One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 7 A Powerful Arrival

On the other side, Roger and Rayleigh looked at the two little ones huddled together like cubs, their eyes flashing with loneliness and helplessness. Rayleigh filled his glass and pushed it toward Roger.

Snowy days are always so quiet, even the sea is unusually calm. Snowflakes fall slowly from the sky, silently covering the deck with a thick layer. The snowflakes are like tiny gems, sparkling with a faint light, dazzling if you look at them for too long.

“Rayleigh, it seems we need to quicken our pace.”

Roger looked at the ripples in his wine glass and spoke slowly. Rayleigh remained noncommittal, recalling the first time he met Roger. A few smiles appeared on his lips as he raised his wine glass to Roger.

"Let's set off then, let's turn this world upside down!"

"Hahaha, yes, let's overturn this world."

The two smiled at each other, clinked glasses, and drank heartily. This was their original promise when they first set sail, and they were determined to make the most of this voyage.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, turning the world into a pure white expanse. Shanks carried the crying-sleeping Moko back to the room. Perhaps because she had cried so much, Moko's brows were furrowed, and she slept very restlessly.

Shanks tucked a stray strand of hair from Moko's face behind her ear, lay down beside her, and gently patted her. A somber mood filled the air. The little ones lay quietly on the floor, watching Moko sleeping on the bed with worried eyes.

"Captain, we've reached Upside Down Mountain. Shall we charge through now?"

Sambell took down the binoculars and turned to shout at Roger on the second-floor platform. Roger looked at the towering red earth mountains that seemed to reach into the clouds, and an exaggerated smile appeared on his lips.

"Charge through it in one go!"

"Since the captain has said so..."

The group exchanged glances, their faces beaming with smiles. The Jackson suddenly accelerated, hurtling towards the entrance. The waters of Upside Down were swift and rapid, cascading upwards in a stepped pattern. Rowan and Northton gripped the rudder tightly to ensure the ship wouldn't crash into the red earth on either side, while the others grabbed onto ropes or other supports to steady themselves. After a violent rocking motion, the Jackson successfully entered the river of Upside Down.

The boat ascended the steps with the current, and thin clouds gradually appeared around it. These wisps were dispersed by the strong air currents, and the originally dark sky began to brighten. After passing through the incredibly thick clouds once again, a clear blue sky came into view. Below the hull were large, clustered white clouds, making it seem as if the boat was traveling in the sky.

After reaching the summit, the descent is smooth, with sparkling waves crashing around, reflecting a dazzling array of colors. In the distance, you can see the lighthouse standing at the foot of the mountain.

"We're finally back. I wonder if Crocus is still around? Do you think he'll agree to come aboard this time?"

Roger looked at Rayleigh, his eyes clearly flashing with calculation. Rayleigh smiled faintly and turned his head away. Seeing his captain's situation, he was clearly determined to recruit someone onto the ship. Once the captain had his eye on someone, there was no escaping. Besides, the captain had been watching Crocus for many years. Rayleigh couldn't help but silently mourn for Crocus for a second.

"Captain!" Shanks rushed out of the cabin, his face filled with urgency and panic. "Moko-chan, Moko-chan has a fever!"

Joy was instantly dampened as if doused with ice water. Everyone looked at Shanks with tense and worried eyes. Roger jumped off the balcony and rushed inside.

Rayleigh's expression was also grim. He looked at the restless crowd and said sternly, "Don't panic! Crocus is at Twin Capes. Little Mo will be fine!"

Upon hearing Crocus's name, everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief. Then, their eyes gleamed as they looked intently at the lighthouse ahead. The men pulling the sails raised them to their maximum, and the ship's speed increased significantly once again.

People on the ship rarely get sick; they've never had any serious illnesses since childhood. Shanks and Bucky are also generally healthy. The ship's doctor only knows how to bandage and suture wounds and doesn't dare to prescribe any medication for Moko's symptoms.

Moko's forehead was burning hot, her face was flushed from the fever, her breathing was rapid, and her body was trembling. The healing power was not working for some reason, or perhaps its effect was too weak. The once bright and lively Moko was now like a porcelain doll, fragile and vulnerable, as if she would shatter and disappear at any moment.

Roger rushed into the room and saw Moko looking incredibly fragile. The little balls around Moko's bed were swarming around her, their tails wagging restlessly. The moment someone approached, they bared their claws and growled furiously, instinctively trying to protect Moko. Roger punched the little ball in front of him on the head, his voice cold.

"Go away!"

The immense pressure spread, instantly waking the restless dumpling. Roger rushed to the bedside, knelt down, and gently touched Moko's head, his voice so soft it was almost unbearable, as if afraid that a single breath might blow Moko away.

"Little Moko, Daddy's here, Little Moko."

A buzzing sound filled her ears. Moko struggled to open her eyes and saw Roger looking anxious, followed by Shanks, Buggy, Rayleigh, and the others. What was wrong with her? Her head felt so heavy. Was she sick?

Mo tried to activate her healing power, but her body was exhausted, her mind was like a mess, her healing power seemed to be suppressed, and she couldn't use any strength at all.

"Little Moko, don't be afraid, Daddy's here. Daddy will take you to see a doctor right away. Don't be afraid."

Moko couldn't hear Roger's words at all, she could only vaguely see Roger's lips moving. Moko struggled to reach out her hand from under the heavy blanket, and Roger quickly took her hand. The burning temperature was frightening. Roger had never known that a child's illness could come on so suddenly, as if it was about to disappear. He realized that being sick was such a terrible thing.

Seeing Roger's panicked and helpless look, Moko forced a smile, her voice hoarse.

"It's okay, Daddy's not afraid...cough cough..."

Her throat was so dry that Moko couldn't help but cough after saying just a few words, and her breathing became increasingly rapid. She looked like she was in terrible pain.

"Roger, we've arrived at Twin Capes."

The person at the door said something to Rayleigh, and Rayleigh's eyes lit up. He quickly spoke to Roger.

Roger's eyes flashed with surprise. He wrapped Moko tightly in the blanket, picked her up with one hand, and rushed out. Everyone else quickly followed. Tuanzi's eyes followed Moko completely. Her mind hadn't even reacted yet, but her body had already followed involuntarily.

The ship hadn't even come to a complete stop yet, and was still quite a distance from the shore. Roger didn't care about that. He slightly bent his knees, exerted his strength, and leaped up. The seals quickly went into the sea to serve as a springboard for Roger. Roger used the seals as stepping stones and jumped a few times to reach the shore.

"Hey, Shanks!"

Shanks couldn't hear anything anymore. Ignoring the shouts behind him, he jumped ashore on the seal. Seeing the two of them acting recklessly, Rayleigh sighed wearily. Even the usually calm Shanks couldn't stay calm after encountering Moko? He was still young and impetuous.

"Let's get to shore first. With Crocus here, Xiaomo will be fine."

Rayleigh calmly gave instructions to everyone on the ship, without a trace of panic. Everyone dispersed and prepared to dock.

"Clowcas! Crocas!"

Roger grabbed Moko and rushed toward the lighthouse, his voice urgent. At that moment, a man with a hairstyle like saffron came out of the lighthouse, looking at Roger, who looked like he was about to cry, with some confusion.

"Oh, Roger, are you planning to cause trouble on the Grand Line again?"

"Never mind that, quick, save my daughter first!"

As they were talking, Roger had already rushed to Crocus. Crocus then noticed that Roger was holding Moko in his arms. Seeing that Moko had fallen into a coma, Crocus's expression immediately became serious. He was no longer in the mood for jokes and quickly led Roger into the lighthouse.

Roger placed Moko on the only bed in the lighthouse, completely flustered, gesturing wildly and muttering incoherently. Shanks bypassed Roger and went straight to Moko's bedside. Crocus took out some homemade fever reducer and had Shanks give it to Moko first. Then, they began a series of procedures, including drawing blood for tests. Roger followed closely behind Crocus, muttering to himself incessantly.

Crocus punched Roger on the head, his tone annoyed and helpless, "Stay out of the way, I need to prepare the medicine in peace."

Hearing this, Roger squatted against the wall, feeling wronged, but he still knew not to block Crocus's way. The room immediately quieted down. Crocus also breathed a sigh of relief. After discovering that Moko's fever was not caused by a viral infection, he relaxed and quickly prepared medicine to give Moko an IV drip.

Shanks stared at Moko, his eyes filled with self-reproach and unease. It was all his fault; he hadn't taken good care of Moko. Moko was so delicate and prone to illness. If only he hadn't taken Moko out to see the snow yesterday. It was all his fault.

When Rayleigh entered the lighthouse, he saw Shanks looking gloomy and Roger squatting in the corner looking aggrieved. The room was almost shrouded in gloom because of the two of them. Rayleigh sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Crocas, it's been a long time."

"Oh, it's Rayleigh. It's been a long time indeed."

Crocus finished giving Moko an IV drip, then turned around and greeted Rayleigh. Rayleigh breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that Moko had received her medication.

How is Xiaomo?

"Don't worry, the little guy is fine. He just had too much pressure building up, and his body couldn't handle it when it suddenly burst out. He'll be fine after taking the medicine and getting some sleep."

"Really?"

Upon hearing Crocus's words, Roger immediately stood up, his eyes shining. Crocus's gaze was complicated; he looked at Moko, then at the unkempt Roger.

"Roger, where did you bring this little one back from this time? You say she's your daughter, but she doesn't look like her at all."

"How can you not look like me? I'm tall and handsome!"

"Come on, are you planning to cause trouble on the Grand Line this time? Didn't you say you were going to search for something in the four seas ahead? Did you find it?"

As soon as Crocus asked the question, he noticed that the two people in front of him had fallen silent. Shanks gently held Moko's hand, completely ignoring the conversation between the three of them. The air remained silent for a while before Roger sighed, looked at Crocus with a firm gaze, and slowly spoke.

"Crocas, come sailing with me."