One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 85 Reincarnation and Continuation

Before she could even sit down in her room, as if by telepathy, the Den Den Mushi rang the moment Moko picked up the phone.

"Brubrub!"

Moko's eyes curved into crescent moons; she had already guessed who was on the other end of the line. The moment she answered the phone, she immediately said, "Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

The two voices rang out at the same time, causing them to pause for a moment before bursting into laughter. Mo Ke walked to the window, opened it, and caught the snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflakes drifted into her palm, slowly melting and turning into a wisp of imperceptible mist that diffused clearly into the air she breathed. Mo Ke's lips curved upwards, and a gentle smile spread across her eyes.

"Happy New Year, Shanks."

"Happy New Year, Moko-chan too."

Shanks' voice was slightly slurred with drunkenness, and the surrounding area was filled with the noisy din of a banquet. On the other side of the vast ocean, Shanks sat at the bow of his ship, catching snowflakes falling from the sky and watching them melt in his hands. He couldn't suppress the smile on his lips. Behind him were various boisterous crew members, but they all wisely refrained from disturbing Shanks.

"I received the gift, and I like it very much. However, it would be even better if Moko-chan were here with me right now." For me, the best New Year's gift would be Moko-chan. Shanks didn't say this out loud, but he knew that Moko would definitely understand.

"Shanks, it won't be long. We'll be together for a very, very long time."

Moko smiled, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Her two shallow dimples were filled with a smile as sweet as spring blossoms. Her laughter was as light as a feather, silently and delicately tugging at Shanks' heart. A dense, ticklish sensation spread through his heart, causing Shanks to lower his eyes slightly, but a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

"Yes, I'll have to keep Moko-chan with me at all times and make up for all the years I've missed."

Shanks never doubted that he would be with Moko forever in the future, but he also couldn't bear to miss a single moment with her. Right now, Shanks wished he could fly to Moko's side and hug her tightly.

"Hahaha, Shanks'd better get a rope ready, or what if I fly away?"

"No need for a rope. No matter where Moko goes, I will hold Moko's hand tightly. Wherever Moko goes, I will go. I won't let Moko fly away and disappear."

Moko is free. Although Shanks had considered keeping Moko by his side forever, he never actually did it. His little Moko is free, freer than anyone else in the world. So he wouldn't imprison Moko, but rather let him follow her. As long as his little Moko is by his side, what does it matter if he goes after her?

Even joking remarks elicited serious responses from Shanks. Moko understood the meaning behind Shanks' words, and her eyes reddened slightly. She lightly touched the wind chimes on the windowsill, producing a crisp ringing sound.

"Shanks, you're spoiling me."

"Wouldn't it be better if she was spoiled? That way, no one but me can take Moko away from me, and Moko will always be mine."

Shanks' voice was deep and full of indulgence, as if even if Moko destroyed the world, Shanks would only stand by and hand her a knife and applaud. His doting affection was completely undisguised, making Moko's heart melt completely.

Sensing the indulgence in Shanks' words, Moko chuckled softly. Moko's voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze brushing past the ear, melting away three feet of ice and snow, and awakening a sea of ​​flowers all over the mountain. Even though it was deep winter, it still felt like being in the midst of spring.

"I have always belonged to Shanks. From the moment I first opened my eyes, I knew that I would never love anyone else... Shanks, I love you, I really, really love you."

Long ago, Moko didn't understand why lovers would often say sweet nothings that made people blush and their hearts race. It wasn't until she met Shanks that Moko realized that expressing love directly could really make the heart feel satisfied, and all the unease would disappear at that moment. Isn't love meant to be spoken?

A promise made with my soul will not easily disappear, because I am willing to give my life to love you and will always protect you. So even if I fall into reincarnation again, I will definitely find you again, meet you in every lifetime in countless glances, and fall in love countless times until my soul perishes.

This is not only Shanks' promise to Moko, but also Moko's response to Shanks' love. Because they love each other deeply, they are willing to make sacrifices and compromises for each other, so that their separation now does not seem so lonely in this love.

Shanks didn't respond immediately, clearly taken aback by Moko's sudden confession. A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, his heart feeling instantly filled with sweetness. Even the wind seemed to carry a sweet, alluring scent. Sure enough, his little Moko always managed to surprise him. Shanks' brows relaxed, his eyes filled with tenderness, and his voice was soft and low as he spoke.

"Thank you for coming back to me, my most precious treasure. I love you, my one and only little jasmine."

The snow gradually intensified, and the feathery white snow quickly covered the entire mountain range. The icy snowflakes seemed to warm up as they fell silently to the ground, creating a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

The morning mist swirled, and the snow, like soft cotton, blanketed the earth. The overnight snowfall had once again covered the roads that had been cleared by everyone. A faint chill filled the air, and wisps of smoke were already rising from the houses.

When everyone woke up, a sumptuous breakfast was already laid out on the table. Moko, wearing an apron, looked at Ace and Luffy, who were still a little sleepy, and smiled her beautiful eyes.

"Breakfast will be ready soon, cake..."

"cake!"

Luffy, who was still half asleep and tugging at Ace's clothes, suddenly remembered that it was Ace's birthday when he heard Moko's voice, and his sleepy eyes lit up.

Every birthday, Moko would prepare a big cake, sometimes with cream, sometimes with roast meat, all kinds of cakes, and they were all made to look incredibly beautiful, always catching the eye. Most importantly, they were incredibly delicious.

"The cake will be ready later, come and have breakfast first."

Seeing Luffy's expectant eyes, Moko smiled and shook her head. It's not suitable to eat something too greasy in the morning, so Moko usually doesn't prepare cakes in the morning. Luffy realized that it was still morning, but he wasn't discouraged and nodded happily.

"Um!"

Luffy was now fully awake. He stretched out his arm and wrapped it around Ace several times. Feeling the arm around his waist, Ace, who was still a little dazed, instantly became clear-headed.

"Wait, the road..."

"what!"

Before Ace could finish speaking, Luffy grabbed him and jumped off the second floor like a rocket. They were bungee jumping first thing in the morning, what an exciting day! But Ace didn't look very happy. Dadan's family, who were sleeping in the living room, were also startled awake by the noise and looked around in a panic.

"boom!"

"Oh, sister~"

Luffy, rubbing the big bump on his head from Ace's punch, walked to the kitchen looking aggrieved. He tugged at Moko's clothes, his little mouth almost touching the ground. Ace stood aside angrily with his arms crossed, not trying to comfort Luffy as usual. Moko chuckled and patted Luffy's head, then picked up a piece of milk cake and stuffed it into Luffy's mouth.

With the comfort of delicious food, the bump on his head no longer hurt. Luffy didn't need Moko to feed him at all; he ate milk cakes one after another. A plate full of milk cakes on the kitchen counter was almost gone in no time. Ace looked at this scene, sighed helplessly, and picked up the bowls and chopsticks that had been taken out and placed them neatly on the dining table.

"Good morning, sister."

Uta rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked out of the room. She yawned lazily as she went downstairs, looking like she hadn't woken up properly. Her hair was all messed up from sleeping. Luffy, while stuffing a milk cake into his mouth, stared at the stick-up hair on Uta's head with a puzzled look.

"Uta, your hair's standing on end (chewing), woohoo~"

Before Luffy could finish speaking, Uta suddenly pulled a long face, her expression one of embarrassment and anger, her voice filled with rage.

"A songstress would never have her hair improperly combed!"

Uta spent a long time tidying up her hair this morning, but that strand just wouldn't budge, no matter how hard she tried. She was so annoyed.

Good morning, Uta-chan.

Moko smoothed the tuft of hair on Uta's head. "Uta-chan's new hairstyle is so cute."

"Since you say so, sister, hehe..."

Upon hearing Moko's words, Uta immediately released Luffy and happily covered her face. Luffy rubbed his rescued face and stuffed another milk cake into his mouth. Girls are really strange; his hair was standing up (chewing).

Uta's almond-shaped eyes were watery, and her shyness was mixed with a playful cuteness, which reminded Moke of a cute New Year's picture doll. There were suitable clothes, so should she dress her up later?

After everyone had gotten up and eaten breakfast, Moko took out her birthday present for Ace from her room. It was a necklace made of beads made of Nora coral. The necklace had a total of thirty coral beads, each one round and full, and the same size. However, upon closer inspection, one could see that the polishing marks on them were not the same.

"Ace, these beads are made from Nora coral. Each bead carries the best wishes of the person who crafted them. May these wishes protect Ace forever. Happy 12th birthday, Ace."

Moko knelt down and put the necklace around Ace's neck, then kissed his forehead. The red coral necklace didn't look feminine at all on Ace; on the contrary, it suited him surprisingly well, as if the necklace only existed because of Ace.

Ace seemed to like it very much, but even if Moko just gave him a random stone, Ace would probably like it too. After all, it was a gift from his important older sister, and even if it was just a stone, it was still a stone from his sister.

Luffy and Uta looked at Ace's necklace with envy, unable to resist reaching out to touch it. Ace proudly tilted his head back, his little expression incredibly smug.

Garp was so moved by the three little ones' adorable appearance that he wiped away tears. Of course, it would be even better if the two brats stopped nagging him about becoming pirates every day. Being a Marine would be so much better; at least he would protect them, and they wouldn't have to worry about being bullied.

Moko gazed quietly at Ace and Luffy as they played around, her eyes gentle, like a spring breeze that was intoxicating. The bright red coral beads shimmered beautifully in the sunlight, gently wafting into Moko's eyes.

Thirty coral beads, handcrafted by thirty different people, have been with Moko for many, many years. They are the blessings of her family and the love they once gave her. Now she gives these blessings to Ace, hoping that this love from her family can continue. If her parents were still here, they would surely want the same thing.

"May you live a peaceful and prosperous life, free from worry and happiness, my most precious treasure, Ace..."

The murmurs were gentle and warm, like soft silk brushing past the ear, mingling with the fragrance of flowers and dissipating in the gentle breeze, leaving no trace.