One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 71 Letters

After Otohime's death, the ownership of Fishman Island and a series of follow-up matters still need to be handled. After dinner, everyone gathered in the meeting room to continue the topic that had been interrupted yesterday. Moro leaned on Shanks' shoulder and listened to everyone's discussion without any particular reaction.

"Red-haired, I still maintain my original opinion on the ownership of Fishman Island, YO."

Marco's eyelids drooped slightly, but his tone remained firm. This time, Shanks didn't refuse directly. Instead, he looked at Moko and squeezed her hand in his palm. Not only Shanks, but everyone else looked at Moko, creating an atmosphere where Moko was the leader. This atmosphere shocked Marco, but upon closer reflection, it didn't seem so strange.

Moko slightly raised her shallow eyes and looked at Neptune in the main seat. Neptune shook his head.

"Before Otohime left, she said that the future of Fishman Island was in your hands, and she believed in you."

After a long silence, Moko lazily straightened up, her gaze towards Marco was gentle, but Marco still felt something was off.

"I'll leave Fishman Island to Uncle Whitebeard from now on."

It's not that I don't believe Shanks can protect Fishman Island, it's just that Shanks' current prestige is indeed not as great as the Emperor of the Sea. Fishman Island cannot withstand any more turmoil right now, and must be suppressed with the strongest prestige in the shortest time.

"Don't worry, YO, little Moko, Dad will definitely protect this place."

Marco smiled and answered Moko firmly. Moko nodded and looked at Yubi beside her.

"Yubi".

"Yes, Sister Moko."

"Hody Jones is wanted worldwide. All information regarding his whereabouts, if true, is your responsibility, Bailey."

"Don't worry, Sister Moko, I'll take care of it."

Yubi bowed respectfully, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes. How dare they make his beloved Moko sister so sad? He would make her understand what it means to wish she were dead.

"Dong dong dong."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. The guard standing by the door opened it only slightly. Upon hearing the news from outside, the guard's expression changed drastically. He quickly took the letter from the guard outside, checked that there was no danger, and then presented it to Neptune.

Neptune's face grew increasingly grim as he read the letter. Before he had even finished, he slammed his fist on the armrest of the main chair, sending splinters flying and shattering the chair beyond recognition. The guards quickly cleaned it up and replaced it with a new one.

Seeing everyone's puzzled expressions, especially Shirahoshi's worried eyes, Neptune suppressed his anger and looked at Moko.

"Look, you need to know about this."

It was necessary to know that it concerned Shirahoshi. Before Otohime passed away, she entrusted not only the future of Fishman Island to Moko, but also Shirahoshi to her. Moko's eyes narrowed slightly. Yubi, with great insight, took the letter from Neptune and handed it to Moko. Moko quickly read the letter and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.

Shanks, sitting next to Moko, had naturally read everything. He turned his head and gestured to Yasopp, who was sitting on the sofa by the door. Yasopp yawned lazily, stretched his legs, and went out the door as if by accident.

Seeing that Mo had made arrangements, Neptune was no longer worried and sat back down in the newly moved chair. Apart from Uta, Shirahoshi, and some outsiders who were unaware of what was going on, almost everyone else present understood that Yasopp was probably out to arrest people, but no one spoke up.

Moko took a breath, casually placed the letter under her teacup, and slowly spoke again.

"Yubi, postpone all other matters concerning Moko. Focus on the construction of the Moko flagship store on Fishman Island. Also, inform Carlos and Larule that I don't want to hear any more news about Fishman Island." As she spoke, Moko looked at Marco again, "Brother Marco, you don't mind, do you?"

Moko's eyes were unusually calm; it was more like an announcement than a discussion. Marco naturally wouldn't refuse Moko, since it was normal for an island to have multiple factions. Compared to those factions with ulterior motives, Marco was more willing to have Moko's faction set up there, since his father would definitely agree anyway.

"Of course, Xiao Mo can do whatever she wants."

Marco shrugged indifferently, as if he would agree to whatever Moko said. Moko thought for a moment and looked at Yubi.

"Fifty percent of the Berries that Jasmine earned during her time on Fishman Island were given to the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Yes."

"Xiao Moke, there's no need..."

Before Marco could finish speaking, Moko stopped him, saying, "Moko won't take it for nothing. Since Fishman Island belongs to Uncle Whitebeard, Moko will naturally pay the corresponding benefits. It's just a little bit of Beli, Brother Marco, you don't need to be polite."

The amount of Berries that Jasmine earns in a month is enormous, not to mention that it is located on Fishman Island, which is already in a key strategic position. Jasmine even gave half of it to them. Marco really didn't know what to say. She was just too generous.

Shanks didn't say a word, his fingers casually circling and playing with Moko's long hair, completely ignoring their conversation, even though he had so firmly rejected Marco's request just a day ago.

Shanks unconditionally supported Moko's decision, as long as Moko was happy. Shanks took a glass of lukewarm water and held it to Moko's lips. Moko took a sip from the glass with Shanks in hand, her movements natural and without any sense of awkwardness.

When Marco saw this scene, that sullen feeling returned to him. He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and put on his usual extremely friendly smile.

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation, YO."

"Yes, Brother Marco, you're welcome."

After arranging everything, Moko leaned lazily against Shanks again. Moko was naturally lazy, but in recent years, too many things had forced her to be diligent. Now, however, she could stop and rest whenever she was tired. As long as Shanks was by her side, she didn't have to worry about anything.

Seeing that things were almost settled, Neptune spoke up, "In accordance with Princess Otohime's wishes, the sea burial site will be set in the Sea Forest."

No one responded. Shanks silently and gently opened Moko's tightly clenched hand. Shirahoshi clenched her hands and lowered her head, tears falling like pearls. Uta hurriedly took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped away Shirahoshi's tears.

Seeing this, Neptune sighed deeply. "Then it's decided. Everyone, go back and rest."

As soon as he finished speaking, Neptune slowly got up and left the room, but his figure looked so lonely.

Mo Ke turned her gaze away, went to the two little ones, pinched their cheeks, and smiled gently.

"Uta-chan and Little Star, why don't you go back and rest first? Your sister and Shanks still have some things to take care of."

Shirahoshi tried hard to hold back her tears and nodded to Moko. Uta and Shirahoshi didn't suspect anything, after all, there were many things to be handed over on the affiliated islands, and a short meeting couldn't cover them all.

"Okay, then sister should come back soon."

The two little eyes sparkled as they looked at Moko with a pitiful expression. Bai Xing had just lost her mother and was extremely clingy to Moko, who was just as gentle as her mother. Uta, who was always clingy to Moko, felt even more heartbroken after seeing Moko's vulnerability this time, fearing that Moko might do something foolish, and became even more clingy.

"it is good."

Moko lowered her head and kissed each of the two little ones on the cheek. The two little ones obediently followed the maid and left, and the room became quiet again.

"Come in."

Once the two little ones were out of sight, Moko's cold voice rang out. Yasopp, carrying a man who had been beaten to a pulp, climbed in through a window, casually tossed the man to the ground, and then disgustedly washed him in the nearby sink.

The man on the ground struggled to open his swollen eyes. After seeing who was in the room, especially the frail Moko, he wailed even more loudly, his greed and desire in his eyes undisguised, completely oblivious to his current situation.

"You wrote this?"

Moko tilted her head and tossed the letter on the table in front of the man. The letter landed lightly in front of him, as if delivering a verdict on his life. The warm light in Moko's eyes was gone, replaced by a cold glint, and the gentle curve of her lips turned into a merciless mockery.

The man, seeing the letter he had written, felt a hint of smugness. After finally removing the rag he had somehow found in his mouth, he began to hurl insults at Moke.

"You bastard, how dare you kidnap me! Do you know who I am? You bastard, I am Vander Decken IX! I advise you to release me now, or I'll... kill you!"

The man hadn't finished speaking, but his disgusting, sticky gaze made it impossible to listen any further.

Moko remained unfazed by Vander Decken IX's insults, her expression unchanged. However, Shanks's gaze turned cold. If this wasn't someone Moko wanted to deal with, he would have already taken action. Shanks unconsciously stroked the ring on his ring finger, his eyes icy cold.

"So you admit that you wrote it."

Moko's slender fingers traced the rim of the cup, her slightly lowered eyes revealing an unreadable expression. Those who knew Moko would know that this was a prelude to her anger. The calmer she was before she became angry, the more terrifying she was, especially since Moko's current state was completely unlike her usual self.

Marco crossed his legs, propped his chin on one hand, and looked at Van der Deiken IX, who was still courting death. The dark glint in his eyes was chilling.

"Hehehe, so what if I wrote it? Princess Shirahoshi should be mine. She's going to be a great beauty. How can she belong to someone else?"

"...I originally intended to just teach you a lesson, but doing so would be too lenient on you."

Moko slowly turned around, and a strong aura of death emanated from her, quickly filling the entire room. At this moment, Vander Decken IX finally felt fear. His unrestrained laughter stopped abruptly, and he looked at the soft girl in front of him with horror.

Having finally broken free of his restraints, Vander Decken IX kept shrinking back, his body trembling, and he waved a small knife in front of him as if that would stop Moko from getting closer.

"You're a Devil Fruit user, right? What kind of fruit is it? Well, it doesn't matter."

Moko approached Vander Decken IX step by step. The immense pressure was almost suffocating Vander Decken IX. Vander Decken IX looked around, trying to find a way out. But what he saw almost scared him to death.

Surrounded by beings far from normal, there was a terrifying blood-red griffin, a ferocious blue phoenix, and countless demons. All of them stared at him menacingly, as if they wanted to skin him alive. But the most terrifying of all was the seemingly weakest girl in front of him. Behind Moko stood what seemed like the Grim Reaper wielding a giant scythe. Moko was radiating an aura of death, and the giant scythe looked like it was about to sever her head.

"No one can touch my family, not a single person. Have you thought about how you're going to atone for your sins?"