It was another sunny day as the Wind Rider continued on its way toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
On the deck, everyone sat in a circle with Uta in the center.
Uta, with her distinctive red-and-white hair, was singing "Fleeting Lullaby" with abandon. The song was gentle and soothing, a melody that seemed to wash away all worries.
When the song ended, everyone erupted into warm applause.
"That was so smooth!"
"Great performance, Uta!"
"You sang like a true idol!"
Uta's voice was like a gift from the heavens. Her rendition of "Fleeting Lullaby" was flawless—so pure, it was beyond what anyone had imagined.
Even Caelan, who rarely had deep emotional reactions, felt the cleansing power of her music for the first time in a long while.
Caelan stared at Uta in awe. She almost seemed to shine with her own light.
No wonder, in the original timeline, she became the most famous singer in the world within two years, with 70% of the global population being fans of her songs. Though still a little immature now, the peerless aura of the red-haired diva was already taking shape.
"Actually… I wasn't that good…"
Uta nervously pinched the hem of her clothes, looking shy.
She had spent the last ten years in Elegia with only her adoptive father, Gordon.
She had never received so much praise all at once.
Now, being recognized by so many companions made her feel genuinely happy.
"There were a few flaws. Come to my room tonight. I'll give you some guidance."
Caelan nodded seriously, wearing the expression of a seasoned music mentor.
A beautiful idol like her needed to be brought to his room… for instruction, of course.
"Really?"
Uta blinked, genuinely surprised.
She had never expected that Caelan possessed musical knowledge.
Naively, she thought he might actually give her some proper feedback.
"Uta, don't listen to him."
Nami glared at Caelan, jealousy evident in her voice.
This guy. The moment she relaxed, he started aiming at someone else.
Just last night, he was still calling her "Sweetie."
"How could you say that? I really do have some thoughts on music."
Caelan put on an innocent look.
Everyone turned to Caelan with curiosity, wondering what his supposed "musical insight" would be.
"For instance, that song would be better if you dropped it by half a tone… and paired it with grade-42 concrete. That way it's chewier when you eat it. Also, before serving…"
"…That's complete nonsense," Vivi said, face darkening.
Robin, Perona, and the others nodded in agreement. They should've known better than to expect anything serious from Caelan. This guy clearly specialized in killing Four Emperors, not in composing symphonies.
"Haha, you figured it out."
Caelan scratched the back of his head, looking completely unbothered.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, it was the others who'd feel awkward.
"Let's go, Uta!"
Caelan encouraged with a smile.
"Mm!"
Uta snapped out of her thoughts and joyfully began another ballad.
As her beautiful singing voice filled the air, the Wind Rider steadily sailed toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Perfume Yuda of the Kuja Pirates.
"It hurts… I… Am I going to die?"
Boa Hancock clutched her chest, her face flushed unnaturally. Her breathing was short, and her expression was one of pain.
Her peerless beauty, already unrivaled in the world, now carried a fragile allure.
"Big Sis! Please hold on!"
Her younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, held her hands tightly, their faces filled with worry.
"What a mess…"
Elder Nyon pounded her chest in frustration, helpless.
She knew all too well what Hancock was experiencing.
It was the infamous Lovesickness—a unique condition of Amazon Lily. A former Empress had died from it.
Another, Shakky, had disappeared because of it.
Even she herself had once been afflicted, surviving only after leaving the island to find the man she loved.
"This sickness only appears when someone truly falls in love and becomes separated from that person. If unresolved, it leads to death by heartbreak."
"But… why would you be sick over a man you've never even met, Hancock?"
Elder Nyon scratched her head, unable to understand.
Sure, the Empresses of Amazon Lily had all been "love-brained" to some degree.
But Hancock's condition was absurd! Just seeing someone in the newspaper was enough to drive her mad with love?
"God-Slayer… Caelan…Alaric"
Hancock clutched her chest and murmured his name.
When Caelan killed two Celestial Dragons, she had felt admiration for him. But she hadn't fallen in love.
That changed with the latest newspaper.
Seeing Caelan in golden armor, radiant like the Sun God… she couldn't stop herself.
She had completely fallen for him.
"Big Sis, please hang in there!"
"We're going to find Caelan soon!"
Sandersonia and Marigold each held one of Hancock's hands, yelling encouragement.
Moved by their words, Hancock's condition stabilized slightly and she fell into a deep sleep.
"Of all the people to fall for, why him?"
Elder Nyon rolled on the deck, nearly crying from anxiety.
God Slayer Caelan!
The man Hancock had fallen for was the one who had killed two Celestial Dragons, the one the World Government had labeled a top threat.
Even Marine Headquarters had suffered multiple humiliating defeats against him.
He was a man standing at the summit of the sea. Even before entering the New World, he had already been recognized as the Fifth Emperor.
If Hancock had fallen for someone else, they might've been able to find or capture him.
But this was Caelan!
Since his debut, he had shown no sympathy toward pirates.
Even two Warlords had already fallen at his hands.
And now, he stood as a direct enemy of the World Government—posing potential danger to Amazon Lily itself.
Not to mention… Caelan himself was an immense danger.
"Accelerate the search. We need to find Caelan as soon as possible!"
Looking at Hancock's weakened expression, Elder Nyon clenched her teeth and gave the order to the warriors of Amazon Lily.
She couldn't just sit by and watch Hancock die.
Hancock wasn't just the pillar of Amazon Lily. She was also her daughter.
It was said that the God Slayer loved two things above all—beauty and money.
On that front, Elder Nyon had full confidence in Hancock's beauty.
Not only that, but she had also prepared a generous dowry of Berries in hopes of impressing Caelan.
"I really hope the rumors are true… that the God Slayer values wealth and women."
Elder Nyon gently caressed Hancock's beautiful face, her eyes full of worry.
(To be continued.)
***
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