Luffy really did do many unexpected things.
Even as a child, he dared to declare right in front of Shanks that he would become the Pirate King.
Now that he was older, it was even more incredible.
Aside from that familiar sense of goofiness that would pop up now and then, Uta felt Luffy had become even more outstanding than she'd imagined.
It was good that Uta could agree to his request.
But Luffy soon thought of another troublesome matter.
Uta hated pirates. Would she agree to go aboard the Going Merry?
He didn't know why, but a feeling in his heart told him this wasn't a good idea.
Nika was one thing; he could sing about that anywhere. The problem was the Klabautermann... What even was a Klabautermann? He definitely had an impression of the name, like he'd heard it somewhere before.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Uta waved a hand in front of Luffy's face.
"Oh, right, Uta. Have you heard of a Klabautermann?"
Luffy met Uta's gaze and suddenly remembered something, placing his hands on her shoulders and shaking her gently.
Mentioning the Klabautermann, that scene in his mind seemed to have Uta in it.
"Stop shaking me, I'm getting dizzy!" Uta looked at him with faintly resentful eyes.
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
"The Klabautermann you're talking about is probably just a legend."
Uta thought for a moment before speaking. "It's something passed around among pirates. Sometimes, when there should be no one on a ship, people see a shadowy figure holding a mallet, wearing a raincoat, moving around on deck like a crew member."
"Is... is it a ghost?!"
Luffy's eyes lit up.
Could he finally get to meet a real, live ghost?
"Probably counts as one, but it's just a legend. Whether it actually exists is another matter."
Seeing Luffy's expression, Uta knew exactly what he was thinking. Her childhood friend just loved all sorts of strange, random things.
An ordinary person's first reaction upon hearing "ghost" would be fear, right? But him? He's getting excited.
Uta half-suspected that if she and a Klabautermann were standing side-by-side for Luffy to choose, he'd push her aside without a second thought.
"Uta, come with me!" Luffy grabbed Uta's hand.
"G-go where?" Uta was taken aback, her voice trembling involuntarily.
H-His hand is holding mine!
There are other people here!
Gordon: "..."
Am I considered 'other people' now?
Noticing Uta's expression, Gordon couldn't help but sigh internally.
Even though you're childhood friends, isn't it a bit much to try to whisk her away right in front of me?
"To sing."
"Huh?"
"To the Going Merry. I'll take you to meet my nakama. Is that okay?"
Is he asking for my opinion?
A rare sight indeed.
Did it hold some special meaning?
Like... announcing something or the like?
Uta didn't want to get involved with pirates at all. But, since Luffy had asked like this, she supposed she could be magnanimous and go meet them!
If Luffy's nakama were a bunch of vile, wicked scoundrels... well, Uta wouldn't feel comfortable leaving Luffy with such people. She'd just take him for herself. After all, an adventure is an adventure, no matter who it's with. Luffy just wanted to have an adventure, right? It wasn't like he was really going to become the Pirate King.
Luffy also felt it was strange. In the past, he would have just grabbed Uta's hand and left, asking for forgiveness later.
Darn it, all that toxic knowledge must have gotten into his brain.
"Well, since you put it that way. Fine, I'll go meet them."
Uta was a bit nervous; her palm was quickly becoming sweaty. She tried to pull her hand back, but found it held firmly.
"Teacher Gordon, are you coming too?" Luffy invited.
"Young people's matters are best left to young people. I won't intrude," Gordon declined politely.
And so, Luffy excitedly pulled Uta along as they headed out.
...
Uta's ship was very large, which was precisely why pirates had pursued it all the way from the Grand Line to the East Blue.
Many guards had died in that battle—such was the norm on these seas. Now, apart from Uta and Gordon, the ship only had a few sailors left.
Flying the World Government's flag indicated a connection to them. Never mind whether that connection was bought or otherwise; most pirates wouldn't dare act recklessly. For safety's sake, Gordon decided to head to a nearby Marine base to secure a Marine escort once more.
From Gordon's attitude towards Luffy, it was clear he didn't harbor an absolute hatred for pirates.
It was just that Uta utterly despised them. Luffy sensed there was a deeper reason, guessing it might be related to why Uta had disembarked from Shanks' ship, perhaps even connected to Shanks and the others.
In the past, he might have just asked directly, not caring about Uta's feelings.
But now, his mind knew the feeling of "consideration."
He must have read too many books!
"I said, can you let go now?"
Inside the cabin, Uta spoke softly.
"Ah... why?"
"What do you mean by 'why'?"
Uta bit her lower lip, her face flushed. "Do you think a girl's hand can just be held casually?"
"Tch, you think a boy's hand can be held casually? You held mine plenty when we were kids," Luffy retorted.
Never mind if it made sense; whatever Uta said, he felt like contradicting her.
Besides, holding her hand felt soft, and a warm feeling was transmitted from her palm.
This sensation felt different from childhood, yet somehow the same.
The walk to the deck seemed unusually long.
Luffy actually had many things he wanted to ask Uta. Getting his mouth to stop was a difficult task, unless meat was involved.
But right now, he was thinking about the Klabautermann and Nika, a bit lost in those thoughts.
Habit took over.
Her body seemed to regain a bit of that old feeling. Luffy was right; as a child, she had been the wilder one, dragging Luffy everywhere for all sorts of contests.
Otherwise, why would people say the bond between childhood friends was so resilient? They shared beautiful memories together.
Uta gradually relaxed, glancing up at the boy beside her. His profile was sharply defined, slowly overlapping with the face in her memories.
Cuteness Contest.
Arm Wrestling Contest.
Singing Contest.
...
These words floated into her mind unconsciously, and she let out a soft, snorting laugh.
"What's up?"
Luffy asked, puzzled.
"Oh, nothing. I just remembered something happy."
Uta hummed a little tune. "Have you decided what song to sing later?"
"Shin Sekai (New Era)?" Luffy suggested.
"Why that one?"
"It's your favorite, isn't it, Uta?"
Luffy added, "It's also the song named after your dream."
What was Uta's dream?
To create many songs, use the greatest stage and singing voice, and bring happiness to the world.
Luffy's own dream had changed after hearing hers.
"You still remember that?" Uta asked quietly.
"Shishishi, of course. That's why I wanted to find a musician first thing after setting sail."
"...Ah, that reminds me of some not-so-great memories."
Uta couldn't help but complain. "Back then, you were completely tone-deaf. How did you improve so fast?"
"Maybe it's... talent?" Luffy used a questioning tone.
Honestly, when they were kids, his singing could make Uta cry.
Did he have talent or not? He knew the answer.
Seeing Uta still lost in thought, Luffy, afraid of giving himself away, gave her hand a strong pull. "Alright, let's go!"
Go?
Uta was stunned, then let out a series of screams.
***
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