Chapter 368 - 207

Chapter 207: RED (14): The Diva and the Emperor!The aftermath of the destruction finally subsided.Centered on the final battlefield, a deep ravine and radiating cracks spread to the edges of the island, like hideous, unhealed scars upon the land.In the center of the battlefield, on the scorched, smoking earth, lay the peak combatants of this battle, scattered haphazardly.Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King lay face up, his silver hair dusted with ash, his chest rising and falling violently, each breath heavy like a bellows.The legendary longsword was plunged into the ground beside him, its blade dull, as if all its brilliance had been exhausted.Yamato lay nearby, her Hybrid Form long since dispelled, her Spiked Club having fallen far away.She shielded her eyes from the glaring light with her arm, a look of exhaustion yet utter relief curving her lips.Sanji was lying on his side, his suit severely damaged, revealing the skin beneath, which was equally covered in fine scars.His eyes were closed, but he muttered in a low voice:"Damn it... the price of this 'main course'... it was truly grueling..."Perhaps the most battered was Law.He was sprawled out on the ground in a large 'X' shape, his kikoku tossed aside; he didn't even want to move a finger.He gazed at the chaotic sky, his mind feeling utterly blank, lacking even the strength to think.To completely eradicate the Song Demon King, Totem Gika, everyone had held nothing back, emptying their reserves and pushing past their limits."Ha... ha... Admiral/Emperor Tier... this level..."Law gasped, whispering intermittently,"It really is... hard to kill..."It was more than just hard to kill.Totem Gika's bizarre mechanism, which relied on music and obsession, making it nearly immortal, was far more troublesome than a typical emperor of the sea.It had no physical weakness, regenerated quickly, and possessed terrifying authority that could erode souls and manipulate the rules of the world.It is no exaggeration to say that the top-tier forces gathered here today—the legend of the old era, Rayleigh; the Quasi-Admiral Level Combatant, Yamato and Sanji; and Law, who had undergone transformation and reached the Commander Tier—Plus the'Sun God' nika Luffy, who decided the outcome in another dimension... the weight and destructive power of this lineup were in no way inferior to the combined top forces of two Four Emperors Pirate crews!This was a grand hunt capable of shaking the structure of the New World.The target was a 'conceptual' Demon King capable of destroying civilization, nearly a natural disaster.Now, the dust has settled, and the Demon King has dissipated.What remained were the heavy breaths of those who survived the catastrophe, the scarred land, and a clear realization deeply rooted in everyone's heart:They had just accomplished an astonishing feat... Meanwhile.Away from the central scorched earth, on the edge of the stage that still retained a corner of its broken outline, Uta sat quietly.Her gorgeous idol performance outfit had been ruined in the battle; she was currently wrapped only in a slightly oversized dark coat, its hem trailing on the scorched ground.A pair of fair, jade-like calves dangled from the edge of the stage, unconsciously swinging gently with the breeze that had not yet completely calmed.However, her gaze was not focused on the ravaged land at all.Those beautiful eyes, carved like the finest amethyst, were staring, almost greedily, at her folded thighs... where Luffy was using them as a pillow, deeply asleep.His iconic straw hat was casually placed nearby, and his burning white hair had returned to its familiar black.His face still bore the dust of battle and a hint of a childish sleeping expression; his breathing was even and long, completely out of place with the surrounding scene of destruction.Uta's fingertip gently brushed a slightly upturned strand of hair on his forehead. The warmth transmitted through her fingertip made her feel incredibly real, yet also incredibly... dazed.She never imagined that this little fool, who used to only follow her and Shanks around, complaining about boring adventures and sometimes being as stubborn as a rock, would grow into the person he is today.So powerful he could pierce the world, and so handsome he resembled a god descended to earth.The tide of memories rushed in uncontrollably, vividly clear—It was back in Foosha Village, on a sunny afternoon.Little Uta hid behind Shanks, curiously observing the boy who had suddenly rushed out, arms spread wide, blocking the path of the ferocious (on the surface) pirates.His face still held the innocence of a child, but his eyes were fierce like a small leopard protecting its cub.[Are you pirates?] The boy's voice was clear, laced with feigned ferocity.Upon receiving an affirmative answer, he did not retreat. Instead, he puffed out his small chest and shouted with all his might:[Pirates, then get out!][If you dare to do anything strange, this great me won't let you off easily!]That look—clearly terrified, yet insisting on putting on the air of a 'Town Sheriff'... "Pfft—"Recalling this, Uta couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. The laughter was crisp as a bell, instantly diluting the gunpowder and heaviness lingering in the air.She lowered her head, leaning close to Luffy's sleeping face. Her amethyst eyes were filled with a mix of nostalgia, emotion, and infinite softness."That 'Town Sheriff' who insisted on driving away the pirates back then..."She murmured softly, her warm breath lightly brushing Luffy's cheek,"Who would have thought he'd become the 'Emperor' who rules the seas now?""Truly..."The curve of her lips grew gentler, transforming the unfinished sentence into a sigh, almost inaudible, merging into the quiet sunlight of the post-catastrophe calm."How interesting.""What are you laughing about? You look so happy!"A voice laced with laughter suddenly came from beneath her. Uta started, hastily looking down, meeting eyes that had opened at some unknown moment.His black eyes held scattered light, like stars reflected on the midnight sea, and were now watching her quietly with a hint of playfulness.The clean scent of his body still lingered in the air, mixing with the faint fragrance of her hair, wafting into his breathing.Yet, Luffy's expression was calm and his gaze clear; this kind of closeness seemed perfectly normal to him.After all, there were too many outstanding women around him; he had long grown accustomed to such situations, even developing a certain 'resistance'."Ah? Luffy, when—when did you wake up?"Uta was flustered. The red and white hair buns atop her head, resembling rabbit ears, seemed to sense their owner's state of mind and trembled slightly.A faint blush quickly spread across her cheeks, reaching her earlobes, like the lightest streak of sunset glow."Just when you were secretly laughing at me."Luffy gave her a lazy side-eye, but his tone held no blame, only a familiar, matter-of-fact teasing.His look seemed to say: I noticed your little tricks ages ago."Speaking of which, there's something I don't think I've told you yet—"Luffy's voice suddenly came close to her ear.Uta felt the weight on her lap vanish. The warmth of his body was gone.The next second, warm breath landed on the back of her neck, and the young man's arms loosely wrapped around her from behind, his chin resting gently on the top of her head.His action was as natural as ocean currents circling an island, and his tone, usually easygoing, held a rare seriousness:"That old man'sold' you to me. From now on, you're my crewmate.""What...?!"Uta was completely stunned.This news was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a blank ripple in her mind... This was a possibility she had never considered.The astonishment even temporarily overwhelmed her awareness of their intimate proximity.Although men and women should maintain distance, this was Luffy.Luffy's closeness always felt like sunlight falling on the body, making it impossible to genuinely resist!!"B-but..." She finally found her voice,"Doesn't your ship already have a musician?"You can't just kick him off the ship! she added quietly in her mind."Who says a pirate crew can only have one musician?"Luffy replied righteously, tightening the arms wrapped around her slightly,"Brook plays the piano, and you sing. There's no conflict at all."His tone carried that unique, undeniable willfulness, as if stating something as self-evident as the sea being salty or the sky being blue."But..." Uta's voice dropped, her fingertips unconsciously curling up,"I'm the musician of the Red Hair Pirates."A hint of loneliness, like a lingering vibrato at the end of a string, was hidden in that sentence."But Shanks already left you here."Luffy's words were clear and direct, calm yet unyielding, like a gentle anchor sinking steadily into her wavering emotions.Hearing this, Uta fell silent.Yes, she was no longer the musician of the Red Hair Pirates.The years and years of waiting had washed away her passion like a tide, leaving behind only a silent beach.If Luffy hadn't burst into her cooling world like the sun, perhaps her obsession would have long taken root, or even turned into resentment toward Shanks.Perhaps... she really should take that step.In that instant, she looked up.Her amethyst eyes met Luffy's gaze.Those eyes, which usually held the sea and adventure, were now stripped of all playfulness, calm like the midnight ocean, reflecting her hesitant outline."Uta, join us."His voice wasn't loud, but it settled firmly in her heart like an anchor."Your song, your smile, the future you want... From now on, we will protect all of it.""Pfft—"Uta suddenly burst out laughing, a smile like sudden starlight that instantly illuminated her entire face, making the surrounding air seem to brighten."Luffy, you look so strange when you're serious!"She blinked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of cunning,"I can agree. However—"She deliberately drew out the word, her purple eyes curving into crescent moons,"If we ever run into Shanks, you must help me give him a good beating!""Of course!"Luffy immediately puffed out his chest, promising solemnly,"I'll definitely teach him a lesson! Do you want me to cripple him first so you can punch him yourself to vent your anger?""Is that... really okay?" Uta pursed her lips, though a flicker of temptation crossed her eyes.But she quickly shook her head again.—How could a daughter possibly hit her father? Even if he was adopted, it still wouldn't be right!!!"Fine..."Luffy pouted with some disappointment, as if he had missed out on a good show.But the next second, that disappointment was replaced by a brilliant smile... a smile like the rising sun, warm and unrestrained."Then—"He held out his hand to her, his eyes shining brightly,"Welcome aboard, Uta!""Mhm."She gently took his hand, the reassuring warmth spreading through her palm,"Please take care of me, my dear Captain Luffy