Elegia

Blades were meant to cut.

So with one heavy swing, Imai cut through the cocoon of notes with her blade that was covered in armament haki. The purple streaks spread throughout the notes and broke it causing the pirates to fall on the ground.

"Why did you free us?" Oven asked.

"Are you going to force us to help you?" Brulee asked.

"What Brulee said is correct, I'm going to need your help. If you don't help, then say goodbye to your life." Imai said.

"Fine, we'll help. What do you want us to do?" Brulee asked.

"It'll be pretty easy with your abilities and with the comrades you have. Just make sure all of the civilians are in a safe spot." Imai replied.

"Okay, we'll do that. But once we're done, we're going on our own. Ya hear me?" Brulee said. She didn't want to be associated with the fifth emperor any longer.

"Okay, just make sure when I call for you, you better come." Imai said as she glanced at the stage Uta was performing on. "And stay out of her sight, she'll definitely capture you guys again."

"What about you? What will you do?" Oven asked.

"Why'd you ask that? We don't care about her! Let's go and leave!" Brulee said urgently.

Imai chuckled, "I have some business to do, someone wants to talk to me. So let's all do our job while Uta is distracted, yeah?"

"Fine."

"Okay."

Imai watched as the two and the other pirates wandered off to finish their own business. She glanced behind her, there was a noticeable figure that was probably waiting for her. He had the appearance of an old man.

"So? You've been following me for a while now, do you have something to say to me?" Imai asked as she walked towards his direction.

"Yes, follow me." the old man said.

"I'm supposed to follow a stranger? You have to tell me your name and reason first." Imai said.

"My name is Gordon. I am the former ruler of this nation, Elegia. The reason I've been following is to talk to you about Uta." Gordon said.

Imai raised an eyebrow in surprise. Who would've thought the ruler of a destroyed nation would be here. Though, considering he wanted to talk about Uta, everything did make sense. Uta was from Elegia after all.

"Fine, talk while you lead the way."

"Okay."

Imai followed Gordon as he led her through Elegia. He didn't say a word until they were on a trail. So Imai decided to take the initiative.

"I heard this nation was known for its music, it had everyone's attention. But one night, the entire nation was gone. How was that possible? How did everyone just disappear?" Imai asked.

Imai saw the movement of Gordon change and smiled.

"And there was a rumor about a certain big name pirate. Apparently, that pirate was the one who caused the destruction of Elegia." Imai said.

Gordon's figure stopped, they were now in front of an abandoned church. Imai followed him in and that was when Gordon started to talk.

"Let me tell you about Uta. When everyone disappeared, I raised her here alone. But there was only the two of us alone, I'm sure she was lonely. She would put on a brave face when she was around me, but when we're alone, she would sing about her lost friends." Gordon said.

"And you knew about the talent she had for singing, so you supported it. You raised her to become the greatest singer of all time." Imai said.

Gordon nodded his head, "Yes, but there was a question I had in my head for a long time. When should I present her sublime singing to the world?"

"And you hesitated since she hasn't dealt with outside altercations for so long." Imai said.

"That too, but something changed. Two years ago, she discovered something on a sandy beach. It was a type of a new Video Transponder Snail. Uta started sending her songs beyond the island, like she was set free." Gordon said as he sat down.

"Let me guess, people stumbled upon her music, and her music reached many people around the world. Without even realizing it, she had become a world famous singer acknowledged by many different people." Imai said as she thought of the many possibilities that would happen.

"That made me happy, but she also began to be aware of the world. Pirates, navies, and the world government. She also came to learn about how the Great Pirate Era started." Gordon said, his voice started to become sad. "It started with just her singing, but people started to worship her as a savior."

"Hmm, I'm starting to understand." Imai said as she leaned against the pillar. "Due to everyone's influence on her and calling her their savior. She started to manifest a goal. And that goal was to create a new age, correct?"

"That's how it is." Gordon replied.

"I understand, however, there's still a missing piece from the puzzle." Imai said as she got off the pillar.

"Yes, you probably already know that she's Shanks's daughter. But she was also part of the Red-Haired Pirates. Her role in their crew was the musician." Gordon said.

Suddenly, the door opened revealing an unhappy Uta who was glaring at Gordon.

"Gordon, what are you doing with her?" Uta asked with a cold tone.

"You were part of the Red Haired Pirates?" Imai asked.

Now, Uta's glare turned to Imai.

"Shut up, I don't want to talk about him!" Uta exclaimed as a wave of force exerted from her body.

Suddenly, Imai was wrapped in cube blocks causing her to be immobile. She widened her eyes and stared at her right earring that was very important to her. Somehow, the wave of force was strong enough to knock the earring out.

But there was also another possibility. If Uta could manipulate anything in this world of hers, who's to say she couldn't do it intentionally?

"Uta, did you do that forcefully?"

"Does this answer your question?"

Imai's widened eyes were now focused on the earring that Uta was holding in her hand.

"Give up on being a pirate and I'll give this back to you."

"Shut up, you've crossed the line of things I would've let slide."