Chapter 231: Prelude to the Reverie
This woman's brain isn't normal, is it?
Probably everyone who saw Queen Otohime's current behavior had this thought arise in their minds.
But Tesoro was absolutely not among them.
He'd already learned from Brett about the ability this Queen possessed.
Like that bastard Brett, she had Observation Haki that could see through people's hearts.
Probably she'd heard something in this young songstress's heart.
Tesoro looked at Uta, who was being tightly embraced by Otohime and appeared extremely flustered.
So she'd really hit the mark?
This girl who clearly possessed a heavenly singing voice was filled with pain when she sang?
Red-Haired, what's going on with your daughter?
Tesoro suddenly recalled Brett telling him earlier to be careful with this girl.
Had that guy predicted this?
Could he have read some information from Red-Haired's mind through Observation Haki?
"I don't understand what you're saying at all!" The young songstress finally pushed Otohime away. She said angrily, "Is your brain broken?"
"Have you become so ashamed that your mind's gone haywire?"
Queen Otohime took a deep breath, then raised her hand to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
"That children cannot grow up happily is the fault of adults. We haven't created a gentle world."
That's what she said.
Everyone looked completely baffled. What was she suddenly talking about?
Only Uta's face suddenly flushed red, her pupils contracting almost to pinpoints. "Stop being so presumptuous!"
"What adults! What children! By what right do you act so arrogantly from on high?"
Eh...
There seems to be a story here?
Tesoro watched Uta's sudden fury, thinking to himself—could it be Red-Haired abandoned this girl, leaving her with severe psychological trauma?
Never would have guessed—that righteous-looking Red-Haired was actually that kind of person.
"Anyway, listen to my singing too." Queen Otohime let one arm dangle while taking the microphone from Uta with her other hand.
She took a deep breath and also began to sing.
She sang the same song as Uta, but whether in technique or tone, they were worlds apart.
If Uta's singing was like flawless white jade, Queen Otohime's could only be called a piece of iron.
Couldn't say it was completely worthless, but the "worthy" parts were truly few.
But it was precisely this crude singing that made everyone here change expression.
"This, what is this!" Apoo's eyes widened almost in disbelief.
This singing that he would evaluate as having almost no merits now seemed to come alive, with every syllable continuously drilling into the depths of his heart.
Not particularly pleasant, but so moving.
No technique, just full of emotion.
Though it was the same song, when Uta sang earlier, it only made people marvel at her technique.
But now, this woman's singing made Apoo feel moved like never before.
Moved for no reason, with indescribable emotion.
What was with this woman? What was with her singing?
"Wonderful!" The Snakeneck singer's eyes now glistened with emotion. "True music must be so soul-stirring! I finally understand why Her Majesty was unmatched in Fish-Man Island's competition!"
Uta was now completely stunned.
Her feelings were far stronger than anyone else's here.
After all, Queen Otohime's song was largely sung for her.
She couldn't understand—couldn't understand at all what was with this woman's singing?
Uta felt her legs go weak, wanting to retreat backward.
Her heart was now panicking like never before.
Because intense emotions were bursting forth in her heart.
Like a volcanic eruption, unstoppable.
Those were the warmest feelings—gentle, caring, like being held in a mother's embrace, so reassuring.
Making her unable to hold back tears.
This was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a very, very long time.
"Stop singing!" Uta suddenly screamed. "Shut up!"
Don't make me remember that happy, joyful feeling from back then.
Uta who moved people's hearts with her voice was now nearly collapsing from another's singing.
Queen Otohime stopped singing. She just quietly looked at Uta.
"..."
Uta froze.
That mermaid woman said nothing, but she felt as if their hearts were connected.
She could feel the care and gentleness transmitted from her heart.
Just like... a mother.
The young songstress staggered backward. What was with this woman?
"I have four children in total." Otohime said with a smile. "Each one is very, very adorable. I hope to watch each of them grow up healthy and happy."
Uta gritted her teeth, completely unable to understand this woman's ability, but that rich, almost overwhelming love was transmitted over.
Nearly drowning her heart.
"So I also hope every child in the world can grow up healthy and happy." That's what Queen Otohime said, her eyes extremely gentle as she approached Uta. "I hope you can also sing happily and grow up happily."
Uta didn't even dare meet her gaze.
She feared her heart would melt under such eyes.
She just retreated backward in panic, no longer confident and proud like before.
Queen Otohime embraced her again. "It's okay to feel pain and sadness. From now on, let me make you happy."
What is with this woman!
Why could she say such things so naturally at their first meeting? Wasn't she embarrassed? Didn't she find it abrupt?
And why did she herself somehow look forward to it?
Uta was at a loss.
This warmth bursting from her heart made her almost unable to resist, making her involuntarily remember, as if returning to that time.
Hiss—
Tesoro drew in a sharp breath.
What a terrifying ability!
That Brett guy's Observation Haki was already thought to be abnormal enough, but this Queen was even more exaggerated!
She really destroyed a person's psychological defenses in just a few words!
For such a person not to become an idol would be against natural law!
Anyway, first have someone reset Queen Otohime's dislocated arm.
Brett received Tesoro's contact the next evening.
Tesoro told him everything that had happened.
"Now Uta doesn't dare meet Queen Otohime at all. She avoids her when she sees her." Tesoro laughed happily.
"Isn't that good?" Brett also laughed along.
Could only call it a match made in heaven.
From the looks of it, Uta severely lacked paternal and maternal love, and coincidentally, what Queen Otohime had most was love.
"I think so too," Tesoro said. " Uta will sooner or later be won over by Queen Otohime. With their relationship as the bond, relations with the Red-Haired Pirates will also greatly improve."
What a utilitarian guy. A girl abandoned by her father, lacking love, rescued by a gentle mother—this should be such a moving story.
Yet Tesoro only thought about getting closer to the Red-Haired Pirates.
Quite sigh-worthy.
Anyway, a few days later, the idol group Tesoro named "All Stars" held their first public performance.
Not an exaggeration to say it was a huge success.
Reportedly, all of Dressrosa nearly burst that day.
Fervent fans coming from around the world made the entire nation boil with excitement.
Some pirates even tried to cause trouble but were directly eliminated by some powerful fans before they could act.
But Brett couldn't put too much attention on the performance side.
Because the time for the Reverie was approaching.
The government had already formally sent an invitation, inviting King Neptune to travel to Mariejois in one week to attend this year's Reverie.
****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces