"Wooooow! Amazing! Sabo, it's incredible that you're still alive!"
Straw Hat Luffy hugged his brother Sabo tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Luffy… I'm back," Sabo said gently, resting his large hand on Luffy's head, soothing him.
Ten days ago, alongside the announcement of the public execution of Fire Fist Ace, second division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, another major event shook the world—the Celestial Dragons incident at Sabaody, caused by the Straw Hat Crew.
The Straw Hats had been wiped out by the Shichibukai Tyrant Bear Group, an event widely covered in the news.
Sabo had seen the reports too.
After all, it was news about his younger brother Luffy. But he wasn't worried. The bear would never actually kill the Straw Hat Crew. There had to be more going on—and since Mr. Bear had intervened, Luffy would be fine.
Compared to Luffy's safety, Sabo was more concerned about what Luffy might do once he learned about Ace's situation. But now, those worries were gone.
"I see… the reason Erza sent us here is because she knew Sabo's younger brother would be here now?" Karas, leader of the Northern Army, nodded knowingly.
"Hey, hey, it's not just Sabo's younger brother—this is a real heavyweight we're meeting!" Lindbergh, commander of the Southern Army, said, eyes wide in shock.
As Straw Hat Luffy jumped out to meet Sabo, Rayleigh no longer needed to hide. He revealed himself openly.
"Woo~ Sabo! Listen! Ace's situation is critical. He's been captured by the Marines and will be executed soon! We have to race against time—saving Ace is the right thing to do!" Luffy wiped tears from the corners of his eyes and spoke anxiously.
"That's exactly why I'm here," Sabo said seriously.
Clap!
Shakky clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"It seems the number of volunteers for the war has grown. Let's sit down and discuss our strategy!"
As the top event approached, the world couldn't help but tense. Yet not everyone paid attention.
In the New World, some islands were poor, backward, and torn by war. Chaos was the norm.
And yet, at this very moment, one chaotic island was filled with melodious singing, like nature itself was lifting its voice.
[The new era is the future before you. If you can change everything in the world…]
A beautiful girl with red-and-white hair sang passionately from a simple stage. Her voice seemed almost magical, instilling hope in desperate hearts and igniting courage where there had been none.
"Ooooooh! U, T, A! Uta!"
"Master Uta, thank you! Your singing gave me the courage to live!"
"Always supporting Diva Uta-sama!"
The impoverished audience cheered, captivated by the red-haired singer.
"Thank you all for your support! My concert is ending today, so let's enjoy it to the fullest!" Uta waved warmly. Her voice carried across the crowd once more.
In the shade of a nearby tree, Sugisawa Yuuto leaned against the trunk, enjoying the performance.
He had first met Uta five months ago. Sugisawa Yuuto had discovered a commission from Elegia, the country of music, among a pile of letters. The former king, Gordon, had asked Fairy Tail to help realize Uta's dream and spread her extraordinary singing to the world.
Sugisawa Yuuto was no stranger to Uta. The daughter of Four Emperors Red-Haired Shanks, she was a rare and talented singer. Knowing he had to help, Sugisawa Yuuto immediately set off for Elegia. With encouragement from her adoptive father Gordon, Uta had bravely taken the first step—going to sea with Sugisawa Yuuto.
Over five months, Sugisawa Yuuto had taken her to many places, hosting concerts and growing her popularity. Today, Uta seemed destined to become a world-renowned singer.
"What a beautiful voice… good night~"
A green-haired girl used Sugisawa Yuuto's thigh as a pillow, closing her eyes comfortably.
Sugisawa Yuuto looked down at her, an aura of laziness radiating from her, and shook his head helplessly.
Besides Uta, the green-haired girl was also a new member of Fairy Tail. She came not from this world, but from the world of Fairy Tail.
Her name—Brandish.
Like Irene, she was one of the Twelve Shields of the Kingdom of Alvarez. In addition to her immense magical power, she possessed powerful transformation magic—able to shrink an entire island to the size of a stone, or erase a kingdom in an instant.
Because of her abilities, Brandish had earned the title of "Crafting the Nation." She was a 350-summoning partner with a guild level of 22.
At the time Sugisawa Yuuto planned the concert tour with Uta, he couldn't always be present. So, upon learning that Brandish would be accompanying them, he assigned her as Uta's bodyguard, ensuring her safety whenever Sugisawa Yuuto was away. As a member of the Twelve Shields, her strength was unquestioned, though her one flaw was a streak of laziness. Still, Brandish perfectly fulfilled her duties.
Two hours later:
"Brandish, wake up! It's almost over!" Sugisawa Yuuto pinched her nose.
"Well… you can only wake up if the president kisses you!" she said coquettishly.
Satisfied, Brandish sprang to her feet, grabbing a few 'little fish' from a side bucket.
Instantly, the tiny fish grew into massive Sea Kings, rising against the wind and landing on the ground.
"Let's go!"
Having provided enough food, hope, and courage for the people, and raising the Fairy Tail banner, Sugisawa Yuuto set off with Uta and Brandish for the next concert stage: Naval Headquarters, Marineford.