Blades were meant to cut.
With one powerful swing, Imai cleaved through the cocoon of notes binding the pirates, her blade shimmering with armament haki. The dark purple streaks spread like cracks across the golden notes before they shattered, causing the captives to tumble to the ground in a heap.
"Why did you free us?" Oven growled as he steadied himself, his voice filled with suspicion.
"Are you going to force us to help you?" Brulee added, glaring as she adjusted her disheveled clothing.
"What Brulee said is correct," Imai replied coolly, sheathing her sword with a click. "I'm going to need your help. If you don't help me, well… you can say goodbye to your lives."
Brulee clicked her tongue in frustration. "Fine, we'll help. What do you want us to do?"
"It's simple. Use your abilities to gather all the civilians and move them to a safe spot. That's the priority," Imai said, her tone commanding.
Brulee frowned. "And after that? Are we your subordinates now?"
"Do this, and you're free to go," Imai promised, her sharp gaze locking onto Brulee's. "But if I call for you, you'd better show up. That's the deal."
"Fine. But don't think this means we owe you," Brulee snapped, turning to rally her comrades.
"Make sure you stay out of Uta's sight," Imai added, glancing toward the stage where Uta continued her mesmerizing performance. "If she catches wind of you, it's over."
"What about you?" Oven asked, his voice gruff but curious.
"Why'd you ask that? We don't care about her! Let's just go!" Brulee interjected urgently.
Imai chuckled, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "I have business to take care of. Someone's been wanting a word with me."
Brulee hesitated, clearly uneasy, but eventually nodded. "Fine. Let's get moving before we regret this."
Imai watched as the group retreated, then turned to face the figure that had been lurking nearby. The silhouette stepped forward—a frail, elderly man with a solemn expression.
"So? You've been following me for a while now," Imai said, her tone sharp as she approached. "Do you have something to say, or are you just sightseeing?"
"Yes," the old man replied. "Follow me."
Imai folded her arms. "And why should I? Name and reason, first."
The man sighed, his posture slightly hunched. "My name is Gordon. I am the former ruler of this nation, Elegia. I've been following you to speak about Uta."
Imai's brow lifted in surprise. The ruler of a destroyed nation? That tracks, considering Uta's connection to this place.
"Fine," she said. "Talk while you lead the way."
Gordon nodded, guiding Imai through the ruins of Elegia. Silence hung between them until they reached a narrow trail, where Imai broke the quiet.
"This nation was famous for its music. Everyone knew about it. And yet, one night, it vanished. No survivors. How is that possible?"
Gordon's stride faltered for a moment, a shadow passing over his face.
"And then there's the rumor," Imai continued, her voice cutting through the stillness. "A big-name pirate was said to be behind the destruction of Elegia. Care to explain?"
Gordon stopped in front of an abandoned church, its stained glass windows cracked and faded. Inside, he took a seat on a broken pew and began to speak.
"Let me tell you about Uta," Gordon began. "After the disaster, I raised her here, alone. The entire nation was gone, and it was just the two of us. I tried to give her a normal life, but I could see the loneliness in her eyes. She hid it well, but she would sing about her lost friends when she thought I wasn't listening."
Imai leaned against a pillar, listening intently. "And knowing her talent, you supported her dream to become the greatest singer alive."
Gordon nodded, his expression somber. "Yes. But I agonized over when to present her to the world. She wasn't ready to face it."
"Then something changed," Imai guessed. "What was it?"
"Two years ago, she found a new type of Video Transponder Snail on the beach," Gordon said. "It allowed her songs to travel beyond the island. For the first time, she was free."
Imai's gaze narrowed. "And the world fell in love with her music."
"Yes," Gordon said, his voice trembling. "Her songs reached far and wide, earning her fame and admiration. But along with that came knowledge. She learned about pirates, the navy, the Great Pirate Era. And then… people began calling her their savior."
"That's when she began to dream of creating a new age," Imai concluded.
Before Gordon could respond, the door slammed open. Uta stood there, her crimson and white hair glowing in the dim light. Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at Gordon.
"Gordon," she said coldly, "what are you doing with her?"
Imai pushed off the pillar, her expression calm but curious. "You were part of the Red-Haired Pirates?"
Uta's glare snapped to Imai. "Shut up! I don't want to talk about him!" she yelled, and a powerful wave of energy erupted from her.
Before Imai could react, she was ensnared by glowing cube-like blocks. She struggled but found herself immobilized. Her eyes darted to the ground where something glinted—the earring she always wore had fallen.
Did she do this intentionally? Imai wondered, narrowing her eyes.
"Uta," she said through gritted teeth, "did you force this?"
Uta held up the earring, her expression unreadable. "Does this answer your question?"
Imai's jaw clenched.
"Give up being a pirate," Uta said softly, her voice like steel, "and I'll give it back."
"Shut up," Imai snapped, her voice low and dangerous. "You've crossed the line of things I would've let slide."