The fight between the boy and the girl resembled a clash between a summoner and a melee fighter.
In the dream world, a drawn-out battle against Uta would be a losing game. So, Luffy ignored all the miscellaneous summoned creations and charged straight toward her.
Uta wasn't worried. "There's no way I'll let you get close to me."
She lifted off the ground, soaring freely—not like Luffy's pseudo-flight achieved by altering his weight and gliding, but true, effortless flight.
Luffy spread his arms, adjusting his weight to dive toward her, like a bird of prey targeting its meal, ready to strike.
But Uta conjured a fierce gust of wind, sending Luffy spinning through the air.
"Blazing Ember!"
Luffy swung his right hand, hurling a streak of fire that, undeterred by the wind, shot directly toward Uta.
Uta grinned and held up her microphone, making a silly face. Then, the voice that could captivate the entire Kingdom of Music echoed, transforming the world around them.
The ground turned into a vast army, and raptors flew in the sky, each bearing musical symbols, all charging toward Luffy.
Even the fiery ember he had thrown was swallowed by waves that surged up, dousing the flames as they were dragged into the depths of the sea.
"This is way too unfair!"
Luffy punched and kicked, breaking through the snake-like chains and using his downward momentum to increase his weight. Flames erupted from his knee and then covered his whole body.
"Flame Meteor!"
Luffy crashed into the ground like a fiery comet, shattering a swath of toy soldiers as walls rose from the ground, attempting to trap him.
Uta might not understand combat strategy, but she had imagination—and her billion-berry-level talent was more than Luffy could handle at his current power.
Quickly overwhelmed, Luffy struck the rising barriers of dirt and stone, each punch breaking through as he climbed back up. He leaped back into the air, and Uta, seeing him rise, tried to check his condition. That's when he seized her ankle.
"See? A good fighter adapts to the moment!"
"I've got you, Uta!" Luffy grinned, triumphant, but his smile faded as Uta, in her panic, swung her other foot, planting it squarely on his face.
"Ah!"
Clutching her microphone in one hand, she kicked frantically at his face, her bare, soft foot repeatedly landing on his cheek.
"I'm not letting go!" Despite enduring the awkward struggle, Luffy used his strength to pull her down, dragging her back toward the ground.
Uta, dressed in her white dress, fought to lift herself up, but it was no use.
Caught off guard, unable to think, she fell silent, struggling clumsily but instinctively.
As they neared the ground, Luffy spun her around to soften their landing. Finally, with a heavy thud, they both crashed into the sand, though mostly unharmed.
Both of them lay there, gasping for air. Uta, sprawled out in a star shape, finally spoke, "Shanks is gathering the crew. They're preparing to set sail again."
It made sense. They'd been in Elegia long enough, and the Red-Hair Pirates were known to be big spenders. After months of lavish spending, their funds were probably running low.
"They'll have to drop you back at Foosha Village first," she added, sitting up and looking at Luffy with a hint of sadness.
Their time together was coming to an end.
Uta's "rabbit-ear" hair drooped, the thought of leaving filling her with sorrow. She suddenly wished they could all stay here in Elegia forever.
Why does reality always bring such painful goodbyes? Uta reached a hand toward the sun on the horizon.
"I don't want to go back to Foosha Village." Luffy rolled in the warm sand, his voice drowsy, as if ready to fall asleep even though his real body was already asleep.
"But Shanks will make sure you get back safely," Uta insisted.
"You can't expect to stow away and follow him to the next island."
The crew would thoroughly check the ship and leave him behind in Foosha Village, especially considering his formidable grandfather, a true powerhouse of his era.
Pirates aren't afraid of trouble, but there's no need to start unnecessary problems.
"Future-me will figure a way out of this," Luffy said, busying himself with the sand, trying to build a sand sculpture.
"Won't you miss me?" he asked, looking up to see Uta's wide purple eyes staring back in surprise.
With a sigh, he added, "It can't be helped…"
"D-Don't get the wrong idea! I just think it's a little pitiful for you to go back and play with your animal friends again!" Uta huffed.
"Is that so? Well, I'll miss Uta a bit," Luffy admitted truthfully.
The virtual reality of their battle was just too good.
In the dream, he could try crazy moves and test his limits without real consequences, then apply the best methods in reality.
"Still such a kid, huh? Missing your mom already?" Uta teased, her "rabbit ears" perking up again with her improved mood.
"Yeah, yeah…" Luffy adjusted his position and laid his head on Uta's lap, snuggling a bit.
So this is what a lap pillow feels like?
"What are you doing?" Uta looked down, half-annoyed, and tried to push him away. When that failed, she sighed and lay back on the sand herself.
"Dim the lights, and maybe add a breeze, Mom."
Her only response was a simple "Okay."
The sun dimmed, replaced by a soft, silvery moon. A gentle breeze swept the landscape, transforming the golden sands into lush green grass dotted with trees.
Uta reached out, grabbed a piece of flatbread, and took a bite, lying there and munching lazily.
"The dream world is so wonderful… whatever you want, it's here," she mumbled, turning her head to spot an odd mushroom growing beside a tree.
It was a strange mushroom, with a white stalk, a yellow cap, red spots, and two little protrusions resembling rabbit ears. It looked adorable.
Not knowing Its name or whether it was poisonous, Uta simply plucked it from the ground and played with it in her hand.
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