...
The side profile of the woman gently comforting the wounded amid the ruins on the light curtain, along with the "food" she casually bit into, triggered a new wave of shock in God Valley the instant Streusen cried out in alarm.
"The Sleepless Mushroom?!"
Roger was the first to react, his face showing disbelief: "That little girl ate the legendary 'Sleepless Mushroom'?!"
Many of the knowledgeable powerhouses around him—such as Rayleigh, Scopper Gaban, Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki, and others—also furrowed their brows tightly.
They might not be as specialized in ingredients as Streusen, but the name and terrifying effects of the "Sleepless Mushroom" were no secret in this world's top circles.
Streusen's face, usually carrying a shrewd or sinister expression, was now filled with solemnity. He raised his volume to explain to the surrounding pirates and Marines who looked puzzled:
"That's right! That pink mushroom with spiral patterns on the cap is absolutely the 'Sleepless Mushroom'!
Its effect... can be called a devil's gift, but it's also a deadly curse!"
He paused, drawing everyone's attention fully: "Once someone consumes the 'Sleepless Mushroom,' their mind enters an extremely exhilarated, tireless state. They feel boundless energy!
They can go without sleep or rest for days—even longer—performing high-intensity activities, whether fighting, working, or... singing."
Streusen's voice grew heavier: "This state comes at the cost of overdrawing their life essence! The mushroom's toxin continuously erodes the nerves and organs, blocking fatigue and pain signals.
Only when the accumulated damage exceeds a certain threshold, or their life energy is completely drained, will the consumer... collapse and die in an instant!
Moreover, during the process, they can almost never fall asleep or rest naturally. Unless there's an extremely special antidote or treatment method, it's no different from swallowing the strongest poison!"
As he spoke, Streusen looked up at the light curtain, his expression complex: "That girl... does she know what she's eating? Or... does she have no other choice?"
Streusen's explanation plunged God Valley into low murmurs of shock and sighs.
A young girl who brought gentleness and hope to others in despair was possibly consuming a slow-acting poison that would lead to her own suicide?
This contrast, for some reason, added layers of tragic color.
The scene advanced—another grand performance?
While everyone was discussing heatedly, the light curtain did not linger and quickly switched.
First came a close-up of a flag: a skull wearing a straw hat, three claw marks on the left eye, crossed with two Western swords.
It was precisely the flag of the Red Hair Pirates!
Immediately after, a childish yet vivid graffiti appeared on a wall: a simple straw hat drawn in basic lines.
These two elements almost explicitly signaled that the following story was closely tied to "Red-Haired" Shanks.
Then, accompanied by a light, rhythmic musical prelude, a figure gracefully stepped out from behind the stage curtain.
It was a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties.
She had smooth, short red-and-white hair that shimmered faintly under the lights, with her hair tips adorned with music-note-shaped accessories.
She wore a uniquely designed outfit that blended stage costume with everyday wear, her face bearing exquisite stage makeup that could not hide her youthful vitality.
Most striking were her large, clear, bright eyes, brimming with love for the stage!
She was Uta.
The scene switched again, to what seemed like a massive open-air plaza during a festival celebration.
Thick fog—perhaps special effects or atmospheric smoke—filled the air, yet it could not block the sea of enthusiastic people.
The plaza was packed to the brim; countless men, women, old and young wore excited, expectant, even fanatical smiles, waving glow sticks or support items printed with Uta's face.
Every hand tightly clutched a ticket, clearly printed with the words "Uta World Tour Concert: New Era"!
Security personnel busily checked tickets and maintained order at the entrances.
More and more people poured into the center of the plaza, craning their necks in anticipation.
The air was filled with deafening shouts that converged into one clear name: "Uta!!"
"Uta!!"
"Uta!!"
...
The atmosphere was fervent, frenzied—almost a hundred times more lively than the previous "Fervent Operation"!
It was like a religious festival, with Uta as the "goddess" about to descend, bringing salvation and hope through song.
"Mam-ma-ma-ma~"
Charlotte Linlin's massive body swayed as she watched the grand, insane scene on the light curtain!
Then she spotted familiar faces mixed in the crowd, looking just as expectant: Nami, Chopper, Usopp, and the others!
What surprised her and the other powerhouses, however, was that Jinbe—the Sea侠 who had repeatedly saved Luffy during the Summit War and pulled him out of despair—was now actually on Luffy's ship!
Though curious, Big Mom had no intention of dwelling on it now. A playful smile curled her lips as she elbowed Kaido beside her. "Hey, Kaido! Wanna make a bet with this old lady?
I bet this little girl called Uta has an absolutely unusual relationship with that Red-Haired Shanks kid!
She might even be his daughter or sister or something!"
Kaido, deeply absorbed in watching, was annoyed at being poked and turned his head with an eye roll: "Linlin, do you think I don't have eyes, or did I forget to bring my brain?
The Red Hair Pirates flag just flashed by... do we even need to bet? Even an idiot could see there's a connection!"
Kaido turned away again, too lazy to deal with her anymore.
Though Big Mom usually teased him by calling herself "big sister" or "senior," Kaido had zero interest in playing her boring betting games over something this obvious.
After hitting a soft wall, Big Mom pursed her lips, muttered a few dissatisfied words, but seeing Kaido's "don't bother me" attitude, she gave up and turned back to the light curtain.
It wasn't just the pirates speculating about Uta's identity—the Five Elders were also quickly analyzing.
Saint Topman Warcury, back in human form, narrowed his eyes and said gravely: "This girl... if she's truly connected to Red-Haired Shanks, then her identity deserves thorough investigation...
Don't forget, those two infants over there are Saint Garling's blood—Figarland lineage."
Saint Topman Warcury's gaze swept over the other four, the implication clear!
Uta very likely had countless ties to the Figarland family—or even to the God's Knights.
If she was Shanks' daughter, then she would be Saint Garling's granddaughter, bearing the dual noble blood of Celestial Dragons and God's Knights!
If she was Shanks' sister... then Saint Garling had another unexposed daughter.
The Five Elders' expressions instantly grew even darker.
A Figarland descendant with such immense influence—capable of holding world-class concerts, attracting huge crowds including Luffy, and possibly linked to one of the "D" clan?!
The variables and potential threats made them unavoidably vigilant.
Almost in unison, the Five Elders turned their scrutinizing gazes toward Saint Garling nearby.
But at this moment, Saint Garling could hardly care about that—his mind was racing, pondering the relationships between Uta, Shanks, and even Shamrock...
Saint Garling's thinking was far more concrete and deeper than the Five Elders', because he was the direct "party involved"—Red-Hair's father.
Saint Garling quickly listed several possibilities in his mind:
Father-daughter relationship: Uta is future Shanks' daughter—his own granddaughter.
Sibling relationship: Uta is a daughter he might give birth to in the future, Shanks' half-sister from a different mother.
Possible, but he currently had no related plans or signs, and on the timeline, Uta appeared much younger than Shanks—somewhat tight.
Uncle-niece relationship: Uta is Shamrock's daughter, Shanks' niece. Also possible, but the connection felt weaker than a direct tie to Shanks.
...
Saint Garling listed these, but no matter which one, it meant the Figarland family might have a hugely influential member in the future—and this member seemed...
to stand on the side of the "common people" or even "pirates," just like holding concerts open to the public, where even the Pirate King could attend!
...
In God Valley, speculation about Uta's identity was already boiling over.
"She's definitely Red-Hair's daughter! No doubt about it!"
"Could be his sister too? Red-Hair still looks pretty young."
"Niece is possible—doesn't Red-Hair have a brother?"
"Whoever she is, this concert setup is insane! Way livelier than that cyber event before!"
"Even Straw Hat Luffy ran to watch her concert... this Uta is no simple person."
...
Most people's guesses leaned toward Uta being Shanks' daughter.
After all, the title "Red-Haired Diva," combined with the clear hint of the Red Hair Pirates flag, made the father-daughter association the most direct and powerful.
On the light curtain—amid the God Valley audience's anticipation for the plot, and the in-scene audience's anticipation for the concert—the focus converged on the red-and-white girl Uta standing at center stage, bathed in countless spotlights, about to open her mouth.
Everyone's curiosity was raised to its peak.