Pirates on Rocks' Ship 996

"Ah~" Sanji wasn't embarrassed. He just half-squatted to greet her and said to Robin, "I might not be able to help with other things, but when it comes to food, I'll be your guide!"

With Sanji around, the group became much livelier. Although Robin and Reina talked less, Reina didn't mind because they got to taste more delicious food with Sanji.

Although the island is large, the town itself is not very big, so it didn't take long for them to explore it all and try all the local snacks and delicacies.

"Should we go back or continue shopping?" Reina patted his belly and asked with a smile.

He hadn't eaten this much in a long time.

"I have to go back; I need to process these ingredients first!" Sanji said, looking at the ingredients he had bought.

"Then I'll go back with you!" Chopper was already quite impatient. He wanted to go back and record and organize what Reina had shared with him earlier.

“In that case, let’s go back together! Let’s get some rest today and enjoy tomorrow’s concert!” Reina nodded and said.

Robin didn't object, so the group headed straight for the central venue. Uta had prepared rooms there for them so they could rest and watch the concert without having to go outside to find a spot.

But when they had dinner that evening, Reina noticed that Uta's expression was a little off.

The oblivious Luffy didn't sense anything was wrong. As long as there was food, he could eat quite happily. According to Nami, they should be the poorest of the Four Emperors, no, they should be the poorest pirates, as most of their expenses were for Luffy's food.

Reina and Uta weren't very familiar with each other, so they didn't have any right to offer help.

After dinner, Reina didn't linger and went straight back to his room.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hat crew was helping Uta at the central venue. Tomorrow was the concert, and Uta needed a final confirmation in case anything unexpected happened.

After resting in the room for a while, Reina took Robin to a rooftop to chat, but before long, they discovered that Luffy and Uta had also arrived nearby.

"It's Luffy and Uta! Shall we go say hello?" Reina, who was lying on the roof, noticed them as soon as they approached and asked.

"Maybe they have something to talk about! Let's not disturb them!" Robin shook his head and replied.

"Hey~ Uta, did you call me over for something?" Luffy asked curiously while munching on a large bone stick.

He was having a great time on stage with his friends when Uta, looking preoccupied, called him over.

"Luffy... why are you still a pirate?! Stop being a pirate!" Uta seemed to be adjusting his mindset, pretending to relax as he spoke.

"What are you saying? I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy grinned and said.

Although he reached the final island, many pirates still say that the Straw Hats are the Pirate King, because apart from Roger, they are the only pirates who have been to the final island.

However, both the New World and they themselves know that Luffy is not the Pirate King yet, because there is the Whitebeard Pirates standing in their way. Before defeating the Whitebeard Pirates, no one can call himself the Pirate King, because doing so will only invite ridicule and will not achieve any other result.

Chapter 1052 The Reason for Shock

The Whitebeard Pirates are a mountain weighing down on all pirates. Until this mountain is removed, neither the title of Pirate King nor the title of the world's strongest pirate crew can be placed on any other pirate crew.

However, Whitebeard himself didn't seem to care much about it. Last time, the Straw Hat crew challenged the Whitebeard Pirates, and although it was only a one-on-one battle, Luffy and his crew were defeated. So Luffy never mentioned that he was the Pirate King again.

Reina believes that when they feel ready, they will formally challenge the Whitebeard Pirates again. Once they truly defeat the Whitebeard Pirates, they will become the kings of the seas, and Luffy will be qualified to be called the Pirate King.

Listening to Luffy and Uta's conversation, Reina smiled slightly and asked Robin beside him, "When do you plan to challenge us?"

"That depends on Luffy. He thinks we're no match for the Whitebeard Pirates right now!" Robin said with a light laugh.

She wasn't concerned about this matter because she knew that even if the two pirate crews went to war, there wouldn't be any casualties, so she wasn't very worried.

"Hey~ Luffy..." Just then, Uta looked into the distance, seemingly casually, yet also somewhat annoyed, and said, "He's here!"

"Him? Who is he?" Luffy didn't react at all, nor did he notice Uta's emotions, and asked curiously.

Uta didn't answer Luffy, but stared blankly at the distant sea.

At this moment, Luffy finally noticed that something was wrong with Uta. He quickly finished off the large bone club in his hand and then asked seriously, "Is there some trouble? Is someone trying to ruin your concert? Tell me, and I'll take care of it for you!"

Uta shook his head, sighed, and said, "Luffy, take your crew and leave tomorrow! Don't bother going to my concert! I'm already so happy to have met you at this time!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Luffy stood up, somewhat angrily, and said, "Aren't we friends anymore? This is your first time showing up and holding a concert, isn't it? How could I possibly leave?"

In Luffy's view, if you can't be there for your friend's important moments, can you still be considered a friend?

This is also why he abandoned Beihai and came here directly.

"Hey Luffy, thank you! But please leave now!" Uta seemed to have made up her mind, turned her head to look at Luffy and said.

"What is it that you can't explain to me? You're just telling me to leave like this, I'm definitely not going!" Luffy plopped down and replied.

Reina and Robin, who were looking at the stars on the rooftop, also noticed the strange thing about Luffy. The two, who seemed to be fine just a moment ago, were now arguing.

"It seems someone has arrived, so Uta hopes Luffy will lead us away tomorrow and we won't attend the concert!" Robin explained as soon as she saw Reina looking at her.

They weren't far apart, and Reina wasn't able to eavesdrop, so he had no idea why they were arguing.

But he knew that Robin must have heard him, which is why he looked at Robin, and Robin did indeed give an explanation.

"Who is it that wants Luffy to retreat?" Reina asked in surprise. "Or does Uta not know that Luffy is now one of the Four Emperors?"

“Perhaps she doesn’t know!” Robin shrugged and said, “According to her butler, she hasn’t left since she arrived on this island!”

"Oh? Why?" Reina hadn't been paying attention to Uta's situation, so he didn't know what had happened.

Ever since he learned that this wasn't Shanks' secret base, Reina had lost interest in the island.

“I’m not entirely sure either, but it seems to be someone’s order to keep her here!” Robin shook her head and replied.

"Who gave the order? Shanks?" Reina frowned and said, "Even if Shanks is worried about his daughter's safety, is it necessary to lock her up on an island? What's the difference between that and being a prisoner?"

He subconsciously assumed that Shanks made it.

Red-Haired Shanks became one of the Four Emperors in just a few years, possessing immense power but also offending many forces. Therefore, it is indeed possible that he would do such a thing to protect his daughter, but this is somewhat unlike Shanks' style.

Reina has dealt with Shanks quite a few times. That guy seems easy to talk to, but he's actually a proud fellow and probably wouldn't do something like that.

"Luffy, listen to me!" Seeing Luffy stubbornly refusing to leave, Uta took a deep breath, composed herself, and said, "Shanks is here!"

"Huh?" Luffy looked at Uta and asked, puzzled, "I know! Before I set off, he also left from the North Blue and came to the South Blue! Since he's in the South Blue, he must have come back here!"

As the daughter of the redhead, what's wrong with the redhead coming over when Uta holds a concert?

Not only was Luffy puzzled, but Reina and Robin, who were eavesdropping nearby, were also quite confused.

“That’s true. You probably don’t know what happened back then, do you?” Uta smiled and said, “We were together in Windmill Town back then. Do you know what happened afterward?”

"What happened?" Luffy asked, looking at Uta.

“When I left Windmill Village, I always thought that as his daughter, I would definitely become the musician of the Red-Haired Pirates, and I worked hard towards that goal!” Uta smiled slightly and said, “But everything changed after we came to this island!”

"?" Luffy was completely puzzled. He knew how much Uta admired and loved Shanks. Back then, when he wanted Shanks to take him to sea, Shanks refused, but Uta stayed on the ship. This made young Luffy quite unhappy, and it was something Uta often used to tease Luffy.

"When we first came to this island, it was a very lively country. We stayed here for a few days. Unfortunately, one day I fell ill. When I woke up, everything had changed. The island had been destroyed, and the country on it had also been destroyed."

And the Red-Haired Pirates, after the battle… my captain, my father Shanks… he abandoned me! No matter how much I cried, how much I begged him not to leave me, he left without looking back, leaving me behind on this destroyed island!

Uta calmly recounted what happened back then.

"This is impossible!" Luffy's reaction was even more agitated than Uta's. In his mind, Shanks was a great pirate and would never do such a thing.

Chapter 1053 The Concert Finally Begins

"Unbelievable, right?" Looking at Luffy jumping around in disbelief, Uta smiled slightly and said calmly, "Back then, I was just like you now, I couldn't believe it no matter what, but... it's the truth!"

"Uta, stop saying things like that! Shanks... Shanks isn't that kind of person!" Luffy said, somewhat angrily. "I believe him! He's definitely not the kind of pirate who attacks people indiscriminately!"

“Luffy…you know too, right? He’s a pirate!” Uta looked at Luffy and said softly, “You’ve already set sail, so you should know what pirates are, right? They burn, kill, and plunder; they do all sorts of evil…that’s what real pirates are!”

Luffy remained silent and plopped down on the floor, seemingly a little angry because he couldn't win an argument with Uta.

“I haven’t left this island all these years, not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t!” Uta looked at Luffy and said with a smile, “Do you know why? Because… that man won’t allow it!”

"Stop talking! I don't believe it! Shanks isn't that kind of person!" Luffy interrupted Uta, looking at him and saying, "Uta, you should know very well that Shanks isn't that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding here!"

Reina and Robin, who were eavesdropping nearby, exchanged bewildered glances, as if they had overheard some incredible information.

“Don’t look at me like that. Based on my understanding of Shanks, he shouldn’t have done this. He’s capable of destroying a country, but there must be another reason. Either the people of that country deserve to die, or there’s some other reason. Shanks wouldn’t destroy a country for no reason!” Reina quickly said when he saw the look in Robin’s eyes.

Robin nodded in agreement.

No matter how good-tempered or principled they are, they are still pirates. It's perfectly normal for them to do whatever they want. For example, if a country insists on opposing them, it's not impossible for the Whitebeard Pirates to destroy it. However, under normal circumstances, they wouldn't destroy the entire island as Uta said.

Unless the island is full of bad people.

For example, Alcatraz Island back then was full of slave traders and arms dealers; there wasn't a single good person on the island.

"In that case, I absolutely cannot leave!" Luffy looked at Uta and said firmly, "No matter who it is, they cannot harm my friend!"

Uta was amused by Luffy's appearance and didn't know how to respond to him for a moment.

"By the way, how did you know Shanks was here?" Luffy suddenly asked.

“Because my men have already spotted their ship in the port!” Uta replied, his smile fading.

“Let’s go!” Luffy stood up and said to Uta.

"Where to?" Uta looked at Luffy with a surprised expression and asked in confusion.

"Now that Shanks is here, let's go ask him!" Luffy said seriously.

"Huh?" Uta never intended to question Shanks about this matter. No matter how Shanks answered, the fact remained that he had abandoned her, and she didn't want to hear any explanations.

But Luffy was different; he felt that since he didn't know the reason, he should just ask.

Reina nodded and said softly, "Luffy did the right thing. If there's anything you don't understand, you should explain it clearly so there won't be any misunderstandings!"

Robin smiled. This was her captain, a capricious fellow.

Seeing Luffy leave with Uta, neither Reina nor Robin followed. They hadn't been eavesdropping on the other person, so it wouldn't be appropriate for them to go after them now.

Besides, Shanks has quite a few strong people on his side, so it wouldn't be easy for them to eavesdrop at such close range.

Nothing happened that night. When Reina woke up the next day, Luffy and Uta had already returned. Luffy didn't say what had happened the night before, and Uta acted as if nothing had happened. It seemed that the matter had simply passed.

"What's going on?" Reina asked Robin in a low voice during breakfast.

"I don't know, but it seems the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Luffy seems very happy!" Robin said with a smile.

Luffy is the kind of guy who can't keep secrets. If something really happened, he wouldn't be so calmly playing around with his crew here.

As for Uta, she has already gone to prepare for the concert, and she has not mentioned letting Luffy leave again, so it seems that everything is developing in a positive direction.

"Has Shanks arrived at the Metropolitan Stadium yet?" Reina asked quietly as they entered.

"I don't see them! They don't seem to be planning to come, but there are quite a few Marines here!" Robin said softly after looking around.