Chapter 429: The Knot Between Father and Daughter Untied
Sabaody Archipelago · Concert Backstage Waiting Room
Tap— Tap— Tap—
Footsteps approached from afar, each step striking the hearts of everyone present like a heavy hammer.
The air in the waiting room suddenly froze, as if even breathing was suppressed.
As the figure slowly revealed himself, the eyes of Luffy, Law, Nami, and the others trembled simultaneously, a mix of pleasant surprise and awe—
"Big Brother Roy!!!"
The figure was as steady as a mountain, his steps firm and cold. He walked straight past Shanks.
Just brushing past him, cold sweat poured down Shanks' spine. His knuckles clenched tight, and his heart felt as if it were being squeezed in someone's hand, yet he didn't dare to block him in the slightest.
Roy arrived beside Uta. The young girl was sleeping quietly, the stubbornness of her previous madness still lingering between her brows.
He leaned over and extended a palm.
Hum— Ripples spread from his palm, the spatial waves oscillating slightly.
"STOP!!!"
Shanks roared. His pupils shrank violently, his voice hoarse and urgent.
"Roy! Let her go! I'm willing to do anything!!!"
The words carried begging and panic, even mixed with the helpless trembling of a father.
However—
Roy's eyes were cold, making no response.
In the next instant—
Crack, crack, crack—!!
Space suddenly shattered like a mirror, and a hideous demonic shadow was forcibly gouged out from Uta's body!
The shadow twisted and roared, a blood-red "X" burning in its eye. It sounded like a wraith from the abyss of hell letting out a mournful wail: "Aaaaaahhhh—!!!"
The phantom of Tot Musica was completely torn apart in an instant, turning into absolute nothingness!
Uta's brows slowly relaxed, her breathing returning to a calm rhythm, as she finally fell into a peaceful slumber.
Roy slowly withdrew his hand, stood up, and turned to look at Shanks: "So panicked... your spirit has truly scattered, Shanks."
Shanks' entire body jolted, his face deathly pale, his eyes dim.
Roy's voice continued to echo in the silent room: "I have cleared the influence of Tot Musica."
"But what she has done nearly plunged the entire world into the abyss."
"She must accept Marine discipline and guidance for one year. As for the rest... there is no room for discussion."
His words were like thunder, making everyone's hearts tremble. The entire waiting room was dead silent.
Shanks trembled all over, his lips parting, but ultimately unable to say a single word.
He knew this was the only way to save Uta's life.
Roy turned and led the others away. As he was about to leave, he walked past Shanks, his voice low:
"Remember what you said."
The group left.
Only Shanks remained standing there, his eyes clouded, staring blankly at Uta sleeping peacefully on the bed. He could only silently reach out and gently stroke her forehead.
"Uta..."
The murmur was hoarse, like guilt, like a vow.
...
Time slowly passed. The previous tension and clamor gradually settled, leaving only the sound of deep breathing.
On the bed, Uta's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she were struggling to wake up from a nightmare.
Shanks noticed it immediately. Leaning on the edge of the bed with one hand, he suppressed the tremble in his voice: "Uta..."
The young girl slowly opened her eyes, residual confusion and exhaustion still lingering within them.
She looked at the man guarding beside her, at that haggard face. Her lips parted slightly, but ultimately, she didn't speak.
Seeing this, pain surfaced in Shanks' eyes. His voice trembled but was gentle: "Uta, actually, back then—"
Before he could finish, the young girl softly interrupted.
"Actually... I know everything."
That short sentence made Shanks freeze, his entire body stiffening.
Uta's eyes reddened, her gaze wandering. Her voice trembled, choking with sobs:
"All these years, I've been continuously developing the power of the Sing-Sing Fruit... But sometimes, the images from back then would flash through my memories."
Her voice grew lower and lower, tears blurring her vision: "Those cries, that destruction... I finally understood. All of that... was caused by me."
"I couldn't deceive myself."
Shanks felt as if his heart was being sliced by a knife. He violently pulled her into his arms, his voice nearly hoarse:
"No! No, Uta! That wasn't your fault!!!"
His single arm tightly embraced the trembling shoulders of the young girl, Shanks' eyes turning red: "If we hadn't been careless... you wouldn't have been possessed by a demon like that!"
"You were just a child, yet you were forced to bear a darkness that shouldn't have belonged to you!!"
Uta's tears could no longer be controlled. Her fists weakly pounded against Shanks' chest, her crying intermittent:
"But I know very well! The destruction of the island was indeed caused by me!!!"
"I knew you guys were innocent... but my feeling of being abandoned by you, my resentment towards pirates, had always lingered in my mind!!!"
"These things... these emotions, have been pressing down on my heart. I'm so tired... it hurts so much..."
Shanks closed his eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks, yet his voice was gentle and firm: "Uta... you don't have to bear it alone anymore."
"You can cry, you can hate, you can be lost, you can be weak."
"But you must remember—no matter where you go, no matter what mistakes you make, I will always be your father."
"As long as I'm still here, you will never be alone."
Uta's body trembled uncontrollably, her tears soaking Shanks' clothes.
Finally, she could no longer suppress it. She fiercely hugged Shanks back, crying out as if her heart was tearing apart:
"Father—!!!"
That single cry seemed to shatter the hard shell that had built up over the years.
Shanks' eyes blurred with tears, his single arm trembling, yet he used all his strength to hold her, his voice deep and gentle:
"Yeah... I'm here, Uta. I've always been here."
The young girl's crying gradually grew tired, her breathing becoming long and steady.
Amidst her blurred, tearful eyes, she finally exhausted her strength and fell into a deep sleep once more.
Shanks gazed at her peaceful face, his eyes full of remorse as he muttered softly:
"I'm sorry... I'm late."
—The knot in the hearts of the father and daughter was finally, slowly untied amidst tears and embraces.
Inside the room, the crying gradually returned to tranquility.
Uta fell back into a deep sleep. The tear stains had not yet completely dried, but her breathing had become steady.
Shanks leaned over and gently pulled the blanket up for her, his movements so careful as if afraid of disturbing a wisp of wind.
His gaze lingered on the young girl's face, tenderness and guilt churning in the depths of his eyes.
That cry of "Father—" seemed to still echo in his chest, lingering for a long time.
—Outside the door.
Gordon leaned against the door panel, his old eyes red.
Hearing Uta finally call out that long-awaited word, his body jolted violently. He covered his mouth tightly with both hands to prevent his sobs from leaking out.
The rough back of his hand wiped the corners of his eyes, and he choked out a soft whisper: "Silly child... she was finally willing to say it."
Inside, the lights flickered; outside, emotions churned.
Not long after, the door was gently pushed open.
Shanks walked out, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible.
He took a deep look at Gordon, his voice kept very low, steady yet carrying an unquestionable entrustment:
"Uta... I leave her in your care."
Gordon choked back a sob and nodded, his voice trembling: "Rest assured... she is my life."
Shanks remained silent for a moment, said no more, and turned to leave.
—Outside the concert venue, the night wind was cold.
In a certain corner outside the venue, Roy had long been standing there with his hands behind his back, waiting quietly.
Footsteps gradually approached.
Shanks' expression was stern, the gloom between his brows pressing down on the night, making it even heavier.
He walked up behind Roy, his voice deep and resolute: "Speak... what do you need me to do?"
Roy slowly turned around, staring at him with a half-smile.
"Shanks, do you know why I let you off the hook?"
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