Chapter Text
Stack of papers placed next to her on the table, pen in hand and gaze focused, Uta prepared to take notes.
She seemed like a dedicated schoolgirl, but her homework was far more challenging than solving a mathematical equation, writing an extremely long essay, or studying a new language.
It was not uncommon to hear people with no experience in the matter say that organizing a wedding was like drinking a glass of water. Never had that statement been more wrong, and she would have strangled anyone who had had the guts to say it to her face.
A stressed bride can be put on the same level as a wild boar with her cubs, a territorial honey badger or an angry hippopotamus.
As a child, she had always dreamed of a big and classy wedding for her future. Had imagined herself in a fabulous dress, walking towards the altar arm in arm with her father Shanks. Him, busy hiding his tears, under the smiling gazes of the Red-haired crew and the guests. The scent of flowers welcoming her alongside the fascinating figure of her husband...
Those dreams hadn't lasted long, at just nine years old her premature hopes had turned upside down, or maybe they had just vanished altogether.
How could she imagine a future with white dress, celebrations and the love of her life, if the prospects of having a future at all were so slim?
She had found herself alone on an island, without the possibility of making friends, living her passion, sailing the seas...
Then… The Straw Hats happened.
Luffy happened.
And new hopes had sprouted.
Of course, she wasn't sure Shanks would walk her down the aisle after everything that had happened between them, there would have been people very different from the invited guests she would have surrounded herself with in the past...
And Luffy was very different from the Prince Charming of her dreams.
She couldn't say it would be as if she had imagined it years ago, but she wouldn't complain about it either.
She no longer wanted the same things, the happiness that her crewmates had given her, her lifelong dream and her partner were worth much more than those superficial fantasies of hers. She now would have been happy with just a small celebration, well aware that if Luffy wasn't the wedding type, his own wouldn't have made much of a difference.
“I want a huge feast!”
However he had managed to surprise her. Not so much the idea of the huge feast, Uta knew very well about the captain’s passion for the celebrations, but she had only begun to think about the real implications when it had been said to her face.
“How huge?” Uta asked just out of desperation. By now she knew that the proportions of the event would be of no small importance.
“The biggest ever! I am the Pirate King after all, all our friends must come!”
The girl placed her palm on her forehead. “That's exactly what worries me... do you know how many friends you have?”
“Hmmm”
“Including animal friends?”
“Hey, Kung-Fu Dugongs make valuable allies!”
“You've taken a liking to half the world! We will need to find a place where everyone can fit in, send invitations to thousands of people and animals, who cannot read, and look for food supplies!"
"I don't see the problem," Luffy cocked his head slightly. What was worrying her so much?
Uta sighed, rubbing her scalp. Obviously the guy wouldn't have had much trouble, it wasn't in his nature and in the end it would have been up to her to organize everything.
“Well, about the place, would you like to have the wedding and party in Foosha Village? It's where we met, there are the villagers who supported us as children and with all those meadows we shouldn't have space problems"
Luffy nodded "For me one place is as good as another!"
For Luffy, as much as Foosha was dear to him as his homeland and the source of some of his childhood memories, the entire world was his home.
The sky was his roof, his friends a family and the Sunny in her sailing the seas was his home.
“Ok… for the food instead-”
“Sanji can take care of it!”
“Yes,” Uta nodded, noting with a half smile “And he will hate us for it” she would only have to ask him to prepare a banquet for thousands of guests, of whom were mostly pirates with bottomless stomachs. “And there will be a lot of work to do regarding the invitations…”
Luffy crossed his arms behind his head, letting himself swing on the chair serenely. “You could just submit an announcement to be put in the newspaper.”
“So we risk having our enemies come too, aside from our friends” she replied, unenthusiastically.
“We can kick them in the ass if that happens!”
“It will already be chaotic by itself, I would rather not turn our marriage into a battlefield. Remember that there will also be many civilians!” She didn't want a happy day to turn into a bitter one by her own hands, especially if there was already the remote possibility that someone unpleasant would try to ruin the celebrations. “I'll ask Nami to help me make the invitations…”
“Do as you wish, as long as it will be great!” he shrugged indifferently. “Why don't we do something more fun now?” He then asked in a childish and playful tone. He preferred a good challenge to sitting around discussing things like that. Uta knew what he liked, there was no reason to doubt that she would do a good job. Especially if his needs were so few and small.
Although according to the girl, they weren’t so small…
Uta sighed, resigning herself that for that day, she had already obtained the maximum possible collaboration. She dropped her head on Luffy's shoulder "It's going to be a mess..."
…
“Really girls, I don't know how to thank you…” Uta murmured, closing yet another envelope with yet another invitation. She had lost count, but by now they had certainly exceeded at least three hundred. And before those, they had already sent half a thousand.
"You and Luffy are our precious friends, of course we would help." Robin replied, giving her a sympathetic look.
“Exactly, that's the least we could do!” Nami downplayed, waving her hand between giggles. Suddenly, however, her face darkened "Even though I would like to beat him to a pulp..."
“Nami…”
"No, I’m serious! I know I shouldn't expect otherwise because it's Luffy, but it doesn't make me any less angry knowing that the groom doesn't do anything!”
Uta sighed. She knew that Nami wouldn't beat her fiancé, for the very reason it was Uta’s soon to be husband and because she knew that complaining was useless.
It wasn't pleasant, but that was the way things were and she had come to terms with it long before the preparations began.
At least Luffy had helped with the guest selection and written part of the message for the invitations. That little something that wouldn't make a mess he had done and probably there would be more for her to confront him about.
However, she could only be extremely grateful for the fact that in addition to the two girls, the rest of the crew had also made themselves available to help her. With their assistance, much greater than that of her partner, she had managed not to freak out.
—
“Don't worry Uta-chan, I've already contacted Pudding-chan and the Baratie guys. If we start now we'll be able to do the best we can get,” Sanji said, exhaling smoke from his mouth. It was already the third cigarette in a row, but it was the only way he was able to release his anxiety without Uta being able to perceive the real amount of stress.
“I know you are capable, but we are still talking about thousands of hungry people. Just feeding Luffy to full him is a big job-"
“Which I complete on a daily basis. I have everything under control! This will be a memorable party and not only will everyone be fed, but you and your sweetheart will have the most beautiful and tasty cake ever conceived.” He ignored the girl's frown of concern. “Even better than the one we prepared for Big Mom.”
"If you say so-"
“Uta!” a voice called out to her before she could finish. Immediately Chopper appeared at her feet, with his paws wrapped around some bags “How do you want the digestives for the guests? I don't think sodium bicarbonate is enough in drastic cases"
The girl looked down with a smile “Powerful, of any kind; iv, suppositories, pills, solubles…” The glimpse of an idea passed through her mind “Ah! However, please be prepared with everything you need in case of a fight. I'm sure there will be some bickering and knowing Luffy, real wrestling matches could break out."
“Yes, ma’am!”
She didn't even have time to write everything down, before she already found herself surrounded by her other crewmates, all with the expression of someone who wanted to ask a lot of questions.
She didn't blame them, as the bride and main organizer she could only be grateful to her friends for their help. But that didn't make the situation any less stressful.
She had to take matters into her own hands and hurry up “Franky? How is the situation with the tables and chairs?”
“They will be super ready!”
"Perfect! We will also need to build a mini stage, do you think you can take care of that?"
“A stage? Child's play, but what will you do with it?”
The girl smiled sweetly “If people from all over the world come, undertaking a long journey just to show us their love and support, I would like to express my gratitude in my own way…”
She thought back to everyone who had supported them, even the friends and acquaintances who had lent Luffy a hand before the two found each other. If they had gotten this far they owed it to them too. That special day belonged to the spouses, as much as the people who had helped them grow.
“Classic from the Princess!” Brook commented, wiping a handkerchief around the skeletal holes where his eyes would have been. “Sharing her special day with others and conveying her happiness by singing! If I had eyes I would cry so emotionally!”
“I will also need your help Brook, can I rely on you for the music and the instrumentalists?”
“It will be an honor to write such an impactful movement of your symphony”
The girl simply nodded her head in thanks, understanding what he meant to say. “Jinbei and Usopp, could you help with organizing the entertainment?” Combining Usopp's creativity and Jinbei's responsibility and control would have lessened the chances of boring their guests “Also Usopp, you are good with speeches, you could take care of the hosting, while Jinbei could help with the needs of the fish-man guests”
“You can count on us!”
“Perfect, Zoro? You… just try not to get lost.”
“I don't guarantee anything.”
"And finally…"
—
“I am truly grateful to all of you. Not only are you helping me with the invitations, but also with the decorations, the dress..."
“The bridesmaids' job is to help the bride! You are the star of the show, so in exchange for that small part of the spotlight we will have, it seems right to reciprocate with a bit of chores. Besides, I have the duty to make sure the colossal expenses of this event are sustainable!” The orange-haired friend winked. “You should just focus on getting rid of pre-wedding anxiety!”
Uta rested her head on her arms, looking upwards, vaguely thoughtful "Hmm, honestly I don't have any anxiety about getting married, or about marriage itself. I'm just stressed about preparing the whole thing.”
In the end it was Luffy, wasn't it? Their relationship would have changed very little and indeed, as proof of that fact, if it hadn't been for making her happy the boy probably wouldn't even have considered it necessary to get married to demonstrate their bond.
Plus she knew how to be the center of attention, if her career was any indication. Having all those eyes focused on her would barely make her feel intimidated.
Robin placed a hand on her shoulder, in a gentle manner “You'll see that everything will be fine. There will certainly be disruption at the party, but the normal and expected amount” What was expected at the wedding of the Pirate King and the Princess of Music.
“Plus, Yamato and Vivi will also be there to help us!” He remembered Nami. “On another note… I can understand some extravagant choices like Eustass Kidd among the guests because we're talking about Luffy's snack buddy, but are you sure it was a good idea to invite Boa Hancock?”
"As much as I may not like it, after the stuff you told me… Luffy considers her an ally and a friend and I suppose it's right that he too can have his say since the marriage is both mine and his..." Uta sighed with a half smile "And then whatever were her underlying reasons, she helped Luffy in the time of need. I can't ignore something like that."
"The invitation will be more of a pain than an honor for her," Nami giggled.
She didn't feel particularly sorry for the woman, after all, even if she had proven to be a powerful ally, she could be a very deplorable person on multiple occasions.
At the same time she could imagine that if her feelings for Luffy were even partially genuine, it couldn't be an easy situation and so far she could even empathize.
"I imagine her face when she receives the invitation"
…
"My Empress, you have received a letter"
"A letter?" The raven-haired princess just raised her head from the palm of her hand, throwing a calculating look at the poor maid, who was shaking like a leaf. "It must be something important, otherwise they must have a lot of nerve to disturb me"
"It-It comes from the Pirate King himself." The fearful girl murmured again, knowing that when that man was concerned, Boa Hancock would react in the most varied and surprising ways.
Usually, hearing about him always put the woman in a good mood, and a happy Hancock meant that all of her people were happy as well.
However, rumors about the possible spark between the Pirate King and the Princess of Music had been spreading all over the seas for some time.
There had never been a real confirmation, but it seemed obvious and it was not unusual to hear of bets on a future union or an upcoming offspring.
They, on Amazon Lily, feared those premises. As much as their empress refused to even consider them and as she was certain that no one could come between her and the Captain of the Straw Hats.
"LUFFY WROTE ME?" The woman jumped to her feet, running towards the maid and forcefully grabbing the letter, holding it to her cheek as if it were the most precious treasure "Could this perhaps be the beginning of our long-distance love story?"
"I-It would be a great moment for sure!" The girl nodded, but pronounced the opposite of what that well-wrapped letter from her had conveyed to her. "Do you want me to give you some privacy?"
"Obviously, up and go!" Hancock shook her hand and the girl didn't have to be told twice. She took the opportunity to run away, taking that bad feeling with her.
The empress's sisters remained silent on the sidelines. If on the one hand they were the first to give support to their sister, on the other they would have wanted so much to be able to read that elusive letter in her place, because it was all but a good thing for Hancock. The Pirate King had never bothered writing to their sister, much less had they managed to ignore the now popular rumors about his true choice of partner.
However, they were not crazy enough to even dare to propose violating what for Hancock was an intimate gesture of affection.
Even the old Gloriosa remained silent, perhaps hoping that that letter could put an end to the illusions of the current empress.
Hancock opened the envelope with trembling hands and extracted a sheet of paper certainly superior to the usual quality.
"Hey there!"
“Aw that’s him indeed!”
“If you received this letter, this is an invitation!”
"Invited!?" She placed a hand over her heart "Did he invite me to something? Maybe one of his royal banquets?"
"An invitation to the wedding-"
For a moment Hancock stopped, pressing her hand further into her chest as it echoided the heart’s strong beating. She leaned back, her cheeks turning bright red. "W-Wedding!? C-Could it really be? That the time has come?" She seemed to be out of breath with emotion.
"Is this a proposal?!"
"Sister..." Marigold dared to murmur, but she was soundly ignored.
" -between Monkey D. Luffy, King of the Pirates and-"
Had he already arranged without even asking for her hand first? Was he really so sure of the strength of their love? To the point of jumping straight into action?
How good it sounded… the Pirate King and the Snake Princess-
"-the Music Princess,-"
-Boa Hancock.
"-Uta."
She seemed to be out of breath again, but this time for another reason.
It couldn't be.
That name next to that of her beloved was not hers.
Her trembling hands lowered the letter slightly, her mouth slightly open.
Impossible.
She went back to reading from the beginning, almost maniacally, to memorize every single word in case she misread due to excitement.
It had to be like this.
Her body, like a sack of potatoes thrown by the rudest of peasants, fell on the throne. The impact was such that it overturned along with the woman on top of it.
"Sister!" The other two young women exclaimed, running to support her, but the only thing Hancock muttered was a confused moan.
She really couldn't conceive of such a betrayal.
"He can't cheat on you if he isn't in a relationship with you..." the elderly Gloriosa replied simply, taking the sheet of paper from her hands with a certain thoughtfulness.
The old woman managed to translate that mumbling and she couldn't help but comment this time.
However harsh, however bitter… if she wanted Hancock to reign with dignity and diligence she certainly couldn't encourage this anymore.
She had to face and then heal from that terrible disease that was love.
There was no other remedy.
She cleared her throat and without hesitance continued reading aloud.
“The ceremony will take place in the village of Foosha, East Blue.”
"Maybe it's a false invitation to hurt the health of our empress?"
"There will be a fantastic feast... with music, games and lots of food! Come with an empty stomach!"
"Okay… that's definitely from him…"
"P.S.
This is Uta speaking! No armed clashes. Doctors will already have enough to do with indigestion. >:(
Foosha is not a war field, fight in moderation! Whoever breaks pays. And I assure you that I will make you pay for all of it :D!
Luffy here!
She's serious, listen to her...
Uta: Ah! If you have nice friends, bring them along, but they will be accepted at our discretion!
Luffy: And from our expert bouncer!"
An arrow started from "bouncer" and led to a sketch of Bartolomeo, done quite badly...
"Please show the invitation at the entrance, otherwise we will kick your ass :3
See ya!"
…
"How's it going?"
“Slowly,” Kobi sighed, placing his pen on the desk. It was an honor to be able to dedicate myself to his dream and contribute, but he would always prefer action on the pitch.
Had he told this to his cowardly self from the past, when he was still working as a cabin boy for Alvida, he probably would never have believed it, but being able to save lives in person was an indescribable feeling, no matter how much his life was at risk.
Plus… he would have to fill out a lot less paperwork.
"You have an important role, stop complaining!" Helmeppo teased him, sitting on the desk "You're practically one of the world leaders!"
“I am just one among many representatives”
“Representatives charged with re-establishing the politics of our country. You may not be part of the new board, but you are still the face of the Navy.” Helmeppo remembered, this time grabbing one of the apples from the bowl of fruit not far from him. He took a bite and with his mouth still intent on chewing he continued "And we will have to maintain this period of semi-peace"
Yes, it was the job of all of them in the navy, but especially Chief Admiral Koby, to make sure that the reform change implemented by the new government was working.
Of course, perhaps all of this had been thanks to Luffy, before and after he became King of the Pirates and this did not bring great pride to the Navy...
However, as a friend but also rival of the boy, he had to admire the fruit of his work, even if others had also contributed.
Piracy in the current days had changed into something more benevolent and less illegal. Many people, both established and aspiring pirates, devoted themselves to exploration rather than cruelty.
And in the same way, the Navy, now under the control of the new generation, also honored its duty, using fairer parameters and making itself more at the service of the innocent "Right, after all we have to make sure that this time our power is not used to commit injustices..."
Part of that credit also belonged to Uta, a popular symbol of peace.
Her influence had helped heal the hearts of pirates of their cruelty and civilians of their suffering.
It couldn't work miracles, but the parameters of judgment had changed a lot and one thing led to another… the whole world had improved at least a little.
"And speaking of peace, a letter has arrived for you" replied Helmeppo, taking it from a pocket and throwing it between his friend's quick fingers "Big stuff they say."
"From… Luffy?" The admiral read the back of the envelope confused "And Uta..."
"Strange huh? He doesn't mind calling you for silly things at Den Den Mushi usually."
"It means that this time it's not silly."
"It's actually signed by Uta too..." a grin formed on the blond's face. "Are those two getting married?"
Koby held back a laugh as he slipped the letter out of the envelope and opened it. Truthfully, as strange as it sounded, he and Luffy had broached that topic.
—
"You should stay for lunch! We haven't eaten together in a while!" Luffy shook his friend thanks to the firm grip around his shoulders.
They had met by chance, or at least it was a coincidence that the person who was vice-admiral at the time had been called.
The accident in which two small towns in the area had been involved had ended up attracting the attention of Luffy, who by chance had found himself there and who, not so by chance, had ended up meeting the criminal with whom he had gotten into a fight.
Very lucky to be in the area to meet him.
"Of course, that never happened!"
“We should do it now then!”
Koby laughed, placing his hand on Luffy's shoulder "Unfortunately I have a lot of things to do back at the base... you know, someone has to clean up your mess." The look he gave the pirate was returned with a dazzling, nonchalant smile.
"You're good at it!"
"Of course he's good! The best!" Hibari intervened, having approached with red cheeks and a fake careless look.
"Thanks Hibari..." Koby scratched his cheek, clearly embarrassed. He was a hero by many, but still any kind of flattery caught him off guard.
Hibari coughed into her hand, clearing her throat "Ehn, Koby sir, about that... we're already behind schedule. We must set out for the Reverie"
"Oh, you're right. Give me one more moment and I'll be there. In the meantime, could you please gather the others?"
"Sure, but don't make us wait too long, huh?"
The girl walked away, leaving behind the silent group of Luffy, Koby and some Straw Hats.
Robin was the first to not shy away from commenting, almost blatantly "I imagine that even for a high-ranking woman it is difficult not to be interested in a man of your caliber..."
Koby's face immediately exploded into a heavy blush, completely discombobulating him "W-What?"
"Well sooner or later you'll have a long list to choose from" Nami joined in with her own grin. "Don't tell me you've never had any thoughts?"
"O-Of course not! H-I always just thought about being a Marine!" Not that he ever really believed anyone could like him.
"And here we go again... he’s another one…" Usopp shook his head with disappointment "Another one like Luffy"
"What does that mean? And you stop laughing!" The vice admiral scolded the captain on his left, who laughed out loud, just at his friend's expression.
"You're as red as Shanks' hair!"
"A-And let's see, how about you"
"Hm?"
Koby pointed his finger at Luffy, but was unable to calm down "Don't you have any special companion to share the throne with?"
Luffy seemed to think about it for a moment. "I have many companions!"
Quite misunderstood "No. Come on, someone to go on dates with? Maybe marry?"
The raven-haired boy continued to stare at him with the same undaunted expression; eyes narrowed and lips thinned into a straight line. “Why would I care about that stuff?”
The Marine felt like someone had slapped him with a cod.
"H-Haven't you thought that one day you will want heirs?"
"Hm..." the raven-haired man stuck his little finger in his nostril, scratching in a mixture of uncertainty and confusion "Not really."
It's not that he had ruled out invading the world with mini selves, it was just too demanding to actively think about.
"Don't you want someone to share the rest of your days with? Someone you can create a unique bond with? Who makes you happy and who you can make happy in return?"
"All my-"
"A specific person, who you feel is different."
Luffy's eyes lit up "Oh! But I already have that. That's what Uta is for!" Uta had always been different, she made him laugh and have fun.
He felt strong when he was around her.
"Uta…?"
"Hm!"
“Ah… aiming high as always…” None other than a diva that almost the whole world drooled over. So much for modesty.
Luffy's frown rose proudly "What do you mean? She's already mine"
"Uh…?!" Were they really talking about the same stuff?
He wasn't sure if Luffy had understood the true meaning of his implications, yet he seemed so sure and even proud.
At that point he didn't know what to say anymore. It seemed like a mystical experience and to reinforce the sensation there were the looks of the guy's companions who smiled with pity.
No questions should have been asked and no one would have clarified for him.
They would have left him boiling in his pot.
–
Helmeppo let out a big laugh, then took another bite of his apple.
It was comical to even say. It was well known that the boy had nothing on his mind other than adventure. "Yeah, that would be absurd"
Common thought, for those who were not a total stranger and believed the rumors of Luffy's secret relationship, but not intimate enough to know about the most private part of his life.
The truth was…
"Apparently it's not that absurd" Koby murmured, unable to choose between a smile of genuine happiness and shock. In his own voice, even though he didn't find it so crazy, there was enormous incredulity.
The moment those words entered Helmeppo's mind, his eyes popped out of their sockets, shooting into the lenses of his visor and passing through. "WHAT-*KOFF KOFF*…?" he coughed, feeling the apple go sideways. He gave himself a few blows on the chest, without losing sight of his colleague's face.
As soon as his airway cleared, Helmeppo jumped off the desk and frantically approached Koby from behind, peering at the contents of the letter.
It was a few seconds before his mouth fell open, releasing profanity "Are you fucking with me!?"
"Dang..."
"Dang it indeed! I was about to die!" And for something valid, he would have liked to clarify. Anyone in his place would have been overwhelmed by shock.
Those rumors were actually reality in the end.
Koby smiled, still giggling in surprise "He actually did it… what a man full of surprises! But I should know by now…"
The blond raised a hand to his forehead, still shocked "That bastard, even the Princess of Music ended up in his loot!"
He wasn't even hiding his jealousy, after all it wasn't uncommon for even Marines to have a celebrity crush on the girl. They weren't very good at denying it, but it wasn't necessary at that point either. Even the old group in command had resigned.
"She’s been a member of his crew for a while," the chief admiral reminded him.
"Give me a few minutes to gnaw in peace!"
"Ahaha!"
Koby continued reading and rereading, ignoring Helmeppo's comments.
Because in the end, in a moment like this, despite the rivalry, their roles still uncertainly opposite… all he could feel was genuine happiness.
Yes, he was really happy for his friend.
…
The news had spread at the speed of a very motivated Kizaru.
Invitations for all kinds of people had slowly popped up all over the globe. Humans, fish-men, celestials, giants, minks... royals and commoners, rich and poor, humanoids and animals.
It was also well known that Luffy had friends in every corner of the world: he was, after all, one of the friendliest people that existed.
But that the proportions of the event would become colossal became clear as the day. There was no place where people didn't know, to the point that the importance had grown to the point of considering it the event of the year.
Luffy had wanted a party worthy of his name, which not even the celebratory banquet in Wano for Kaido's defeat could have imitated.
This entailed its strengths and weaknesses.
Inviting everyone hadn't been a big deal, but as Uta had predicted, the actual organization had turned out to be quite a big burden.
On the one hand there was the practicality of having more than thousands of people fit in a small area on the promontory, where they had decided to place the ceremony.
To overcome the problem they eventually decided to limit access to people most intimate to them, instead filming live for the other guests already settled in the place where the party would take place.
Then there was also another fundamental element, which was to keep everyone in good spirits... and relatively under control. She had already underlined it in the invitations, but she knew those fools, Luffy and the type of friends he made, and she knew that the risk of clashes was very high.
It involved mixing people who had committed deplorable actions and Marines, pirates among whom there were already heated rivalries and civils, representatives of kingdoms with conflicting interests...
And although Uta herself wanted those people present and it was now too late to back out, the idea that her wedding, a day in which she wanted everyone present to be the picture of joy, could turn into something unpleasant made her particularly anxious. .
She wasn't agitated for the wedding itself. Although many brides were anxious about the idea that from one day to the next they would be tied to one person for the rest of their lives or that their future spouse would change his mind at the last minute, for her it wasn't even possible to imagine.
Luffy never backed out once he was sure of something and marrying him was perhaps the simplest and most natural thing that she felt about the whole thing.
It was just a formality she would enter into with her best friend.
What she really feared was practically everything else, what she necessarily couldn't control.
Luckily, she had some formidable bridesmaids to back her up, capable of cramming men with apparently superior temperaments to anyone else.
However… It was at a moment like this that she would have wanted a role model to refer to.
Not that her friends weren't great, but none of them had ever married and the kind of support she was looking for wasn't what came from that kind of family...
But what came from a parent.
And that already constituted her own other issue for the marriage.
It could also be done without, but it was good custom to have a figure present as mother and one as father, for both the groom and the bride.
Luffy's biological mother wasn't exactly… in a position to participate, but she was pretty sure who the boy would choose for that role.
As far as his father was concerned, Dragon certainly wasn't a great choice but in the end Luffy hadn't found it necessary to choose him or anyone else.
Uta, however, was not on the same page. She had never really felt the lack of a maternal figure as long as she had had a father in her life, but she would have appreciated what they call "maternal" advice in view of marriage. From someone who had probably been there before her.
And even if she could have ignored that desire if her relationship with Shanks had remained intact, in the end she wasn't even sure she had a father figure to rely on.
Or at least, she wasn't sure she would want him specifically, even though he was also the only one who could ever belong to that role in her life.
Which is why at that moment, there watching the town of Foosha approaching on the horizon, she was still holding that unsent letter in her hand, undecided whether to finally entrust it to the traveling seagull or simply let it be carried away by the wind, so as not to but to reach the destination.
It would have been mean even for her to play dumb and pretend it was an accident with the shipment.
Even towards the one who had abandoned her and condemned her to oblivion, if the Straw Hats had not found her, but who for years had always been her beloved father.
Even towards the one who, although she hadn't let him, was probably intent on doing everything he could to make up for his mistakes.
Even towards the one who had committed one of the most ignoble actions as a father, but who in his own way had never stopped loving her as his daughter.
Her fingers tightened around the envelope, as if not wanting to let go.
Then she let go.
…