Chapter 314 Experimenting with Controlling the Demon King
Every eye focused on Uta.
Everyone waited for her answer.
Naturally the Red-Hair Pirates and Tesoro need no explanation, but the All Stars members also didn't want to lose a teammate—especially Uta, who was so crucial during live broadcasts.
After all, Queen Otohime was invincible in person, but during broadcasts her voice lacked the same charm as Uta's.
Only three people remained calm—Brett, Red-Hair, and Otohime. They simply waited quietly for Uta's answer.
"Of course she's coming back to us, right?"
Lucky Roux called out loudly. "Everyone misses you so much! So hurry up and come back, our little princess!"
"That's right, that's right!"
The Red-Hair Pirates laughed boisterously. "Without Uta here, every time we sing it feels like something's missing!"
"Hey, Captain, you say something too!"
The sniper Yasopp looked dissatisfied at their merely smiling captain. "Don't you want Uta to come back?"
Since everything was already out in the open, there was no need to keep Uta wandering outside anymore, right?
Red-Hair smiled, then looked toward Uta. "So, Uta, will you come back?"
"Can I?"
Uta's eyes sparkled. The smile curving her lips was utterly captivating.
"Of course you can!"
Yasopp said impatiently. "We've always kept your spot on the ship! You're our ship's one and only musician!"
"Hey! That's pretty hurtful, you know!"
The ship's current musician, Bonk Punch, couldn't help complaining. The monkey Monster perched on his neck also cried out loudly.
Though they certainly acknowledged their musical talent couldn't match Uta's, they shouldn't be completely ignored like this.
Uta paid no attention to Yasopp's words. She simply gazed quietly at Red-Hair.
"Captain!"
Lucky Roux tugged forcefully at the captain's cloak. "Say something!"
Red-Hair smiled brilliantly. "We've always kept a spot for our musician."
"..."
Uta lowered her head. Her shoulders trembled slightly. No one could see her expression.
Then she put both hands behind her back and raised her head. A radiant smile entered everyone's view.
"Since five years ago, I've waited every single day for this moment! Waited to return to the Red Force, to return to Shanks and everyone's side, to adventure together with everyone!"
"And now I've finally reached it!"
Tesoro sighed upon hearing this.
Though he'd expected it, actually hearing Uta say so naturally still left him disappointed.
"No need to rush into disappointment."
Brett smiled.
"Huh?"
Tesoro froze.
Then—
"I really have been waiting such a long time for this day."
Uta sighed. Then she smiled somewhat mischievously. "But I refuse!"
"What!"
Lucky Roux's eyes widened. The chicken leg in his hand suddenly lost all its appeal. "Why, Uta?!"
"Yeah, why?! Uta!"
Yasopp also asked in confusion. "Coming back to adventure together like before—wouldn't that be great?"
"I really do want to adventure with everyone like we used to!"
Uta said earnestly. "To see all kinds of scenery around the world together, to meet all sorts of interesting people together!"
"But not right now!"
She looked at Red-Hair. "Shanks! I said it a long time ago, didn't I? My dream! I want to become the world's greatest songstress!"
"I remember it clearly."
Red-Hair nodded with a smile.
"If I leave with everyone now, I'd be happy—I'd have fun. But wouldn't that take me further and further from my dream?!"
"Get it through your thick skulls, you idiots!"
The little girl placed both hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks indignantly. "I want my songs to captivate the entire world! I don't just want to sing for you guys!"
"That's so harsh, Uta..."
Lucky Roux said dejectedly. "She was definitely cuter when she was little."
"How could you!"
Yasopp was practically in despair, clutching his head with both hands. "I'll go crazy if I can't hear Uta's singing anymore! How can the ship not have a musician!"
"Hey! That's what I keep saying!"
Musician Bonk Punch's face darkened. "Don't you bastards go too far!"
Though he also liked Uta, they didn't need to completely erase his existence!
"Shut up, you idiots!"
At that moment, Vice-Captain Beckman stepped forward. He scolded the wailing crew members and smiled. "Isn't this wonderful? Our little princess has grown up."
Only children cling to their parents' side constantly. After growing up, they should venture out on their own.
"Beckman..."
Uta sniffled.
She'd grown up with the Red-Hair Pirates since childhood.
Shanks was her father—reliable at crucial moments but always carefree and careless otherwise.
Beckman was like a mother—always so attentive and considerate no matter the situation.
"I see."
Red-Hair also said with a smile. "I understand. Then go ahead and do what you want to do, Uta. Become the world's greatest songstress!"
"Yeah!"
Uta nodded heavily. "When that day comes, come pick me up then, Shanks!"
"It's a promise?"
"Yeah, it's a promise!"
Father and daughter smiled at each other.
Tesoro also breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
Thank goodness. Uta was staying.
"Well then, Tesoro, I'll continue counting on you!"
Red-Hair bowed slightly toward Tesoro.
Tesoro waved his hands repeatedly. "No need, no need! This is what I want too!"
"No need to be disappointed, you idiots."
Red-Hair turned back and smiled at his dejected companions. "Just look forward to Uta's performances from now on!"
"That's right! Do your best, Uta! You'll definitely become the world's greatest songstress soon!"
Lucky Roux's spirits immediately lifted again.
Yasopp threw an arm around his shoulders. "We'll be cheering you on the whole way!"
And so the banquet continued.
Red-Hair and Queen Otohime struck up a conversation, exchanging amusing stories about Uta's daily life.
Without realizing it, they brought up some embarrassing moments, prompting loud protests from little sister Uta.
As the banquet neared its end, Apoo thought of something and suddenly spoke. "By the way, if Uta sings that song again now, would it still summon that monster?"
The previously lively atmosphere suddenly froze.
Brett rolled his eyes. Was now really the time to bring this up? What a tactless guy.
"That is indeed a problem."
Tesoro also nodded. "Uta should remember the score now, right?"
Uta nodded. She wasn't the child she used to be.
"Then wouldn't it be dangerous if she accidentally hummed it?!"
Tesoro said. "In that case, why not try controlling it? At the end of the day, it's just a product of Devil Fruit abilities, isn't it?"
"True enough."
Brett nodded. This was what he'd hoped for from the beginning. "Then while we're all still here, how about we experiment once more?"
Under current circumstances, even if they summoned the Demon King again, it couldn't cause any real trouble.
"What do you think, Shanks?" Brett asked.
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then nodded lightly.
"We can give it a try."
"I understand."
Uta took a deep breath. "Then let's give it a shot!"
***
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