"Hmm, I said it before, I also believe she can do it. What are you going to do?"
"Tesoro, although we haven't known each other for long, we should count as friends, right?"
"Are you really that naive? But if you insist... it's more or less the case."
Tesoro is very sensitive to the word 'friend.' He once trusted friends brought by money, almost leading himself to destruction. Since then, he has been cautious with the word 'friend.'
Since he became the CEO of Hundred Beasts Fruit, countless people wanted to be his friends, but none were sincere. Even within the Hundred Beasts Pirates, most people were just colleagues to him.
Disregarding identity and background, Yamato might be the friend he trusts the most. Her assistance had no ulterior motives; at that time, he was just a poor guy working day to day.
During this time, his interactions with Shanks were just about drinking and chatting. If the friends he met back then were like this, his life might have been completely different.
"Since we are friends, I'll leave Uta in your care then. Please take care of her in the coming days."
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by that? Our contract doesn't sever our father-daughter relationship. Although you have your pirate crew, as long as there's no hostile state, it doesn't matter. Boss Kaidou doesn't care about such things."
"No, that's not what I mean. This needs an explanation. When Uta wakes up, you should tell her it's us who committed this national destruction crime, and that she was abandoned by us."
Similar to the original timeline, except that time he entrusted Uta to Gordon because Shanks in that timeline had no help and was defenseless against the destruction brought by the Singing Demon King, leading to the complete annihilation of Ellegia, with only Gordon surviving.
So he entrusted Uta to Gordon, allowing her to live under a lie for a long time.
But now it's different; although the casualties are heavy and the country is on the brink of destruction, a large portion of the citizens survived. These people are bound to hold resentment towards Uta, making it unsuitable for her to stay here.
With Tesoro having connections, it might be the best choice for Uta to showcase her talent there.
"...Don't you know how much this child cares about you?"
"I know. Because I know, I don't want her to know what truly happened here. If hating me allows this matter to pass, letting her continue to grow happily, I don't mind being hated by her for a lifetime."
"Stop saying stupid things! She won't be happy like this! You men simply don't understand a girl's heart!"
Stella, who came looking for Tesoro, heard Shanks' words and immediately refuted him.
"Stella, don't say that. I understand you quite well."
Tesoro, feeling misunderstood by Stella's generalization, defended himself, but Stella didn't pay attention to that.
Being also female and one of the actors Uta admired, Stella naturally conversed more with her about various things.
"This child highly values her relationship with you. Leaving like this is abandonment to her! It's more unacceptable to her than the destruction here!
You think you're doing it for her good, but have you considered how she feels?"
"I know. She is the child I raised. I know her better than any of you. This way, she would only hate us, but if we tell her everything directly, she won't forgive herself.
This child tends to overthink things. It's better for her to hate me than to be regretful all the time."
Shanks lowered his Straw Hat, as Uta's adoptive father, he cared for Uta no less than anyone else, though some of his ways were inappropriate.
"It's useless. This will leak out sooner or later. You can't hide it from her forever."
"At least hide it for a few years. It's better to tell her when she's more mature and can calmly accept it, Your Majesty Gordon, can you change your narrative about this?"
Stella's words made Shanks think more seriously and decided to alter his plan.
"What?"
"The matter of Tot Musica, only you should know, right?"
"Yes."
This is a secret of the Ellegia King; if everyone knew such a monster was sealed beneath their kingdom, they would have moved long ago.
"Then please tell the people that it's I, Red Hair Shanks, who released this demon..."
"Everyone, the Navy's ship is approaching."
Before Shanks could finish speaking, Tanaka brought in new information. There is a Navy Base near Ellegia, and with such a big commotion, they naturally came to clean it up.
"These guys always show up at inconvenient times. I'm serious. Uta has extraordinary talent; staying with us, who are wanted, is a waste of that talent, so I'm temporarily entrusting her to you, but don't let her become a pirate.
Tesoro, this isn't anything else; this is a friend's request."
"Don't worry, I won't let her do anything strange."
"However, Stella is right. I will come to fetch her when the time comes. If she can grow up while apart from us, she might be able to face these realities."
Shanks eventually made this decision, to temporarily hide these matters, reveal the truth and lies to her as she matures, and let Uta step onto the world stage.
After receiving Tesoro's assurance, Shanks planned to leave, but before leaving, he received a Radio Snail from Stella.
"Leave her with a message, at least let her know she hasn't been abandoned by you."
"You're right..."
With the entire Red Hair Pirates, Shanks left a recorded message for Uta and then left Ellegia amidst fire, a few more lies inevitably added, as improving a lie often requires more lies.
....
Due to Darkrai's influence, Uta slept for a longer period. When she awoke again, Tesoro was already sailing with her on the sea.
Heracross was still by Uta's side, but the Red Hair Pirates had long departed.
"Shanks? Shanks!"
Upon waking, Uta instinctively searched for Shanks but was only given a Radio Snail.
With the projection turned on, the members of the Red Hair Pirates appeared together on the screen, waving farewell to Uta.
[Hey Uta, when you see this message, we should have already parted, but don't worry, we haven't abandoned you.
In Ellegia we encountered some troubles. Because of some very complex issues, we are temporarily burdened with something that can only be explained when you become a world-class songstress.
Because of this, we will be pursued more fiercely by the Navy than ever before in the coming long while.
Following me is too dangerous, so I had you stay with Tesoro for now.
Separation is only temporary; when you've grown, we'll come to pick you up.
Don't be sad; we're all waiting to see you on the screen that day. No matter where you are, you'll always be the songstress of the Red Hair Pirates, always my daughter.]
Then came each member's reminders to Uta, summarized as: take care of yourself, the day of reunion is not far, and explanations about the Ellegia matter.
Gordon internally explains that Shanks released the demon; the Navy understands a similar situation, but according to Stella's suggestion, Shanks only tells Uta that he was "framed."
This matter is very complex; only when she has a substantial status can it be resolved, and to grow better, they must part temporarily.
His main worry about taking Uta along is unintentionally exposing this. Uta is unsuitable for facing reality now, so he made this compromise.
"That's the situation. Shanks might be in some trouble now, so you temporarily joined our performance department. Once his matters are settled, we'll send you back."
Stella, holding Uta, comforted her. Seeing her looking slightly downcast, she handed her another Radio Snail.
"What is this?"
"A Radio Snail to contact Shanks. He just had to temporarily part with you due to some issues, but you can still contact each other."
Living together daily can reveal flaws, but just calling doesn't matter. Upon hearing this, Uta's expression quickly improved, and she dialed quickly.
With Shanks connecting the Radio Snail, Uta's roar came through.
"Shanks! You big dummy!!!"