One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 100 Crimson Guardian

Time passed second by second, and the golden sunlight gradually turned into a rich orange-red, falling through the gaps in the leaves onto the windowsill like scattered pieces of silver, a delightful sight.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the roses in full bloom shimmered slightly in the orange-red sunset, their pale pink now tinged with a vibrant orange-red.

Moko closed the last file, stretched, and the first thing she saw when she looked up was the pink roses dyed orange-red. Moko smiled and lazily lay on the table, reaching out to lightly touch the petals. The unique soft touch of the petals spread across her fingertips, and a smile appeared on Moko's lips. Her thoughts drifted away, and she thought of the person in her heart again. What was Shanks doing now?

When Aesop returned and delivered the remaining documents to the file room, his work for the day was considered complete. Moko locked the remaining documents that Borsalino and Kuzan needed to process in the safe and then leisurely walked back. The entire square was completely enveloped by the beautiful sunset, like golden petals scattered from the distant Milky Way, dancing lightly in the wind and slowly descending to earth, transforming the land into a dreamlike garden.

Gradually, the sun approached the horizon and would soon sink. Mo Ke couldn't help but withdraw her gaze and quicken her pace, returning to the villa before the sun touched the horizon.

Since Moko didn't receive any assignment to receive guests visiting the admiral today, she didn't wear her naval uniform, but simply wore a plain light blue dress.

Moko can wear whatever she likes at headquarters, unlike other marines who have to wear naval uniforms. The privilege of wearing civilian clothes is reserved for admirals and certain rank-holding marines, a long-standing rule within the navy. However, Moko is exempt from this rule, a privilege granted to her by Sengoku. Since even the three admirals didn't say anything, no one else could complain.

Moko took a brocade from the villa and casually draped it over her shoulders. She walked through the carved fence gate of the garden, along the flower-lined cliff path, and into the white pavilion. It wasn't too late; she had just caught the most beautiful moment of the sunset.

The setting sun gently kisses the horizon, weaving a tender crimson hue like molten gold and flowing colors, like the gentlest verses in the world, slowly singing a romantic symphony of day and night, a breathtaking scene that captivates the soul.

"Ooh!"

The sound of Tuanzi echoed from the sea. A white figure, seemingly moving, appeared on the crimson surface of the water. Mika and Ella excitedly flapped their wings and flew over. As a Sea King, Tuanzi was quite special. Moko didn't want Tuanzi to be discovered by the Navy, so she usually didn't let Tuanzi surface. The three little friends were overjoyed to finally reunite.

Moko had actually talked to Tuanzi, suggesting that it go to Shanks' place and stay with Shanks so that Tuanzi would be more free. However, Tuanzi refused to leave and stubbornly stayed by Moko's side. Moko didn't want to force Tuanzi to do something it didn't like, so she let Tuanzi have its way.

Being alone in the sea is a very boring thing, especially since seals are a social species. When Mihua and Ella flew to her side, Tuanzi's aura became visibly cheerful, and she even happily leaped out of the sea and did a beautiful arc in mid-air. Moko watched the three little ones playing with affection and did not stop them.

No one will be coming during this time. Borsalino and Kuzan are out on a mission and won't be back for a while. Tina and Ain seem to have received some new urgent mission and left before dawn today. In the next few days, we can let Tuanzi come over for some fresh air without worrying about being seen by others.

Moko sat in the armchair, gazing at the three little ones playing in the sunset. The silk brocade slipped down their smooth skin, revealing their fair and delicate shoulders and necks. The crimson sunset gently caressed the earth, and all things were immersed in this poetic tenderness. At this moment, the river of time slowly stopped flowing.

The Den Den Mushi on the table stood there blankly, waiting for Moko's decision. Moko's mind was filled with thoughts. She thought she had long since gotten used to such a long period of loneliness, but that was not the case. Every day since she left Shanks, she had been thinking about Shanks all the time. Compared to those ten years, it seemed even harder to endure now.

It's not that she can't make phone calls. Although the Navy has a department specifically responsible for eavesdropping, Moko naturally has methods to block interference. However, with each call with Shanks, Moko's longing grows like wildly spreading vines, uncontrollable.

Perhaps giving up everything to go to Shanks' side is the best way, and the best choice for her. But Momo is not willing to do so. From childhood, she has known that she is not a flower raised in a greenhouse and unaware of the world. Now she will not allow herself to stay under Shanks' wing without knowing anything. She has not yet found out what her father left behind, and only by staying in the Navy can she get the answer to this matter.

Regardless of what her father said to Shanks back then, or what Shanks wants to do now, she will support him unconditionally. If staying in the Navy can help Shanks, then she is willing to endure the torment of longing.

When Dad asked Garp to protect her and Ace, did he anticipate that she would make this choice after seeing that letter? He's usually such a simpleton, why is he so clever as to plan everything out? This kind of cleverness is really unlike what you'd expect from a father.

"Woo-mi!"

"Pfft!"

The cheerful voices of Ella and Mihua echoed from the sea. The two little ones sat on Tuanzi's back, letting Tuanzi toss them into the air and catch them again. It vaguely overlapped with memories from long ago. A look of nostalgia flashed in Moko's eyes. They really did it exactly the same way. Who ever lifted them up like that...

Moko took a white Den Den Mushi, several times smaller than the Den Den Mushi, from the Mika backpack next to her and placed it on the Den Den Mushi's shell. In the end, she decided to dial Shanks's number.

Not long after, the Den Den Mushi only rang twice before the call was answered. No one spoke on the other end, but Moko knew that Shanks was definitely there. A strong longing was transmitted through the Den Den Mushi. Moko turned her head to look at the half-remaining sunset, her eyes tinged with a gentle red. After a long silence, Moko spoke first.

"Shanks... I miss you."

The moment the words left his mouth, the Den Den Mushi immediately emitted a series of sounds, including the clattering of tables and chairs, followed by the sound of a door opening, then the sound of the sea breeze and the roaring waves, and finally, a growing cacophony of voices.

"Boss, why are you up?"

"Boss, where are you going? Are you hungry? That's not the kitchen!!"

"Boss, what are you doing? You can't turn the rudder like that!"

"Boss, we're in a whirlpool area! If we keep sailing like this, we'll run right into the whirlpool!"

"Beckman, come quick! The boss has gone mad!"

"..."

A cacophony of sounds filled the air—voices, the shoving of chairs and tables, the cracking of glass—it seemed like every sound imaginable was there, but Shanks' voice was conspicuously absent.

Beckman rushed over from his room upon hearing the shouts, bewildered by what was wrong with his foolish captain. He still had a fever, and was he making such a fuss, planning to stay sick forever?

Yes, Shanks, who never gets sick, has suddenly developed a fever, which has surprised Beckman and the others. Everyone knows that their silly captain is in the best health, and the fact that he is sick this time is almost like a supernatural event at sea.

(Moko: Supernatural events at sea? What are those?)

Everyone: Hahaha, we just made it up for fun, like the unsolved mystery of why idiots get sick.

Moko: ( ′ w ′ )）

In the wheelhouse, Shanks' hands and feet were tightly bound by several people, but Shanks still desperately tried to break free and grab the wheel. His face was flushed, but he still showed a rare determination. Beckman looked at the person next to him with a confused expression, asking what was going on. The person next to him also shook his head in confusion.

Beckman frowned, his mind racing as he searched for a solution, but he didn't even know the reason why Shanks was like this, so how could he possibly come up with any so-called solution?

"Shanks, we can't put everyone in a difficult position."

The Den Den Mushi that had been placed aside rang with Moko's voice. Shanks froze upon hearing Moko's words and stopped struggling. Everyone couldn't help but look at the Den Den Mushi that had been forgotten just moments before.

Seeing that Shanks was calm, the others tentatively let go of him. This time, Shanks didn't grab the ship's rudder. Instead, he picked up a Den Den Mushi and squatted in a corner, looking lonely and pitiful, like an abandoned figure.

Upon hearing Moko's voice, Beckman finally realized the problem. Well, he should have realized it sooner. Besides Miss Moko, what else could possibly make his foolish captain lose control?

An eerie silence fell over the room. Beckman shook his head at everyone, led them out of the room, and thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

Shanks pouted, looking aggrieved, and huddled in a corner, clutching the wooden wall. He held a Den Den Mushi in his other hand and remained silent.

(Beckman: You stupid captain, what are you doing?! The wall is going to fall down!! (-"-Angry))

"Shanks, let's watch the sunset together next time."

"……Um."

After a long while, Shanks finally replied, his muffled voice sounding just like a child throwing a tantrum after being wronged. Moko could tell from his voice and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

As the sun sank into the sea, the brilliant afterglow faded slowly under the gentle whisper of night, transforming into a tender crimson that quietly disappeared into the poetic starry sky. Mo Ke's eyes couldn't help but soften with a gentle smile, and her voice was as soft as a breeze brushing past her ear, causing a ticklish feeling to spread through her heart.

"Shanks, be a good boy..."

The words seemed unfinished, but the Den Den Mushi had already hung up. Shanks stared blankly at the Den Den Mushi for a long time, pouting and looking incredibly aggrieved. Did Moko-chan not like him anymore? How could she hang up so easily? (???^???) Waaaaah~

Moko carefully put away the white Den Den Mushi, slowly stood up, and instead of returning to the villa, she took another path and walked towards the office building. The whisper of the Den Den Mushi quietly dissipated into the fragrance of flowers.

"Fool……"