One Piece: The Emperor Luffy

As Luffy soared through the White Sea, his thoughts drifted back to the mission he had set out to complete.

The Goro Goro no Mi was only part of it. Uta was still out there, and he had to reach her before loneliness and darkness could take hold.

Activating his Universal GPS once again, he let it guide him toward Elegia, recalculating the distance and time required for the journey.

With his Wapu Wapu no Mi and the addition of his newfound thunder abilities, he covered miles in minutes, feeling the thrill of speed and power as he streaked across the skies.

Occasionally, he slowed down, hovering above the White Sea to take in the breathtaking views—the billowing clouds that looked like they could stretch on forever, the light bouncing off the mist in dazzling rainbows.

But each pause was brief; his mind kept pulling him forward, toward Elegia, toward the Red-Hair Pirates, and ultimately toward Uta.

As the island of Elegia came into view in the distance, Luffy felt a sense of anticipation tinged with a darker resolve. He had already reshaped his destiny by taking the Goro Goro no Mi, and now, he would set the next stage of his plans into motion.

"I'm coming, Uta," He murmured to himself, the wind whipping through his hair as the island drew closer. "Just hold on."

With one last surge of thunderous power, Luffy launched himself toward Elegia, a determined grin on his face as the journey truly began.

...

The remnants of Elegia lay before Luffy like a wound that had yet to heal, the sun's rays barely penetrating the gloom that clung to the ruins. He felt the weight of loss in the air, the cries of a once-thriving island now silenced forever.

It was here, at the precipice of despair, that Luffy was determined to find Uta, the only person who could give him the answers he needed.

He approached the wreckage, stepping lightly as memories of laughter and music echoed faintly in his mind.

Uta had been left behind after Shanks' hasty departure, and Luffy was resolute: he would bring her back to Foosha Village, away from the shadows of this destruction.

Gordon stood amid the ruins, his face a mask of sorrow and responsibility. The old man's presence felt heavy, burdened by the weight of loss and the secrets he kept. When he spotted Luffy, he straightened, a flicker of recognition crossing his weary features.

"Who are you?" The man's voice carried a calm authority, yet within it lingered the weight of countless untold stories, his eyes narrowing as they took in the boy standing before him.

"Me?" Luffy replied with a light smile that seemed almost out of place amidst the tension. "I'm Luffy, and I've come for Uta."

At the mention of that name, Gordon stiffened, his composure cracking for a moment. "Luffy...?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. Memories of Shanks and Uta flooded his mind, along with a name he'd never expected to encounter here. "You... You're that Luffy?"

His gaze hardened, a shadow of unease creeping into his tone. "You shouldn't have come."

"I had to," Luffy replied, his tone steady. "Where is she?"

Gordon looked away, a pained expression crossing his face. "She's inside. But I warn you, Luffy… she's not the same. You might not recognize her."

"Why? What happened?" Luffy demanded, his heart racing with a mix of concern and determination.

"It's what happened to Elegia…" Gordon hesitated, his gaze fixed on the ground. "The demon—Tot Musica—took over Uta's body. It was like she was a puppet. After it was over, she didn't even realize what she'd done."

Luffy's fists clenched at the revelation. "What do you mean she didn't realize? She needs to know!"

Gordon's eyes darkened. "Shanks tried to protect her from the truth. After the massacre, he took the blame to save her from the guilt. He left her with me, but the damage was done. Uta is lost, Luffy. She doesn't remember."

Without another word, Luffy marched past Gordon, pushing through the rubble until he reached the crumbling music hall. The air felt thick with grief as he stepped inside, and there, in the dim light, he saw her.

Uta sat on the floor, her back pressed against the crumbling stage, her eyes vacant as they stared at the shattered remains of her once-glorious performance space. Her disheveled, vibrant hair fell around her face like a curtain, framing the haunting emptiness in her expression.

Luffy froze at the sight of her, his heart twisting painfully.

"Uta," he called softly, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence.

She flinched at the sound, her body trembling as she slowly turned toward him. Her crimson eyes widened for a fraction of a second, but there was no joy in them—only anger and betrayal. "Luffy...?" she whispered, her tone sharp with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

"I came for you," Luffy said firmly, stepping closer. His usual carefree smile was absent, replaced by a look of genuine concern. "I couldn't just leave you like this."

Uta laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and cutting. "You shouldn't have bothered. There's nothing left for me now, Luffy. Everything's gone. My dreams, my stage... all of it, destroyed. And it's his fault." Her voice cracked, her anger spilling over. "Shanks... He ruined everything."

Luffy crouched down, his gaze steady as he looked her in the eyes. "Shanks? What do you mean?"

Uta's hands clenched into fists. "Don't act like you don't know! He left me! He left me alone, just like he always does. He abandoned me, and now this—" she gestured to the destroyed theater around her, her voice trembling with rage. "This is his legacy! Destruction, chaos, and pain. He's nothing but a liar and a fraud!"

"That's not true," Luffy interjected firmly, his tone sharp enough to make her pause. "Shanks isn't like that. He wouldn't just abandon you."

Uta scoffed, shaking her head. "You don't know anything, Luffy. You're just another kid he left behind. You think he cares about you? About me? He only cares about his stupid adventures!"

Luffy's jaw tightened, but he didn't let her words shake him. "I know Shanks isn't perfect," he admitted, his voice softening. "But he wouldn't leave you unless he thought it was the only way to protect you."

"Protect me?!" Uta snapped, her voice rising. "He destroyed my life! How is that protecting me?!"

Luffy hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low but resolute. "I don't have all the answers, Uta. But I know one thing—Shanks isn't the enemy. He's not the reason you're hurting right now. You're blaming him because it's easier than facing what's really going on."

Uta stared at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "And what would you know about my pain, Luffy? What could you possibly understand?"

"I understand more than you think," Luffy replied, his tone gentle but unwavering. "I know what it's like to feel abandoned, to think you're all alone. But you're not alone, Uta. I'm here. And I want to help."

Her expression faltered, a crack appearing in her wall of anger and despair. "Why, Luffy? Why do you even care?"

--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---

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