One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 148 Locked in the Dungeon

While eating oden, Moko had pretty much figured out Yamato's personality. She wondered what Yamato's father was thinking, turning a perfectly obedient daughter into a son. He really was something else.

(Kaido: (?ˉ??ˉ??) Oh dear, you don't need to praise me so much~)

"So Yamato is currently homeless?"

"Yes, but this is also a step in my training. As long as I train hard, I will definitely be able to truly become Kozuki Oden!"

Yamato clenched his fist, his eyes shining brighter than the sun. At this moment, Moko's mind was filled with all sorts of embarrassing things Oden did on the ship, but seeing the admiration and respect in Yamato's eyes, Moko decided to let those embarrassing things fade away.

Why does Yamato want to become Kozuki Oden?

Moko gently rubbed Ella's full belly, then looked up at Yamato. Haruka stood at the end of the alley, warily looking around. In Wano Country today, the word "Kozuki" is strictly forbidden. If someone with ulterior motives were to hear it, it would definitely cause trouble for Miss Moko.

Upon hearing Moko's question, Yamato tightly gripped the water glass with both hands, his fingers unconsciously rubbing against it. A startling light flashed in his burning eyes. "I want to open Wano Country to the world."

"?!"

The founding of the nation? Mo Ke's expression froze for a moment, her eyes trembling slightly as various memories intertwined. But in an instant, Mo Ke quickly pulled herself back to reality, as if that brief moment of stunned silence was just a wisp of smoke in a dream, vanishing without a trace.

It seems that Uncle Oden's purpose in setting sail was to help Wano Country open its borders. This kid, how should I put it? In some ways, he really is exactly the same as Uncle Oden. However, it's kind of adorably foolish to think he can fight Kaido with just brute force.

"The sovereign of Wano Country is Kaido, one of the Emperors of the Sea. Aren't you afraid, Yamato?"

Moko gazed at Yamato with a tender look, almost like she was looking at a child. Her questioning eyes contained a hint of helplessness, yet were also full of affection, as if she were looking at a naughty but lovable little guy, wanting to scold him but unable to help feeling pity.

"I'm not afraid at all. I will definitely succeed in opening Wano Country to the world. The sea is so vast. It would be so boring to just stay here. I want to see the sea. Besides, you can't hesitate in life. The first to arrive will enjoy a fulfilling life."

"!!"

"Little Moke, there's no need to hesitate in life, first come, first served, hahaha..."

If it were the same, memories of the past surged into her mind like a tidal wave. Yamato's figure gradually overlapped with that of Uncle Oden, who always had a smiling face. The similarities were so striking that they were startling. Moko's expression softened unconsciously. It seemed that Uncle Oden's will, like her father's, had found someone to carry it on. More than half of the twenty years mentioned in her father's letter had passed. Would these children who inherited his will be the ones to change the world? What kind of future did her father and Uncle Oden envision?

"Miss Moko, soldiers are coming this way."

A flustered sound came from behind, and Chunhe quickly returned to Moke's side from the end of the alley, speaking in a suppressed voice in Moke's ear.

Moko nodded and looked at Yamato. "The soldiers are coming. Yamato, you should go first."

"What about you, Mo Ke? Those soldiers are after me, I can't let you get involved!"

As Yamato was about to rush out, intending to have a heart-fluttering encounter with the soldiers, Moko grabbed Yamato's wrist and pulled him off balance. Yamato was full of surprise, never expecting that Moko, who was so slender, would be so strong.

"Don't worry, they won't dare touch me. Didn't you say, Yamato, that if you get caught, you'll go back to that dark dungeon? If you're imprisoned and lose your freedom, then your dream will never come true."

Moko smiled faintly as she looked directly into Yamato's eyes, her gaze unwavering and leaving Yamato with no room for argument.

"But, but!"

Yamato was still hesitant. It must have been because someone with ulterior motives overheard him saying that Kozuki had caused trouble for Moko. If only he had been more careful. On their very first day of knowing each other, he had already caused his friend such a big problem.

"Go on your way. Next time we meet, Yamato, tell me more of your adventure stories!"

Moko placed a small package in Yamato's palm. "Take this safe. It will definitely be helpful to Yamato. Let's go."

"They're there! Catch them!!"

The soldiers were now clearly visible. Without further hesitation, Yamato leaped onto the roof beam. After glancing at Moko once more, he quickly turned and fled. He noticed the calm in Moko's eyes and understood that this incident wouldn't harm her. However, it was his fault, and he promised to make it up to her next time they met. Before their next meeting, he would travel to more places and bring back more adventure stories for Moko.

The soldiers quickly surrounded them. Chunhe trembled with fear, but still held tightly to protect Moke. The soldier in charge was clearly amazed when he saw Moke, but his eyes were filled with ill intent.

"You, go and catch the one who escaped. Take these two back to the dungeon," the leading officer said arrogantly, pointing at several other soldiers.

"Yes!"

The officers and soldiers who were pointed at nodded and quickly chased after Yamato in the direction he had left, while the other officers and soldiers surrounded Moko and Chunhe even more tightly.

"Openly discussing taboos is a heinous crime. If you don't want to suffer physical pain, you'd better come with us."

The leading officer had quite the air of authority. Mo didn't say anything, but simply picked up the lying Ella, stood up gracefully, and Chunhe's eyes were full of worry.

"Miss Moko."

"Chunhe, let's go with them."

Mo Ke showed no sign of panic. Her calm demeanor made the leading soldier feel a lump in his throat, but remembering what his uncle had said, and looking at Mo Ke, he forced himself to swallow his anger.

"Take them away!"

She's such a beauty, it's a pity. If those two lords hadn't come in person, he wouldn't have been willing to give such a beauty away like this. What a pity! The leading soldier glanced at Mo Ke behind him several times out of the corner of his eye, and he didn't know how many times he had sighed in his heart. But as he looked, the leading soldier's gaze fell on Chun He next to Mo Ke.

Although this beauty is gone, the one next to her is not bad either. After I finish this business, I will take this one home to play with. Thinking this, the malice in the man's eyes became more and more obvious. The undisguised malice made Chunhe tremble all over, her face turned pale, and her lips trembled involuntarily.

Chunhe's appearance was not bad. She might not be considered one of the many beauties on Ghost Island, but she was still a beautiful woman with a delicate and graceful appearance. Coupled with her elegant attire, she was like a delicate flower bud, especially charming.

Seeing this, Mo Ke glanced coldly at the man out of the corner of her eye, subtly shielding Chunhe behind her back. The leading soldier suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, his hair stood on end, and his heart trembled. The man subconsciously rubbed his arms, looked up at the sky again, and thought, "What the hell? How can it be so cold under such a bright sun?"

Perhaps because it was too eerie, the man quickened his pace back to the dungeon. And because of Moke's cooperation, the soldiers did not use force against Moke and Chunhe. The two were thus smoothly locked in the dungeon. It has to be said that this was the first time in Moke's life that she had come to the dungeon as a prisoner.

The dungeon was dark and damp, filthy everywhere, and the walls were covered with bloodstains of varying depths. Chunhe was so frightened by the sight that she almost fainted, her face turning deathly pale.

This was Haruhe's first time in the dungeon. The dungeon on Oni Island was in the front yard, and they were absolutely not allowed to step out of the back yard without permission. They had no chance to come into contact with what was happening in the front yard, let alone what outrageous things Haruhe might do given her weak nature.

You see, this was the first time she'd ventured out in six years since entering Onigashima, and she never expected something like this to happen. What should she do? What should she do? She had to find a way to rescue Miss Moko.

Unlike Chunhe's thoughts, Moke frowned in disdain. There wasn't even a clean place to sit. It was really shabby. Moxiang's dungeon was probably equivalent to a five-star hotel in the dungeon world.

As the two were lost in thought, they faintly heard a conversation outside the cell, one of which belonged to the officer who had just led the way.

The two men slowly walked to the iron door of the cell. The heavy iron chains clanged as the men moved, making a jarring sound in the deep, quiet cell corridor.

A dim oil lamp hung on the mottled stone wall, its weak light barely illuminating the area ahead, casting dappled shadows that added an eerie touch.

"Uncle, this is the woman, look."

The leading officer stretched out his finger, peering through the gap in the iron bars, and pointed unabashedly at Moke inside the cell. A sliver of moonlight, filtering through the narrow window, barely fell on Moke, casting a faint silver glow on her slender body, making her appear so delicate and beautiful.

The man, whom the leading officer called "uncle," was bloated and had a fat head and big ears. His eyes gleamed with undisguised amazement, like a hungry wolf spotting its prey. He brazenly looked Moko up and down, his gaze filled with both greed and frivolity, which was unpleasant to look at. But in the end, Moko saw regret in the man's eyes.

"Is the identity confirmed?"

"Uncle, don't worry. I remember all the young ladies from noble families very clearly. There is absolutely no such woman."

The leading officer spoke with absolute conviction, and the man patted him on the shoulder with obvious pleasure, his voice full of praise.

"Well done! That person will definitely like such a top-notch product. If that person is happy, you will certainly receive plenty of benefits."

"This is all thanks to Uncle. Shall we deliver it now?"

The leading officer asked tentatively. The man glanced at Moko again, his regret deepening. This beauty was no less than the most beautiful woman in Wano Country. It was a pity; she would probably perish soon.

"I'll send the person over now. Don't cause any trouble. Just go back and wait for news."

The man glanced sideways at the leading officer, his voice carrying a warning. His ability to directly access the core of power and receive messages from several high-ranking officials demonstrated his worldly wisdom. Although he didn't seem particularly bright, he knew how to be patient and restrained, and was shrewd and experienced in handling affairs. He naturally understood that no trouble could be caused before things were settled. If this woman truly gained the favor of that official, they would suffer the consequences later. Therefore, even if she was just an ordinary commoner, they had to treat her with the utmost respect.

He knew all too well what his nephew was thinking about all day. If he couldn't touch this one, he would definitely touch the other. The master and servant were so close. If this woman gained favor and found out about his maid's accident, who knew what she would say to that master. In any case, at least the other one couldn't be touched for now. If this woman didn't win that master's favor, it wouldn't matter what happened to the other one.

"Got it, uncle."

His voice held a hint of reluctance, but the leading officer nodded and left. No matter what, listening to his uncle was always the right thing to do; it was only a matter of time. He knew that the powerful official was currently inflicting torture on the dungeon, and the screams coming from the depths of the dungeon, even from a distance, made him tremble with fear and his legs go weak, almost unable to stand. Once he stepped into that hellish place, this woman would definitely not come out alive, and what would happen to the other one would be up to him.