One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 9 The Golden Lion Pirates

"Yo!"

"Ooh~"

Moko squatted on the shore, teasing the dumplings and Labu with dried fish. Every time she threw a dried fish, it was caught accurately. Moko was having a lot of fun. The others were tidying up their luggage and preparing to set sail. Every time they passed by Moko, they couldn't help but glance at her. It's no wonder that everyone did this, because Moko was dressed too cutely.

The sea in April still carried a chill from the melting snow. Shanks deliberately pulled out a fluffy hooded cape with cat ears from his wardrobe. He paired a creamy white knitted sweater with a cashmere long skirt and draped the cat ear cape over it. With the hood up, he really looked like a little cat crouching among the seals, so adorable that it melted his heart.

"Little Moko, it's time to get ready to leave."

A large hand landed on Moko's fluffy hood and stroked it. As expected of being made of the softest fur of a snow mountain rabbit, the feel was excellent. Moko raised her head, pouted, and looked at Roger, covering her fluffy cat ears with both hands. If she touched them any more, the fur would go bald.

"dad."

Moko has fair skin and delicate features, especially her bright and captivating doe eyes. Even when she's puffed up in anger, she's still incredibly lively and adorable. Roger immediately picked Moko up and affectionately nuzzled her.

"Oh my, how can my little Moko be so cute!"

Roger's beard tickled her, and Moko, holding Roger's chin with her little hand, laughed. Rayleigh punched her, saving Moko from Roger's grasp. Moko's face, which was still pale from illness, turned red after laughing for a while.

"Xiao Moke has just recovered from her illness, so Roger, you must not be near her for the next few days."

Rayleigh picked up Moko and headed towards the ship. With such an unreliable father, the child's survival depended entirely on Rayleigh's watchful eye. Sure enough, this ship would have fallen apart without him.

"Hey!! Rayleigh, I'll hold Moko first, and why can't I get close to Moko, Rayleigh!"

Crocus watched Roger chase after him like a child and suddenly understood why Rayleigh always looked so tired. Supporting a family is not easy, and it must be hard for Rayleigh.

"Yo~"

Laboon peeked out and looked at Crocus. Upon seeing the luggage beside Crocus, he seemed to understand something, and his voice was filled with deep reluctance. Crocus patted Laboon's head with a serious expression.

"Laboon, I'm heading out to find the Rumbar Pirates now. Wait for me here, I'll be right back, understand?"

"Yo~"

Crocus reached out and hugged Labu, bidding him a reluctant farewell. "I'll be back soon. Wait for me, Labu."

"Yo~"

Roger managed to snatch Moko back from Rayleigh, but this time he didn't tease her. Moko sat peacefully on Roger's arm, watching Crocus and Laboon say goodbye, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Labon must be very lonely if he's all alone."

"Don't worry, it won't be long. We'll definitely be back soon."

Roger smiled and gently pinched Moko's cheek. Moko looked at Roger, then at Labu, her heart feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, a painful tightness in her chest. "Soon?"

Saying goodbye is always bittersweet. As the ship gradually moved away from the shore, Laboo kept making whale-like calls, chasing after the Jackson, as if saying goodbye. Crocus reached out and wiped his eyes, which seemed to be misty with tears. The seals lay on the edge of the ship, looking up and calling out, also seemingly reluctant to part with their new companions.

The atmosphere on the ship was somewhat tense. Moko looked at everyone, gently patted Roger's arm, and signaled Roger to put her down. Roger didn't know what Moko was going to do, but he still put Moko down steadily on the deck. After Moko's feet touched the ground, she quickly ran into the cabin and came out with a violin in her hand.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. They completely understood what Moko wanted to do. Yes, the separation was temporary, and they would be back soon, so they should say goodbye happily.

The tune was the well-known Shanks's Fine Wine. Moko smiled, her bow sliding across the strings, notes leaping and flowing, a smooth melody flowing from her fingertips. At this moment, a lighter harmonica melody came from the side, echoing the violin tune. Moko turned her head and saw Shanks holding a harmonica.

Moko smiled brightly, and with a glance at each other, the two of them raised the melody of the music in perfect unison. Not to be outdone, Bucky led everyone in singing as the melody rose, instantly dispelling the gloomy atmosphere. Everyone sang more and more happily, and Laboon, who was on the ship, also chirped happily when he heard the familiar music.

After traveling a certain distance, Labour stopped going forward, watching the Jackson gradually disappear into the distance, and let out a long whistle.

Rayleigh patted Crocus on the back and raised an eyebrow. Crocus couldn't help but laugh. The people on the ship were already in a frenzy. Roger was the most enthusiastic of them all, his pride undisguised, just like a star-struck fan leader.

Upon seeing the wine jug that Roger seemed to have come from nowhere, Crocus's face immediately darkened. "Roger, you need to drink less, you bastard!"

"Oh dear, we should drink when we're this happy, Crocus, hahahaha!"

Everyone understood that parting is not scary at all. Never be afraid of parting, because a promise has been made that no matter how long or where, as long as they are alive, they will overcome all difficulties and return to the place they agreed to meet. Reunion is just a blink of an eye. So please don't cry when you part, smile again, our most important friends.

During the month that Moko was away from Twin Capes, she studied with Crocus. Having a professional teacher made a difference. Moko had already memorized the contents of the medical books, and now, with Crocus's guidance, she became more and more skilled at preparing medicines and had a more thorough understanding of various diseases.

Watching Moko skillfully configure and operate the system, Crocus finally understood what Rayleigh meant when he said Moko was very smart. This was not just smart; it was pure genius. In addition, Moko had her own healing power. He couldn't imagine how important Moko would be to everyone in the future.

"This contains all the difficult and complicated diseases I have ever seen, and it also includes my treatment methods. Of course, there are also some other diseases that other ship doctors have seen. Xiao Mo can take a look at them."

Crocus handed Moko an old but well-preserved notebook. The notebook cover was made of specially polished animal hide, and the inner pages were not curled at all. It was clear that the owner cherished it very much. Moko hugged the notebook carefully and nodded appreciatively.

"Ah."

In reality, there was no such thing as extraordinary talent. In order to find a way to cure Roger's illness, Moko had read through the medical books in her hands countless times. She even dabbled in some special diseases on the island, but she still had no clue. The medicines for similar diseases were not suitable for Roger.

Although Crocus developed a drug that could suppress the worsening of the disease, it was ultimately only a temporary solution and not a cure. However, it did give Moko some hope. In any case, Moko would not give up until the very last moment. Even if there was only a tiny chance, Moko would definitely persevere. How could she allow her father, who was so good to her, to die so easily? She would definitely find a solution to that inexplicable force that was blocking her healing power.

"Speaking of which, why was it so noisy on deck so early in the morning?"

Crocus frowned slightly at the commotion on the deck. Was Roger throwing another party?! The thought made Crocus restless. He got up and strode out. Seeing Crocus's anxious look, Moko jumped off the bar stool and followed closely behind, worried that another fight might break out.

The deck was already in an uproar, but it seemed that Bucky was the loudest, his body was torn into several pieces, and tears were streaming down his face. Moko tilted her head blankly, and Shanks walked over and affectionately pinched Moko's cheek.

"Shanks, what's wrong with Bucky?"

"It's nothing major, it just means we might have to fight the Golden Lion Pirates."

Shanks spoke so casually, while Buggy stared wide-eyed in disbelief. What did he mean by "just fighting the Golden Lion Pirates"?

"Captain, life is the most important thing! Let's listen to Golden Lion this once!" Bucky shouted, clutching his head.

"Don't you have a body that can survive being cut into pieces? What are you afraid of?"

Shanks smirked and turned to Bucky, but Bucky wasn't having any of it and yelled at Shanks in frustration.

"You have plenty of weaknesses, you idiot!"

After saying that, Bucky looked at Crocus and said, "By the way, Mr. Crocus, how is the captain's condition? He's not fit to fight yet, is he? As the doctor, you should go and stop him!"

Having understood what was going on, Kurokazui looked quite excited. He immediately picked up the whale harpoon and his eyes flashed with fighting spirit. Fighting, huh? Sounds pretty interesting.

"Unfortunately, the captain is in excellent condition right now."

It's hopeless, they're all hopeless. Even Buggy is dumbfounded. That's the Golden Lion Pirates! Why do they all look so excited?

"Mr. Raleigh!"

Bucky turned to look at Rayleigh and stretched out his foot to run towards him, but Jabba grabbed the tip of his hat.

"Give up. We've been with Roger for so long, and we still haven't been able to persuade him."

"How could this be..."

"Have faith in Tom's Orleans Jackson. Roger doesn't have much time left."

Rayleigh watched Roger's retreating figure, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness, but even more so, support.

As they were talking, the ship was already approaching the sea area where the battle would take place. Dark clouds filled the sky, and there were faint flashes of lightning, as if a heavy rainstorm was about to break out. Moko looked at the tall figure standing at the bow of the ship and lowered her eyes.

"Moko-chan?"

Shanks shifted his feet, blocking the cold wind blowing towards Moko. His voice was very soft. Moko shook her head, took Shanks' hand, and looked at Roger again with unwavering determination in her eyes.

"We will not lose."

Upon hearing Moko's words, everyone smiled. Shanks' eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight, and his voice was gentle yet firm.

"Yes, we won't lose."

How could they possibly lose? Their captain is Gol D. Roger, the strongest man in the world! No matter who their opponents are or how many there are, they will never lose.