One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 97 Obscure Moonlight

After saying goodbye to Garp, Moko returned to her villa. She looked at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, and instead of heading towards the door, she turned and walked onto the garden path. After crossing the cobblestone path, she arrived at the small garden behind the villa.

The small garden has a silver-black carved iron gate hidden by flowers. Passing through the gate leads directly to the sea cliff not far away. Garp was attracted not only by the villa's own small courtyard, but also by this flat path that leads directly to the sea cliff.

This sea cliff is the most scenic spot in the Marine Headquarters. At night, you can see a sky full of dazzling stars, in the morning you can see the golden sunrise, and in the afternoon you can see a stunning red sunset. Garp knew right away that his beloved granddaughter would like this place. He even gave up his original villa and had Sengoku replace it with a villa next to Moko's. He couldn't be too far away from his beloved granddaughter. If anyone bullied little Moko in the future, she could just come to him next door.

(Author passing by - How far is far enough?)

Garp: One second I'm bullying Moko, the next second I'm far enough away that I haven't even slapped her yet.

Navy crew: ...Vice Admiral Garp, you really overestimate our courage (?w? ))

At the end of the cliff path stands a small, arched pavilion made of white marble. It was specially built by Garp for Moko. Garp's guess was right; Moko really loved the scenery here and would often come here to sit in her spare time.

At first, there was nowhere to sit on the sea cliff. The whole area was bare, with only a bunch of oddly shaped rocks. How could Garp let Moko walk on such a rugged road? He simply went all out and leveled the road. He even brought in soil to plant various flower seeds. Finally, he built a pavilion on the open space by the sea cliff so that Moko could rest at any time.

When Moko arrived at the Marine Headquarters, she heard that Garp had caused chaos throughout the entire headquarters, bringing in everyone he could, including Kuzan and Borsalino. Later, he even dragged Sengoku into it. Moko couldn't even imagine the scene of the Fleet Admiral and the Admiral personally building a garden for her. But it was precisely because of Garp's antics that this sea cliff became the beautiful place Moko sees today.

The pavilion faces the sea illuminated by the silver moon. Strands of moonlight flow down and float on the surface of the sea, while stars sprinkle their brilliance. The waves crash against the cliffs, creating dazzling fireworks, making the silvery white of the sea even more pure. Instead of sitting in the pavilion, Mo Ke stands at the highest point of the sea cliff, quietly watching the sparkling sea.

Under the serene moonlight, overflowing with silvery radiance, Moko's figure seemed to blend into the moonlight. The moonlight, like water, gently sprinkled on Moko's hair, making each strand seem to be coated with a thin layer of silver frost, shimmering with a delicate and mysterious luster.

Mo Ke tilted her head slightly, a gentle smile curving her lips. Under the moonlight, that smile was like a newly blooming lily, pure and beautiful, so beautiful that it seemed to melt away all the sorrows and troubles in the world in an instant.

The light feather skirt swayed gently with Moko's steps. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the gauze, casting dappled shadows that delicately outlined Moko's gentle and beautiful face, like the softest brushstrokes in the night sky, subtly sketching Moko's graceful figure against the backdrop of a sea of ​​flowers under the starlight.

Perhaps the moonlight was too gentle, because Moko gently raised her hand as if she wanted to grasp the silver moon in the sky. The moonlight wrapped around her fingertips and she couldn't help but be touched by the gentleness of the moonlight and the sweet fragrance of flowers. At this moment, Moko seemed to grow snow-white wings and in the next second she would fly up to the vast starry sky guided by the moonlight and disappear from this world.

"What are you doing!"

An angry shout came, and before Moko could turn around, her wrist was pulled back from the edge of the cliff by a strong hand. The voice was filled with suppressed anger. When Moko turned around, she saw Sakazuki with shock and anger in his eyes.

Sakazuki was still wearing the banquet dress that Moko had asked Aesop to send him, with a navy admiral's cloak draped over his back, so he must have just returned from a banquet.

What are you doing here?

Seeing that Moko didn't reply, Sakazuki suppressed his anger, which he himself didn't understand, and asked the same question again. The reproach in his tone left Moko somewhat bewildered, not knowing what she had done wrong. But looking at Sakazuki, who now resembled a ferocious beast, Moko still slowly stretched out her finger, pointed to the sky, and said in a low voice.

"moon?"

"?"

Seeing that Sakassky didn't understand, Moko explained more clearly, "I'm looking at the moon. The moon is very beautiful tonight."

Moko's eyes were clear and bright, yet held a hint of bewildered confusion. Sakazuki then realized he might have misunderstood; he had just seen Moko standing on the sea cliff and assumed she wanted to...

"Um, General Sakazuki."

Seeing Sakazuki calm down instantly, Moko patiently called out.

Sakazuki quickly banished the chaotic thoughts from his mind and looked at Moko questioningly. Moko pointed to her wrist, which was being tightly gripped. Because the grip was so tight, Moko couldn't move at all. Sakazuki quickly let go, but unfortunately, there were already glaring finger marks on Moko's delicate skin, showing how hard Sakazuki had gripped her.

"Feel sorry."

Sakazuki apologized in a hoarse voice. Moko shook her head and flexed her wrists slightly. "General Sakazuki, please don't take it to heart."

By this time, Moko had realized that Sakazuki probably thought she was going to jump, but did she look that stupid? And even if she accidentally fell, it wouldn't matter. Mika was on her shoulder, and Tuanzi was below the sea cliff. Moko was definitely not going to drown.

The two, realizing it was a misunderstanding, stared at each other in silence. The silence was terrifying, and the awkward atmosphere was almost suffocating Moko. She had never felt this awkward when Borsalino and Kuzan were quiet.

Moko pursed her lips, looking at Sakazuki who still showed no intention of speaking, and sighed inwardly. Was she going to stay here staring at Sakazuki like this forever? She should have known better than to come out and look at the moon.

When she came out, Moko didn't bring an outer brocade shawl. Even though she wasn't particularly cold, Moko, who was only wearing a light dress, couldn't help but shiver.

Sakazuki took in Moko's subtle movements, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. Just as he was about to take off his cloak and hand it to Moko, Ella's voice came from behind him.

"Woo-mi-woo-mi!"

Ella's chubby paws carried a fluffy blanket as she leisurely flew over. Moko took the blanket, draped it over herself, and scratched Ella's chin like she was petting a cat.

"Thank you, Ella."

The moonlight drifted down like mist, its silvery glow like fine gauze, gently draping over Moko, like nature's most exquisite adornment, enveloping her in a tranquil and dreamlike atmosphere.

A gentle breeze rustled her hair, causing it to dance lightly, and the moonlight shimmered around her, like a fairy dancing gracefully in the night, breathtakingly beautiful. Her orange-pink eyes were like the clearest spring water in a deep mountain valley, clean and transparent, overflowing with gentle and light.

Her gentle smile was like the dewdrops trembling on a petal at dawn, pure and crystal clear, carrying the warmth and hope of the first rays of spring sunshine, gently blooming on her lips.

Like a sudden blow to the heart, Sakazuki's previously calm heart stirred slightly. He finally understood why those two guys always seemed to be near this girl. The aura around her was so clean and gentle. For people like them who were constantly in danger and involved in various schemes, what they needed most was someone as wonderful as Moko. Just being close to her could heal their weary hearts, which made them unconsciously want to protect her. No matter what it took, as long as they could see her smile, it would all be worth it.

Sakazuki glared sharply at Ella, who was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes. She frantically flapped her wings and hid behind Moko, holding her furball in front of her to cover herself. But Sakazuki did nothing. He glanced at her and then looked away naturally, turning his gaze to Moko.

(Mihua: You used all that strength just to grab me and block swords?? ヽ(｀д′)ノ)

Ella: o(o?`3?′o) Ugh, bear, I don't understand~)

"Go home and get some rest, it's late."

After saying that, Sakazuki left without looking back, taking another path. Moko glanced at the departing Sakazuki with some curiosity. Was this Admiral Sakazuki really here specifically to help her out? Hmm... how should I put it? He's quite kind and helpful, isn't he?

"Ummy?"

Ella tilted her head, mimicking Moko's puzzled look as she watched Sakazuki walk away. She had just been terrified. Moko chuckled and pinched Ella's ear, freeing Mika from Ella's chubby paws. Ella was quite strong, and Mika, because she couldn't feel pain, wouldn't cry out even when injured. After discovering this, Moko became even more attentive to Mika, frequently channeling healing energy into her. As for Sweet Fruit, Moko had told Shanks about it, and with Shanks watching over her, Moko wasn't worried.

"Ella, it's time to go home."

"Woo-mi!"

The moment Moko turned to walk back, Sakazuki, who had already gone quite a distance, suddenly stopped and turned his head slightly to look again at the spot where Moko had been standing. Moko was no longer there; only the cold moonlight remained.

Sakazuki hadn't planned to go to the banquet, and hadn't even prepared a formal suit. But the day before the banquet, Aesop brought a suit with him. It was the color Sakazuki usually wore, and the suit was exquisitely wrapped and had a familiar floral scent. For some reason, Sakazuki really wanted to go to that incredibly boring banquet that day, hoping he might see that beautiful rose.