One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 151 Courtesan Parade

The air is filled with mist, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Warm water gently caresses Moko's delicate, creamy skin, creating delicate ripples.

Moko sat gracefully in the carved bathtub, her hands elegantly cupping the vibrant, rosy petals floating on the surface. Her lips parted slightly, and a serene and radiant smile bloomed, like a flower blooming in the morning light, gently illuminating the entire room.

"Miss Moko, are you really alright?"

Chunhe looked at Moke's swollen ankle with heartache. The large bruise on her ankle looked especially horrifying against Moke's fair skin. How much pain must it have been in?

"It's okay, it doesn't hurt."

That's no lie. Although her ankle looks terrible on the surface, it has actually been healed inside. After all, you have to play the part completely. But Moko wouldn't actually hurt herself, otherwise her partner would be angry.

"Let's go, it's time to get out."

Moko pinched Chunhe's cheek and stood up from the bathtub.

"Yes."

Seeing Mo Ke get up, Chun He quickly took a bathrobe and put it on her. The slightly hazy bathroom door was slowly pushed open, and in the steamy atmosphere, Mo Ke looked like a newly blooming lily, fresh and delicate after her bath.

Her long pink hair was casually draped over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to her fair cheeks because of the slight dampness, adding to her gentleness and childlike innocence.

She was wearing a loose white yukata, the hem of which swayed gently with Moko's steps, vaguely revealing her long and shapely calves below, but the bruises on her ankles were so glaring.

Everything stained with blood in the bedroom had been removed. A brand new kimono was hanging on the wooden clothes rack. It was a magnificent and luxurious kimono with intricate and delicate rose and vine patterns intertwined on the body. The snow-white sash was adorned with dazzling gold thread, meticulously outlining a beautiful pattern of copper coins and hydrangeas.

On the dressing table sat an open mahogany box, inside which was an extremely expensive and gorgeous headdress. It was carved from the finest white jade, with a lifelike rose at the hairpin, the stamen inlaid with tiny yellow crystals. As the light changed, it emitted a very gentle glow. Below the hairpin, a silver chain hung several exquisitely carved gemstone petal pendants, which made a crisp and melodious sound as they swayed.

Chunhe stood behind Moke with a clean towel, gently wiping Moke's long hair. She watched as Moke teased Ella with an expensive hair accessory like a toy. Seeing Ella jumping up and down trying to grab the pendant of the hair accessory, Moke laughed heartily. However, if anyone else saw this scene, they would probably say it was a waste of precious resources.

Beside the red wooden box was the ointment that Jin had just placed down. The greenish-blue ointment carried a strong herbal scent. Moko lowered her eyes slightly and casually tossed the hair accessory to Ella to play with.

"It's late, let's get some rest."

"Woo-mi~"

Ella got a new toy and happily ran around on the table, clutching the hair accessory. Hearing Moko's words, Chunhe immediately put the towel aside and helped Moko up.

The bed had been changed to clean bedding, without any excessive scent of cosmetics, but rather a light floral fragrance. Mo Ke raised her eyebrows slightly and, with Chun He's help, sat leisurely on the bed covered with brocade.

"Chunhe was also frightened today. Go and get some rest. You don't need to take care of me."

Moko gently patted Chunhe's head. Chunhe wanted to say something, but after these past few days, she had come to understand Moko's temperament. Looking at Moko's unquestionable gaze, she nodded helplessly and left quietly. The moment the paper door closed, the room fell silent again.

Moko slowly let out a sigh of relief. The bright moonlight quietly slipped down from the edge of the paper window and finally gently settled at Moko's feet. Moko lightly got up, her steps without the slightest hesitation, and gracefully strolled to the windowsill to sit down. The injury on her ankle did not affect Moko's movements at all.

The chandelier inside was dim, and the pale evening stars poured down with the night, casting a hazy glow on Mo Ke through the long gauze curtains. Although she wore no makeup, it could not hide her stunning beauty. Her phoenix eyes were captivating, and a single glance could steal one's soul and stir the heart.

It was so beautiful, like a mirage, a dream, that it was impossible to look away. This was the scene that Jin saw when he entered.

“Jin, I’ve told you before, it’s not a good habit to just enter a lady’s room without knocking.” Moko sighed helplessly, glancing at Jin.

"This is my room."

Jin spoke calmly as he walked up to Moko, "It's all clean now."

"Ok?"

Moko tilted her head in confusion at the strange question. Jin was unusually not wearing his black leather jacket, but a loose black yukata with a wild pattern. However, he was still wearing that conspicuous all-around helmet, as if he really didn't want anyone to see his face.

"...It's not dirty anymore."

The air fell silent for a long time, as if these were words summed up from the culmination of a lifetime of learning.

"Pfft."

A silvery laugh broke the surrounding silence. Moko stared helplessly at the man in front of her. He was such a shrewd and capable person, but at this moment he inexplicably revealed a bit of silly and adorable foolishness, which made her unable to help but laugh.

"You need to rest."

"Is that so?" Moko gradually stopped laughing, her smiling eyes gazing at the starry sky outside the window. After a few moments of silence, Moko slowly spoke.

"King, I am a prisoner. If you treat me too specially, Kaido might doubt your loyalty."

"I will not betray Lord Kaido."

So Kaido doesn't doubt his loyalty? Moko's lips curled into a smile. What a loyal subordinate. Although he doesn't do anything right, he trusts his comrades unconditionally. As a captain, Kaido is truly impeccable in this respect.

"So, what does King want to ask me, or rather..." Moko's gaze skipped past King and landed on the closed door, "What does Kaido want to know, right, Maria~"

"Shh-"

The paper door was slowly pushed open, and Maria, dressed in a black furisode kimono and holding a pipe, slowly walked into the room. After Maria sat down in the room, the paper door slowly closed again.

"Miss Moko's perception is indeed very sharp. As for what I want to ask, that depends on what Miss Moko is willing to say."

"is it?"

The room was dark, the only light source being the moonlight seeping in from the window. As they looked at each other, one by one, bright red lanterns lit up from afar, like red flowers blooming under the night sky, instantly illuminating the entire street as bright as day.

The streets, once lined with blooming flowers in the morning, are now adorned with a dazzling red glow, creating a magnificent scene. The intense and alluring red light subtly illuminates Moko's back, adding an irresistible allure to her.

As the night deepened, it gently lifted Moko's hair, as if even the night favored her. Her white yukata was embroidered with butterfly patterns, and the delicate butterfly designs seemed to come alive under the caress of the moonlight, quietly spreading their wings and leaping lightly between the hem of her clothes. Every interplay of light and shadow was a dance that teased the night breeze, breathtakingly beautiful.

The gentle breeze, with its indescribable allure, leaves behind endless reverie and longing, making one willingly succumb to the boundless night, just to capture once more a fleeting glimpse of the unparalleled beauty of a butterfly in flight.

However, it's very dangerous, very dangerous, you'll die. Jin and Maria both narrowed their eyes. At this moment, Moko was like a red spider lily blooming on the other side of the river, dazzling and charming yet hiding danger. The powerful aura emanating from her body was as terrifying as an abyss, as if it could look directly into the deepest fear in people's hearts.

Suddenly, a surge of people appeared, and laughter and cheers filled the building. From downstairs came bursts of exclamations and cheers. Moko's gaze abruptly shifted to the outside.

At the end of the long street surrounded by red flowers, a beautiful woman with emerald hair, dressed in gorgeous clothes, walks gracefully. She is adorned with pearls and jade, her hair is piled up like clouds, her eyebrows are lightly drawn like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her bright eyes seem to see into people's hearts, and her red lips are slightly parted but she smiles without saying a word, exuding a unique charm.

Dressed in a colorful kimono, the hem of her dress fluttering in the wind like a blooming flower, she took each step with the traditional Japanese gait, elegant and dignified. Holding a delicate folding fan, she gently veiled half of her face, adding to her mystery and exuding an irresistible charm.

As she walked, the crowds on both sides of the street kept exclaiming in amazement. Some people stopped to stare, some whispered among themselves, but all were captivated by her beauty.

Behind the beautiful woman followed a group of little maids dressed in equally exquisite kimonos, carrying flower baskets and occasionally scattering colorful petals, adding a touch of hazy allure to the parade.

"Oh, is that a courtesan parading through the streets? What a beautiful woman she is."

The dangerous aura just moments ago was as fleeting as a flash in the pan, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Yet, King and Maria dared not let their guard down any longer. Sure enough, Garp's granddaughter was no ordinary person. Even for just a moment, they had truly felt the terrifying pressure that was enough to crush them, just like Lord Kaido.

"Hey, Jin, I want to see the courtesan's performance."

Moko suddenly turned around, her orange-pink eyes filled with the innocence and curiosity unique to young girls. Her voice was sweet, yet it sent a chill down one's spine. It was a unique charm that blended innocence and danger, like a poppy blooming quietly in the dark night, beautiful yet deadly.

Jin was shocked by Moke's sudden transformation. The girl in front of him seemed to have instantly transformed from an innocent angel into a demon who controlled the Book of Life and Death. Every look and every movement was full of unpredictable threat, and that dangerous aura was like an invisible chain, tightly binding every inch of his reason, making it impossible for him to escape or resist this fatal attraction.

At this moment, Jin realized that the girl in front of him was not an ordinary person without any power to resist, but an existence that could overturn all rules, at least making him unable to resist.

"Lord Jin, Lady Maria, General Orochi has prepared a banquet to welcome you both."

Suddenly, a servant's voice came from outside the paper door. It was as if Jin and Maria had finally remembered to breathe. Just a moment ago, their breathing had almost stopped. Everything was telling them that this delicate flower was in danger.

After a long silence, Maria gritted her teeth, trying to suppress her inner fear and regain her usual composure. "Get the fifth floor ready. We have important guests tonight."

"Yes."