On the supermassive deck of the Lullaby.
A gentle sea breeze drifted by.
Nami was sprawled over a pile of freshly moved gold jewelry, happily engaged in what she called "sunbathing", but was actually "counting money."
Meanwhile, Renzo lay on his personal lounge chair, holding a glass of iced sparkling water freshly prepared by Monet, gazing at the horizon where sea met sky. He seemed to be in a good mood.
"Lord Renzo," Rehn rolled over like a giant meatball, holding a report, a hint of confusion on his face.
"There's something I don't quite understand. Not sure if I should ask."
"Ask." Renzo lazily replied with a single word.
"It's about that Kozuki Momonosuke."
Rehn adjusted his monocle, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"That lecherous brat is not only a Mythical Zoan user, but also a remnant of the Kozuki clan. According to the principle of 'efficiency,' someone like that, who poses potential trouble, should either be eliminated or locked up forever. Why did you… let him go in the end?"
Just yesterday, Renzo had ordered Potts to release Momonosuke and Kin'emon.
Rehn had been bothered by it ever since. To him, it violated the principle of eliminating threats at the root.
"Rehn." Renzo gently swirled his glass, ice clinking softly.
"Killing him would be letting him off too easy."
"And besides…" A wicked, almost demonic smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Who said I just let him go?"
"Huh?" Rehn blinked.
"Before he left, I added a little… 'setting' to his brain."
Renzo tapped his temple with a finger.
"I used my ability to alter his perception of 'beauty' and 'ugliness,' as well as 'male' and 'female.'"
"In simple terms…" he yawned,
"To him now, beauties like Nami look like skeletal horrors, fang-bearing monsters. Meanwhile, those burly, rough-faced, heavily made-up okama… or even someone like you, cough, I mean someone like Burgess, that type now appears to him as peerless, breathtaking beauties."
"PUFF!!!"
Sanji, who had been eavesdropping, spat out his cigarette smoke and choked.
"Admiral… y-you mean…" he said in horror,
"That little pervert will only… be into that kind of person from now on?!"
"Exactly." Renzo nodded calmly. "Not only did I reverse his aesthetics, I also amplified his 'desires' in that regard. Now, whenever he sees a burly man with thick leg hair, his heart will race uncontrollably. He'll want to pounce, act cute, and snuggle into their arms."
"HISSSSS."
Every man on deck, including Rehn, sharply inhaled, instinctively clenching their legs.
'Too cruel.'
'This was way too cruel!'
For someone who used to be shamelessly lecherous and took advantage of his child form to grope beautiful women… this punishment was ten thousand times worse than death.
Just imagine, the future shogun of Wano, ignoring power and status, chasing after burly men, calling them "big sisters," trying to cuddle into their arms…
The image was too beautiful, too horrifying, to behold.
"Lord Renzo…"
Rehn looked at him with a mix of awe, reverence… and a trace of fear.
"Your methods… are truly unfathomable! This is what they call destroying both body and soul! The most efficient and enduring punishment! I admire you completely!"
"Enough flattery."
Renzo waved him off. "That brat's case is closed. I just want to take a nap now."
However, as Murphy's Law would have it, whenever Renzo wanted to sleep, something always happened.
"La la la la la la~"
A melodious, vibrant, and highly penetrating singing voice drifted in with the sea breeze.
It carried a strange charm, uplifting, energetic, making people unconsciously tap their feet to the rhythm.
"Hm?"
Renzo, who had just closed his eyes, slightly furrowed his brows.
"What's that sound?"
"Report, sir!" the lookout marine shouted. "An island ahead! There seems to be a concert going on!"
"A concert?"
As the Lullaby approached, the singing became clearer.
This wasn't ordinary singing, it carried a powerful emotional resonance, the ability of the Sing-Sing Fruit.
On the island ahead, Elegia, the Island of Music, a girl with red-and-white hair wearing headphones stood on a massive stage, singing her heart out.
She was Uta.
The world-renowned diva, and the adopted daughter of Shanks.
"Oooooh! That voice!"
Sanji, who had just been traumatized by Momonosuke's fate, instantly revived, eyes turning into hearts.
"Is this the voice of an angel?! Incredible! Nami-swan! This is perfect background music for you!"
Nami rolled her eyes. "Idiot, that's Uta! The world's top diva! I heard her concert tickets are selling for insane prices on the black market!"
Her eyes instantly turned into Beli symbols.
"Insane prices… If we could sign her…"
Even the usually serious Ain and the cool-headed Monet looked enchanted.
"It's beautiful…" Monet murmured. "Feels like all fatigue just disappears."
As for Renzo, his reaction was the most telling.
He didn't complain about noise as usual.
Instead, his fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair… following the rhythm.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Though his face still looked half-asleep, to Rehn, who knew him well, this was like a thunderclap.
"Lord Renzo… is tapping along?!"
Rehn's mind exploded.
'Normally, even a mosquito buzzing would irritate him.'
'But now… he was enjoying this?!'
'What does this mean?!'
Rehn's brain went into overdrive.
'This means… Lord Renzo likes this sound!'
'This means… this voice helps him relax, or sleep!'
'This means… he wants this human music player!!!'
As a loyal and efficient chief steward, understanding the master's intent before he speaks is essential.
Waiting to be told is inefficient.
"Sanji!"
Rehn suddenly turned, whispering sharply.
"What?! Don't interrupt my listening!" Sanji protested dreamily.
"Forget the song, big business just came in!"
Rehn pointed at Renzo, then at the island.
"See that finger tapping? That's desire!"
"…Huh?"
"Lord Renzo is interested in that singer!"
Rehn's expression turned serious. "How can we let him listen from afar? That's beneath his status! The sound quality is compromised!"
"So?!" Sanji was already guessing.
"So-"
Rehn straightened his tie, eyes gleaming.
"We go 'invite' that diva… over here."
"Let her sing right beside Lord Renzo, exclusively for him!"
"That's luxury! That's enjoyment!"
Sanji's eyes lit up. "You mean… bring Uta-san aboard?! Then I can see my idol up close?!"
"Exactly! For the master's entertainment, we must act!"
The two locked eyes and instantly agreed.
"Rehn."
Suddenly, Renzo spoke.
"Yes, sir!" Rehn teleported to his side.
"That song…" Renzo said lazily, eyes still closed, "has a nice vibe."
"Understood!"
Rehn shouted excitedly. "I'll handle it immediately! You'll hear plenty!"
Renzo, "?"
'I just casually praised it, what is he going to do?'
'Buy a record?…Whatever.'
He turned over and kept listening.
Taking it as approval, Rehn stood tall.
He looked at the island, his signature smile forming.
"Sanji, ready?"
"Anytime."
"Good."
Golden lightning crackled around Rehn.
"Target, Uta, the world diva."
"Mission, Invite her aboard for a private concert for Lord Renzo."
"Obstacles… will be electrocuted."
SWOOSH!
BOOM!
A streak of gold and a streak of red shot out from the Lullaby like meteors, heading straight for Elegia's stage!
…
Elegia, concert venue.
Uta was immersed in her performance as fans cheered wildly.
This feeling of being adored by thousands filled her with joy.
"The next song is-"
She had just begun to speak, BOOM!!!
A massive bolt of lightning struck down in front of the stage, blasting a crater into the ground!
Then, a swirling flame descended, forming a curly-browed man with a cigarette.
Silence fell over the entire venue.
Uta froze, her hand trembling on the microphone.
"W-who are you?! Pirates?!"
As the dust cleared, Rehn's round figure emerged from the lightning.
But instead of looking menacing, He somehow produced a bouquet, picked along the way, wearing a "gentlemanly" smile, and walked elegantly toward her.
"Ahem."
He bowed politely.
"A pleasure to meet you, beautiful Miss Uta."
His voice, amplified by electricity, echoed across the venue.
"I am Rehn, Chief Steward under Admiral Haiiroyo."
"And this is our Head Chef, Sanji."
"H-Haiiroyo?!" the crowd erupted.
'That infamous marine who even beat Celestial Dragons?!'
Uta froze. "M-Marines? Are you here to arrest me?"
"No, no, you misunderstand."
Rehn waved his hand, smiling sincerely.
"We're here to… restock, ah, no, to invite you."
He pointed toward the massive black flagship offshore.
"My Lord Renzo is currently resting there."
"Your voice has had the great fortune of… not disturbing him. In fact, he finds it rather interesting."
Rehn stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.
"So, he would like you to change venues."
"To our ship."
"If you sing well and please him…"
He pulled out a gold bar and slammed it onto the stage.
"Advance payment."
"One song, one bar."
"And if you refuse…"
Behind him, lightning surged, forming a massive thunder god face snarling at the crowd.
"…then I might find this audience too noisy, and feel the need to 'mute' them physically."
A blatant threat.
Lives of the audience on one side, gold on the other.
Uta looked at the gold bar, then the terrifying lightning entity, then Sanji, who looked lovestruck but radiated power.
She swallowed.
What kind of hardcore fan meeting is this?!
"U-um…" she tried weakly, "I… I'm in the middle of a concert…"
"No problem. It can end now."
Rehn snapped his fingers.
ZZZT!
All the sound equipment short-circuited instantly, sparking and dying.
"See? It's over."
Rehn smiled warmly and gestured.
"Now… are you free?"
"…"