Zephyr kept Uta here partly because Marine Headquarters wasn't necessarily safe, and partly to provide a safeguard for Luffy.
Uta was young, but under his tutelage, her strength was considerable, making her fully capable of dealing with ordinary pirates.
After he left to investigate the Little Demon Dragon, Garp would be the only one left in the East Blue. This old fool might overlook any number of pirates, so if they decided to go after Luffy, Uta's presence would be a safeguard.
That's how Zephyr saw it, but what he hadn't anticipated was that his departure had been part of a scheme.
After Zephyr left the East Blue to search for the Little Demon Dragon's trail, Red-Haired Shanks arrived in the East Blue.
Since Roger spent most of his final year in the East Blue, Shanks planned to find his son and have him eat the Gum-Gum Fruit he'd obtained from the World Government.
Of course, Shanks knew that the Gum-Gum Fruit wasn't its real name; the World Government, fearing its existence, had altered its true classification and name in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
However, to travel to the East Blue, Zephyr and Garp were significant obstacles.
These two were always heading to the East Blue, and Shanks didn't want conflict with them there. He just wanted to find someone quietly. So, after finding out where they were going, he devised this plan to lure them away.
Coincidentally, a clue from the Box of Demons also pointed to the East Blue. Shanks consulted with the Little Demon Dragon, and they agreed that he would go to the East Blue while the Little Demon Dragon would draw the Marines away from the East Blue.
Since the Little Demon Dragon was linked to Demonic Lords, the Marines would be justified in intervening. Furthermore, with his travels to the Goa Kingdom, at least one of Zephyr or Garp would surely go to investigate.
Zephyr's current personality was rather extreme. Shanks believed he was more likely to undertake the investigation, and reality proved him right; Zephyr did indeed leave the East Blue.
Thus, Shanks quietly made his way to this weakest of seas. To his surprise, he found his target at his very first stop.
At the East Blue headquarters of the Christian Church, Portgas D. Rouge was praying in the chapel, which had become her daily routine.
After being invited by Aqua Laguna to join the Christian Church and become one of the Righteous Seats of God, Rouge had stationed herself at the East Blue's Christian Church headquarters. No one knew she was a Righteous Seat of God; she had come as an ordinary nun.
Having been a nun for so many years, Rouge had truly experienced the glory of God and had decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the Father in Heaven.
At this moment, footsteps could be heard from the doorway.
Rouge didn't turn around, still praying devoutly.
Shanks with red hair walked in. He wasn't a follower of Christianity, but ever since forming an alliance with the Little Demon Dragon, Shanks would stop at churches he passed to offer a silent prayer.
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In the church, he cleared his mind of all thoughts, simply staying quietly for five minutes before leaving.
In a world where gods truly existed, perhaps this act could lessen his sins?
After all, whatever the reason, he was cooperating with demons.
Shanks didn't know that the woman beside him was Captain Roger's wife. Though he sensed Rouge's unusual nature, he didn't say anything further.
Christianity had been growing over the years, so the presence of strong individuals was not abnormal.
Shanks, unburdened by thoughts, left after five minutes.
Stepping out of the church, Shanks took a deep breath of air and was about to leave when he paused.
"Sister Rouge!"
A little boy ran over, seemingly excited that someone had emerged from the church. However, as he approached, he noticed it was Shanks.
The little boy's face fell, and he was about to turn away when Shanks called out, "Little friend, what's your name?"
The little boy looked at Shanks, his eyes full of caution. "Portgas D. Ace."
Shanks smiled, "Ace, huh? What's your relationship with Sister Rouge?"
Sister Rouge, she must be the woman praying in the church right now. No wonder her aura felt somewhat familiar.
Ace's eyes darted around, and he suddenly broke free from Shanks's hand, then ran off into the distance.
His mother had told him to run to safety immediately if anyone asked about their identity.
Watching Ace suddenly depart, Shanks was a bit taken aback, but then he smiled, thinking how cautious they were.
Indeed, without such caution...
They might not have survived this long.
Captain Roger, your death has complicated matters.
"Mr. Shanks, I know your purpose, but Ace is just Ace. He has his own path to walk."
Rouge appeared behind Shanks at some point. Ace didn't know Shanks's identity, but Rouge certainly did.
Time flew by. Shanks, the kid Roger once spoke of, had now become such a powerful pirate.
"Captain Roger's wish was... to let his son become the Pirate King," Shanks said softly, pulling his hat down. "If he stays in the church forever, the blood flowing in Ace's veins will cry out."
Pulling off her white nun's hat with one hand, Rouge looked in the direction Ace had disappeared and said calmly, "Ace has inherited his father's strength, but he hasn't yet gained that same powerful heart. Ace will definitely change this world, and with his own hands, but not now."
"That's true. Walking on a path laid out by others takes away the freedom of a Pirate King," Shanks chuckled. "Sister Rouge, if you need anything in the future, please let me know."
With that, he took a step forward.
The Devil Fruit he had prepared for Ace was now no longer needed.
As Shanks had said, the Pirate King was the freest man in the world. Therefore, he shouldn't force a Devil Fruit upon him, even the most powerful one.
He sensed weariness in Rouge's words. He knew that Rouge would likely appear as a cleric from now on, and Ace...
The fact that Ace called her "Sister Rouge" and not "Mother" was enough proof that Rouge didn't object to him setting sail. On the surface, they weren't mother and son, so Ace's departure wouldn't interfere with her life as a nun.
This was good.
Moreover, it truly wasn't the right time for Ace to set sail. Shanks could sense Roger's aura from Ace at a glance, meaning other powerful individuals could too. As long as he became a powerful pirate, many people would likely discover he was Captain Roger's son.
At that point, many would probably try to capture Ace to force him to reveal the location of the One Piece.
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