One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 74 Memories of the Sea

Moko stayed on Fishman Island for nearly ten days, until Yubi returned from Elspes. During this time, the news that the Whitebeard Pirates had designated Fishman Island as an affiliated island caused a huge uproar in the world. The nobles and slave traders who had been restless due to Otohime's death immediately calmed down, since no one dared to arbitrarily infringe on the dignity of a sea emperor.

"Is Xiaomo really not going on the ship?"

Marco placed the documents that Moko needed next to her, and Moko shook her head as she took the documents.

"The Navy has issued a recall order, and I have to go back."

Whitebeard's major move naturally caught the attention of the Navy. The Navy's high command held an emergency meeting overnight, and almost all high-ranking Navy officers who were out in the field received recall orders, including the three prospective admirals who were on missions abroad. As an assistant to the three prospective admirals, Moko will most likely be taking over these tasks in the future. Although Moko will not stay for long, and Garp said that Moko does not have to go, this concerns the future handling of Fishman Island within the Navy, so Moko must return.

Marco didn't deliberately hide the fact that Moko was serving in the Navy from him. Although Marco wasn't entirely sure why Moko went to the Navy, it was Moko's decision, and he wouldn't say much. In any case, Moko would always be family to him.

"When will Xiaomo set off for YO?"

"I'll go back tonight. Please ask Brother Marco to apologize to Uncle Whitebeard for me."

"It's okay, Yo, Dad won't blame you."

Marco had always noticed that his father doted on Moko. Even though he hadn't seen Moko for so long, he would still ask him about Moko's situation from time to time and secretly ask him to protect Moko. His attitude was even gentler than towards his sons. He remembered that Izo had mentioned that this was called a "daughter slave". So his father was a daughter slave!

"Dong dong dong."

"Sister Moko, everything is ready."

Yubi's voice came from outside the door. Moko neatly tidied up the documents she had processed and responded to Yubi.

"understood."

Once the footsteps outside had faded into the distance, Moko took out a portion of the neatly organized documents and handed them to Marco.

"These are the documents related to our cooperation with the Whitebeard Pirates. Marco, you can tell me if there are any changes that need to be made."

"No need, Xiao Mo will definitely make the best YO."

Marco's unconditional trust touched Moko deeply. These past few days, Marco had been traveling back and forth between the Moby Dick and Fishman Island, busy with affairs on the affiliated island while also bringing back many novelties that girls would like. According to Marco, these were the best that Whitebeard had selected, all specially for Moko. This elder from the same era as her father still cared about her, how could Moko not be moved?

Moko hadn't met Whitebeard many times, and her impression of him was limited to him being a kind elder. Moko didn't really know how to face Whitebeard, because whenever she saw him, she couldn't help but think of Roger, of those happy years, of that island where cherry blossoms bloomed, of Roger holding her, his eyes full of happiness as he said he would take her to find Rouge's mother. But those times were gone forever, and she was still not ready to meet Whitebeard.

“I asked Yubi to prepare some gifts. Marco, please take them back to Uncle Whitebeard and everyone.”

Marco noticed the hesitation and dejection in Moko's eyes. He concealed the sadness and heartache in his own eyes, forced a smile, and wanted to pat Moko's head. However, thinking of Moko's relationship with Shanks, he felt that it was inappropriate for him to do so. He awkwardly circled his slightly raised hand and touched the tip of his nose instead.

“Okay, Yo, Dad and those guys will love it.”

"I'm glad everyone likes it."

Hearing Marco's words, Moko couldn't help but laugh. Moko's smile was truly beautiful; her delicate face was as pink and tender as jade, radiant and beautiful, like a gentle cherry blossom, making one feel tender and protective. Especially her clear and charming orange-pink eyes, which always sparkled when she looked at him, like they were filled with dazzling stars, or like morning dew reflecting the sunlight, shimmering and colorful. Marco couldn't help but want those eyes to keep looking at him.

"Sister, sister!"

"Pfft!"

Uta pushed open the door and entered, carrying two round, fluffy balls. As soon as she came in, she grabbed Moko's arm and smiled sweetly.

"Sister, it's time for us to set off. The boat is ready."

"Okay, we'll be going now. We'll leave the rest to Marco."

Moko ruffled Uta's hair and looked at Marco, saying that Moko needed to return to Marine Headquarters to attend a meeting, while Marco would have to stay on Fishman Island for a while to handle some business.

"Don't worry, YO, Xiao Mo will have a safe journey."

"Sister, Bai Xing is still waiting for us outside. Let's go."

Uta's tone was somewhat urgent, and Moko was pulled away by the hurried Uta. Moko was a little confused, but she let Uta pull her along. From Moko's perspective, Uta turned around and made a face at Marco, then quickly turned back and pulled Moko away, disappearing outside the door.

Marco blinked and scratched his head. So, was he disliked?

(Author passing by~ Marco, who has always been quite popular with girls, has suffered a setback for the first time in front of the cute little Uta~)

Uta: You've stolen enough from Moko-neechan, you can't steal any more, hmph! ?(?`^′?)?）

"Waaaaah, is my sister leaving?"

Bai Xing, with tears in her eyes, tugged at Mo Ke's sleeve, clearly reluctant to part. Mo Ke patted Bai Xing's head, took out a handkerchief to wipe away Bai Xing's tears, and then took out a beautifully packaged velvet box from Mi Hua's backpack and handed it to Bai Xing.

"What is this?"

"Little Star, open it and take a look."

Amidst Moko's smile, Shirahoshi sniffed, opened the velvet box, and inside was a round, translucent gemstone. It looked like just a clean gemstone, nothing particularly special. Shirahoshi looked at Moko with a puzzled expression, and Moko placed the gemstone in Shirahoshi's palm, holding it together with Shirahoshi.

"Little star, do you remember I promised to bring you a little sun? This is the little sun I promised you. I hope this little sun can protect you forever."

As Moko spoke, she removed her hand, and the ordinary gemstone emitted an incomparably brilliant light, sometimes as gentle as the morning sun, sometimes as intense as the evening glow. Its brilliance was dazzling, like the rising sun leaping over the horizon, instantly illuminating the entire surrounding area. The radiance was not only warm and intense, but also carried an indescribable holiness and hope. Bathed in this light, the air seemed to be filled with a sense of freshness and vitality.

Each ray of light from the gemstone pierced the darkness with a gentle yet powerful force, irresistibly drawing the attention of those around. The golden light seemed to be quietly telling a story of life and hope, making Bai Xing feel as if she were in a dreamlike golden ocean, and a warm feeling would well up in her heart.

The gemstone comes from the Cristalia Mountains and is called Serafite. Due to its unique properties, it ranks among the world's most precious minerals.

Unlike Seastone, which suppresses Devil Fruit abilities, Seraphim Ore is a mineral that stores power. It grows five thousand meters underground deep in the Cristalia Mountains. Seraphim Ore without power is extremely fragile. If too much force is used during mining, the ore will break. Broken Seraphim Ore is worthless, so the person who can carve Seraphim Ore is more precious than the ore itself.

Even in the Jasmine Garden, where all sorts of talented people gather, the number of people who can carve Serafite ore is less than one hand. The ore given to Shirahoshi was carved by Moko herself. With the infusion of power, the ore became exceptionally hard, and the light within the gemstone was a sun constructed by Moko with her healing power. Although it is not a real sun, it is indeed a small sun that can protect Shirahoshi. As long as it is on Shirahoshi, there is no need to worry about injury. If something happens to Shirahoshi, Moko can sense it in time. Moko will not allow the tragedy of Otohime to happen again.

"Is that really the sun? Sister, is this the sun?"

Bai Xing held Serafite in her hands, her eyes shining. As she looked at her, tears welled up in her eyes, and she involuntarily pressed her face closer to Serafite, her voice low and somber.

"The sun in the story of the Queen Mother must have been just as dazzling and beautiful."

Moko's eyes softened as she gently embraced Bai Xing. "The real sun is even brighter than this. I will definitely let Little Star see the real sun."

"Yes!" Seeing Moko's determined look, Bai Xing nodded happily.

The ship gradually set sail, and as the driftwood slowly rose, Moko looked at Shirahoshi, who was standing at the passageway saying goodbye, with gentle eyes. As a school of glowing fish swam by, Moko vaguely saw a golden figure standing next to Shirahoshi, but in the blink of an eye, the figure disappeared again, as if it were just a hallucination caused by Moko's eyes.

"Sister, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Uta tugged at Moko's sleeve worriedly. Moko noticed the tears sliding down her cheeks and gently shook her head.

"It's nothing, it's just a memory of seeing the sea."

"Memories of the sea?"

Moko didn't continue, and changed the subject with a smile.

"I asked Yubi to prepare some snacks in the kitchen. Shall I take Uta-chan to have some snacks?"

Seeing that Mo was unwilling to continue the topic, Uta sensibly stopped asking questions, as if her attention had been diverted by the snacks, and revealed an expectant smile.

"Mmm! I want to eat a lot!"

"it is good!"

The place where she emerged from the seabed wasn't too far from Sabaody Archipelago. Moko needed to go to Marineford, so she naturally couldn't take Uta with her. After thinking about it, Moko left Uta in the Sabaody Archipelago.

"Uta-chan, if you're bored, you can go to the East Blue to find Luffy and the others."

Uta is a mature big kid, so naturally she wouldn't make a fuss and insist that Moko come with her. Instead, Uta patted her chest and confidently assured everyone that she could manage on her own.

"Yes, Uta-chan is always so reliable, but Ace and Luffy miss Uta-chan very much. Since I can't go back right now, how about Uta-chan goes back and keeps them company in my place?"

The Sabaody Archipelago has a complex power structure. The more glamorous it appears on the surface, the more rampant the dark industries are behind the scenes. It's no problem for Jasmine to protect a child, but it would be too lonely for Uta to stay here alone. After thinking about it for a long time, Jasmine decided to send Uta to the East China Sea. It would be happier for the three children to be together.

"Since you've said so, I'll go back and keep an eye on them for you."

Actually, when Luffy and Ace were mentioned, Uta's eyes lit up considerably. There weren't many people Uta's age on Shanks' ship, and after so much time, Uta naturally missed his friends.

"With Uta-chan watching over them, I'm relieved. I'm entrusting Ace and Luffy to Uta-chan!"

"Don't worry, sister!"

After Uta left with Moka's merchant ship, Moka's face suddenly turned cold, and Yubi appeared behind Moka at some point.

"Sister Moko, the people who smuggled themselves to Fishman Island have been caught, and the mermaids are all safe."

“Send all the mermaids back to Fishman Island. As for those people, you can decide what to do with them.”

"Yes."

Moko doesn't have time to deal with these scattered soldiers right now. She needs to get back to Marineford. How the Navy will view Fishman Island and whether they will send troops to contest it all depends on this high-level meeting.