One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 21 Peace and Safety

The jasmine in the garden was in full bloom, swaying gracefully and adorning the branches. Its delicate fragrance awakened the sleeping town. Moko held Rouge's wrist nervously, but soon her eyes flashed with surprise. Roger, with Rouge wrapped around him, looked nervously at Moko.

Moko's medical skills were deeply inherited from Crocus, and she even surpassed her master. Rouge had been feeling unwell for the past few days, and even the smell of her favorite foods made her feel nauseous. This morning, her condition was particularly severe. Considering Rouge's recent excessive sleepiness, Moko had a rough idea of ​​what was going on. After examining Rouge's body, Moko confirmed her suspicions.

"Mom, you're pregnant."

"!!"

Rouge was both surprised and delighted. In disbelief, she gently touched her belly. She was pregnant with Roger's baby.

When Roger heard that Rouge was pregnant, he froze on the spot, then his face lit up with ecstasy, and he spun Rouge around several times in his arms.

"Daddy, Mommy is pregnant, don't make her dizzy."

"Oh, right, right."

Roger was incredibly nervous. He carefully placed Rouge on the sofa first, then panicked completely, like a headless fly, not knowing what to do next. He paced around for a long time. Seeing Roger's blank expression, Moko covered her mouth and chuckled. Rouge, amused, got up, took Roger's hand, and placed it on her stomach to calm him down.

"Roger, this is your child and mine."

"Ah."

Looking at Rouge's tender eyes, Roger hugged her, his voice trembling with tears. This was a father that Moko had never seen before. Sure enough, even the strongest father would surrender in front of his mother.

The world would never have imagined that Roger, the so-called villain of the world, would cry like a child and be so vulnerable in front of his loved ones. In fact, aside from those titles, Roger was just an ordinary person.

As the sun climbed above the horizon, its warm rays streamed unabashedly into the room through the wide-open windows, illuminating the beautiful couple before them. Happiness filled the air with every breath, warming their hearts.

"Does Xiaomo prefer a younger sister or a younger brother?"

Rouge sat on the sofa with her arms around Moko, her eyes gentle. She didn't neglect Moko because of the baby in her belly. Moko held Rouge's hand and sent out healing energy. She looked up at Rouge with a soft smile on her face.

"I love both my little sister and little brother. I will watch over them as they grow up, just like my dad protected me. Dad, do you hope the baby will be a boy or a girl?"

Hearing Moko's question, Roger smiled and ruffled Moko's hair, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes that Moko didn't notice. "Boy or girl, it's fine. Little Moko will have someone to accompany her from now on. But I've already thought of names. If it's a boy, we'll name him Ace, and if it's a girl, we'll name her..."

"Dad, I also want to think of a name for the baby."

Moko stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Roger with a defiant look on her face and a hint of resentment in her voice. She wanted to name her mother's baby too. Seeing Moko's annoyed expression, Roger laughed so hard he almost fell over, ruffling Moko's hair with his large hand.

"Okay, then Xiao Moke will come up with the name for the girl."

Is it really possible?

Roger and Rouge both smiled and nodded. Moko's eyes flashed with surprise. She stroked her chin and began to think. Not long after, a light shone in Moko's eyes.

"If it's a girl, let's name her An. I just want her to grow up safely and happily, what do you think?"

Lu Jiu chuckled as she smoothed out Moke's messy hair and nodded firmly, "We'll listen to Moke. If she's a girl, she'll be called An."

"Peace and safety, that's great. It's decided then. The boy will be named Ace, and the girl will be named Anne."

Roger slammed his hand on the table and made his decision. Moko smiled and leaned her head gently against Rouge's stomach, her voice soft.

"Little one, it's your big sister. I'll always protect you. Just be happy."

From an angle unseen by Moko, Roger's clenched fist trembled. Time was running out, and everything was urging him forward. Roger gazed intently at Rouge and Moko in the sunlight, as if wanting to etch this moment into his heart. Give him a little more time, just a little, let him be a little more greedy.

The sea cliffs weren't entirely deserted. Granny Thor from the town would sometimes come to visit Rouge. Granny Thor recognized Roger. Roger and Rouge's acquaintance wasn't particularly dramatic; it was just an ordinary encounter and a simple case of love at first sight. Although Granny Thor didn't approve of Roger as a pirate, Rouge's persistence and Roger's sincerity eventually won her over.

"Little Moke, look what delicious treats Grandma brought you."

From afar, Moko saw Granny Sol walking towards her carrying a bamboo basket. Her head of silver hair was neatly combed, and her eyes were covered with fine lines, but she was full of energy and showed no signs of aging or fatigue.

"Grandma Saul."

Moko quickly stepped forward to take the bamboo basket and helped Granny Saul walk towards the house. When Roger saw Granny Saul, he was like a mouse seeing a cat, his hands in a panic, not knowing where to put them. Rouge chuckled and patted Roger lightly, signaling him to relax.

Rouge was practically raised by Granny Thor, who was like a mother to her. No wonder Roger was nervous whenever he saw Granny Thor. Back then, every time he came over, Granny Thor would chase him away with a broom. It was only thanks to Rouge and Moko that he was able to come back this time.

As they approached, Granny Saul didn't even glance at Roger, who stood frozen in place, and pulled Moko and Rouge inside. Mika circled around Roger's feet in confusion, but within two seconds she was attracted by a butterfly and fluttered to catch it, leaving Roger standing blankly at the door.

Seeing Roger nervously peering inside from the doorway, Moko covered her mouth and chuckled, while Rouge gave a helpless smile.

"Mother-in-law, let Roger in."

"Grandma Saul, let Daddy in."

Staring at him with two pairs of watery eyes, Granny Saul glanced at Roger, startling him.

"Hmph, come in."

Rouge quickly waved to Roger, who was delighted and hurried into the room to sit down next to Rouge. On the table were pastries that Granny Saul had brought from the foot of the mountain, each one exquisite. Granny Saul affectionately patted Moko's head, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rouge feeding Roger the pastries. She sighed slightly in her heart, but her eyes flashed with a mixture of relief and helplessness.

How could she not love the child she had watched grow up? When she learned that Rouge loved a pirate who was considered a heinous criminal by the world, she almost fainted. Of course, she considered severing ties with them, but seeing Rouge's happy appearance now, she was glad she hadn't done so. Oh well, a pirate is a pirate. In the end, this man is sincere towards Rouge, and that's enough.

As Moko ate her snacks, she looked at the relieved look in Granny Thor's eyes and gently curled her lips. Her beloved daughter, whom she had raised with such care, had her heart stolen by a pirate. No wonder Granny Thor felt this way about her father. So what if he was a pirate? As long as the two of them were happy, that was all that mattered. Granny Thor probably thought the same way now.

"Hey, Lu Jiu, why don't you and Xiao Mo come and stay in town with me? You're pregnant now and need someone to take care of you."

This wasn't the first time Granny Saul had brought this up. Ever since Rouge became pregnant, Granny Saul had mentioned it almost every time. Rouge shook her head and refused Granny Saul's offer as always.

"Grandma, I'm fine here. Roger will take good care of me."

"he?"

Grandma Saul looked at Roger with deep suspicion. How could someone who could blow up the kitchen take care of a pregnant woman? Seeing that things were about to take an unpredictable turn, Moko quickly grabbed Grandma Saul's arm and diverted her attention.

"Don't worry, Grandma Sol, I will take good care of Mom."

"Wow, Xiao Mo can take care of her mother now, that's amazing!"

Upon hearing Moko speak, Granny Thor immediately beamed and hugged Moko, nuzzling her. Compared to the unreliable Roger, Granny Thor trusted Moko more. Moko secretly breathed a sigh of relief and gave Roger a reassuring look. Roger was so moved that tears streamed down his face. Rouge watched the little interaction between the father and daughter and smiled.

With Moko's assurance, Granny Saul returned to town with peace of mind, and Roger breathed a deep sigh of relief, looking as if everything was finally alright.

"Pfft, hahaha, so Dad has people he's afraid of too, hahaha."

Seeing Moko grinning with her teeth showing, Roger opened his arms as if he were a monster and was about to grab her. "Well, little Moko is making fun of her dad."

Moko quickly ran away and hid behind Rouge, playfully sticking out her tongue at Roger, "Hey, I have my mom protecting me."

"Waaaaah, Lu Jiu, even Xiao Mo is bullying me."

Roger, looking dejected, hugged Rouge for comfort. Rouge patted Roger's back with amusement, "You're a father now, but you're still like a child."

"Daddy's embarrassed, right, Mihua?"

"Pfft~"

Mika didn't understand, but she responded enthusiastically, which made the three of them laugh and chatter again. Their current life was not full of thrilling adventures, but just an ordinary and peaceful life. However, this kind of life was enough to make Moko extremely satisfied.

The rising sun shone through the dappled shade of the trees, and a cool summer breeze swept by. Two figures, one tall and one short, were hidden in the woods. Moko, holding a sword, kept attacking Roger. As Roger parried Moko's attacks, he pointed out Moko's problems.

Moko has been on Baterila Island for more than seven or eight months. Although she has left the ship, Moko's training has not stopped. Every morning Roger will instruct Moko on her swordsmanship, and recently the training has become increasingly urgent.

Roger stopped after using an ordinary tree branch to deflect Moko's sword again. Roger patted Moko's head, his eyes flashing with approval.

"Xiao Mo learns very quickly. Even if I'm not around in the future, she can protect herself well."

Seeing the reluctance and conflict in Roger's eyes, Moko frowned worriedly. When she looked again, Roger had returned to his smiling face, as if the look in his eyes just now was only Moko's illusion.

"dad?"

"go home."

Roger took Moko's hand and walked back, interrupting her words. Moko looked at Roger's back and pursed her lips uneasily. It was too strange. Roger's frequent appearances these past few days made Moko extremely uneasy, as if something big was about to happen.

"You're back. Breakfast is ready."

Rouge stood at the door to greet the two. Unlike usual, Rouge's eyes were filled with sadness today. Although it was hidden deep in her eyes, Rouge's emotions were completely exposed to Moko, unlike Roger's.

An unexpected silence fell over the breakfast table. Moko bit her tongue lightly, trying to dispel the unease in her heart.

"I plan to leave for a while and take care of some business at sea."

Roger's calm words broke the silence. Moko's hand holding the spoon froze in mid-air. Rouge, as if she knew this day would come, calmly put down the spoon and looked at Roger.

"When are you leaving? I'll help you pack."

"Tomorrow morning."

"..."

Moko silently put down her spoon. She knew Roger's current physical condition best. Choosing to leave at this time was undoubtedly a decision she had already made. Moko didn't know what Roger was going to do, but she knew that Roger's departure this time was very likely to be a final farewell. But why? What could be more important than family? What could be worth sacrificing one's life for?

Large tears fell into the bowl. Roger's expression softened as he gently patted Moko's head. "Little Moko, the task of taking care of Mommy is now in your hands. Little Moko will definitely do a good job, right?"

"Ah."

Mo Ke lowered her head, trying to suppress her sobs. Her voice was muffled, but the tears flowed like a broken string of beads, unstoppable. A bitter, salty taste filled her mouth, and her heart clenched tightly, making her feel suffocated.

Roger hugged Moko tightly, his heart aching. He had been greedy enough. He should have left the moment Rouge became pregnant, but he hesitated. He wanted to be with his two children for a while, like a father, even if it was just for a little while. That would be enough. His beloved wife and children, please be safe and sound.