sigh and fall silent.
What else could he do? If Uta wanted to leave, could he really force her to stay?
Even setting aside Red-Hair's involvement, Tesoro couldn't do such a thing. After all, to some degree, he truly did regard Uta as his disciple.
Brett clearly heard his old friend's dejection. He smiled, then raised his voice to shout loudly toward the neighboring ship.
"Hey, Shanks! Let's hold a banquet!"
Red-Hair on the other ship turned around, his face naturally lit with a brilliant smile. "Hahaha! Are you a mind reader? That's exactly what I was about to say!"
And so the banquet naturally began.
The location was on the Red-Hair Pirates' ship deck. After all, Fish-Man Island's warship had a streamlined design with a very narrow deck—far too cramped for holding a proper feast.
Both sides brought out all their stored ingredients. The Red-Hair Pirates' chef Lucky Roux displayed his skills magnificently, quickly preparing dish after dish of mouthwatering, aromatic cuisine.
"Regardless of anything else, I need to thank you this time, Brett."
Red-Hair raised his cup toward Brett, speaking solemnly.
"Then I'll accept it."
Brett also raised his cup with a smile.
The two naturally drained them in one go.
Then Red-Hair looked toward Tesoro. "And you too, Tesoro. You've also taken care of Uta."
Tesoro responded with a muffled grunt. "It was nothing."
Then he directly grabbed a bottle and gulped down the entire thing.
Red-Hair also chuckled lightly and downed a bottle as well.
On the other side, Uta approached Gordon with a complicated expression.
"I'm very sorry, Gordon."
The little girl pressed her lips together. "It was all because of my mistake..."
Everything was because of her. If she hadn't performed that sheet music that night, this country would have continued its prosperous peace.
Instead of completely vanishing like this.
"This isn't your fault, Uta. We were the ones who were too careless."
Gordon raised his hand and gently patted his disciple's head. He smiled. "Before you—a Sing-Sing Fruit user—returned to this island, who could have imagined that legend was actually real?"
"You were simply used by Tot Musica."
The Demon King possessed its own consciousness. Uta had simply been deceived without knowing anything.
Uta hung her head without speaking.
Even if it wasn't intentional, even if she'd been manipulated, everyone in this country had died because of her.
The girl carried an enormous sense of guilt.
Gordon recognized this, so he changed the subject.
"So, Uta, what do you plan to do now? Where will you go?"
Tesoro's ears immediately perked up.
The Red-Hair Pirates' crew members also turned their gazes toward her.