Night fell, stars dotted the sky.
Visual Den Den Mushi all over the world lit up, projecting a massive holographic stage.
Uta stood under the spotlight, her pink hair shimmering like flowing silk.
She took a deep breath, her ruby-like eyes looking into the camera. "People of the world, tonight, please listen to my song—"
The first note sounded, and the entire world seemed to fall into tranquility.
That voice was like dawn light piercing through clouds, flowing through the air with dewdrop-like clarity.
The moment she opened her lips, the whole world seemed enchanted.
The sea surface rippled with sparkling light. The wind paused on tree branches. Even the most restless pirates instinctively held their breath.
Most astonishing was the vitality contained within the song. Listeners could almost see, in the trajectory of her pink hair dancing with the melody, countless stars being born and annihilated.
The New World's sea was calm as a mirror. The Red Force floated quietly.
Shanks watched Uta on the screen, a soft, unconscious smile touching his lips. "Such a nostalgic voice."
Baltigo.
Dragon stood quietly before the screen. "I never expected... such a voice..."
Though it was beautiful, he still couldn't understand Setsuna's purpose.
Sabo stood beside him, his eyes shining. "That voice... it could soothe everyone's soul."
Koala held her cheeks, her voice full of admiration. "Uta-san's voice... it's too beautiful!"
Simultaneously, the Five Elders in Mary Geoise were also watching.
"Chiaki Setsuna made such a huge fuss... and it really was just for this concert?" Warcury said with a laugh.
"Hah. It seems he has fallen into decadence," Ju Peter shook his head.
"Let's just quietly enjoy the music. Such leisurely moments are rare," Nusjuro said nonchalantly.
...
Late at night, all was silent.
Dragon's eyes snapped open, his pupils contracting sharply… he wasn't in his home in Baltigo, but in an illusory space.
Flowing musical notes drifted around him. Semi-transparent sheet music hung in the sky. The entire world seemed constructed from melody.
"Where is this?" He surveyed his surroundings cautiously, Observation Haki fully extended, yet he sensed no substantial threat.
Suddenly, hearty laughter broke the space's silence.
"Hahaha! This place is really interesting!"
Dragon looked toward the source of the voice. "Dad?"
Garp's voice seemed to have disturbed not just him, drawing out everyone around.
"Garp, is this some World Government plot of yours?" Whitebeard gripped his naginata, Conqueror's Haki faintly visible.
"Even us Admirals are in the dark," Kizaru spread his hands.
"Huh? Wasn't I in Elbaf?" Gaban rubbed his old back.
Dragon emerged, finding the place astonishingly lively.
The Emperors, Marine Admirals, Warlords, the Giant Tribe, plus retired great pirates like Rayleigh and Gaban, and his own Revolutionary Army.
Almost every notable powerhouse across the seas was gathered here.
Just as tensions rose among the factions, a voice came. "Apologies, everyone. The one who invited you all today is me."
Everyone turned in unison. Setsuna stood in the very center of the space, appearing without notice.
Dragon narrowed his eyes. "The concert?"
Setsuna nodded slightly. "Uta is a user of the Uta Uta no Mi. She can draw those who have heard her song into the Uta World… the space we are in now."
Setsuna smiled. "If we all met in the real world, it would undoubtedly cause unimaginable shockwaves. That's why I arranged this meeting."
"Gurararara! You really go all out," Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Gathering all of us in one space... if the Five Elders knew, they would never tolerate it."
Big Mom glanced maliciously at Garp and the others. "To avoid leaks, why don't we kill all the Marines first, then discuss things later?"
Akainu's arms erupted into magma. He snorted. "Fight if you want. Don't think I fear you."
"Everyone, calm down. Please hear me out first," Setsuna's voice echoed through the Song World. "I intend to launch a total war… to overthrow the Celestial Dragons!"
Setsuna swept his gaze across everyone, speaking under their stunned gazes. "We are born free. Who can stand high above? Can you tolerate those foolish pigs standing atop the world?"
The moment his words fell, the entire space erupted.
"Gurararara! To think you have such boldness!" Whitebeard laughed loudly. "If we're moving against those World Nobles, count me in."
Sabo raised his arm, shouting. "Whoever fights the World Government, the Revolutionary Army will lend a hand!"
The corner of Mihawk's mouth lifted slightly. "I heard one of the Five Elders wields Shodai Kitetsu. I'd like to test my blade against him."
Doflamingo felt a bit uneasy, 'Was my purpose here to be killed as a ritual sacrifice?'
Thinking this, he hurriedly declared, "The Celestial Dragons should all die!"
Kizaru looked innocent. "Why am I here too? I'm utterly loyal to the World Government!"
Setsuna glanced at him, speaking calmly. "I'll pay more."
Kizaru immediately changed his tune. "Actually, I'm more curious. How is Sakazuki here? He should be a die-hard loyalist of the World Government, right?"
Setsuna smiled. "That's, of course, because Admiral Akainu accidentally killed a Celestial Dragon. I have leverage over him."
"Chiaki Setsuna!" Akainu was furious. Was this something to announce publicly?
"What? Accidentally killed a Celestial Dragon?" Everyone stared at Akainu in utter shock, 'This Marine Admiral had such guts?'
Dragon stepped forward, his low voice cooling the fervor slightly. "The World Government is anything but simple. Otherwise, how could those pig-like Celestial Dragons have ruled the world for eight hundred years?"
Everyone was taken aback. The first to pour cold water was actually the Revolutionary Army's leader.
"Of course I know," Setsuna said with a smile. "My cooperation with the World Government these years was precisely to uncover their secrets. Aside from CP0, known as the Celestial Dragons' Shield, there are the God's Knights, the Five Elders with Mythical Zoan abilities, and the eight-hundred-year-old Ruler of the World, Imu."
Shanks's pupils contracted slightly. He had thought Setsuna was acting on impulse and planned to persuade him afterward. He hadn't expected Setsuna to even know about Imu.
The others could remain calm hearing the earlier parts, but their expressions changed upon hearing 'Imu'.
"An eight-hundred-year-old Ruler of the World?"
"How can anyone live that long?"
"Isn't the World Government's highest authority the Five Elders?"
Setsuna's tone was calm. "The Five Elders are merely puppets Imu put forward. In fact, they themselves likely extended their lives for eight hundred years using Imu's power."