One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 51 Fishman Island

With the three pre-selected generals all out on missions, Moko naturally didn't have any work to deal with. She had already gained a general understanding of most of the tasks that needed to be learned, and she tried to handle them over the next three months. Compared to Moxiang's complicated affairs, they were simpler, and overall, they weren't too difficult to manage.

After spending a long time in Marineford, just as Garp had promised, Moko's vacation was entirely her own. Finally, after having learned more about naval affairs, Moko decided to take a vacation.

Jasmine's development has already taken shape, and with Shanks secretly taking care of the people and things that caused trouble, Jasmine's development can now be considered smooth sailing.

During Moko's months in Marineford, a lot of work piled up at Moko's place, and now Moko needs to go there to handle it. Simple matters can be handled by Yubi, but transactions and cooperation with various places and major powers all require Moko's final confirmation. Although Moko is not afraid of head-on confrontation, mutual benefit is naturally better in business cooperation. Therefore, Moko is not stingy with the time to deal with the details of the contracts.

Moreover, this time she also had to settle accounts with Beckman. Shanks was now heading towards the Red Line in the New World. Just thinking about Shanks made Moko feel very happy and at peace. It was a peace that no one else could give her. Since Roger's death, only when Moko saw Shanks could her uneasy heart return to its place.

Thinking of this, Moko couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly. She was becoming more and more timid these days, and even a moment of separation would make her uneasy. Past separations were still vivid in her mind, and the separations without reunion repeatedly pounded on Moko's heart. Moko's fingers gently stroked the wanted poster for Shanks on the newspaper, and a faint smile gradually appeared on her face, carrying a gentleness and longing that seemed to have been tempered by the years.

Shanks has a lot to do, spending his days at sea. Moko can also see new wanted posters for Shanks in the newspaper from time to time. In the latest photo, Shanks is standing at the bow of the Redfords, holding a fairy jasmine. His eyes are filled with a tenderness and affection that no one has ever seen before. People are speculating about the meaning of this action and whether it is some kind of code.

When Moko saw the photo, she just smiled slightly. This gesture didn't have any special meaning; it was just a little habit of Shanks'. Every time he came home, Shanks would bring her the most beautiful fairy jasmine, just like his daily greetings. It was simply a tacit habit and agreement between the two of them.

Tina and Smoker accepted a mission to capture pirates, Garp went to patrol the waters under his jurisdiction, and Moko changed into her everyday clothes and boarded a warship bound for Sabaody Archipelago.

Moko often goes to the training ground to find Tina. Almost all the Marines at headquarters recognize Moko. After all, it's hard not to notice two beautiful women standing together. Moreover, you can often see Admiral Zephyr and Vice Admiral Garp with them. Just standing there, they shine brightly and it's hard to ignore them.

(Smoker: So all that pretty girl is being ignored!)

Standing on the railing of the warship, one can see the Sabaody Archipelago, where bubbles gather, in the distance. The colorful bubbles refract a rainbow of light under the sun, and the sea surface shines like a piece of unpolished jade, stretching out a smooth blue ribbon to outline the shape of waves. After saying goodbye to the navy on duty, Moko went straight to Moko.

Jasmine is now making a fortune, but its decor remains simple and warm, inviting people to linger. Outside, the island's seasonal flowers bloom, their fragrance mingling with the aroma of wine, always drawing many people to stop by.

"Sister Moko."

Because Moko is back, Moxiang did not open its store today. All of Moxiang's management team gathered at Moxiang, and the meeting room on the second floor was filled with familiar faces.

Looking at the crowd standing neatly and staring at her, Moko helplessly waved her hand, signaling them to sit down. She was always gentle and didn't care much about such formalities, but no matter how many times she said it, Yubi and the others remained the same. Over time, Moko just went along with them.

"Let's begin the meeting."

Moko walked to the head seat and sat down. Yubi then handed the prepared documents to Moko and began the meeting.

"...Jasmine has now fully settled in the Sabaody Archipelago, and its expansion in the surrounding areas is also progressing steadily. All branches and the main store will be completed in June."

"Hmm." Moko skimmed through the documents, listening to Yubi's report while revising areas that were still incomplete. "How are other industries developing?"

Jasmine's main source of funds comes from its liquor business. Half of the Berries earned from other businesses are invested in Jasmine's intelligence industry, and the other half is used as reserve working capital. In order to prevent unforeseen circumstances, other businesses are not officially related to Jasmine and are directly under Jasmine's control. They are just managed by Yubi on a regular basis.

After Moko inquired, the heads of other different industries took turns reporting to Moko on the previous year's situation. Among them, the catering industry had the largest revenue, followed by jewelry. The buyers of jewelry were almost all nobles, and nobles had no shortage of money. As long as the gimmick of jewelry was good enough, there was no fear that nobles would not spend money to buy it. Therefore, it was on par with the catering industry.

“Siyuka, Larule.”

"Yes, Sister Moko."

"Yes, Miss Moko."

"The seas have been rather turbulent lately. You can decide on the staffing arrangements for each store as you see fit. If necessary... Carlos, you'll have to work a bit harder these days."

Moko turned her head to look at the shadow in the corner. As Moko finished speaking, a figure appeared in the shadow in the corner. He didn't speak, but just nodded slightly.

“I have reviewed the plan you submitted, and I have marked the areas that need improvement. If there are any other issues, please contact Yubi. I hope that Jasmine can capture 30 percent of the New World market before the next New Year.”

"Yes!"

Everyone answered with confidence, and Moko smiled, tilting her head and nodding at Yubi.

"Let's move on to the next topic."

“Yes…” After hesitating for a moment, Yubi finally spoke, “I’m very sorry, there’s still no news about the child you’re looking for, Moko-neechan, but we will continue to expand the search area.”

Moko nodded, and after sensing Sabo's condition slightly, she found that his vitality was still stable and strong, and his body should be recovering well. It seemed that he was not in danger, so there was no need to rush.

“That child is very smart… Continue to expand the search area, be careful not to expose yourself, and notify the Jasmine in each area to be on the lookout.”

"Yes! Then there's the cooperation with the pirate crews. The cooperation with the Big Mom Pirates is still going smoothly. There are no new requests from them for the time being. The Morning Star was launched on the market last month and the response has been very good. Orders are already booked until next year."

Moko tapped her fingers lightly on the table, a slight smile playing on her lips. Qimingxing was the high-end liquor store managed by Shanks, selling only various high-end liquors. The price difference between Qimingxing and the ordinary fruit wines managed by Moxiang was like night and day. It could be said that Qimingxing took the lion's share of the liquor store's funds.

"Hmm, is there anything else I need to report?"

"No, Sister Moko."

"Let's get ready to depart for the new world. Here are the reports we need to prepare..."

"Don't worry, Sister Moko, everything is ready and we can set off immediately."

"Yubi is really reliable."

Hearing this, Yubi scratched his head sheepishly. People outside would be very surprised to see Yubi, who was known as the Smiling Tiger, smiling like this. But everyone present was someone Moko had taken in. There were orphans, slaves, and people who were desperate and homeless. Now they were all family, Moko's family. Family members don't need to wear masks, so it's okay to show their soft side.

The meeting was neither long nor short. After everyone left, it was already dark outside. The fiery red afterglow of the sunset was scattered on the sea, like flames burning on the sea. Once upon a time, Moko seemed to have seen such a red sunset, but the sunset back then was not warm, but rather full of stinging pain.

Returning to Fishman Island felt like stepping into another world. Although the scenery hadn't changed, Moko still felt it wasn't as stunning as before. The landscape remained the same, but the people around her were no longer the same, and the feeling was no longer the same.

"Please show your pass."

The fish-man soldiers stood at the checkpoint and began to hand over to Yubi. Moko stood aside, gazing at the lush underwater forest in the distance. The giant Eve tree was still full of life, and the low calls of whales echoed from the forest from time to time, like a long-lost call, making Moko momentarily dazed.

"Sister Moko, Sister Moko..."

"Hmm, what's wrong, Yubi?"

Yubi's call brought Moko back to her senses. Seeing that Moko was alright, Yubi shook her head. "Moko-neechan, the pass is ready, but it's already very late tonight. Going to the New World might be a bit dangerous. Moko-neechan, would you like to rest on Fishman Island for the night?"

"Okay, you go ahead and make the arrangements. I'm going out for a stroll."

Moko nodded in agreement with Yubi's words. Yubi didn't ask Moko where she was going and went to arrange the rest of the things after Moko left.

She had only intended to go for a walk to clear her head, but before she knew it, she had arrived at the entrance to the Sea Forest. Moko looked at the coral-surrounded entrance and hesitated for a long time.

"Pfft?"

Mihua tilted her head in confusion and nuzzled Moke. Moke gently shook her head, glanced at Hai Zhi Sen again, and turned to leave. There was no need to unravel the doubts of the past. That voice hadn't appeared for a long time, so why should she dwell on it?

Things have changed, and she has grown up. All she wants to protect is that little bit; anything more is beyond her reach and she can't afford to take it all.

Why don't you go inside?

A peaceful and gentle voice came from behind, and Moko stopped in her tracks, but did not turn around.

"Because... I've already found the answer."

"..."

Then came a long silence, followed by a soft laugh from that gentle voice, but with an extremely firm tone.

"But that's not what your heart says, Moko."

Moko sighed helplessly, a hint of sadness flickering in her orange-pink eyes. Just then, a pink-haired mermaid, much taller than Moko, swam up to her, tilting her head and looking at her with a puzzled expression. Moko smiled sadly, but her eyes and brows were extremely gentle.

"It's not an afro as expected, it's very cute. What's this child's name?"

"Shirahoshi, what do you think? Isn't she cute?"

A mermaid resembling a goldfish swam to Moko's side, looking at Shirahoshi with loving eyes. Her long, wavy golden hair was tied up high with an orange crown, and her ocean-blue eyes shone with a gentle aftertaste. One glance was enough to captivate anyone.

Upon seeing her mother approach, Bai Xing hid behind the goldfish mermaid with teary eyes. It wasn't that she was afraid of Moko, but she couldn't help but shed tears.

"Yes, she's very cute. It's been a long time, Otohime-neechan."

Moko smiled, but it didn't look perfect. Otohime touched Moko's cheek tenderly. The child who was once full of happiness had finally experienced the pain of separation and loneliness. Roger's words were right. It would take a very long time to truly heal this broken heart.

"Welcome home, Moko."