One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 135 Stubbornness

During the time after returning to Marine Headquarters, Moko and Shanks spoke on the phone. Moko had been thinking of inviting Shanks home for the New Year, as Luffy would be very happy to see him. Moreover, Moko initially thought Garp wouldn't be coming home, since the Marines had been incredibly busy during that period. Although no one explained what was going on, Moko understood from the changes in the supplies that were being delivered that something had happened at sea.

As a naval hero, Sengoku would definitely not let Garp go home during such a busy time. However, somehow Garp communicated with Sengoku, and Sengoku actually agreed to Garp's request for a vacation, and even thoughtfully told Moko and Garp to go home and have a good New Year.

Furthermore, Shanks mentioned that there were other matters at sea, so this matter had to be left unresolved. It seems that the issue to be addressed now is the riot at sea.

Shanks refused to come to see Moko no matter what, no matter how tense the situation was. No one could stop him. Beckman had no choice but to agree. After all, if he didn't agree to Shanks coming to see Moko, Beckman had no doubt that tomorrow's newspapers would have explosive news about the pirate Shanks breaking into the Marine Headquarters alone in the middle of the night and stealing the Admiral's secretary. After that, he really wouldn't be able to keep a low profile at all.

(Beckman: I knew it, that idiot captain had no intention of giving up on this plan at all (ー`′ー))

Knowing that Shanks was coming, Moko secretly left the Navy and went to the Sabaody Archipelago when she left work early. She also had Shanks take Uta to the sea for the New Year. As for the Navy, with Corazon helping with the work, it didn't matter if Moko went to the office the next afternoon. The two rascals who were always freeloading on meals were busy with something, and she could only see them in the afternoons lately. But this made it easier for Moko to run around.

The afterglow of the setting sun spread across the calm sea, and the shimmering surface seemed to be ignited, emitting warm orange rays of light. Moko sat on the swing on the balcony, quietly admiring this warm scenery, her eyes gentle.

"Is everything done?"

Moko spoke softly, and at that moment a pair of large hands reached out from behind her and wrapped around her. On the cuffs of her wrists were delicate and simple ruby ​​cufflinks. Moko affectionately rubbed against these hands, turned her head, and her eyes were filled with an unyielding warmth.

"Those things don't matter, I just want to see Moko-chan." Shanks lowered his head and kissed Moko's forehead, then took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

Moko pulled her warm cloak tighter and moved to the side. Shanks sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Shanks' unique scent made Moko feel very safe, and every nerve in her body relaxed unconsciously.

Shanks grasped Moko's wrist, placed his hand in Moko's palm, and his well-defined fingers naturally slid into the gaps between them, interlocking with Moko's fingers.

Seeing Shanks's seemingly nonchalant demeanor, yet with a hint of triumphant joy in his eyes, Moko smiled helplessly, nestling quietly in Shanks's arms and letting him hold her hand tightly.

“Mr. Beckman will scold us for that.”

"I don't care, I don't care, nothing is more important than Moko-chan."

The soft, velvety touch on her neck sent a shiver down her spine. Moko shrank back, pressing down on Shanks's restless head to stop him from moving. She turned her head and glared at Shanks in a coquettish manner, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of joy and shyness. Her cherry lips were half-pouting, half annoyed and half coquettish, making Shanks's Adam's apple bob.

Shanks' collar wasn't fastened tightly to begin with, and now it was mostly loose, revealing his honey-colored skin. His gaze at Moko was deep and intense. His long, slender fingers entwined a strand of Moko's hair and kissed it, a gesture that was extremely tender and seductive.

"Moko-chan~"

Moko's ears burned. She knew exactly what Shanks was thinking without even thinking. She haphazardly covered Shanks' eyes with her hands. She couldn't be soft-hearted. Every time, she would soften because of Shanks' pitiful eyes. Those eyes were just too unfair.

Seeing Moko's shy expression, Shanks was in a great mood. He chuckled softly, his shoulders and chest trembling slightly with the laughter. His breath was hot and warm as he laughed. Shanks wrapped one arm around Moko's waist and used the other to press the back of her head, forcefully kissing her lips without giving her any chance to resist.

The kiss was tender and lingering, and their heartbeats seemed to synchronize. When the kiss ended, Moko's eyes were misty with tears, Shanks' breathing became deeper, and his throat became drier, but in the end he only kissed Moko's eyelids tenderly.

"Collect some interest first, and the rest tonight."

"Tonight?!" Moko pinched Shanks' face in embarrassment and anger. What was he thinking all day? A hungry wolf who could never be satisfied, all he ever thought about was food, huh? Every time they met, he tormented her so much, treating her like roast meat to be devoured! (? ? ?? )

Shanks let Moko do whatever she wanted without any resistance; who knows who will be the one causing trouble tonight (°▽°).

Having had her fill of fuss, Moko angrily turned her head away, ignoring the shameless Shanks. Shanks, unperturbed, pulled Moko into his arms and held her tightly. Moko tried a few times but couldn't break free. She glared at Shanks and then let him hold her.

The twilight in the Sabaody Archipelago is peaceful and serene. Moko nestled in Shanks' arms, watching the setting sun. The entire Sabaody Archipelago seemed to be draped in a hazy golden veil. The warm yellow sunlight shone on the two of them, and a cozy atmosphere slowly spread. Exhausted from playing, Ella fell onto Moko's lap and dozed off under Moko's gentle caress.

At this moment, Moko and Shanks were just like an ordinary couple, no different from the couples holding hands on the street. They no longer carried the titles that the world accepted. Even if it was only for a short moment, it was enough to satisfy them.

From the moment they were born, their experiences, responsibilities, and dreams declared that they could not live like ordinary people. They were born children of the sea, and there were too many people and things they had to protect. All of this urged them forward. They could not and would not give up this heavy responsibility. But so what? This road was indeed difficult, but as long as they were by each other's side, no matter where they were or what kind of life they lived, it was happiness for them.

"Sister! Ella stole my chicken leg!" Luffy's mumbled voice suddenly came through.

"Ooh-mi!" Ella called out in response.

The noisy sounds of the two little ones pulled Moko out of her reverie. The moment her gaze focused, she saw Luffy and Isla biting the same chicken leg tightly and refusing to let go. Isla was quite strong, and Luffy was biting the chicken leg and refusing to let go, his face stretched out and deformed. Moko couldn't help but laugh at their fierce expressions of food possessiveness.

Garp, looking like he was enjoying the show, kept egging everyone on. The others also had smiles on their faces, completely watching the spectacle. Makino had no idea which side to take, while Ace helplessly covered his eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.

Moko chuckled and shook her head, then got up and went into the kitchen. When she came out, she was carrying a plate full of fried chicken legs. Upon smelling the aroma, Ella immediately let go and flew straight towards Moko, and indeed, towards the plate in her hand.

Luffy, on the other hand, was thrown out by the immense rebound force. If Capo hadn't grabbed Luffy by the back of the neck, he probably would have crashed through the door and rolled into the snow outside. Even so, Luffy still held onto the chicken leg in his mouth tightly. After his body recovered, Luffy calmed down and swallowed the chicken leg whole. When he spat out the bone, there wasn't a single piece of meat left, which was cleaner than when Moko specially deboned the meat.

Speaking of which, Luffy, who ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, really is like a lump of clay that can be molded into anything. No matter what shape he's molded into, he can return to his original shape in no time. He's a great candidate for yoga.

“There’s still plenty left, you can eat as much as you want today,” Moko said, shaking off her random thoughts.

"Oh. Long live the big sister ≧▽≦!" Luffy stretched out his arm, grabbed another chicken leg from the plate that Moko was holding, quickly circled back and put it in his mouth.

"Mmm!" Ella was also holding a chicken leg in her paws, happily eating it one after another, her unrestrained eating style was somewhat comparable to Luffy's.

The freshly fried chicken legs were even crispier, and Luffy and Isla's eyes instantly lit up with starry eyes. They looked at each other and then joined the battle for food again.

The banquet atmosphere grew increasingly lively amidst this strange atmosphere. Later on, Luffy even started dancing a bizarre dance. Luffy and Garp are indeed grandfather and grandson; their comedic talents are definitely inherited. Most of the time, their comedic antics are exactly the same. Luffy somehow learned to stick chopsticks up his nose, which, combined with that strange dance, made Moko both laugh and feel helpless.

The banquet lasted until very late, and everyone was completely drunk. Ella, who had drunk some wine from Kapu's glass, was now also drunk and nestled on Kapu's head. Everyone was sleeping in such a mess that there wasn't even a place to put their feet in the huge living room. Moko, with a helpless smile in her eyes, covered everyone with blankets.

The snow outside the window gradually subsided, and the soft moonlight slowly extended through the huge French windows into the warm living room illuminated by the fireplace. Moko glanced at the huge full moon in the sky, then walked lightly towards the door without making a sound.

"Pfft~"

Sensing Moko's movements, Mihua fluttered and quickly followed Moko, with a fluffy little blanket that Moko had specially knitted for her on her head.

"Is Mika going out this time too? It's very cold outside."

"Pfft!"

Mihua jumped around and circled around Moke several times, as if saying that it would go wherever Moke went. Its silly persistence had never changed. Moke gently patted Mihua's head.

Of all the little ones who followed her, Mika had been with her the longest. Perhaps Moko was impartial in her treatment of these little ones, but she definitely favored Mika. Like Shanks, Mika was an irreplaceable presence in her life. She owed Mika a lot in those years; otherwise, she really wouldn't know what to do. Moko doted on Mika too much, even spoiled her. Even when they were little, Ace was jealous of Mika because of this.

Moko took the blanket from Mika's head and draped it over herself, then pushed open the door and said softly, "Let's go, Mika."

"Pfft!"

The people who accompanied Moko through the seasons changed, but Mika remained steadfast, stubbornly staying by her side like Shanks. Even if Moko's destinations were dangerous, Mika would never leave her. With no offensive capabilities, Mika used her fluffy body to shield her beloved owner from all the malice and snow of the world. In the moonlight-drenched white snow, the red fluffy ball and the slender figure walked side by side, just like long, long ago…