One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 64 Alita

"Haha, Shanks is like a little kid, he needs his sister to make him snacks to coax him."

Uta covered her mouth and laughed heartily, full of schadenfreude. Moko affectionately pinched the tip of Uta's nose without refuting. In front of Moko, Shanks was just a child.

Once Shanks and Beckman were out of sight, the mayor finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been startled by Beckman's resentment. After calming his racing heart, the mayor looked at Moko and Uta.

"I just heard that Madam is making some desserts. If Madam doesn't mind, why don't you use my kitchen?"

Traveling back and forth between the main island and the secondary island takes a considerable amount of time. Shanks and the others are currently handling their work on the secondary island, so finding a kitchen there would be the most convenient option. Also, there's the child; Moko is a bit worried about him.

"That's troublesome."

"No trouble at all, madam, this way please."

The mayor was truly apprehensive. He hadn't expected Moko to be so friendly. The impression Moko had left on him a few days ago was too deep, especially considering that she had built such a large business as Moko at such a young age. Even though she seemed completely harmless, he dared not underestimate her.

Moreover, even the unfathomably powerful Red-Haired Lord was incredibly obedient in front of this girl, so those of them who relied on the protection of the Red-Haired Pirates should treat this Red-Haired Lady, who was making her first public appearance, with utmost respect.

The surrounding area should be planned as an orange orchard, full of lush green and golden yellow, with a refreshing orange scent lingering in the air. Every orange is round and plump, and Moko can even see a faint halo on the oranges. This phenomenon only occurs when plants and animals are extremely vigorous or in a very happy mood. Perhaps it is because healing power has a high affinity for life that it has created this special ability that only Moko possesses.

Fruit trees cannot possess the vigorous vitality to emit an aura. Only ancient trees like the Adam Tree, or some plants that have undergone special circumstances, can have an aura. For example, Devil Fruits, although the reason for their formation is unknown, do indeed have a very strong aura. As for animals, Miu and Sweet Fruit are examples, and their auras are even stronger than those of Devil Fruits.

In conclusion, the oranges emitting a halo is most likely due to a happy mood. After all, plants are living things and can experience joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. This also shows that the person taking care of the fruit trees is very dedicated.

"This orchard is growing very well."

"Hmm? Hahaha, you flatter me, Madam. My daughter usually takes care of it. Her mother loves oranges and never gets tired of them, so she planted a large area of ​​them."

"I don't think I saw your wife last time."

“My wife is in poor health and has been recuperating at home recently, so I didn’t take her with me.”

Speaking of illness, Moko keenly noticed the dejection in the mayor's eyes, indicating that it was not a simple minor ailment.

"Did the doctor say what medicine I should take? If you need it, you can tell Yubi or Shanks."

"Haha, we don't need it. Thank you, Madam. Red-haired Lord and Lord Yubi have already helped us a lot. Besides, my wife's illness has been intermittent for a long time, and Doctor Hongo said that she can only be kept at home."

Moko lowered her eyes slightly, looking at Uta who ran out of the orchard holding an orange. The orange's glow was faint, but you could sense its happiness.

"I also have some knowledge of medicine, if..."

"OK!"

Before Moko could finish speaking, the mayor eagerly agreed. Perhaps realizing he was getting a little too excited, the mayor became flustered, gesturing wildly as if he wanted to say something but didn't know what to say.

Over the years, he had consulted countless doctors. In the beginning, life on the island was difficult, and he couldn't find good doctors for his lover like Bailey. But just when life was finally getting a little better, and he thought everything would get better, he was told that his lover had an incurable disease that even the local doctor couldn't cure. Even his lover advised him to give her up, but how could he agree? She was his wife and the mother of his daughter. How could he just stand by and watch his wife die without doing anything?

"Madam, my wife has troubled you."

The mayor bowed deeply and solemnly. He would do anything to save his wife's life, even if it meant taking his own.

"No need to be so polite, after all, these children really like her."

The mayor was somewhat taken aback to realize who the child Moko was referring to was. He saw Moko holding an orange and smiling gently, like the warm spring sun melting the winter snow on the mountainside. Even though it was just a child about the same age as his own daughter, the mayor couldn't help but believe her.

When Chestnut Bear opened the door, he was completely stunned, staring at Moko as if he hadn't reacted at all. Seeing his daughter's silly look, the mayor was somewhat disappointed and quickly pulled her behind him.

"I apologize, madam, my daughter was rude."

"fine."

Moko shook her head, feeling that the mayor's overly anxious demeanor was unnecessary. She wasn't particularly concerned with etiquette; it was too cumbersome and would create distance between them. As long as they weren't enemies, she could simply interact with her normally.

Moreover, the mayor was more afraid—afraid of Shanks and the immense power behind her. While it's understandable, it's still strange. She's not one of those so-called world nobles who enjoys being looked up to by everyone.

"Mayor!"

An eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy came running over in a flurry of energy. The town mayor frowned and stepped forward.

"What's wrong? What kind of behavior is this, shouting and yelling in front of Madam?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, madam."

Moko is very pretty. Seeing Moko smiling and shaking her head, I blushed and scratched my head shyly.

"What happened?"

"Oh, well, they say little Will secretly shaved his grandpa's head and drew a turtle on his brother's face, so Uncle Will is chasing him and beating him up now."

"puff."

Uta quickly covered her mouth to stop laughing, while Moko turned her head away, concealing the smile on her lips. As the town mayor, she still had to deal with these family matters; she was truly... diligent.

The mayor felt utterly overwhelmed and utterly humiliated. He had raved about the town's virtues the whole way there, but now everyone was fussing over trivial family matters. Couldn't they have discussed this later, in private?!

"I'm sorry, Madam, let my daughter take you to the kitchen. I'll go check on things first."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your thing. I'll go check on your wife later."

"Okay, thank you."

After the mayor finished speaking, he quickly left with the boy. The area in front of the small building fell silent for a moment. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Chestnut Bear murmured softly.

"Um, the kitchen is over here, I'll take you there."

"Okay." Moko nodded with a smile.

Chestnut Bear walked ahead somewhat reservedly, glancing at Moko behind him from time to time. The consequence of his lack of concentration was that he was about to bump into the wall when Moko quickly reached out and put her arm around Chestnut Bear's shoulder.

"Be careful."

Suddenly having his shoulder grabbed, Chestnut Bear jumped in fright, looking sharply at Moko. Moko looked at him with concern but didn't say anything about Chestnut Bear's big reaction.

Chestnut Bear then realized he had almost bumped into a wall. His face turned bright red uncontrollably, and he hurriedly opened the kitchen door, bowed, and fled in a panic.

Uta tilted her head, staring blankly at the fleeing chestnut bear. "What happened to her?"

"Hmm, maybe she's shy." Moko pinched Uta's cheek. "Let's go, let's make Uta-chan a delicious strawberry mille-feuille."

"Hmm! Then I'm going to put lots of strawberries in." Uta's attention was immediately diverted, and she stopped worrying about the chestnut bear.

"it is good."

The two walked into the kitchen while talking. After they entered the kitchen, a fluffy chestnut head peeked out from around the corner.

Crepe cakes are easy to make. Moko and Uta quickly finished the final strawberry decoration. The layers of crepes and cream were distinct in color, and the strawberry pieces were faintly visible, making it look mouthwatering.

Uta fed Moko first before eating herself, and with each bite she showed an expression of extreme happiness, exactly the same as the three little ones' expressions when they ate the snacks. Moko rested her chin on one hand, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned. Moko liked to see the happy looks on other people's faces after eating the snacks she made. Just seeing them happy made Moko feel happy too.

Moko's eyes held a warm smile, but her gaze involuntarily fell on the bright yellow oranges. Remembering the runaway chestnut bear, Moko returned to the kitchen. Uta, biting her spoon, followed Moko with a puzzled look.

"Is this for Shanks, sister?"

"Hmm, make one for Chestnut Bear who just ran away too."

"Yes, I know, it's a thank-you gift for borrowing the kitchen."

"Uta-chan is so smart."

"Hehe~" Uta put the remaining cake into a box and ran to the kitchen without stopping. "I'll help my sister."

"it is good."

Moko helped Uta tie her apron and handed over the task of cutting the oranges to Uta. She then started kneading the dough. Because some orange peel was added, the dough had a light orange-yellow color and smelled slightly like oranges. Moko sealed the plump dough and put it aside to refrigerate and ferment. While waiting, she poured white sugar and seaweed powder into a pot and heated it until it melted.

"Sister, oranges."

Uta pushed the sliced ​​oranges over, and Moko pinched Uta's cheek in praise. Then, she put the orange slices into the thick syrup in the pot and cooked them until they turned a caramel brown. She rolled the chilled dough into tart shells of the appropriate size, put them into the molds, trimmed off the excess, pricked small holes in the bottom of the tarts with a fork, and evenly spread clean pebbles on the surface before putting them back into the oven.

Add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture in small amounts several times to make the filling. Seeing Uta's expectant eyes, Moko understood and handed the mixer to Uta. Uta's eyes lit up instantly, and she confidently picked up the mixer to start mixing the chocolate, her little expression extremely serious.

Moko's eyes lit up with a smile. Seeing that Uta's movements were clumsy yet steady, she felt reassured and began to make orange jam. She spread chocolate on the baked tart base and baked it again for twenty minutes. After it cooled, she spread orange jam on it. Finally, she layered brown orange slices on top of the orange jam and sprinkled powdered sugar on top to garnish it.

"It's done!"

Moko and Uta happily high-fived, then, as if noticing something, Moko dampened a handkerchief and wiped away the chocolate that had accidentally gotten on Uta's cheek. Uta blushed instantly; she was just as confused as Luffy. No, no, she couldn't let herself be spoiled by her sister's pampering any longer. She was Luffy's trusted sister! But, but... her sister was wiping her face... and up close, her sister looked even more beautiful...

(Uta has completely fallen~)

"Ding!"

The oven beeped, and Moko took out the baked orange tart. The orange tart was baked to perfection, with an enticing golden sheen. Because the oranges were of very high quality, the caramelized oranges seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

"Would you like to try some?"

Moko suddenly spoke, and Uta tilted her head, clearly knowing that Moko wasn't asking her. Seeing that there was no answer, Moko turned her head to look at the door.

"Aren't you coming in, Chestnut Bear?"

"..."

"I'm not..." After a long silence, Chestnut Bear emerged from outside the door, rubbing the hem of her skirt.

"Ok?"

Seeing that Mo didn't understand, Chestnut Bear pursed his lips, his face turned red, and he remained silent for almost a minute, as if he had finally mustered up his courage.

"I'm not Chestnut Bear, I have a name..."

Chestnut Bear spoke softer and softer, his hard-won courage deflated like a punctured balloon.

"Pfft, um, what's the name of that chestnut bear?"

Moko was so gentle and didn't have any of the airs of those so-called important people. Chestnut Bear relaxed a lot and was about to speak when suddenly the maid's anxious voice came.

"Oh no! Miss, the madam has vomited blood again!"

"mom!"

Chestnut Bear couldn't care less about Moko anymore, and his figure disappeared through the doorway.

"elder sister."

Uta's eyes showed worry. Although she was not familiar with Chestnut Bear, Uta knew that being sick was a very painful thing, and that she had to drink bitter medicine every time. Moreover, Shanks and the others were also very worried.

"Don't worry, I'm here, everything will be fine."

"Ok!"

Uta's eyes sparkled, and she blindly trusted Moko, just as she trusted Shanks. After all, in Uta's little world, there was nothing that Moko and Shanks couldn't do.

Moko patted Uta's head and led Uta in the direction the chestnut bear had gone.

In the bedroom, a pale-faced woman lay on the bed. She looked like Chestnut Bear's mother. Chestnut Bear had almost inherited his mother's beauty, both having beautiful chestnut-colored long hair. However, due to illness, the woman's hair color was slightly dull, and she was extremely thin.

At this moment, fine beads of sweat kept appearing on the woman's forehead, indicating that she was enduring great pain. The white sheets were stained with glaring red, which reminded Mo Ke of that early morning.

Mo Ke lowered her eyes slightly, her emotions flashing quickly and unpredictably.

"Doctor, where's the doctor? Go and call my father back!"

The little bear was terrified and panicked, frantically wiping the blood from his mother's mouth, his eyes brimming with tears. The maid also ran past Moko in a panic and rushed out the door.

"It's okay, don't be afraid."

A gentle voice drifted into his ears, and Chestnut Bear turned around in panic to look at Moko. He was completely disoriented, and tears kept falling. Moko gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Chestnut Bear's eyes with her fingertips.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

With just a simple sentence, even though Momo hadn't done anything, Chestnut Bear inexplicably stopped feeling flustered.

"What's your name, Chestnut Bear?"

Even in such a critical moment, Moko was still fixated on her name. Chestnut Bear didn't understand, but still unconsciously answered Moko.

Alita.

"Alita, a bird that yearns for freedom and happiness, what a beautiful name."