Chapter 226 The Final Moment
After hearing Red-Haired's words, Brett couldn't help but turn and glance sideways at Tesoro.
You sure talk a lot, don't you?
Tesoro returned Brett with a smug smile.
This is a good opportunity, Brett!
This guy is a much more reliable pirate than Charlotte Linlin. Since there's already such a connection, hurry up and seize the chance to build a good relationship with him!
Brett could read this meaning from Tesoro's eyes.
Put that way, it wasn't wrong.
Now it seemed Shanks did indeed have a wonderful connection with both himself and Tesoro.
Setting Tesoro aside, Shanks' daughter would soon be working under him. As for himself, the connection might be even closer.
After all, Teacher Rayleigh had once been this guy's vice-captain.
So Brett said with a smile, "Rayleigh gave me a lot of guidance in Haki."
"That's not surprising then." The Red-Haired Pirates' vice-captain, Ben Beckman, said calmly. "Before this, everyone was curious."
Brett smiled slightly. Curious about where he'd popped out from?
The strong people in this world were often raised through fierce battles, like cultivating venomous insects.
But there was also a portion of special individuals who were already quite formidable when they first appeared.
In such cases, it was mostly because someone was teaching them behind the scenes.
"I knew it." Shanks looked quite nostalgic. "Back when I was on the Captain's ship, Rayleigh taught me many things too." He laughed heartily. "Looking at it this way, we're practically from the same school, Brett!"
That probably counted, more or less.
"Hahaha! Then we're completely on the same side!" The fat-bodied man—though unremarkable in appearance, actually one of the Red-Haired Pirates' top officers—chef Lucky Roux shouted cheerfully. "Then let's have a feast together!"
"Oh! Feast, feast!" Shanks laughed excitedly, continuously slapping the chair's armrest like a child making a fuss. "Bring out all the fine wine!"
"Hey, hey, I'm today's host, aren't I?" Tesoro pretended to be annoyed, then couldn't help but laugh loudly. "Tanaka, have the chefs serve the food! Make sure there's plenty of wine."
"Yes, Lord Tesoro." The big-headed doll emerged halfway from the wall, then immediately retreated back inside.
Needless to say, what followed was naturally the delightful feast segment.
Feast culture had deep roots in this world. Whether Marines or pirates, commoners or nobles and high officials—whenever people encountered something happy, they always liked to hold feasts.
This time was no exception.
Tesoro was truly skilled at livening the atmosphere, and the Red-Haired Pirates looked like they frequently held feasts.
Thus, this became another pleasant gathering with a harmonious atmosphere.
Brett chatted with Shanks.
Their point of intersection was Rayleigh, so many topics extended from that old man.
Shanks told many stories from the past. Brett also shared many recent events.
"Knowing Rayleigh is doing well puts my mind at ease." Shanks was quite nostalgic. "The last time we met was years ago."
Brett knew that should have been when returning to the New World from the East Blue.
At that time, Shanks probably excitedly told Rayleigh about luffy.
"If you have time, go drink with that old man more often." Brett said with a smile. "No matter how powerful an old man is, he'll ultimately feel somewhat lonely."
"Hahaha, is that so?" Shanks chuckled while swirling his wine glass. "But now isn't the time to leisurely visit the elderly."
"Oh?" Tesoro, who'd been listening intently with pricked ears, hoping Brett would build a good relationship with Shanks, turned his head. "Does Shanks have any particular views on the current maritime situation?"
Shanks just smiled. He swirled his wine glass and burped. "Well, hahahaha! Not really—just feeling somewhat sentimental."
Brett's mouth twitched. This guy was also a riddle-speaker.
Clearly knowing many things but saying nothing.
"Anyway," Shanks looked seriously at Tesoro, then at Brett. "You two, I'm entrusting Uta to you."
Tesoro straightened his back and nodded solemnly. "Of course! Just leave it to us!"
What do you mean "leave it to us"?
Shouldn't you say "leave it to me"?
"Before long, you'll see your daughter already famous throughout the world, becoming a superstar admired by countless people!"
"Hahahaha! Really? That sounds quite nice!" Shanks laughed heartily.
Then his expression became slightly more serious. "Well then, as repayment, if you encounter any trouble and need help, feel free to contact us."
"Then I won't be polite!" Tesoro grinned.
This should count as smooth progress. Though they hadn't formed any alliance relationship with the Red-Haired Pirates, they'd at least constructed some bond with Uta as the link.
But obviously this was as far as it went—just a relationship where Shanks could help them out.
He hadn't even asked about Brett's relationship with Kaido and Charlotte Linlin.
Should this be called open-minded or indifferent?
In any case, the Red-Haired Pirates left just like that.
"What a shame." At the port seeing them off, Tesoro glared at Brett with frustration. "Why couldn't you seize this opportunity?"
There'd clearly been a chance to take the relationship with Shanks further.
"Don't say foolish things." Brett said casually. "That man isn't so easy to win over."
Honestly, Red-Haired's position was truly unpredictable.
Brett couldn't even confirm whether he truly stood opposite the government.
How could one win over such an inscrutable person?
"Fine." Tesoro could only shake his head helplessly. "This isn't bad either!"
Getting a promise of help from the Red-Haired Pirates was already good.
No need to rush for immediate progress. With Uta as the bond, as long as they treated that girl well, their relationship would eventually improve.
That's what Tesoro thought.
"Tesoro," Brett suddenly said. "When interacting with that girl, Uta, be careful."
"Of course I know that." Tesoro grinned. "I've decided to personally teach her and make her my disciple."
"No, that's not what I mean." Brett shook his head. "That girl is probably a bit off."
"Huh?"
When Brett transmigrated, the theatrical film about Uta hadn't yet premiered.
But some vague information had circulated.
Brett had heard that the girl named Uta seemed to be the villain in the plot?
Regardless, this year, the grand audition Tesoro held made the entire world boil with excitement.
As the preliminary stage ended and each race successively entered the main competition stage, the long-accumulated enthusiasm completely exploded.
One distinctive contestant after another, with the World Economic News Agency's promotional boost, all gained extraordinary popularity. Their fans engaged in fierce arguments and debates over who would advance to the next round.
Such arguments made the entire activity's popularity climb even higher. Even the most ignorant and isolated people at sea became familiar with this event.
Then, no matter how long the time period, it would eventually reach its end.
The auditions for each race finally welcomed their final chapter.
Next would be the final decisive moment.
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