Grand Line, G-8 Branch.
Jonathan stood at the gate of the base to greet Sakaski's return.
Looking at the pile of stone statues, he shook his head and said to the admiral, who was stepping off the ship, "So it really failed, huh? That woman…"
"Half success." Sakazuki scoffed. "First, put these statues away somewhere safe. When she gets rebuilt into a weapon, these soldiers will be revived."
Jonathan frowned in doubt. "Rebuilt? A weapon?"
Sakazuki rolled his neck, joints cracking. "I left her as a vegetable to send to the marine science division. Once the Pacifista project is complete, they'll turn her into a cyborg. Then these soldiers will naturally come back to life."
Jonathan drew in a sharp breath. "Hiss… is that even possible…? Then what about the Warlord appointment?"
The admiral's tone was cold. "It's been granted to the entire country. They've been given three years to prepare and build a defensive line at the edge of the Calm Belt. If they can raid the passing pirates, they live. If not, they die. That simple."
Sweat trickled down Jonathan's forehead. "You really are… something, to come up with this."
Sakazuki chuckled. "Enough talk. Get people moving and unload these statues. We have to leave right away. Without proper life-support equipment, we have to send that woman to Punk Hazard fast. Otherwise, she'll die on the way."
Jonathan didn't dare delay. After all, the survival of the petrified soldiers depended on it.
"Move! Move! Move!"
"Faster!!"
"Hurry up and finish carrying them!!!"
More and more soldiers rushed out from the base, joining the hauling effort.
Jonathan sighed. "No helping it. I even had Jessica prepare a full meal. Guess I'll have to treat you another time."
Sakazuki gave a faint smile. "There'll be plenty of chances. No need to rush."
Over a thousand statues were soon cleared out by the hundreds of soldiers.
Walking back toward his warship, Sakazuki raised a hand without looking back.
"I'm off."
* * *
Several days later. First half of the Grand Line. Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.
Six marine warships sailed into the harbor entrance. Elder Nyon stood at the docks with a group of young warrior women, awaiting their arrival.
On board one of the ships, a commander approached the man sprawled asleep on a deck chair. "Vice Admiral Kuzan, we've arrived."
A few seconds later, a drowsy voice muttered, "Ah… so we have. Unload the supplies and hand them over."
Struggling up from the chair with a yawn, Kuzan shuffled to the railing. Watching the warrior women carry crates and equipment, he perked up slightly and remarked with mild surprise, "So many beautiful ladies. Well, this is Amazon Lily. What a fine place."
He leaned lazily on the railing, admiring the scene, until a sudden sensation prickled through him.
"Hm? What's that?"
Whoosh!
He vaulted into the air, eyes narrowing. Not just seeing; he could sense it too. A large number of Sea Kings were charging toward them.
"Oh, my. This many Sea Kings coming at once will be a real pain. Troublesome…"
He thrust his arms forward. Cold surged in his palms, compressing and spinning violently, aimed far across the sea.
"Ice Age!"
Twin waves of frost streaked into the distance, forming two endless ice pillars that froze the ocean.
An iceberg surged upward, spreading wider and wider until it nearly matched the size of Amazon Lily itself. The Sea Kings slammed into the icy barrier, then veered aside to avoid it.
Frost clung thick across Kuzan's body as he exhaled a misty breath and landed on the ship.
"Whoo!"
Leaning on the railing again, he called down to Nyon. "So tell me, madam. Do Sea King attacks happen this often here?"
He had already run into several waves on the way over, and his curiosity was piqued.
Still stunned at the vice admiral's sheer power, Nyon blinked before hastily replying, "No, sir. Not usually. It only started this morning. I've lived on Amazon Lily for many years, this is the first time I've seen Sea Kings coming nonstop like this."
Kuzan nodded, gazing toward the direction they had come from. "I see…"
* * *
The night before.
Grand Line, first half. At the edge of the Calm Belt, the Island of Music, Elegia.
A grand festival was underway. Musicians from across the world had gathered, sharing their compositions.
Laughter and song filled the great hall of the royal palace. To Uta, it was like stepping into a dream. Beautiful voices and melodies surrounded her on every side. Unconsciously, she began to sing along.
No one noticed, deep within the island's ruins, at the very instant Uta's song rang out, the place lit up with numerous streaks of light.
An ancient, tattered sheet of music, stirred by some unknown force, shot out from the ruins. It traveled through the castle's ducts, and before anyone knew it, appeared on a sofa in the banquet hall.
When the sheet appeared, Uta felt something stir inside her. She turned her head, drawn to it. She walked over and picked it up.
"Tot Musica?" she whispered.
The title puzzled her. But with just a glance, it seemed like a fine song. Following the notes, she started to sing.
The moment her voice rose, a crimson light exploded, sweeping across the island.
King Gordon's face twisted in horror, realization dawning.
Shanks, shielding himself from the red glow, struggled to see what was happening inside.
"Uta!!!"
Rumble!
Countless people were hurled through the air, and the entire palace was set aflame. The surrounding sea churned restlessly, waves crashing as schools of fish fled the area in fear.
And then it appeared, a towering demon, wearing what looked like a clown mask. The legendary "Demon King of Song," spoken of in Elegia's oldest tales.
Its whole body was made of instruments. Unassuming in appearance, yet radiating terrifying power.
Lightning and fire ignited the island as though heaven's punishment had descended. A massive energy pillar burst from its mouth, engulfing the land with lightning.
Within moments, chaos reigned.
The Red Hair Pirates, caught off guard, scrambled. In the blink of an eye, the kingdom was no more. Every resident was slaughtered by the Song Demon. Every building was reduced to rubble.
Only Gordon, standing with the pirate crew, survived. He shouted desperately at the demon, "Uta! Stop this! Don't let it control you!"
But his cries meant nothing. The Song Demon's attention turned toward him instead.
Bonk Punch and Building Snake lunged forward from behind Gordon.
"Get down!"
Clang! Clang!
Sparks burst across the demon's chest. Their attacks were useless, but it was enough to stall the demon for a moment.
Shanks suddenly appeared overhead. The two men slipped aside just in time.
A surge of overwhelming Conqueror's Haki erupted. Gryphon, his blade, wrapped in the lightning, swung down at the Song Demon.
Slash!
Boom!!!
The monstrous blade of energy tore through the demon's body. It convulsed, its form shattering apart.
As it began to disperse, a hideous phantom of a demon ripped free, howling, then vanished in an instant.
Uta fell, her body reappearing.
* * *
Gordon sat frozen before the flames as Shanks approached slowly.
"…Sorry."
Gordon shook his head. "Tell the Marines it was my fault. I, their king…"
On the distant horizon, marine warships were racing closer.
But Shanks disagreed. "No. The fault is ours. I thought Uta would be safe here. Tell her this, from me: her song is the best in the world.
"We'll leave, let the Marines hunt us. Raise Uta into the greatest singer alive. Don't ever tell her the truth. In the end… songs bear no sin."
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