One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 143 Hot Spring

It had only been a few months since Moko last visited Wano Country. Despite saying she wouldn't set foot on the island, she reluctantly did. Upon arriving at her destination, the happiest people were the pirates who had been forced to act as her babysitters for over ten days. They were all so eager to see Moko off that they would thank her for the job next time and leave the babysitting to the professionals.

The scenery in the center of Oni Island is different from that in the surrounding area. A bright moon hangs high in the night sky, and the morning stars are twinkling. In the distance, you can see an elaborate traditional Japanese castle with layers of tiles neatly arranged, bathed in the cool blue moonlight.

As night falls, the castle appears even more majestic and imposing under the soft moonlight. The surrounding forest becomes even more secluded and tranquil under the gentle caress of the moonlight. The outlines of the trees appear and disappear in the night, adding an indescribable mystery and solemnity to the castle, making the whole scene resemble a breathtaking historical painting.

Jin led Moko slowly toward the castle. Before they even reached the castle gate, they saw a tall and beautiful woman waiting outside. Her skin was as white and tender as snow, and her long golden hair was loosely tied into a bun. The fixed decoration was a pair of sharp double swords. The long red horn on her forehead made it difficult to guess what race the woman belonged to.

"Maria, what are you doing here?"

Jin's voice was indistinguishable from his likes or dislikes, but even from a distance of three or four meters, it was clear that he probably didn't like the beautiful woman in front of him very much.

"Lord Jin is truly ruthless. I am here on Lord Kaido's orders to receive Miss Moko."

Maria hooked her finger toward Jhin, but stopped an inch away. Her beautiful eyes were full of smiles. Before Jhin could get angry, she turned her wrist slightly and pointed the long pipe she was holding directly at Moko behind Jhin. Every glance and movement was so charming and alluring. Unfortunately, Jhin didn't seem to care. He stood there without even changing his breathing.

As they got closer, Moko noticed that Maria's eyes were a rare emerald green, like unpolished jade freshly mined from a mine, ancient and noble. The white petals on her turquoise sash complemented the colorful floral patterns on her kimono, and her black low-cut kimono perfectly showcased Maria's alluring and stunning figure, making one's heart itch with desire.

While Moko was observing Maria, Maria was also observing Moko. Although she had heard that Garp's granddaughter was a beautiful child, no one had said that she was such a beautiful child, and she seemed much more well-behaved than Yamato.

King was unaware of their inner thoughts, nor did he think as much as they did. He glanced at Moko beside him out of the corner of his eye, and for some reason, he didn't want to hand Moko over to Maria. Don't let Maria's beautiful and gentle appearance fool you; she's more outgoing than anyone else in private. What if his little wildcat, whom he had finally managed to keep in line, goes astray with this woman? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. However, due to Kaido's orders, King didn't say no.

Maria, as if sensing Jhin's thoughts, smiled enigmatically, crossed her arms, tapped her pipe, and continued to speak in a charmingly coquettish manner.

"Lord Jin, Lord Kaido is waiting for you in the Japanese-style room. Miss Moko, please let me take care of you from now on."

She was truly captivating with every smile and frown, but the implicit command in her words clearly told Jhin that the matter was settled and could not be changed. Jhin could only swallow back all the words he wanted to say, bypass Maria and enter the castle directly, without ever looking back at Moko.

Maria's eyes curved slightly, exuding a natural charm. Only after Jin's figure disappeared around the corner did Maria turn to Moko, "Let's go, Miss Moko."

Moko nodded without any resistance, which impressed Maria. Maria couldn't help but admire Moko's courage. The fact that Moko was an ordinary person was the most surprising thing in the news that Jin had sent back. After all, Moko was the granddaughter of the hero Garp. But whether it was true or not was no longer important. Now that she was on their territory, she was at their mercy.

However, it seems that Lord Jin is particularly interested in this Miss Moko. It's quite interesting that Lord Jin, who has no interest in women, would actually care about one. Even a man who couldn't conquer her would be attracted to such a young child. What kind of charm does this granddaughter of a naval hero possess? Let her have a good look.

As Maria turned around, she lightly licked her lips with the tip of her tongue. Her fair skin made the crimson of her lips appear alluring and seductive, and her eyes revealed her captivating charm.

A long corridor leads to the castle's backyard. Passing through the courtyard full of pine trees, you arrive at the backyard full of cherry blossoms. Stone lanterns stand along the long stone path, their soft, warm glow mingling with the pale moonlight. A stone bridge stands across an irregularly shaped pond, where koi carp sometimes gather and sometimes disperse, pecking at the petals that fall to the surface and creating ripples.

The entire courtyard was elegant and exquisite, with pink cherry blossoms everywhere, creating a series of mesmerizing dreams. Mo Ke stopped in her tracks and reached out to catch a cherry blossom that was drifting down. The cherry blossom-colored moonlight bathed Mo Ke's entire body. Mo Ke was wearing the long dress that Jin had bought for her. The simple white and pink lace dress made Mo Ke look even more like an elf born from the cherry blossoms.

Maria took a deep drag on her pipe, her sensual red lips parted slightly, and exhaled wisps of smoke that obscured her alluring eyes. She had to admit, Moko's beauty was top-tier. She was even comparable to the most beautiful courtesan in the brothels. What to do? She really wanted to see her.

"Boss, everything you asked for has been prepared."

At the connecting corridor, a maid walked slowly towards them, speaking softly only when she got close. Maria glanced at the maid, who seemed to sense Maria's gaze and trembled slightly.

Maria pressed down her trembling fingertips. Maria always had a particular fondness for beautiful people, but unfortunately, the beauties of Wano Country always looked at her with fear in their eyes. Why should they be afraid? Aren't they beautiful?

"Miss Moko, is this your first time in Wano Country? How about trying the hot springs here?"

Maria's gaze returned to Moko, her smile seemingly full of goodwill, but this was only on the surface. Judging people by appearances alone could lead to disastrous consequences.

Of the three Sea Emperors, Moko had contact with two of them, but Kaido was the only one she had never met. Because of Wano Country's closure, news about Kaido was rarely heard in the world. The information Moko knew was almost all about Kaido's brutality, or about his love of drinking and fighting, which she learned from Shanks. However, to become a Sea Emperor, his methods were naturally not to be underestimated, and so were the people under his command.

"Maria? May I call you that?"

"Of course, you are Lord Kaido's guest, so it is not wrong for you to address me like this."

Maria slightly raised her jade hand, half-concealing her charming smile, her eyes gleaming with a bewitching light. If it were anyone else standing in front of Maria at this moment, they might have been bewitched. However, the person standing in front of Maria at this moment was Moko. The intoxicating fragrance that she intentionally or unintentionally emitted had no bewitching effect on Moko. Moko's gaze lingered on Maria for a moment before returning to the courtyard.

"Was this courtyard designed by Maria?"

"Miss Moko can tell?"

"It's just my intuition. After all, this courtyard gives me the same feeling as Maria's—it's incredibly beautiful." However, beneath its allure lies a hidden danger; indeed, the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is.

"Miss Moko is too kind. I merely designed it according to the style that Lord Kaido likes. If Miss Moko likes it, why don't you stay a few more days?"

When Maria said this, her tone clearly carried a hint of danger. She did indeed like beautiful women, but rather than admiring them, she wanted to preserve them forever. Unfortunately, she couldn't touch Miss Moko for the time being.

A test? Mo Ke concealed the darkness in her eyes, rubbed the stem of the cherry blossom in her hand, and noticed the growing fragrance. A slight smile appeared on Mo Ke's lips as she gently tossed the cherry blossom into the pond in the courtyard. The cherry blossom fell into the water, creating ripples that caused the koi carp that had gathered to scatter instantly.

"Let's go check out the hot springs. The hot springs in Wano Country must be different from those outside."

Without answering Maria's question, Moko immediately changed the subject. For a moment, only the sound of the wind could be heard. The maid beside her was trembling with fear, her legs so weak that she almost collapsed. Maria's expression remained unchanged. She chuckled and fiddled with her pipe. She walked gracefully to Moko and reached out to pluck a flower petal from Moko's hair.

“…Miss Moko, this way please.”

The moment Maria turned her back, the smile on her face vanished instantly. Was she perhaps hiding her true strength? How long can this naval beauty keep this a secret?

It was indeed a wonderful hot spring. The open-air hot spring was in a superb location, offering a view of the huge, bright moon in the sky. The surface of the hot spring pool shimmered, reflecting a dreamlike and enchanting scene. The surrounding cherry blossom trees swayed in the wind, casting dappled shadows, and their delicate fragrance lingered in the air. Moko quietly leaned against the edge of the pool, her eyes capturing the starry sky and the flawless moon, while her body was gently embraced by the warm spring water. All the fatigue from the past few days vanished in that moment.

Moko roughly figured out Kaido's reason for kidnapping her. Besides diverting the Navy's attention, another reason was probably to use her as a bargaining chip in a deal with the Navy. She was the granddaughter of the hero Garp, an assistant to three Navy Admirals, and even had a certain prestige within the Navy. From this perspective, she was indeed quite valuable. So, what would Kaido exchange her for with the Navy?

"Is the hot spring to your liking?"

Maria entered gracefully with the maid carrying a bathrobe. Beneath her slender neck, her breasts, like solidified white jade, were half-concealed, half-revealed. Her waist was so slender it could be encircled by a single hand, and her long, shapely legs were bare. Even her beautiful lotus feet exuded a silent allure, issuing an enticing invitation.

In contrast, amidst the swirling mist, Moko's figure appeared and disappeared, her fair and delicate back as flawless as the finest white jade. Her slender hand gently lifted the floating water, catching a petal fluttering in the air, and then releasing it back into the fragrant breeze. The bright moon and cherry blossoms all became mere backdrops to Moko at this moment; her silhouette alone was enough to captivate anyone's gaze.

"It's just what I wanted. It would be even better if I didn't use this fragrance next time."

Moko slowly turned around, leaning lazily against the carved, jade-like hot spring stone, holding a half-burnt incense stick in her hand. Her posture was elegant and casual, like a cat just waking up from an afternoon nap, with a nonchalant languor. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her gentle smile revealed a charming tenderness. Moko's coquettishness was not only pleasing to the eye but also made people feel affection. Compared to deliberately acted coquettishness, Moko's natural charm was so captivating.

One is a bewitching enchantress, the other is the cool moonlight. Although both are rare beauties, one's gaze will be unconsciously drawn to the moonlight. Moko is like the shining moon; she doesn't need to do anything, just being there will draw all eyes to her.

"..."

Maria, who had been wearing a charming smile, suddenly changed her expression when she saw the delicate fragrance in Moko's palm. Amidst the swirling mist, Maria couldn't see Moko's expression, but she inexplicably felt a heavy pressure. A swirling wind slowly passed by, bringing with it a flurry of pink cherry blossoms, followed by the sound of water splashing as they left the water's surface.

A mist filled the air as Moko slowly walked over, her eyes seemingly veiled by a layer of mist. The lower she looked, the more one could see her snow-white skin, her perfect proportions, and her smooth, jade-like skin. It was enough to make one blush and their heart race. The maid holding the yukata blushed and lowered her head.

Maria, however, had no time to appreciate it. Despite the gentle and peaceful aura emanating from Moko, Maria felt inexplicably afraid and unconsciously took a small step back until Moko came ashore and walked past her.

"Thank you."

Moko took the large yukata from the maid and put it on. Under the flickering lamplight, Moko was barefoot, her insteps were snow-white and soft, and her toes were pink and beautiful as she stepped on the dark stone floor. Her straight and slender legs were faintly visible under the hem of the yukata, making her look vivid and alluring. The boundaries of time became blurred at this moment. The silvery moonlight was like a light veil, covering Moko with a layer of enchanting white mist. It would not be an exaggeration to describe Moko as a fairy.

"Maria is very beautiful. I hope we can get along well."

As she spoke, Marie placed the delicate incense stick in the maid's palm and then strolled away. As her voice faded into the distance, Maria slammed her fist into the ground. The maid trembled with fear and immediately knelt down, prostrating herself on the ground, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Maria looked at the shattered ground, a strange and terrifying smile suddenly appearing on her face, but she quickly returned to her usual alluring and elegant demeanor.

"Get along well? What an annoying question. But once Lord Kaido achieves his goal, I will definitely be able to get along well with you, who have been turned into a puppet!"