Uta's Idol.

Save Me, Luffy.

The chapter that you were all waiting for has finally come! As expected with a milestone chapter of which is basically the alternate plotline of Film Red, I had to put in a lot of thought and consideration into this chapter. With Luffy and his allies making their appearance to help Uta and her friends, will they be able to turn the tides in their favor or will the battle to defeat Tot Musica still reign supreme? Will Luffy be able to snap Uta back into reality or will Uta be too much for the pirate to handle? Read to find out! I don't own One Piece.

"Gum Gum Red Hawk!"

"RAHH!"

Luffy's inflamed punch was strong enough to bypass Uta's durability and she can feel her insides boil from the heat. As Luffy pushes his fist deeper into her abdomen, flames burst out from behind Uta causing her to cough out blood and smoke. Then, something triggered inside of Uta as she realized this isn't the first time she felt this pain. Her subconscious knew this was the first time Luffy hit her with an attack like this, but the pain it caused brought back a hidden nostalgia that overcame her broken mind. A distant memory flashes in her mind of a man with a hat that could manipulate fire at will and the words he once told her.

~

When the time comes and you join Luffy once more, don't let him out of your grasp.

~

...Ace...Uta thought as the image of that man appeared in her mind.

This attack was just like the techniques Ace used on her during her brawl a year back and that memory was enough to break her focus. Uta desperately tried to hold her ground, but her feet were starting to slip on the pavement loosening her footing.

"Luf...fy...🎵" Uta growls as she tries to grab the pirate.

"Let's take this somewhere else."Luffy grunts. "Just me and you."

With a surprising burst of energy, Luffy's punches Uta off her feet and sets her ablaze. Uta growls in anger as she gets knocked out of the amphitheater by going through the gap that was destroyed by Tot Musica. Luffy deactivates Second Gear and looks over to the direction Uta went off to.

I knew Uta could endure that punch, but I didn't expect it to have such little effect on her. Luffy thought as he remembered the glare Uta had after getting punched. Looks like my haki might not be enough to defeat her, but if I can just snap her out of her trance...

"Luffy, you are the only one who can save Uta." Gordon reminds the boy. "Please break the curse that binds her!"

"I'll do it no matter what." Luffy promises Gordon. "After all, we're childhood friends."

With no time to think, Luffy runs off to the direction where he sent Uta flying. Tot Musica growls angrily as it realizes that Luffy's interference could ruin its plans and reaches out to capture him. Suddenly, something pierced its hand causing great pain to Tot Musica. Before it, is Rayleigh with his sword in hand.

"Those are my beloved pupils you're trying to catch." Rayleigh said smiling. "Don't think for a moment that I will let you get in the way of their reunion."

Tot Musica growls and slams its opposite hand towards Rayleigh for which the old man responds by dodging and cutting off one of its fingers.

"I never thought anyone could cut Tot Musica, let alone slice any part of it off." Rave said, amazed. "The old man must be super strong!"

"Of course he is." Pitch said. "He isn't the 'Pirate King's right hand man' for nothing. We got one hell of an ally backing us up."

Bluebell watches the sight and groans in annoyance.