122. Uta Nearing Death, Shanks' Choice
The man laughed wildly, but when everyone saw him, they all had serious expressions and headaches. Even this group of big shots in the underground world couldn't help but change their faces when they saw him.
"Buena Festa, you're still alive? Haven't you disappeared long ago?"
"It turns out to be this lunatic. Doflamingo and Buena Festa, these two maniacs, actually teamed up."
"If this man appears, troublesome things will follow one after another."
Buena Festa, also known as the Worst Warmonger and Master of Festivities, is not very strong physically, but his bounty is incredibly high because he poses a great threat to the world. His powerful planning, intelligence, and conspiracy abilities have allowed him to provoke countless massive wars worldwide. He is a veritable war criminal.
To him, war is a carnival, a festival, and he aims to launch a grand carnival festival that will sweep the entire world. Both the World Government and pirates are troubled by this kind of person because he has no loyalty to any camp; he simply follows his own desires.
Just like the World Destroyer Byrnndi World, this kind of lunatic is a huge threat to both the World Government and the Marines. When Buena Festa disappeared from the world, many spy organizations of the World Government, as well as big shots from the underground forces, searched for him. But now, he has reappeared, holding the Tremor-Tremor Fruit as a bargaining chip. It's hard to imagine the frenzy he will set off.
Such a conspirator, even without any bargaining chips, can stir up storms in the sea. With a chip like the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, capable of leveraging all forces in the sea, it's unimaginable what level of war he can start.
However, with the appearance of Buena Festa, many bigwigs in the underground world have become more interested. Previously, they might not have had much interest in Doflamingo's gladiatorial fight, but now, their interest has surged. Despite being a lunatic, Buena Festa's reputation is top-tier in the entire world. His festivals always involve massive stakes, and he always delivers.
Far away in the corner of the New World, on an island full of blizzards all year round, Benn Beckman held a Den Den Mushi in his hand, listening for information. After hanging up, he looked at Shanks.
"Captain, it's confirmed that the Tremor-Tremor Fruit thrown by Doflamingo this time is real, and he's teamed up with Buena Festa."
Benn Beckman had a certain understanding of Buena Festa and recognized his credibility.
"How about it? Shall we join the competition for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"
"Buhler Faith Tower? That troublesome man's reputation is indeed reliable, but we don't have to go. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit already has an owner," Shanks said, his eyes deep.
"Are you talking about Luffy? They are really strong now; they seem to have surpassed us. Captain, you may have some trouble getting the big secret treasure," Lucky Roux said, gnawing on a meat leg with a smile.
Even the members of the Red Hair Pirates had to admit that in the recent major operations of Luffy's Straw Hat Pirates, it was clear that their strength had completely surpassed their old Four Emperors group. The Straw Hat Pirates' strength had improved so fast that all the top entities in the sea couldn't help but be shocked.
"Based on his relationship with the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as Luffy's personality, whether it's to join in the fun or to reclaim this so-called Whitebeard relic, they will indeed make a move," Benn Beckman analyzed. "It's just that I don't know how much combat power the Golden Lion Shiki and the Marines will deploy."
"If the Marines and Shiki have mobilized most of their combat power, a three-way melee would make it difficult for Luffy to win the fruit easily, even with his strength," Yasopp said. "Captain, are we going to help Luffy?"
The Red Hair Pirates have a strong relationship with both the Straw Hat Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. It would make sense for them to intervene.
"Help? We are competitors, not babysitters. Don't get too relaxed," Shanks replied helplessly. Despite betting his arm on the New World and believing in Luffy's potential, Shanks' dream is also to find the One Piece. He doesn't plan on being Luffy's babysitter.
"Also, we have more important things to deal with right now." Shanks spread out his hand, revealing a life card that was slowly burning. Under normal circumstances, a life card wouldn't show obvious signs of burning.
"Whose life card is this? Is it a serious illness or poisoning? How could it burn so fast?" Lucky Roux asked, concerned.
"This is Uta's," Shanks said, his expression turning grim. The life card reflects a person's vitality, and its burning indicates a severe danger to that person's life. Although the burning speed wasn't fast, it was clear that if it continued, Uta might not survive for long.
"This is Uta's? How could it be? Isn't she famous as a singer and living a good life? How could this happen?" The smiles on Benn Beckman and the others disappeared instantly.
Uta is Shanks' daughter, adored by the entire Red Hair Pirates. If it weren't for the incident in Elegia, Uta would have grown up happily as a trainee crew member of the Red Hair Pirates.
"What happened, Captain?"
"I don't know, but we must find Uta as soon as possible," Shanks said with firm determination. Back then, he was willing to bear the infamy of destroying a country to protect Uta. It shows how much he cherishes his daughter. Now, he is determined to save her once again.
"Uta, wait for me," Shanks thought, looking in the direction of the life card. His eyes were filled with resolve.
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