Afternoon Variations

Walking through the ruins bathed in bright sunlight, I couldn't contain my smile. Having reunited Uta with Shanks and utilized Uta's Utawuta no Mi ability, I was convinced that all preparations were in place.

To verify my hypothesis, Utawuta no Mi's power was essential, but since its activation condition required Uta to sing, I needed her consent to do so.

Furthermore, I wanted Uta and Gordon to stay away from Elezia for a while for what we were about to do, and that's how we settled on that arrangement.

I didn't realize it while I was pondering about the wedge, but the discussion came up while considering countermeasures against Utawuta no Mi. The ability of Utawuta no Mi was considerably unique, as it granted the power to create a virtual world, a power that could be seen as overpowered.

However, its greatest threat probably lied in the fact that "Haki cannot defend against it." If it was possible to nullify the ability with an excess of Haki, then in FILM RED, someone like Big Mom or a Marine Admiral could have done so.

But what the Marines did was use earplugs as a measure, and Big Mom also silenced the audio of the visual Den Den Mushi. In other words, besides the countermeasure of not listening to the song, there was no other way to defend against Utawuta no Mi's ability.

So, why was it impossible to defend against it...? After pondering this question, I arrived at a certain hypothesis. I speculated that Utawuta no Mi's ability didn't affect the body but rather the "soul."

The existence of souls in the world of One Piece was proven by the Yomi Yomi no Mi and Soru Soru no Mi, so there was no doubt about that.

I had also considered that the presence of the soul was related to the fact that even with cell-level physical modifications, certain factors like memories were retained. However, what was essential was another hypothesis that I proposed simultaneously... Haki was a power that resided in the body.

The Haki that grows through physical modification was an ability of the body, and abilities like Shiki Shiki no Mi and Ope Ope no Mi that interfered with the body could be blocked with excessive Haki.

However, if Utawuta no Mi's power affected the soul instead of the body... it made sense that it couldn't be blocked by the power of the body like Haki. I believed that to defend against Utawuta no Mi's ability, one would need the "power of the soul," not the body.

Regarding this power of the soul, I had some confidence in its existence from seeing how Brook utilized an ability with questionable results that fell within the range of the Yomi Yomi no Mi's power. However, grasping this essence of the soul was a challenging task.

After all, it was like groping around in the dark since I had no idea what it truly was, so it took quite a long time until I could sense the presence of something like a soul within myself.

Then, training the power of the soul was also quite difficult. Unlike Haki, I couldn't imagine what it was like, so it was all trial and error.

To make a long story short, I couldn't achieve phenomena like Brook's special cold, but I came to a point where I felt that I could strongly connect my soul to my body.

I believed that this power of the soul was crucial for gaining the power of the Demon King Totomusica, so I meticulously polished it, but the problem was that the means of verification were limited.

Since I couldn't perform direct offensive actions, I was uncertain if I could truly train my soul and acquire the ability to interfere with souls. However, when I was able to grasp and repel the invitation of Uta World caused by Utawuta no Mi's power, I became convinced that my hypothesis was correct.

Furthermore, there was one more thing; I had never been able to change the major events of the original story. Whenever I tried to do something, I would hesitate at the last moment or lose motivation... However, since the future was uncertain in the movie version, I realized that I had the possibility to make significant changes after witnessing the exchange between Uta and Shanks. I truly couldn't thank Uta enough.

Now, all the verifications were complete, and the preparations were in order. All that was left was to put the plan into action.

With this, all verifications are done, and preparations are complete. All that's left is to execute it.

Walking through the ruins of Elezia, I reach Elezia Castle atop a small hill, and I sit on the debris from where I can get a good view of the sea.

Now, it's time. You can feel me too, right? Totomusica... My heart's desire for you, along with the madness and darkness swirling around it...

Totomusica is called a forbidden melody, but if I were to express its essence, it would be like an entity of "darkness of the heart" or "collective of negative emotions."

Loneliness, the desire to be acknowledged, the longing to be found by someone; it's a collective of emotions resembling ancient grudges and possesses a rather rare mystical power in the world of One Piece.

If I were to compare it forcibly, it's somewhat similar to the Seven Stars Sword, which appeared in the Cursed Holy Sword, although their power scales are different.

That's why Totomusica will respond to my emotions... to my intense desire for Totomusica.

Soon enough, musical scores appear floating before me. Just by looking at them, I can sense it. A peculiar and extraordinary aura, distinct from Haki or Devil Fruits. Yes, this is exactly what I've been seeking.

"...Nice to meet you, Totomusica. I wanted to meet you."

I speak to the musical scores, but naturally, there's no way they'll respond with words. Still, the scores don't go anywhere and continue floating before me, so there's no doubt that Totomusica is showing some interest in me.

"Right now, there are no other intruders on this island. We have plenty of time."

It's been a long time. Since I realized there was a wedge, I've felt discomfort. Small changes can be made. However, when trying to alter significant events, I couldn't take action.

Later, I'd think of excuses, and somehow, I'd find myself convinced and stop taking action. I would forcefully return to the predetermined course, not even realizing that I was acting strangely until everything ended.

It's uncomfortable, unbearable... That's why I want the power to twist the wedge, twist fate.

A power to create the concept of a barrier itself, a power that can shatter the formidable barrier created by the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, which not even someone as powerful as Oden could break through, and even break the designated space of Room set by the Op-Op Fruit.

For my current self, which could be called magical power, it's a completely unknown power... That's what I want.

"So... Let's discuss, or rather, fight, Totomusica... I want you."

As I say that, I extend my hand, and the musical scores land on my hand on their own. It seems Totomusica is willing to engage in dialogue and even battle.

Thanking Totomusica in my mind, I tightly grip the musical scores and invite Totomusica into the depths of my soul, where I have come to understand the sensation of being drawn towards souls after experiencing Uta Uta no Mi's ability. Therefore, in reverse, I should be able to draw something into my soul.

The ominous darkness is drawn into my body, and my consciousness sinks as if melting into the darkness.

Now, let's begin—Tot Musica.

***

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