One Piece: Getting Stronger by Writing a Diary

"What? It's really Uta?"

"That can't be right. Wasn't she supposed to stay on that island?"

"It's definitely Uta. Look at her hair color and her outfit—they're exactly the same as when she was a child!"

"Could she have set out to sea? Did this Arton find her?"

"But wasn't Uta supposed to stay in the Island of Music to pursue a career as a musician? Why would she think of going to sea as a pirate with this Arton?"

"I don't understand, but seeing Uta smiling so happily makes me happy too!"

"It's great that Uta is smiling, but since Arton took down Shiki, there will definitely be a lot of Marines targeting him—and they'll be targeting Uta as well."

"Boss, we should head out to find Uta."

In the newspaper, there was a photo of Uta, Carina, Kaya, and Nami together. However, since the journalist's main focus was on Arton, there was only one roll of film used for Uta and the others. Even the content about them was sparse, and the related photos were placed towards the back of the newspaper.

Because of this, Shanks and the others hadn't noticed Uta's situation at first.

"It should be Uta, no doubt."

"Even though the article doesn't mention that Uta is your daughter, Arton defeating Shiki is enough to draw the Marines' attention to Uta."

"Shanks, are you planning to go see Uta?"

Benn Beckman, the first mate of the Red-Haired Pirates, sat down next to Shanks and asked.

Shanks furrowed his brow, staring intently at Uta's photo in the newspaper. After a long pause, he shook his head and said:

"Not just yet."

"Since Arton managed to defeat Shiki, he has the ability to protect Uta."

"Although I don't know why Uta left the Island of Music and became a member of Arton's pirate crew..."

"However, since Uta is smiling happily, there's no problem at all."

"If we suddenly appear in front of her..."

"I wouldn't be able to explain what happened back then easily."

After speaking, Shanks specifically pointed to the photo of Uta, where she was smiling brightly.

Benn Beckman followed the direction of Shanks' finger and then nodded in agreement. As the strategist of the Red-Haired Pirates, Beckman was very perceptive. From Uta's expression, Beckman could not only see her happiness but also her trust in someone.

Clearly, that trust was directed towards Arton.

Since Uta trusted Arton, was happy by his side, and Arton had the ability to protect her, Beckman naturally followed Shanks' decision.

"So, we're just going to do nothing?"

Yasopp rubbed his face and asked.

"On the surface, we don't need to do anything."

"But since Uta has gone to sea, we should still keep an eye on her."

"From now on, let's make sure to keep track of Uta and Arton's situation."

"Arton has already taken down Shiki right from the start."

"I can't imagine what other amazing things he might do next."

Shanks shook his head, his thoughts drifting to Luffy:

"I wonder if Luffy has already set out to sea."

"If he sees the news about Uta..."

Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled:

"If it's Luffy, he'd probably want to invite Uta to be his musician."

"Unfortunately, it seems he was a step too late."

Shanks patted Beckman on the shoulder and raised his glass:

"No matter what, today is a day worth celebrating."

"Everyone, let's have a feast!"

As his words fell, the pirates of the Red-Haired Pirates raised their glasses high.

"Ohhhhhh!"

At the same time, the other three Emperors of the New World were deep in thought as they read today's newspaper.

At first, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin were all skeptical of the news.

However, after some investigation, the three had no choice but to admit that what the World Economic News reported was true.

Shiki, indeed, had been taken down.

"Has Shiki really become this weak?"

"But this Arton fellow seems pretty good."

"Perhaps he could take me down too, hahaha."

Kaido took a swig of his drink and laughed heartily.

Not far away, Black Maria, who had been prepared for this moment, exchanged glances with Ulti and Ginrummy before stepping forward towards Kaido.

"Captain Kaido, since you're interested in this Arton, why not find an opportunity to bring him to our territory?"

Black Maria suggested with a smile.

***

Totto Land

"Shiki was indeed alive."

"Too bad, he just reappeared and now he's dead."

"A young man who could take down Shiki... he seems like an interesting man."

Charlotte Linlin shook her head and put down the newspaper.

"Is Mama interested in this man too?"

"Why don't we send him an invitation?"

"A man who can create top-quality swords—I find him very charming."

Smoothie stepped forward, ready to convince Charlotte Linlin to allow her or Snack, Custard, and others to set sail.

***

"Could it be that the new era really has no place for old men?"

Whitebeard looked up at the sky and said somberly.

Not far away, Marco and Jozu heard Whitebeard's words and couldn't help but frown.

In the East Blue.

The Straw Hat Pirates.

"As expected of Arton, he actually took down Shiki."

Jango looked at the newspaper in his hand and let out a long sigh.

"Shiki, is he really that strong?"

Luffy, hearing Zoro's words, curiously walked over.

"Of course he's strong, he's a legendary pirate from the past."

Jango nodded slightly and handed the newspaper to Luffy.

Nearby, Usopp and Zoro, upon hearing Jango mention Arton, also walked over out of curiosity.

"Hey! This is... Uta?!"

"Is that Uta?"

Luffy exclaimed in surprise as he looked at the newspaper in his hand.

"What's got you so worked up, Luffy?"

"We all know about your connection with Uta."

"Speaking of which, I already told you that Uta is with Arton," Usopp said, leaning closer to Luffy, his eyes fixed on the newspaper.

"Is there a picture of Kaya in the newspaper?"

Usopp eagerly asked, his eyes scanning the page.

"There really is Kaya!"

"But it seems she didn't participate in the battle with Shiki."

"Whoa! Arton can create a world filled with infinite swords?"

"When we were in Syrup Village, I didn't see him use that ability."

Usopp nodded repeatedly, muttering to himself.

"A world filled with infinite swords?"

Zoro frowned, repeating the words with curiosity.

"It means exactly what it sounds like."

"The newspaper says that Arton created a world that seems like an alternate dimension."

"In this world, there are countless swords."

"Arton relied on this ability to seriously injure Shiki."

Jango nodded, then suddenly realized that Zoro had moved closer to Usopp, focusing on the newspaper as well.

Jango could only shake his head helplessly.

A little later, Luffy put down the newspaper, looking excitedly at Jango.

"Jango, we can catch up to Arton and the others, right?"

"I want to go meet Uta."

Luffy said.

"Luffy, I know about your connection with Uta… but the East Blue is vast, it's not that easy to find Arton," Jango shook his head, intending to give his unreliable captain a lesson on the difficulty of finding someone in the vast ocean.

But Zoro suddenly stepped up beside Jango, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"What's up, Zoro?"

Jango asked in confusion.

"Jango, I want to meet Arton too."

"You must have a way to help me find him, right?"

Zoro's eyes gleamed as he spoke.

"This..."

Jango blinked, looking at Zoro's excited expression.

He couldn't help but understand that Zoro was intrigued by the abilities Arton displayed in the newspaper.

"Of course, it makes sense—after all, your goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman."

"Arton may not be Mihawk, but his abilities are enough to pique the interest of any swordsman."

"But Zoro," Jango sighed, trying to persuade him to give up on the idea of challenging Arton. "You saw what the newspaper said, right? He's a man who can create a world of swords and control thousands of them at once."

"Are you really sure you can surpass him?"

Jango, deeply affected by Arton, even thought that Zoro challenging Mihawk seemed more reasonable than going after Arton. Jango wasn't entirely sure how powerful Mihawk was, but based on what Arton had shown, he felt that Zoro in his current state wouldn't even come close.

"Some things you just have to try to know," Zoro said with determination. His resolve didn't waver in the slightest, despite Jango's words.

"Yeah, let's meet Arton first," Luffy nodded firmly.

"And I want to know how Kaya is doing now," Usopp added. "Jango, based on the locations mentioned in the news, can you figure out where Arton might be headed?"

Jango looked at the three in front of him. After a long pause, he sighed deeply.

"Fine, since you're all so determined, I can't refuse."

"It's impossible to deduce Arton's next destination just from the details in the news," Jango explained, "but I did spend some time with him, so I have a few ideas about where he might be headed."

"Really? Where do you think he's going?" Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp asked in unison.

"If I remember correctly, Arton is probably going to visit the Baratie," Jango said, turning his gaze toward the sea.

Out there, beyond the horizon, lay the Baratie, the sea restaurant that was also the direction Arton's ship, the Sylvan, was currently heading.