One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 117 Dreams and Sugar Sculpture

Uta grew up on Shanks' ship, and over time, she felt that she should become a pirate like Shanks in the future. As for other things, Uta only thought about them and never really believed that she could take that path. However, how can a child's future be defined by the people around him? If he had to give up his dream because of the people around him, his life would be too pitiful.

Moko's expectations for Uta are the same as Ace's. No matter which path the three children choose to take in the future, even if they give up their identity as pirates and choose to live as ordinary people, the three children will always be Shanks and her most important family. The bond between family members will never be broken because of different identities, so the children can act spoiled as much as they want, and it's okay if they are a little unreasonable.

Uta is actually quite similar to Ace in many ways, always heading down dead ends. It is precisely because Moko knows Uta's concerns that she thought of giving Uta such a gift. The star-shaped gem is not a real gem, but the resin of the Star Flower Tree. This resin, which has been formed over a hundred years, carries Moko and Shanks' most sincere blessings for Uta. Moko hopes that Uta will pursue the ideal she longs for in her heart, instead of confining herself to the identity of a pirate.

(Starflower resin: As the name suggests, it is the resin that condenses from the starflower tree. The condensation time is extremely long. It takes fifty years to form even a piece of resin the size of a fingernail. The color of the resin is completely random, mostly a mixture of multiple colors. Pure-colored resin is very rare. The fully formed resin is as crystal clear as a gemstone. When illuminated, you can see the naturally condensed miniature starry sky inside. It is usually sold as an ornament.)

Besides, so what if someone is a pirate? Does being a pirate mean they can't have other dreams? Pirates are free, both physically and mentally. They don't care about anyone's opinion and only do what they want to do according to their own thoughts. That's what makes a truly free pirate.

Even though she's still just a child, Uta doesn't need to think so much. Whether it's Uta, Ace, Luffy, or Sabo, whose whereabouts are still unknown, the children should just pursue their dreams carefree and boldly. They don't need to worry about things that haven't happened yet or that will never happen. No matter what happens, she and Shanks will always be there for the children. They will always protect them, just like their father and everyone protected her. She will never let the children fall into the same situation she did.

Uta bit her lower lip, too moved to know how to respond. She could only hold Moko tightly and refuse to let go. Feeling Uta's body trembling, Moko gently stroked Uta's back, then stopped talking. The quiet room was filled with warmth, making one feel incredibly greedy.

Moko can point Uta in the right direction when she is confused, but how to walk the road ahead is something Uta has to figure out for herself and make her own choices. As long as the children make their choices, she will spare no effort to help them realize their dreams.

When she founded Jasmine, it wasn't just to leave a way out for her important family members, but also to help them clear away the difficulties and obstacles on their future path, making their future path smoother and smoother.

It's important to understand that if it were just about survival, Moko wouldn't have needed to involve Moko in various fields and deal with different powers around the world. The annual income from the liquor store alone would have been enough for Moko and her children to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Yet, Moko still opened up all sorts of businesses and even rapidly expanded them all over the world. All of this was done so that her children could have more choices.

No matter what the children want to do in the future, at least she can protect them. Out of respect for her, those troublesome forces will give them some consideration and won't make things difficult for them just because they are children. If they don't care about face, she does have some martial arts skills. In the end, under her protection, the children will not be wronged.

"Sister, I want to become the world's most famous songstress. I want everyone in the world to hear my voice. Shanks said that my voice can make everyone happy. I also want to become someone who can bring happiness to everyone, just like you."

Uta lifted her head from Moko's embrace, her bright eyes fixed on Moko without blinking. Moko was a little dazed. Was this the being that brought happiness?

"My little Moko, her smile is the most beautiful thing about her. Whenever I see Moko's smile, I feel incredibly happy..."

Rouge's gentle voice echoed softly in her ears once again. Looking at Uta's bright eyes, Moko felt as if she were seeing herself nestled in Rouge's arms. It was like a cycle, with similar scenes overlapping before her eyes, making her feel nostalgic.

"Sister?" Seeing that Moko didn't respond for a long time, Uta called out to Moko in confusion.

Mo Ke pulled herself out of her reverie, gave a gentle smile, and lightly pinched Uta's soft little face.

"Uta-chan's dream will definitely come true. My Uta-chan is the best."

A songstress who brings happiness to the world? What a grand dream, Uta-chan. Your sister doesn't have such a pure and grand dream as you. She doesn't care what the world becomes; she just wants to protect her family.

"Sister, Uta, are you ready?"

As Luffy's voice came from outside the door, his stomach rumbled loudly. Moko and Uta exchanged a glance, then covered their mouths and chuckled secretly.

"Luffy is hungry."

I'm hungry.

"Hahaha..." x2

The two laughed for a while before finally stopping. After calming down, Moko opened the door. When Ace and Luffy saw Moko and Uta coming out of the room, they were stunned. Uta blinked in confusion and leaned closer to the two of them, tilting her head.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Uta was already adorable, and as she grew up, her once-childish face gained a touch of girlish charm. Today, because it was her birthday, Uta had some light makeup done, making her look even more like a delicate flower. Her bright and beautiful girlishness was on full display, to the point that anyone walking down the street would turn around and blush. No wonder Ace and Luffy were stunned by her appearance.

"Uta, your lips are so red! Did you get stung by a bee?"

As expected of one of the representatives of super steel plate, Luffy not only said something surprising, but also deliberately pointed his finger at Uta's lips, which were covered in lipstick.

"Oh no," Ace thought to himself, silently covering his eyes to avoid looking at Uta, whose forehead was adorned with a colon. He knew what would happen next without even looking. Moko heard Luffy's steely words and pursed her lips, trying her best not to laugh out loud.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Hey, Uta, why did you hit me!"

Luffy stared at Uta with a completely bewildered look, covering his head with his hands and sounding incredibly aggrieved. Uta pouted and turned her head away, looking like she couldn't be bothered with Luffy. She had spent so much time getting ready, and this idiot Luffy actually said she had been stung by a bee! Ugh, Luffy, you big idiot!! (?o?o)

Seeing that Uta completely ignored him, Luffy felt really wronged. A bee sting should make your skin red, and it was exactly like that last time.

Knowing that Luffy genuinely didn't understand, Moko suppressed the smile that was on her lips, squatted down, and patted Luffy's head. "Luffy, if a girl puts on makeup carefully, Luffy should compliment her."

"Like when my sister compliments me?"

"Yes, just like how my sister praised Luffy."

Luffy nodded as if he understood, then stretched his neck out and circled around to Uta's face. Before Ace could stop him, Luffy had already started to speak.

"Uta-Uta, you look beautiful today, just as beautiful as your sister!"

Uta, who was initially angry, stopped being angry after hearing Luffy's words. In Uta's heart, her sister was the most beautiful person, and being as beautiful as her sister was the highest level of praise in Uta's mind. However, just as Uta was about to generously forgive Luffy, she opened her eyes and saw a long-necked Luffy monster. The air fell into an eerie silence, and Uta felt a scream pass through her mind.

"Bang bang bang!"

"snort?!"

Uta angrily turned her head and went downstairs. Luffy, meanwhile, was left with three bags, perfectly symmetrical, making him look like a Teletubby. This time, Moko couldn't hold back anymore and turned her head away so Luffy wouldn't see the smile on her lips. Ace, seeing Moko's shoulders shaking with laughter, sighed helplessly and patted Luffy with sympathetic eyes. Luffy was truly confused. Hadn't he praised Uta the way his sister had praised him? Why was Uta still angry?

(Luffy: (?w? ) feeling wronged~)

Before Luffy could figure it out, Ace simply dragged the bewildered Luffy downstairs, letting out a deep sigh. His younger brother was truly a worry in every way. He wouldn't be surprised if Luffy were locked in a cage and beaten up in the future. Fortunately, he had set sail early. At worst, Ace could just ask his friends at sea to take better care of his silly brother. He couldn't let his older sister worry about him all the time.

Seeing Ace sighing like a little adult, Moko raised her hand to cover her hearty smile. How could her younger siblings be so cute? She had to share these adorable moments with Shanks. She would take lots of pictures this time and bring them with her next time.

Because Uta had put on exquisite makeup, the three little ones didn't go into the forest today. Instead, they accompanied Moko to make a cake. Ordinary cakes couldn't satisfy the children's whimsical ideas. Seeing Moko make beautiful flower sugar sculptures in just a few moves, Uta also imitated Moko and kneaded the soft sugar in her hands in front of Ella, who was posing in various poses. As expected of the perfect songstress of the Red-Haired Pirates, she made a very beautiful one on her first try. Ella was incredibly cute. Moko nodded affirmatively, and Uta's eyes lit up even more.

Ella looked at the sugar sculpture bear that was carved from the same mold as herself. Her big, grape-like eyes blinked, her chubby paws rested on her chin, and tears of joy streamed down her face.

(Uta: Hmm, hmm? Hmm?!)

Ella: Ummi (。?﹃ ?。)～）

Ace wasn't that skilled, but after several attempts, he managed to make some quite adorable rice cakes. The rice cakes didn't look like sugar sculptures, but you could smell their sweet aroma and they seemed to be happily fluttering their wings.

In the end, only Luffy was left. When Moko turned around, she saw Luffy with his back to them, fiddling with something. After a while, Luffy finally turned around, looking smug and mysterious.

"Look, I made this!"

Luffy was holding a chubby sugar sculpture of some unknown object. Around the chubby sugar sculpture were four tentacled-like things extending out. Octopus? Not only Moko, but Ace and Uta thought so too.

"Luffy, what is this?"

"Hmph! Dumpling!"

"boom!"

Tuanzi had somehow run into the house, and upon hearing that this strange-looking thing was it, it punched it without hesitation.

"It shouldn't hurt," Luffy nodded seriously, and then asked Yui very earnestly, "Don't you like it? It looks just like it."

"Woo-yo woo-yo!"

(Author's translator ~ Tuanzi: Like you my foot! Tell me, how does this crooked, dumb-headed thing resemble me at all?!)

Moko laughed somewhat helplessly. She wondered where Luffy got his abstract artistic talent from, but his ability to argue with Dango was comparable to Shanks'.

Luffy's sugar sculpture was a bit ugly, but it was still placed on the cake in the end, firmly occupying the center position. Seeing Luffy looking like he was the best, Uta and Ace looked on helplessly but affectionately. There was nothing they could do, since Luffy was the younger brother, so they had to give way.

The kitchen was gradually illuminated by gentle light, and the room, filled with laughter, was filled with warmth and dreams. Moko looked at the three children laughing and playing together, her eyes full of tenderness. She didn't have any grand dreams. Saving the world was a hero's job, but she wasn't a hero. She just wanted to protect the people she loved in this small corner and cherish this little happiness. That was enough.