One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 141 Hostages

Someone needed to take command on the deck, and with no other vice admirals present, Corazon was undoubtedly the best choice. After much hesitation, Corazon made up his mind and assigned two other capable naval officers to escort Moko back to her room.

"You guys go up on deck and help Corazon, don't worry about me here," Moko said to the two marines who had brought her back, as she returned to her room.

"Yes!"

Moko's room was on the second floor inside. As long as the entrance to the cabin was guarded, Moko would be safe. Seeing this, the two naval officers did not hesitate any longer and immediately rushed to the deck.

Watching the two figures disappear, Moko's smile gradually faded. She gently stroked the rice flower in her arms, and as if sensing her presence, the rice flower shrank and burrowed into Moko's pocket. Ella looked at the rice flower in her pocket with a puzzled expression, then looked up at Moko. Moko gently pinched Ella's chubby paw and blinked. Ella immediately understood and lowered her head, remaining motionless.

With a faint smile, Moko turned and went back to her room. Without saying anything, she picked up the warm water she had prepared earlier, walked to the table, and began to brew new tea.

Place the dried tea leaves from the tea box into the teapot. As hot water is poured into the transparent glass teapot with its long spout, the contracted tea leaves unfurl their soft, emerald-green bodies in the hot water, gradually turning the clear water a light green color, like the arrival of early spring. The closed flower buds seem to be awakened, slowly opening their tender petals, reappearing in their most beautiful bloom. The fragrance of flowers and tea quietly intertwine, releasing a mellow and lingering aroma. If you smell it carefully, it seems to carry the freshness of morning dew.

Mo Ke picked up the teapot and gracefully poured two cups of tea, placing one in front of her and the other opposite her. She silently put the teapot back on the table, sat down, and quietly began to drink the tea. The floral fragrance filled her mouth, a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness, a flavor that Mo Ke always loved.

White tea smoke curled up, and Mo Ke lowered her eyes to watch the ripples spreading in the cup. Her slender fingers lightly traced the rim of the cup as she spoke softly.

"It's not very polite to just barge into a girl's room, but since you're here, how about having a cup of tea?"

"..." After a long silence, Mo Ke did not urge him, but instead continued to sip the tea in her cup.

When did you find out?

Finally, another person couldn't wait any longer. A figure appeared from the shadows of the room. The person was tall and dressed in all black, with no skin exposed. His entire head was covered by a thick mask, making it impossible to see his face. If it weren't for the black wings behind him and the flames on the back of his head, Mo would believe that this person was there to steal. A thief who comes to steal from a warship is quite skilled. I just wonder what this thief wants to steal.

Moko didn't answer the man's question. Her clear eyes were fixed on him, and the smile on her face made the man realize that the girl in front of him must have discovered him before she even entered the room. Otherwise, how could she have managed to send those two sailors away?

The intelligence report stated that Garp's granddaughter was just an ordinary person without any fighting skills or Haki. However, it seems that this may not be the case. An ordinary person standing in front of him would not be so calm and would even be able to detect his ability to conceal his aura. So, is this girl just putting on an act, or does she really have the strength to fight him?

The man stood still, and the two remained silent, neither speaking again. The sound of clashing weapons echoed outside the window until Moke finished her cup of tea.

"He doesn't drink tea or speak. He can't just be sightseeing on the warship for no reason. He's one of Kaido's most capable subordinates, King the Wildfire."

"You know me?"

"Since you were able to pinpoint my room, you must have investigated my identity as well. As an assistant to a naval admiral, shouldn't understanding the enemy be a basic skill? So, can you answer my question now? A lot of time has passed; the two admirals should be on their way back."

Moko smiled and calmly stated the facts. Ella in her arms was also obediently still, looking like a doll. It was a scene that seemed like a fairy tale, but Jin felt a chill. His arms, which looked relaxed, were actually tense, as if he was ready to deal with Moko's attack at any moment.

Too calm. The girl in front of him was far too calm. Jin wasn't afraid of Moko's next move, but when he looked into Moko's clear eyes, he felt embarrassed and flustered that he was completely seen through.

When the sound of gunfire came from outside the window again, King finally stopped hesitating. Regardless of whether Moko was a real person or not, he had to bring Moko back. He would never let down Lord Kaido's expectations.

Thinking this, Jin rushed over and picked up Moko like a little chick, tucking her under his arm. After a series of actions, Moko didn't even have a chance to resist, which made Jin feel uneasy. No, she really is just an ordinary person?

As if he didn't believe it, Jin used his Haki again to probe Moko, but no matter how many times he probed, there was not a trace of Haki on Moko. All of this told Jin that Moko was really just an ordinary person.

"boom!"

Another explosion rang out, interspersed with a faint, sharp whistling sound. Jin frowned, smashed the glass door of the balcony with a punch, and spread his black wings to fly into the sky.

"Miss Moko!!"

The sound of shattering glass did not escape Corazon's ears on the deck. When he looked up, he saw Moko, who appeared to be unconscious, being snatched away by a pirate dressed in black. Corazon tried to rush to save Moko, but was immediately restrained by the pirates who rushed over again. He couldn't break free and could only watch helplessly as Moko was taken away.

Jin carried Moko further and further out to sea, and in just a few breaths, the distance became one that could no longer be caught. Corazon's eyes were bloodshot. Before setting off, Vice Admiral Garp had entrusted Miss Moko to him with such trust, and he had promised to protect her. But what was he doing now? Why hadn't he been able to protect Miss Moko properly? Knowing that Miss Moko had no fighting ability, he still left her alone. He should have considered that there might be pirates with the ability to fly among them. It was his fault; he hadn't considered things comprehensively enough. It was all because of this that Miss Moko was captured by the pirates.

"Damn it, you bunch of bastards!"

The pent-up anger erupted at this moment, black Haki enveloped his body, and he launched an even more frenzied attack on the pirates. No one dared to confront his attacks head-on.

The pirates exchanged glances and nodded. Having achieved their objective, they had no reason to linger. Upon hearing the signal from behind, the pirates quickly retreated like a receding tide, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation. Borsalino and Kuzan, who had rushed back from the battlefield, saw the scene and the broken windows of Moko's balcony. Their expressions turned sharp. For a moment, the atmosphere on the ship was eerily silent, like the calm before a storm.

"Brubrubru, brubrubru."

The sound of a Den Den Mushi broke the deathly silence, and Borsalino's lieutenant, under the gaze of everyone, reluctantly answered the phone.

“Blue”.

"Borsalino, where is Kuzan now?"

As soon as he answered the phone, Sengoku's voice came from the other end, and he could faintly hear the sound of something smashing. The lieutenant glanced at the two generals, and what he saw almost gave him a heart attack. Meeting those murderous eyes so suddenly was terrifying for anyone. The lieutenant nervously swallowed.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Kizaru, and Admiral Aokiji are right here."

“Alright, Borsalino, now you and Kuzan take the rest of the others and return to Marine Headquarters immediately. I will send someone else to take over Eorze Island.” Sengoku stated his purpose directly.

"Marshal Sengoku, Miss Moko, she..."

Upon hearing that they were returning to headquarters, what should Miss Komoko do? Corazon panicked instantly, thinking that Sengoku was unaware of what was happening here, and quickly took a few steps over, snatched the Den Den Mushi, and spoke.

"Corazon, obey orders!"

As if knowing what Corazon wanted to say, Sengoku interrupted Corazon directly. Knowing that the three were worried, he softened his tone and continued.

"I already know about Xiao Moko's situation. The pirates won't harm Xiao Moko. As for the specifics, we'll talk about it when you get back."

Sengoku was extremely annoyed. Doflamingo's theft of the "Heavenly Gold" was already troublesome enough, but just now, Doflamingo had called to openly provoke him, saying that he wanted to take the hero Garp's granddaughter as a guest. At first, he didn't want to believe it, but Miguel's tone just now made him realize that Doflamingo was not joking. Damn it!

"Marshal Sengoku, something terrible has happened! General Zephyr..."

One problem after another arose. Sengoku's brows were furrowed so deeply they could practically trap a mosquito. He stopped wasting words and his tone was more forceful than ever before.

"Borsalino, Kuzan, and Corazon, whatever your plans are now, return to port immediately. Don't let your momentary impulses harm Moko."

After saying that, Sengoku immediately hung up the phone. With just that one sentence, Sengoku wasn't worried at all that the three of them would act impulsively. And indeed, reality did extinguish the three of them who originally intended to disobey orders. Yes, what if those pirates hurt Moko if they forced their way over? Moko was in their hands now, so even if they went over, they wouldn't dare to make a move. Damn it, they should have left more guards behind. They clearly guessed that these pirates would act desperately.

"Admiral Kizaru, we..."

The air seemed to freeze for a long time. Seeing that the three leaders had not spoken, Borsalino's lieutenant finally mustered up the courage to step forward and ask, drawing everyone's attention.

Borsalino's eyes were icy cold, causing the vice admiral's hair to stand on end in an instant. He hurriedly lowered his head. Borsalino took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in his heart. What good was his speed? There was a chance to take Moko back from the enemy, but he dared not gamble. He dared not gamble on any possibility of Moko being injured. Ordinary people's physiques were not as good as theirs. If a pirate were to strike with such force, Moko's delicate body might not even survive until the best treatment.

"Return to base!"

Borsalino said the words almost through gritted teeth, then turned and went back to his cabin. Kuzan didn't stay on the ship any longer and went straight back to his own warship. The two men had a strikingly similar, terrifyingly low pressure emanating from them. Corazon slumped on the deck, clutching his head, without saying a word.

The navy officers looked at each other and shook their heads as they prepared to return to port. They were naturally angry and heartbroken that Moko had been captured. If the two admirals had said to go after her now, they would not have any complaints. However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's words completely extinguished their anger. Their impulsiveness might cause Moko's death, and no one wanted to see that happen.

Victory in war should be a joyous occasion, but there was no happy atmosphere on the warship. The silence was almost suffocating, and dark clouds were gathering in the distance, signaling an approaching storm.