One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 122 Moby Dick

Because of the urgency, Moko and the others only stayed on Fishman Island for one night before setting off for Ophelia. As expected, Shirahoshi cried her eyes out again when they parted.

"Don't cry, Shirahoshi. I'll come to Fishman Island often in the future."

Uta squeezed Shirahoshi's hand. Ophelian wasn't far from Fishman Island, and Uta would be staying there for a long time. She could come to Fishman Island to visit Shirahoshi often, since it would be too pitiful for her to be alone.

"Nauta, you must come visit me often!"

"Okay, next time I'll bring you lots and lots of pretty flowers!" Uta said, spreading her arms wide. Her childlike smile made Shirahoshi smile again.

"Have a safe trip, Uta and your sister. I'll be a good girl and wait for you to come and play again."

Bai Xing's obedient appearance melted Mo Ke's heart. Mo Ke's eyebrows curved into a gentle smile, and she took a candy wrapped in gold paper from Mi Hua's pocket and placed it in Bai Xing's palm.

"Little Star is so good. Ophelia is not far from Fishman Island. When Little Star is a little older, I will take Little Star to Ophelia to play, okay? The flower fields on the island are very beautiful."

On Fishman Island, female mermaids can grow legs when they turn thirty, which is the safest time to go ashore. However, Momo doesn't plan to make Shirahoshi wait that long. She'll take Shirahoshi to play on the sea when she turns ten and has her sea-praying ceremony.

(Prayer to the Sea Ceremony: A ceremony held for every member of the royal family on Fishman Island when they turn ten, similar to a coming-of-age ceremony for humans, but with a different meaning. The Prayer to the Sea Ceremony is a prayer and expression of gratitude from the Fishman royal family to the sea, thanking the sea for its protection and informing the sea that they will shoulder the responsibility of protecting it.)

"Yes, and there's Elspes too! It's super beautiful. Shanks specially prepared that island for you, sister. It has vast fields of flowers and forests, and all kinds of delicious fruits. Shirahoshi will definitely love it!"

"Can you see stars then?"

"Of course, the starry sky seen from the top of Mount Elspens is more beautiful than anywhere else. It feels like you could reach out and grab the stars. Shirahoshi, you must come with me to see it next time!"

Hearing Uta's words, Shirahoshi's eyes shone even brighter, filled with longing. "Mmm!"

Moko stood to the side, watching the two excitedly discussing the scenery above the sea, her eyes full of affection. Behind Moko, Marco's eyes involuntarily drifted to the smiling Moko. The giant tree of Eve cast soft sunlight on the seabed, and the gentle, shimmering light spread across Moko's face with the waves. Marco's gaze was focused, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably once again. The world seemed to fall silent for a moment, and Marco was so mesmerized that he didn't even notice the smile that had appeared on his lips.

With Tuanzi leading the way, the merchant ship quickly reached the sea and was not far from Ophelia. Ophelia was currently in the dead of winter, with thick white snow covering the entire island, pure and peaceful, which calmed the hearts of those who saw it. Marco did not feel that the wind on the island was particularly cold, but rather that it carried a gentle fragrance of flowers. Perhaps it was not that the wind was not cold, but that the presence of the girl in front of him made the cold wind unconsciously become gentle.

Moko, standing in the boundless snowfield, wore only a simple loose bun, secured with a jasmine hairpin given to her by Shanks. There were no other hair accessories. She wore a white long-sleeved cotton-padded dress with white fur decorations on the sleeves and a circle of jasmine patterns embroidered in gold thread on the hem. She wore a snow-white fur cape, with the white fur framing her neck, making Moko even more exquisite and beautiful, dazzling and impossible to look away from.

"Sister, are you sure you don't need me to come with you?"

Uta held Moko's hand, gazing at her pitifully while keeping a wary eye on Marco not far away. She knew that Marco's feelings for his sister were the same as Shanks's. Every time he looked at his sister, his eyes were filled with longing and tenderness. Although he didn't seem to have fully realized it yet, who knew if he would eventually. His sister belonged to Shanks, and could only belong to Shanks. If his sister were gone, Shanks would definitely go crazy. She would never let that happen, and she would never let anyone else take her sister away.

"It's alright, everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates is a friend, my sister will be fine. Uta-chan, do your best in Ophelia!"

Moko's hand emerged from the cloak, gently ruffling Uta's hair and pulling the fluffy hood over Uta's head to shield him from the biting wind. Then, her gaze shifted to Yubi beside her.

"Yubi, I'm entrusting everything about Uta to you."

"Don't worry, Sister Moko."

Yubi smiled with narrowed eyes, displaying the perfect smiling tiger demeanor. Having been in contact with Beckman and Marco for a long time, Yubi has also learned some of their skills. Now he has become an undeniable force in the business world. With the secret protection of the Red-Haired Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates, Mo Xiang's development can be described as smooth sailing. There is no one in the business world who dares to oppose Mo Xiang.

“Yubi is always the most reliable person.” Moko smiled gently, her gaze returning to Uta, and she cupped Uta’s cheeks with her warm hands. “Uta-chan, I’m off.”

"Yes, have a safe journey, sister."

Uta looked at Moko with such a charming and adorable gaze, but in a corner that Moko wasn't paying attention to, Uta was baring her teeth and glaring at Marco like a wolf cub guarding its food. The ferocity in her eyes was almost tangible. Marco was embarrassed and scratched his cheek helplessly. He was indeed disliked. He didn't seem to have done anything strange.

(Uta: Protect my sister_(owo?ゝ))

"Brother Marco, let's go."

"Okay, yoi~"

Marco smiled, his face bearing his usual gentle smile, but with utmost sincerity when facing Moko. Marco spread his arms to the sides, and blue flames instantly covered his arms, condensing and transforming into a pair of huge blue and yellow wings. Moko jumped onto Mika's back and flew into the sky with Marco.

"Miss Uta, let's go."

Yubi bowed slightly, showing particular respect to Uta. Only after Moko's figure disappeared from the sky did Uta withdraw her waving hand. The cute and innocent smile on her face turned serious in the blink of an eye, faintly carrying a dignified expression similar to Shanks and Moko when they were serious. For a moment, Yubi was a little dazed, feeling as if he saw Moko at work.

"I can't hold my sister back. This world that makes her sad is not lovely at all. Let me change this world and make it a world where my sister can be happy."

Uta's voice was not as gentle as usual, but rather calm and solemn. It was hard to believe that such a child would dare to say such a thing, even though it sounded like a joke.

The petite girl before him seemed to possess the same powerful strength as Moko. Yubi's eyes grew brighter and more respectful. He would forever protect Moko, the goddess in his heart. So, no matter what he did, as long as it could help Moko, it wouldn't be impossible to reshape this miserable world.

Uta adjusted her cloak, her eyes resolute. She would become her sister's strongest support, and she would eliminate anyone who wanted to ruin her sister's happiness. Even if that blessing turned into the most vicious curse in the world, she would still protect her sister.

"Let's go, I need to do my best too."

"Yes, Miss Uta."

A long trail of footprints was left on the thick, white snow. Bathed in warm light, the group resolutely headed towards the distant horizon illuminated by the long, bright light, not for themselves, but to protect the most important person to them now.

The Moby Dick was indeed not far away. After flying for a short time, the ship's silhouette could be seen in the distance. The huge four-masted wooden ship gradually grew larger and clearer from the size of a sesame seed, and a great sense of intimidation came over it. Moko unconsciously gripped the fluffy feathers of Mihua.

"Xiao Mo Ke?"

Sensing Moko's nervousness, Marco looked at her with some concern. Moko immediately regained her composure, noticed Marco's gaze, and shook her head.

"I'm fine."

"Everyone is looking forward to Xiao Moke's arrival, Xiao Moke, don't be afraid."

Marco could understand Moko's nervousness. This wasn't like when she fought the Roger Pirates. Back then, Moko was the beloved little princess of the Roger Pirates, showered with affection. She had nothing to fear and could do whatever she wanted because she had that protective man who terrified the world and that monster-like pirate crew behind her. But now…

In just one night, this pampered little princess became a target hunted by the world. The delicate flower put away her weakness and became covered in thorns. In order to protect herself, she had to take up the butcher's knife and stain herself with blood. That unrestrained existence now feels restrained even when going to other people's territory. If Roger were still here, how could Moko have become like this?

"Don't worry, Marco, I'm really fine."

Moko gave a comforting smile, a smile so soft and gentle, yet Marco only felt heartache upon seeing it. Marco's lips involuntarily pressed into a straight line, wanting to say something, but the words of comfort circled on the tip of his tongue before he swallowed them back down, ultimately saying nothing.

Marco couldn't help but recall Moko's childhood appearance. The beautiful pink-haired girl had the most beautiful eyes in the world, eyes that seemed to hold a thousand stars. No matter who she looked at, they were gentle and soft. When she smiled, she revealed adorable little dimples. Her gentle smile flowed through his heart like a gentle stream, filling it completely. He wanted Moko to show that smile again. He wanted to become Moko's strength. What was this strange feeling...?