One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 48 Preliminary Selection of Generals

There wasn't anything particularly noteworthy at the meeting; the main point was to decide on the next Navy Admiral. As expected, Garp once again refused the promotion. Those present weren't surprised; on the contrary, they all wore expressions of helplessness and expectation.

"Alright, then the next generals will be Lieutenant General Sakazuki, Lieutenant General Borsalino, and Lieutenant General Kuzan. Any objections?"

Sengoku looked around, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces. Sakazuki sat upright, his face showing no joy. Borsalino slumped lazily in his chair, one hand supporting his chin, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, let alone show any other expression. Kuzan even yawned, as if he could fall asleep at any moment.

If the three main characters were like this, let alone the others. Most of the others had no expression, just sitting there quietly, or flipping through the documents in their hands. Some, like Garp, were eating quite happily. After watching the whole scene, Sengoku felt like he had a few more gray hairs.

"If there are no objections, then it's decided. Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, the three of you come with me. The rest of you, meeting adjourned."

"Yes!" x3

After being selected, the Navy Admirals cannot take office immediately. First, the recommended candidates must be reviewed by the previous Fleet Admiral, who is now the Navy Commander-in-Chief, Kong. After Kong's approval, they need to complete the secret missions assigned by the World Government. This is an assessment of the future Admirals' strength. Only those who pass all the tests are qualified to become true Navy Admirals.

Becoming an admiral grants one considerable power, almost complete control over the navy. However, it also means accepting direct jurisdiction from the Celestial Dragons. Whether justice under the Celestial Dragons' control can be considered true justice remains a matter of debate.

All of this was information that Moko learned from Garp. It wasn't particularly useful information, but it wasn't entirely useless either. At least Moko knew that the relationship between the Navy and the World Government didn't seem as harmonious as it appeared on the surface, and that the Celestial Dragons' control over the Navy wasn't complete. It seemed that Moko could use this information to some extent for the future development of Moko.

"Hey, Garp, is this your granddaughter? It's great to finally meet her."

A kind voice came from behind. Moko turned around and saw a wise and handsome woman. Although she had a full head of white hair, she was full of energy and did not look old. Her emerald green earrings shone brightly in the sunlight, and she also wore two very delicate gold bracelets on her right hand. Her fashion sense was no less than that of young people.

The person in front of him was Vice Admiral Tsuru, who helped Garp decorate the Moko Villa. Tsuru was not only a member of the same generation of the Navy as Garp and Sengoku, but was also known as the chief strategist by the Navy. His influence within the Navy was no less than that of Sengoku and Garp, and his extraordinary abilities need no further explanation.

"Hello, Lieutenant General Tsuru, I am Moko. Thank you for your help with the villa." Moko bowed slightly.

"Haha, it's nothing. If I had known that Garp's granddaughter was so cute, I would have made sure to bring her to my ship no matter what."

Tsuru gently patted Moko's shoulder, her affection for Moko overflowing. As the owner of the Wash-Wash Fruit, Tsuru's Observation Haki allowed her to sense the cleanliness of the aura of those around her. Moko's aura was as clear and gentle as the new life of early spring, without a trace of impurity. People with such an aura are all kind and upright, not to mention that Moko is so beautiful. Having such a pretty little one by her side made her feel good.

"Haha, He, you're too late. Xiao Mo's job has already been arranged."

Garp was holding a senbei he had just taken from Sengoku's office cabinet, and he was eating it with great gusto.

(Sengoku: I knew you took the senbei from my cupboard, Garp!! ( ? °皿°)??3??)

Garp: You don't know what you're talking about! (*°▽°) Hehe!

"I know, it's responsible for dispatching generals and accompanying them on command trips. I heard it's a newly created position in the Warring States period. No wonder the three who took office this time created this position... Anyway, good luck, Moko. If you don't want to do it anymore, come to me. I'll always welcome you, Moko, hahaha."

The pause and subsequent words of Tsuru puzzled Moko. Images of the three people flashed through her mind, especially the lazy appearance of Borsalino and Kuzan. Moko seemed to understand where Tsuru's strange sympathy came from. It seemed that the work in the future would not be as easy as she had imagined. She wondered if it was too late to run away now.

"If those three brats dare to make things difficult for Xiao Moke, my fists won't be for nothing."

Having understood the unspoken meaning behind Tsuru's words, Garp breathed on his fist to warm it. Even if it was a Marine Admiral, if he angered Moko, he would not hesitate to knock him down with a single punch.

"Sigh, it seems like things will get busy from now on in the Warring States period."

Tsuru shook his head helplessly, but did not deny that Garp had beaten up the three admirals. After all, he could fight Sengoku normally, so in Garp's eyes the three admirals were really just juniors, not superiors at all.

"Alright, that's enough. I've heard that Doflamingo has arrived in Sabaody Archipelago, so I need to go there first."

"Go ahead, go ahead. Oh, by the way, He, come over for dinner tonight. Xiao Mo can cook."

"Okay, don't make too much. Don't tire yourself out. If they're not full, they'll find something else to eat themselves."

Tsuru casually responded and looked at Moko, reaching out to rub Moko's head. In front of Garp, she made some unreserved jokes, a faint smile playing on her lips. After Moko obediently nodded, Tsuru waved and left the office building.

Garp didn't try to stop him. Once Tsuru was out of sight, he took Moko and prepared to return to the villa area. Just then, a young Marine ran over and called out to Garp.

"Lieutenant General Garp!"

The young sailor saluted first, and Garp nodded, raised his eyebrows slightly, and gestured for the young sailor to continue.

"Marshal Zhan Guo wants you to come over, saying there's something he needs to discuss."

"Tsk, I'm not going to be a general, why would they call me over?"

Garp clicked his tongue, his eyes sharp and a little annoyed at being disturbed. Little Moko had promised to cook him a big meal today, and Sengoku really had no sense of propriety. How could he interrupt his dinner time with his precious granddaughter!

"I don't know either, that's what Marshal Zhan Guo said."

The young navy man swallowed hard, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He was extremely nervous and clearly had great respect for Garp.

"Grandpa, why don't you go over there? I can go back by myself."

Moko stepped forward and shielded the young marine, rescuing him from the predicament. The young marine felt a wave of relief, followed by a surge of emotion. Heaven knows how much pressure it must have felt to be stared at by Vice Admiral Garp like that—it was terrifying! Vice Admiral Garp's granddaughter is simply an angel!

"But Xiao Mo..."

Someone had already secretly told Moko what happened when he arrived. If Moko hadn't been alright, he would have beaten that person into cookie crumbs. Of course, he would have preferred to beat him into a cookie box.

"Grandpa, don't worry, it's not far. I'll go back and prepare first. Grandpa, let's invite Marshal Zhan Guo and the others together tonight."

Moko's alcohol tolerance is so-so. Compared to the people in this world, she can only sit at the children's table, or she's not even worthy of sitting at the children's table. She'd rather have Marshal Zhan Guo come and drink with her grandfather tonight; she doesn't want to have a hangover.

"Alright, if there are any blind fools on the road, beat them up hard, don't hold back. Grandpa will take responsibility for anything that happens."

Garp patted Moko's head, but was still a little worried. Just then, someone walked out of the conference room, and Garp's eyes lit up. He immediately pulled the person over.

"Zefa, I'm counting on you to get Xiaomo back to the villa safely!"

Without waiting for Zephyr's reply, Garp quickly left, seemingly not intending to give Zephyr a chance to refute. Zephyr and Moko stared at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment. Moko pursed her lips and broke the silence first.

"Well, General Zephyr, you can go ahead with your work. I can go back by myself..."

"Let's go," Zefa interrupted Moko's remaining words and spoke directly.

"what?"

"I'll take you back."

Moko blinked, somewhat confused. After all, it was just something Garp said casually, and Zephyr hadn't actually agreed, had he?

"I don't have work this afternoon, so I'll head back anyway."

Seemingly noticing the confusion in Moko's eyes, Zefa explained the reason. Moko nodded in understanding and followed Zefa to his side.

"Thank you for your help, General Zephyr."

Zefa didn't answer, he just shook his head, not caring about such a small matter.

The two walked one after the other. Although Moko tried her best to pretend she didn't care, there were still too many eyes on her. The eyes weren't malicious, but as a pirate, being watched by so many marines was still very stressful!

Zephyr noticed Moko's embarrassment out of the corner of his eye. His emotionless gaze swept around, and the marines stood frozen in place, ramrod straight. Silence spoke volumes. The scrutinizing glances around them vanished instantly. Moko couldn't help but let out a slow sigh of relief and gave Zephyr a grateful smile. If these marines were in her world, they would be top-notch idol worshippers; their admiration for the admiral was just too intense.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

A girl with long pink hair ran towards them from a distance, her bright smile making her sparkle in the sunlight. She was a very beautiful girl, but the silver-haired boy following behind her seemed to be in bad shape. His wrist appeared to be tightly gripped by the girl, forcing him to bend over and run quickly to keep up with her pace. He looked somewhat flustered and uncoordinated.

"Tina, slow down!" The boy looked helpless and exasperated, but the girl clearly wasn't going to listen.

"Smoker, you're too slow!"

The girl called Tina didn't slow down and quickly dragged Smoker to Zephyr's side. Her impetuous manner suddenly became calm, and Smoker was finally able to break free of her control. He breathed a sigh of relief and straightened up to tidy up his disheveled appearance.

The two saluted Zefa, who nodded slightly in response, unfazed by their way of interacting.

"Is today's training finished?"

"Yes, Professor Zefa, all the courses you arranged have been completed."

"Ah."

The air fell silent again. Zephyr wasn't a talkative person to begin with, and Tina didn't feel awkward at all. She smiled brightly, but her composure lasted only a second before she seemed to notice Moko beside her, and her eyes lit up.

Standing next to Zefa, Moko looked like a delicate and adorable doll. How could Tina, who had no resistance to cute things, resist? She immediately hugged Moko into her arms. She was fragrant and soft, just like a little cake. The light in Tina's eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if she had found a treasure.

"You're so cute! What's your name? Are you a new Marine? Who do you work for? Are you also Professor Zephyr's student? Tina likes you!"

A barrage of questions left Moko speechless. Smoker noticed Moko's predicament, sighed, grabbed Tina by the back of her neck, and forcibly separated Tina and Moko.

"Tina, you're asking too many questions. You're scaring her."

"Ugh!"

Tina then noticed that Moko was looking at her with a slightly confused expression, and she immediately wilted. Waaah, she scared the little cutie! (?w?) But, but, she's really so cute.

"Um, I'm fine. Hello, my name is Moko. I haven't been in the Navy for long. I'm not an Admiral Zephyr's student. My current job is to assist the Admiral."

Seeing Tina's sadness, Moko's eyes slightly turned up, her gaze seemingly filled with countless stars, revealing a gentle and radiant smile.

"You are Lieutenant General Garp's granddaughter!"

Tina was clearly surprised. She had heard about it, but she had never met Moko and no one had ever said that Moko was so cute!

Smoker had already guessed, so he wasn't too surprised, but he was still somewhat curious. He glanced at the girl in front of him, who looked like a lump of dough, but then felt it was impolite to look at her casually, so he only glanced at her briefly before looking away.

"Tina, Smoker, you two take her home. I'll go to the training ground first."

Zefa suddenly spoke up, and Moko was slightly taken aback. She turned her head to look at Zefa. Didn't he just say that he didn't have any work this afternoon?

Noticing Moko's gaze, Zefa naturally looked away, as if he wasn't the one who had just said it was nothing. Zefa turned to leave, but Moko quickly called out to him.

"General Zephyr."

Zefa stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at Moko, his eyes asking a question.

"Come to the villa for dinner tonight. Grandpa, Marshal Zhan Guo and Lieutenant General He will also be coming. It will be more lively if everyone eats together."

"..."

The air was silent for a while, and just when everyone thought that Momo might refuse Zefa, Zefa spoke.

"it is good."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr strode away. Moko blinked, a smile playing on her lips. The introverted general was quite the opposite of her grandfather, but they were both very good people.