One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 6 Helplessness

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, Captain, accept my challenge!"

Barrett bowed to Roger, his eyes no longer showing the firmness they had when they first met, but rather a hint of confusion. Roger sighed softly.

"Come on, Barrett!"

Watching Barrett keep throwing punches at Roger, Moko stood on the second-floor balcony, her chin resting on her hands, looking down with a slight frown. Rayleigh stood beside Moko and spoke calmly.

"What does Xiaomo think?"

"Hmm, very strong, but... it's different from the first time."

"How are they different?"

“Barrett was decisive when he first challenged his father, but now his attacks are filled with confusion and anxiety. He hesitates when he throws a punch, which is completely different from before.”

Rayleigh gently patted Moko's head, his eyes approving. "Yes, he's confused..."

Shanks and Bucky sat behind the two playing Gomoku, a new game that Moko had come up with. In addition to Gomoku, there were also checkers, chess, and other chess games. This different game gave the people on the ship more ways to pass the time, and they no longer spent all their time drinking.

Roger met Barrett's punch head-on with a backhand punch. A violent gust of air exploded outwards from the two of them. They faced off like that for a minute. Barrett fell straight to the ground. Roger turned around and said calmly.

"Barrett, you are strong, but you still haven't found a reason to become stronger."

After saying this, Roger left, and the others dispersed to go back to their own business. The surroundings immediately became quiet. Barrett lay on the ground, staring blankly at the clear sky, his eyes filled with confusion.

The sky and the sea are different colors; the sky is a clear, silky blue. White clouds are torn into wisps and strands, merging back into that deep blue. There are no noisy waves, no violent surges; the beginning and the end are both peaceful.

Barrett didn't understand the reason for becoming stronger. He just wanted to become stronger, but he didn't know why. He had been pursuing becoming stronger, but he had never thought about why he wanted to become stronger or what he would do after becoming stronger. What was the reason for becoming stronger?

While Barrett was stunned, a bright pink color suddenly entered his field of vision without warning. The orange-pink eyes were as clear as water, purer than the peaceful sky, as if they could see through people's hearts. At this moment, Barrett had no way to avoid it.

It was that look again. Barrett couldn't describe it. Sympathy? Pity? Neither. He clearly had no secrets, yet he still couldn't look those eyes directly in the eye. It was just a normal eye contact, but Barrett felt as if his heart had been completely dissected and exposed. This feeling actually frightened him.

The sounds of the wind, the roaring waves, and the low cries of seabirds filled his ears—a cacophony he couldn't quite connect with. Barrett moved his lips, pondering for a long time before finally deciding what to say. In the past three years, he had barely spoken to the little guy in front of him.

Seeing Barrett's embarrassment, Moko squatted down, gently stroked Barrett's head, and spoke in a soft voice.

"Don't cry, don't cry, Barrett, don't cry."

He didn't know what had touched a nerve, but his eyes seemed to glisten with tears. Barrett covered his eyes with his hand and remained silent. Why was this happening? He hadn't even defeated Roger yet, he could have become stronger, but time was running out. The man he admired most didn't have much time left. He might never have the chance to defeat him again in his lifetime. He hadn't even found a reason to become stronger...

He hated himself so much, hated how fragile he was. The most vulnerable life in his eyes could always sense his emotions and touch his most vulnerable spot. It was he who was weak. He actually wanted to live with his companions. It was he who was the weakest when he was desperately suppressing and avoiding these things.

On the second-floor balcony, Ridley handed the wine to Roger behind him, but his gaze was fixed on the two people on the deck, a smile playing on his lips.

Do you think Barrett can understand?

Roger downed his drink in one gulp, turned his head to look at the deck, and saw a hazy white light surging around Moko. The sunlight was just then shining on the two of them, like light tearing through the darkness and descending. Watching this scene, Roger slowly curled the corners of his mouth.

"He's already found his direction, hasn't he?"

Seeing the glint in Roger's eyes, Rayleigh smiled helplessly and clinked glasses with Roger.

Shanks placed a piece to end the game, ignoring Bucky who had lost all his pocket money. Shanks got up and went downstairs, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, looking at Moko in the light. Moko, like a little sun, always attracted everyone's attention without them even realizing it. In Shanks' eyes, everything around him had become blurry, but Moko's figure became clearer and clearer. Unconsciously, the corners of Shanks' mouth slowly turned up.

(Barrett: So I'm being ignored, huh?! (T_T))

Night fell silently, starlight like diamonds adorning the deep blue curtain, and moonlight like a light veil gently spreading across the entire sea. Barrett placed the small boat in the water, carrying nothing on his person, everything just as it had been when he arrived.

Barrett.

The soft, sweet voice made Barrett stop in his tracks. He turned around and saw Moko and Shanks, with Shanks carrying a huge backpack.

"Are you leaving?"

Barrett dared not look Moko in the eye, turning his head slightly away, his voice muffled as if squeezed from his throat.

"Ah."

Moko blinked and stared at Barrett for a long time. Barrett was sweating nervously. Moko in front of him was so small, but he dared not look her in the eye.

Children are truly amazing; they can grow from such a tiny little thing to the height of a radish head, from not being able to speak clearly at the beginning to speaking fluently now. A life more fragile than glass is becoming stronger and more radiant.

"Shanks."

Moko's eyebrows relaxed as she looked at Shanks. Shanks stepped forward and stuffed the backpack into Barrett's arms. Barrett looked at Moko with some confusion. Moko took two steps forward and waved to Barrett.

When Barrett saw Moko's movement, he habitually squatted down. By the time he realized what was happening, Moko had already stood on tiptoe and reached out her hand, gently pinching Barrett's cheek without using any force.

"Be careful on the road, and remember to eat well."

Barrett really has become more prone to crying. He forced back his tears, stood up, and bowed to Moko. When he looked up, he vaguely saw a tall figure in the dark corner. His pupils contracted, and Barrett bit his tongue, bowing again in that direction.

"I'm off!"

Before Moko could answer, Barrett jumped onto the small boat and drove it away into the night, seemingly fleeing in a panic. Moko's eyes curved into a smile as she turned and took Shanks' hand, her eyes filled with a sweet and gentle smile.

"Shanks, let's go back."

"it is good."

Shanks let Moko lead him back to his room. When they reached a certain spot, he glanced at the corner where there had been people. Was he really not going to come out to say goodbye? Was he afraid of crying? This was not like the captain at all. He had thought the captain would throw a farewell party.

Shanks?

"It's alright, go back."

"Ah."

Because of her healing abilities, Moko has an extremely strong perception of sick people. As a result, Roger's illness could not be kept from Moko at all. Moko tried to use her healing abilities to treat him, but Roger's illness was very strange. Although it seemed to be working, the healing abilities could not penetrate into the diseased cells. It was as if there was some unseen force preventing Moko from healing him.

After discovering that her healing abilities were insufficient to cure Roger, Moko became increasingly pressed for time in her training, spending most of her remaining time immersed in medical books, hoping to find a way to cure Roger from the medicine of this world.

Spring passed and autumn came, and winter was almost over. Moko still hadn't found a way to cure Roger. Every day, she could only use her healing power to help Roger alleviate his pain. Although Roger didn't say anything, he drank alcohol much more often, and alcohol was indeed a good way to numb the pain.

Moko didn't say anything, but silently helped Roger cleanse the diseased cells in his body every morning. Although it couldn't cure him, it was good to help alleviate the pain.

For the time being, only Rayleigh, Moko, and Barrett knew about Roger's illness. Moko still looked as innocent and adorable as ever, but Shanks clearly sensed her unhappiness. He wore a smile, but as he looked at her, he felt as if she was about to cry at any moment. Moko didn't want to talk about it, and Shanks didn't ask. He just spent more and more time with Moko every day. He was waiting, waiting for the day when Moko would be willing to tell him herself.

"Moko-chan, it's snowing!"

Bucky rushed in, his shoulders still covered in snowflakes. Moko's eyes lit up. Shanks, whose gaze had been fixed on Moko, naturally noticed the interest in her eyes.

"Go out and have some fun. It's not good to stay cooped up in books all the time."

Shanks gently pinched Moko's nose. Moko nodded. Even though she had pretended to be cheerful for so long, how could Shanks, who had been by her side all along, not see through her? She had still made Shanks worry. But how could she tell Shanks about her father? Shanks was also raised by her father and had just as deep feelings for him. How could she tell Shanks about this?

The heavy, deep sky was a vast expanse of white, and the spring snow falling gently and peacefully filled the air. Mo Ke gathered her hair, and before her exposed skin could even touch the wind and snow, it was covered by a soft piece of fabric—a thick cloak was draped over her body.

Moko looked up and met Shanks' gaze. The sky was filled with the glow of the sunset, and his eyes were incredibly gentle. The grievances and resentment in her heart suddenly erupted, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Moko pulled her hood down to cover her face, as if this could hide the fact that she was crying.

When Shanks saw Moko crying, he panicked. Moko had never cried in the past four years. No matter how smart Shanks was, he had no idea how to comfort a girl who was crying.

Seeing Shanks in a flustered state, Moko rushed straight into his arms. Shanks stiffened slightly, then carefully reached out and wrapped his arms around Moko, gently patting her back and coaxing her softly.

"Don't be afraid, Moko-chan. I'm here. If you want to cry, just cry. I'll always be with you."

Upon hearing this, Moko could no longer hold back and began to sob softly. Her cries were so faint they were almost inaudible, and her shoulders trembled slightly. Her small figure looked so helpless and heartbreaking. Shanks tightened his grip on Moko, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

"Shanks."

"I'm here."

"...Dad is sick...very sick, I can't cure him...what should I do, Shanks..."

Moko's voice choked with sobs. So much time had passed, but she couldn't find a way out. Why, why did they have to be so cruel as to take away her family?

Shanks pursed his lips. The moment he noticed Moko's unhappiness, Shanks began to pay attention to her movements. After discovering that Moko would sneak into the captain's cabin in the morning, Shanks went to ask Roger about it that same day.

Shanks couldn't accept Roger's terminal illness either, but whether he could accept it or not, the matter was settled. Moreover, Momo was even more desperate than him. She had the power to heal all things, but she couldn't save her own father. The despair brought about by this powerlessness was probably more profound than any of them.

"Cry, Moko-chan, I'm here, I'll always be here..."

Shanks tilted his head back, his lips pressed tightly together, and the snowflakes fell into his eyes. Shanks closed his eyes uncomfortably, and it was hard to tell whether the liquid that slid down his cheeks was snow or tears.