Will this be the chapter where Uta reunites with Luffy? Regardless, this is an chapter that many were looking forward to. I don't own One Piece.

"I'm back."

Despite the many years, the landscape has not changed since Uta has last been there. The large windmills slowly turn with the wind and Uta can see the townspeople going about their day casually. It was truly one of the most peaceful towns she has ever visited and the most memorable. Ever since that day she saw that view from that windmill, she knew that she fell in love with this village. Uta sighs as old memories flood back into her mind.

"There are some people waving at that port over there." Pitch yells as she points to the harbor up ahead. "After avoiding that rock, we should be clear."

Uta gets a sudden flashback and turns her head in the direction for where Pitch was pointing at.

"That's not a rock!" Uta yells as she runs across the boat.

The group turned towards Uta confused and as they did so, the sea suddenly churned around them slightly shaking the boat. The trio look ahead to see a large sea serpent raise its head. The beast glares at them and growls. It was the local sea king who goes by 'The Lord of the Coast'. Abell and Pitch were about to take action, but Uta has already jumped off the ship and is above the head of the Lord of the Coast. The sea king looks up and sees Uta approaching it from above.

"I remember you!" Uta said smiling. "I waited many years to do this!"

The monster glares at her and looks almost as if it recognizes her. Uta hardens her fist with haki and begins to fall towards the monster.

"One good punch for biting off Shanks arm and for trying to eat Luffy!" Uta yells. "Uta Punch!"

The monster didn't have time to react as Uta's fist lands between the monster's eyes. The monster's eyes roll into its skull as it takes the full impact of Uta's attack. Uta's punch pushes the monster's head into the sea causing a huge splash and the rest of its body falls into the ocean. The diva then lands safely on the boat surprising her companions.

"Was that necessary?" Gordon asks, feeling a bit bad for the sea monster.

Just as everyone thought the coast was clear, the sea king's head rises once more from the ocean. However, it seems to still be in a daze and unable to shake off the dizziness that it suffered from the fist to the forehead. The Lord of the Coast looks at the ship and glares at Uta. The singer looks back and the veins on her forehead pop in slight anger.

"Want more?" Uta asks from under her breath.

The sea monster backs away for a moment in fear and then swims into depths of the sea. Uta lets out a sigh of relief and looks at her fist.

I thought my haki enhanced punch would be stronger. Uta thought. "Not enough."

"Relax, that punch was still strong enough to give that beast a concussion." Abell said smiling. "Your armament haki will come to you eventually."

"I just hope we are far enough that people won't recognize I did that." Uta said worried. "I think we're in the clear."

Gordon steered the Shanty to the dock where the townspeople were waving at. The first thing everyone noticed was the lack of people. Unlike the other places the group went to where the attendance count surpassed seventy and sometimes a hundred, there were no more than about a few dozen awaiting them.

"Huh, the crowd sure is small." Abell said. "Maybe the news didn't get here."

"No, it did." Uta said. "Do you see that kingdom over there?"

"Oh yeah, I see it." Abell answers as she looks at it from a distance.

"That's the Goa Kingdom." Uta said. "I don't want to say that they're a bad group, but they don't care much for towns outside their area due to the number of Mountain Bandits that surround the mountains."

The Section Leaders took notice of the rather large mountain ranges that covered the island before them.

"Windmill Village is just small enough that the kingdom simply ignores it." Uta explains. "That's just how royalty works. I expected a small audience to come here."

The girls look at Uta expecting her to be sad for the lack of people, but to their surprise, she has a face of happiness.

"You seem to know a lot." Pitch said.

"Let's prepare to dock." Uta said changing the subject. "We still have an audience waiting for us."

Everyone nods and begins to get everything ready. Gordon eventually reaches the docks of Windmill Village and as he does so, the small crowd surrounds the boat and waves happily.

"It's Red's ship!"

"It's so beautiful!"

"Look, her face is on the sail!"

Uta looks down from above and as she shows her face, the people cheer and chant her name. Uta looks around and to her surprise, recognizes some faces. The diva walks quickly off the ship and as her feet touch the ground, a wave of nostalgia hits her. The cheers of the people were drowned as Uta admired the small houses that she visited, the dirt road that she and Luffy ran back and forth from, and the edge of the port where she and Luffy talked about their dreams.

"Red!"

Uta snaps out of her daze as Gordon shakes her shoulder.

"Not in front of the public." Gordon reminds her.

Uta nods in understanding and puts on her warm smile. As she walks forward, she shakes the hands of the townspeople and children that approach her.

"I'm honored that you decided to perform at our humble little village."

Uta looks up and her eyes widen at the old man who walks towards her with cane in hand. It was the mayor, Woop Slap. He has definitely aged since she last saw him, but his identity was unmistakable.

"Hello, mayor." Uta greets.

"Hm? How did you know I was mayor?" Woop Slap asks confused.

"Oh, uh, you just have this aura of mayor-ism?" Uta said as she fumbled over her words. Nice going, Uta.

"Huh. Anyways, I'm surprised that you didn't want to perform for the kingdom." the mayor said. "A lot of people would've been happy to see you perform there."

"We wanted our final stop to be more sentimental so we decided to go to a peaceful town." Uta said.

Uta clearly lied about this as she just wanted to perform for the town of Windmill Village rather than for the kingdom, but the townspeople didn't need to know that.

"Well, who am I to judge." the mayor said as he walked back. "I don't know if it helps, but we made a clearing at the side of the road over there. I hope it's big enough to set everything up."

"We'll make do." Abell answers as she and Pitch heave the equipment from their ship. "Can someone lead us the way?"

Some of the folks guided the two to their designated spot and Gordon took the opportunity to talk to the mayor. While the Section Leaders and towns folks were busy, Uta stealthily sneaks off into town.

"This place is just how I remember it." Uta said out loud.

The teen walks by the houses and she then finds herself facing the grassy mountainside. Uta walks over and stops at the edge of the cliff that is facing the sea. Uta takes a moment to remember all the silly contests she and Luffy did along with her 'pirate training'. Uta can't help, but chuckle at the thought.

Now that I think about it, I was pretty immature back then. Uta thought as she walked further away from town.

Uta eventually finds herself on the road again and decides to go uphill. After walking for a bit, Uta then looks up to see that she's at a windmill.

"...My stage..."

Uta looks around to see if anyone has followed her and is relieved to see that no one has spotted her. The teen didn't hesitate to enter the old windmill despite the dust and cobwebs, she can always clean up later. Uta looks around and tries to remember the way up.

This ladder?

Uta finds a ladder and begins to slowly climb up.

Crack.

Uta stops midway as she didn't want to break anything. So, she decided to improvise and jumped her way up from the inside. After getting caught in some spiderwebs and bumping her head a bit, Uta finds herself at the top floor of the windmill. Uta looks around for a bit and sees the small window from where she had once looked out from. The diva slowly walks over and opens the window and a rush of wind greets her. Uta laughs silently to herself.

"Still is a great view." Uta sighs.

Despite everything, Uta has yet to see any sign of her childhood friend. Surely he hasn't left the village. Or at least she hoped not. Then again, she came for nostalgia rather than looking for Luffy. Maybe.

I can't wait to become a pirate and go to sea, too!

"Hah...where are you, Luffy?"

"Uta!"

The diva eyes brighten as she turns around excitedly, only seeing Abell and Pitch trying to enter through the crawlspace. The diva gives them a disappointed look.

"We were looking all over for you." Abell grunts. "C'mon! We need to hurry."

"You're lucky I was able to spot you from the village." Pitch adds. "Our show starts in an hour."

"Fine, I'll head over," Uta said. "First, get down from there."

Abell and Pitch argue with their friend as they wanted to see what Uta saw, but in the end, gave up and let the diva through. Since the trio were covered in dirt and dust from going through the windmill, they had to go take a shower in the Shanty. After cleaning themselves up and getting into a fresh set of new clothes, they were finally ready to take the stage. Uta stands behind the curtain quite nervous. Abell and Pitch stood beside the singer worried. They had never seen Uta being nervous. She was always brimming with confidence, but ever since she set foot in Windmill Village, she has been acting off.

"Do you want to wait a couple minutes?" Abell suggests.

"You don't look like your usual self." Pitch said. "Will you be ok with performing today?"

Uta is taking deep breaths to calm herself. Uta feels as if something is on the line. It's just a village she visited in the past, surely it can't be this nerve wrenching.

"Uta."

The three girls turn to see Gordon walking up to them.

"You're not performing as 'Uta', but as 'Red'." Gordon said. "This audience isn't here for the girl who came to this village years ago, but a singer who pulled the hearts of the people in the East. Let's give the audience what they want."

Uta took the time to calm down and then she smiled.

"Thanks Gordon." Uta thanks. "You're right, I'm Red and I'm here to give these people a concert that they will not forget!"

Uta walks forward proudly with Abell and Pitch following beside her. The small crowd cheers for Uta and the idol smiles. Uta taps her foot cuing the musicians next to her.

"This song?" Abell laughs. "We haven't really practiced this."

"Scared?" Pitch asks. "Our lead singer is crazy!"

"Let's rock out." Uta said.

Uta looks at the scenery before her and reminisces of the days where this village changed her life. This is the town where they made their dreams and promises. Uta smiles at the thought.

This is my stage.

Uta smiles and takes a deep breath.

Now raise your HANDS UP!
Sing about your dreams!
Always STAND UP!
Raise your unbreakable flag!
We all MADE IT past so many walls to get here!
Now let's head for the future!
HANDS UP!

Abell and Pitch play their respective instruments as Uta raises her arms out to the crowd. The townspeople cheer and mirror Uta's hand motion.

I'll just have to move on a little further and I'll reach the answer.
I pressed on through this new world believing in that.

That's right, the pieces of our dreams have joined together as one.
Connecting our unwavering bonds, let's head for a bright future!

"Everyone! Raise them up with me!"

Now raise your HANDS UP!
Sing about your dreams!
Always STAND UP!
Raise your unbreakable flag!
We all MADE IT past so many walls to get here!
Now let's head for the future!

Go and LOOK UP!
Keep your head held up high!
Always STEP UP!
Jump over the waves!
Let's all LINK UP our wishes together!
Now let's head for the future!
HANDS UP!

Gordon and the mayor stood side be side smiling at the sight and hum along.

The footprints we've left behind in this endless journey.
Will someday become a guiding path for somebody else.

Beginnings are the same for everyone, they're always so sudden.
But when one takes a step forward, dreams will begin to be realized!

As the chorus people begin cheer and sing along with Uta.

Now raise your HANDS UP!
Sing about your dreams!
Always STAND UP!
Raise your unbreakable flag!
We all MADE IT past so many walls to get here!
Now let's head for the future!

Go and LOOK UP!
Keep your head held up high!
Always STEP UP!
Jump over the waves!
Let's all LINK UP our wishes together!
Now let's head for the future!

Abell and Pitch continue to play their music flawlessly as they follow Uta's lead.

We drift forward riding the waves.
Meeting people and saying good-bye.
Underneath our waving flag...

Soon, they slowed down their music and Uta slowly walks up to the crowd.

I keep the pain I don't want to forget in my heart.
On that day, I softly carved into it.
A freedom that I won't lose to anyone.
I grasp it tight in my hands and go!

"Everyone! Sing with me!"

Now raise your HANDS UP!
Sing about your dreams!
Always STAND UP!
Raise your unbreakable flag!
We all MADE IT past so many walls to get here!
Now let's head for the future!

Go and LOOK UP!
Keep your head held up high!
Always STEP UP!
Jump over the waves!
Let's all LINK UP our wishes together!
Now let's head for the future!

HANDS UP!

Once everyone finished singing, the small crowd gave Uta and the girls a loud cheer. Uta gives the crowd her one of a kind smile.

"Alright, to the next song! Here we go Windmill Village!"

The concert took a few hours and after the concert finished, the trio decided to take a small intermission. Uta was thrilled to go through the concert, though there was one thing that bothered her. There was no Luffy. He wasn't present to hear her sing. Uta was definitely depressed by this once it all passed over, but she knew that his presence wasn't guaranteed. After the intermission was finished, the trio decided to start the meet and greet. Due to the small crowd, Uta was able to spend more time with her fans and talk with them.

"I'm so happy you came here!" said a young girl. "I'm your biggest fan!"

"Aww, really?" Uta asks as she gushes over the little girl. "I'm so happy to have a fan like you."

"By any chance, do you know any good places to eat?" Abell asks, leaning over Uta's shoulder. "I'm starving."

"Go/Let's try the Partys Bar." Uta and the girl said.

"Oh! You know the Partys Bar!" the girl asks. "Have you been there before?"

"Um...I...uh...saw the sign..." Uta stutters. "And I...uh...assumed that it's a place to eat."

The girl makes an 'o' face and nods in understanding. Once she leaves, Abell quickly slaps Uta in the back of the head.

"Are you trying to blow your cover?" Abell hisses.

"It just came out!" Uta whispers back.

The two were about to complain, but the line of people put their conversation on hold. When the event was over, the sun had begun to set and Uta encouraged the Section Leaders to eat and relax without her since she wanted to explore the area some more. The others nodded and said that they will see the singer tomorrow since she will most likely be gone for the night. Uta heads back to the Shanty to change out of her performance outfit and to eat some of the ship's rations. Once she was outside once more, Uta decided to explore the forest where she and Luffy played.

This place isn't as intimidating as I remembered it to be. Uta thought as she looked at the jungle before.

Uta pulls out her mic and extends the blades from the tip. She then uses it to hack away at the plants as she maneuvers through the underbrush. Despite the fact she only went through this path once, Uta can feel as if she's heading towards the proper direction. Eventually, she reached a small and familiar clearing. It was the place where Luffy showed Uta the sea from the cliffside.

This brings back memories. Uta sighs.

Uta then remembers the time where she and her friend were attacked by mountain bandits. Uta blinks and gets goosebumps. The thought of bandits approaching scares her slightly.

"I'm strong enough to fight them now." Uta declares. "As if I'll let some mountain bandit get the best of me!"

She knows she's stronger than those thugs from before. Annoyed from her own fear, Uta decides to head back to the village. Once Uta got out of the forest, the moon was almost shining directly above her. Uta then looks at the town to see that all of the lights that were in each household were shut off. In a situation like this, Uta would go back to the ship, but there's one more place that she wants to visit. Uta walks down the dirt pavement and eventually finds herself standing in front of the bar that she, the Red Haired Pirates, and Luffy would hang out. The Partys Bar.

Maybe she will be there...Makino

Uta never forgot the first woman to give her so much attention and love. A motherly, no, more of an older sister figure who was there for her when she didn't want to talk with the guys. She felt safe around her. Warm. Happy. It was a feeling different from what Shanks and the crew gave her.

"Never did get the chance to go inside." Uta said with a sigh.

Uta was about to turn her back and leave, but she saw a dim light coming from inside. Curious, Uta carefully pushes the doors open and walks inside. Uta couldn't believe how little the bar has changed. She admires the interior of the bar,the old wooden tables, the decorations, the green cushion stools, and the drinks that are lined up on the shelves. Uta slowly walks over to the front and touches the wooden surfaces of each table. She then sits down on one of the stools and gets comfortable. Slowly, she begins to imagine the clatter of talking and laughing. Her crew from before surrounding her with laughter and joy. Her father, by her right side talking to her and on her left, her childhood friend who she cherished during those few months in Windmill Village.

"Oh! I didn't expect guests." a feminine voice said. "I was about to close up."

Uta slowly turns and her mouth almost drops. Standing behind her, was the familiar green haired woman whom she met several years ago. It's Makino.

"What a minute, you're that diva that came by!" Makino said in realization. "Red, isn't it?"

Uta's heart dropped for a brief moment.

"Yeah, that's me." Uta said sadly. "Just came by to get some air."

"Came to a bar to get air?" the bartender chuckles. "Divas sure are strange."

Uta laughs nervously with her and Makino walks behind the counter and stands in front of Uta. Uta can't help, but feel uneasy around her.

"What can I get for you?" Makino asks.

"Do you have anything non-alcoholic?" Uta asks. "Don't really want to drink this late." Not that I can.

"Sure I can whip you something up." Makino said.

Makino goes to the cabinet and pours something into a glass cup. Then, she handed it to Uta.

"Uh, how much?" Uta asks as she reaches into her pocket.

"On the house." Makino said.

"Oh, thanks." Uta said gratefully.

Uta sips the drink and is quite shocked by the flavor.

This is the same...

"You seem to like it." the woman said, smiling. "My homemade juice."

"It's really good." Uta compliments. "Very nostalgic."

"I bet it is." Makino said.

Uta blinks a couple times thinking that she misheard Makino. The woman turns and begins to wash some dishes.

"You know, there were only two people that were fond of that drink. More accurately two children." Makino said. "I find it amusing that you like it as well. Adults here rather have the sake."

Uta looks down with a feeling of guilt. She wished she could reveal herself to Makino, but she can't afford to blow her cover.

"As a singer, you must know a lot of songs." Makino said changing the subject. "Since I missed your concert, Is it possible to hear you sing at least one song?"

"Oh, uh, sure." Uta said, taken aback. "I'll sing something for you in exchange for the drink."

"Perfect! Can we do a duet?" Makino asks as she hops excitedly from behind the counter. "I can sing and wash dishes at the same time."

"Uh, sure." Uta said, slightly confused. "What will we sing?"

"You will know." Makino said reassuringly.

Uta wasn't so sure as she gives the woman a questionable look as she sips her juice. Makino clears her throat and begins to sing.

Where did it come from? Where could this wind be taking us?

Uta's eyes widened with shock.

I look up to sky hoping for answers but there is no reply.

Uta begins to instinctively sing.

Where will it end up, this song that I've been a vessel for?

Makino turns around and begins to walk around the corner as she sings.

I look within knowing I'll find the answer even on my own.
Let's row out to the open sea.

Makino sits down on the stool in front of Uta and smiles as she continues to sing.

To the unknown...

Uta's eyes water and her emotions slowly begin to overwhelm her.

I've got to keep on dreaming.
No surrendering, go on.
Hoist the sail inside my open heart
And let me heed the call of the sea...

Uta is now unable to continue singing as she starts to hiccup and cry, but Makino continues to sing to her.

I've got to keep on singing,
Until you feel it. Just hold on....

Makino uses her thumb to slowly rubs the tears off Uta's eyes and smiles warmly at her. She then slowly grabs Uta's hairpin and removes it which causes the left side of her hair to fall over her eye which finally shows the face she had from several ago.

Oh, the winds will change, I promise you.
My voice will see us through to the end...

"...Makino...I..."

"Welcome back, Uta."

Uta couldn't hear her tears back and cried in Makino's arms. In return, the woman rubs the teen's back in an attempt to soothe her.

"Has it been tough?"

"Mmhm."

"You must've been sad at times."

"Mmhm."

"The road was difficult, wasn't it."

"Mmhm."

Uta looks up and sees Makino's face. To Uta's surprise, the singer sees Makino also tearing up.

"Look at you, you've become the singer that you wanted. I'm so proud of you." Makino said happily. "More importantly, I'm so glad that you're ok. Uta."

"Mmhm!"

The two embrace happily and enjoy the comfort of each other. After a couple minutes, both Uta and Makino have calmed down.

"How did you know it was me?" Uta asks.

"There's no way I wouldn't recognize you." Makino said. "Don't underestimate the ones you're close to."

"Yeah, you're right." Uta said.

There was a bit of silence.

"Um, Makino, there's a lot to say and..."

The woman puts a finger to Uta's mouth as a way to tell her to stop.

"Shanks told me already." Makino said. "He couldn't hold it in either and told me what happened."

"Oh."

"Still, to think you have already come so far in accomplishing your dream." Makino said, pulling out a flier of Uta's concert. "Your New Genesis."

"Wait, a minute! How do you know about that?" Uta asks standing up. "The only ones who know that are Gordon, Abell, Pitch, and..."

Uta understood and Makino giggled.

"That boy can't keep a secret for the life of him." Makino said. "He will become the Pirate King and you, a strong diva. That's what he will say."

Uta blushes a bit at the thought of Luffy talking about her.

"Is Luffy here?" Uta asks nervously.

"He's in Mt. Colubo living with the Dadan family." Makino explains. "I haven't seen him for a couple months now."

"Who's the Dadan family?" Uta asks curiously.

"They're mountain bandits."

....

Uta's mouth drops as she can't believe what she has just heard.

"MOUNTAIN BANDITS?!" Uta screams.

"Oh, hush now." Makino scolds. "It's late."

"Sorry." Uta apologizes.

"I can understand why you're surprised." Makino said. "But, Luffy is a lot stronger than her is from before and he had family to help him get through those days living in the mountains."

"Family? I don't remember Luffy saying anything about having a family." Uta said rather rudely.

"Of course not." Makino said. "After Shanks left, Luffy bonded with two other boys who became his older brothers."

"Wow. I wouldn't have guessed." Uta said. "Are they here in the Goa Kingdom?"

"They both went out to sea to become pirates." Makino said. "One of his brother's is a big time pirate. His name is Ace."

Ace. Uta thought. I want to meet him.

"How about his other brother?" Uta asks.

"He died while trying to sail out to sea." Makino said. "As sad as it was, his death didn't stop those two from continuing on with their dream. I'm sure he would want that too."

Uta nods and plays with her glass. There was so much she could talk about, but she can't think of anything to say. However, if there's one thing she would want to talk about, it would be about him.

"How strong is Luffy?" Uta asks, laughing a bit. "Is he still weak?"

"Don't underestimate Luffy." Makino said. "His strength has become ridiculous. Since living with his brothers and surviving the mountain habitat, it's no understatement to say that he's stronger than any wild animal here now that his brother left."

Uta can't believe that Luffy is as strong as Makino claims. Not that puny village boy that she met years ago. She refuses to believe such an over the top claim.

"How strong?" Uta asks.

"A few months ago, he was on an errand to sell some animal skins and meat in place for the bandits." Makino begins. "It was a tiger that was as long as this bar and weighing in about a couple of hundred pounds."

Uta gives Makino a blank look. The woman chuckles at Uta's reaction.

"He's fought other animals and won quite easily." Makino said. "I don't know what kind of training you did, but Luffy went through his own regimen."

"Well, fighting a wild beast is no big deal." Uta said nervously despite the fact she never really fought any wild animals. "I just need my spear mic and it would be easy. I wonder what kind of weapon Luffy uses to beat those beasts."

"Hm? Luffy hasn't used a weapon since the death of his first brother, which was several years ago." Makino casually said. "He fights those animals with his brute strength. The tiger that he recently fought, took just a single punch to break its jaw and another four more punches to knock it out completely."

He broke a tiger's jaw with a single punch?! Uta asks herself in shock. I was barely able to deal any damage to that sea king with my haki enhanced punch!

Uta then thinks about her own training and realizes as she can fight Abell and Pitch and win quite easily, she has never beaten them in submission. It was only once one of them surrendered. Luffy's training was life or death!

"He must be using haki." Uta said, trying to escape reality.

"What's haki?" Makino asks. "I don't Luffy knows what that is. He just barges in and wins."

"Those stories are over exaggerated." Uta said. "Someone like him can't possibly pull that off."

Makino laughs at Uta's attempt to disbelieve her words. Makino then proceeds to clean the dishes.

"Well, you can choose to believe me or not." Makino said. "I said my part already."

"So, did Luffy know I was coming?" Uta asks nervously.

"No." Makino said. "News doesn't reach the mountains unless someone comes by to get it, which is Luffy. That being said, he hasn't been in the village for a couple of months."

"I see." Uta said, relieved.

"You wanted to see him that badly?" Makino asks smugly.

Uta blushes a bit as this teasing situation was something she hasn't felt in a long time. Makino is clearly enjoying this.

"Anyways, is Luffy going to continue his dream of becoming a pirate?" Uta asks.

"He will." Makino answers. "He still wants to become Pirate King."

Uta smiles knowing Luffy is still following his dream.

"When will he set sail?" Uta asks. "I can't imagine Luffy being the type of person to wait."

"He will be going to sea when he becomes seventeen." Makino said. "The same age that Ace went out."

"Ok, so Luffy is two years younger than me." Uta grumbles as she does some mental math. "I turned seventeen recently, so that means Luffy is around fifteen, so..."

"Two more years." Makino said.

"I could've solved that!" Uta groans. " I can solve math problems."

"What's nine times seven?" Makino asks.

"Easy. Forty five." Uta said confidently.

"Nope."

"Fifty four?"

"Too low."

"Seventy one?"

"Now you're just guessing."

"This is why I have Abell, so I don't have to do math!" Uta said angrily. "Uh, sixty three?"

"At least you got it right in the end." Makino chuckles.

"That doesn't make me feel any better." Uta groans.

"Back on the subject, do you think you will come back in two years to see Luffy off?" Makino asks. "Who knows, you can be part of his crew."

Uta looks away with a blush. She would be lying if she hasn't thought of that, but her new life away from piracy is something she intends to keep. If she comes to see Luffy, she has to be Red and the village residents might see as Uta. She can't risk being seen as the former daughter of 'Red Haired' Shanks who's also one of the four emperors.

"You know, when Luffy does come here, there isn't a time where you're not on his mind." Makino said.

"Huh?"

"Whenever Luffy comes inside this bar, he always hums a certain song to himself." Makino said. "The same one that I love."

Uta uses her hair to hide her blush.

"When he talks about making his pirate crew, he's always so intent on finding a musician. It came to the point where his brothers were bothered by it." Makino adds. "I wonder who it was that made this change in him?"

Uta's face continues to redden and laughs nervously.

"Maybe going to sea with Luffy wouldn't be that..."

You can join my crew after making your new genesis. If I'm going to be the Pirate King, I'll need the best crew.

Uta cracks a sad smile for which Makino notices.

"Is something wrong?" Makino asks.

"I decided not to come here to see Luffy off." Uta said. "It'll be hard to predict when he will depart anyways and plus, we're not ready to see each other."

"What does that mean?" Makino wonders out loud.

"It's a secret." Uta said as she mockingly put her finger against her lips. "Between me and Luffy."

"Oh, how scandalous coming from the 'Diva' Red." Makino giggles. "I wonder what Luffy will think of this."

"Please, don't tell Luffy." Uta said. "He doesn't need to know that Uta was here. Just a singer."

"Your statement sounds sad, but there's a confident smile on your face." Makino said. "Why is that?"

"By the next time we meet next, Luffy will surely make a name for himself by then." Uta said. "Two more years, right?"

Makino nods with a smile.

"If Luffy really is as strong as you say right now, two years is all it will take for him to be too much for the East Blue." Uta said. "You can accomplish a lot within two years after all."

"You say that, but why are you so sure?" Makino asks as she stops to face Uta.

"Because he will be the Pirate King." Uta said, smirking. "That's HIS New Genesis after all."

"Is the diva have a fan of Luffy? Your new idol?" Makino asks, laughing. "I don't think anyone here takes him as seriously as you do."

"It's fine." Uta said as she stood up from her seat. "We may be separated by sea and mountains, but I will always support him."

Makino smiles at Uta and in turn Uta gives the bartender a toothy smile.

Luffy, I know you can change the world. Uta thought as she turned to look towards Mt. Colubo. Don't stop. Get stronger. Find a crew you trust. Follow your dream. We will meet sooner than you think.

~Two years later...

What a chapter and cliffhanger too! I really wanted to make this chapter an emotional reunion, but I also wanted to add more so we can see some interactions between Uta and Makino. That being said, I was planning to stop writing after Makino found about, Uta but decided last minute to extend the chapter to make it more interesting. This is officially the end of 'Path to Fame' arc so I want to thank everyone who were dedicated enough to read from to the beginning to this point in the story.  The next chapter will be posted hopefully posted on my birthday, which will be a week from now and Luffy is GUARNTEED to meet Uta next chapter. Recently a Luuta discord server was made, which me and some other creators, are a part of https://discord.gg/BPBq5Rx8 . Until then, I'll see you next chapter! Bye!