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The Flower Capital, Rasetsu Town.
Komurasaki's courtesan house in the pleasure district buzzed with its usual vibrant energy.
Tashigi observed the scene with a perplexed expression, taking in the rose-colored decorations adorning the streets and the elaborately dressed women waving fans from the balconies, enticing customers with playful smiles.
"A pleasure district…" she murmured.
Wano was a land steeped in tradition, and its pleasure district reflected this with a blend of old-world charm.
Establishments ranged from brothels offering purely physical pleasures to teahouses showcasing elegant geisha performances. Komurasaki's courtesan house was a three-story building, a beacon of beauty and allure.
Komurasaki, the breathtakingly beautiful courtesan, whose true identity was Kozuki Hiyori, leaned against the window railing, a wisp of smoke escaping her full lips.
"Hmph, men," Komurasaki scoffed, turning to return to her room. Suddenly, she froze, a shiver running down her spine as a sense of primal dread washed over her, a feeling of being watched by a predator. The sensation triggered a memory from her childhood, of encountering a tiger in the forest.
But this was the Flower Capital. Such dangers were unheard of here. Taking a deep breath, she turned back, her eyes scanning the crowd below.
Moments later, she found the source of her unease. A young man, dressed in unfamiliar attire, his very presence clashing with the traditional atmosphere of Wano, met her gaze.
Ian smiled and strode purposefully towards the courtesan house. After flashing a substantial wad of cash, the thugs guarding the entrance, members of Kyoshiro's family, eagerly ushered him inside. Their expressions, however, held a hint of confusion.
He had arrived with a woman whose beauty rivaled that of the courtesan herself. Was it now fashionable to bring one's wife to a pleasure district? And they seemed quite comfortable with each other.
Ian carried a dark bag, dripping ominously, a detail overlooked by the thugs, their minds clouded by the promise of a generous payment. They had forgotten that this man was the source of the chilling aura that had unsettled Komurasaki.
"Komurasaki-sama, your guest has arrived," one of the thugs announced.
"Let him in," a melodious voice called from within the room. Komurasaki suppressed her apprehension, composing herself and resuming her alluring courtesan persona.
Even if he was the criminal wanted by Orochi, it was none of her concern. Kyoshiro and his men would handle it. Unless… unless he had killed Orochi.
Then, even offering herself to him… wouldn't be out of the question. After all, he was quite handsome.
Beauty was justice, a universal truth.
...
The door slid open, revealing a lavishly decorated room. A young woman, dressed in an elegant red kimono, stood gracefully by the window. Hearing Ian's footsteps, Komurasaki turned, her face adorned with a delicate, vulnerable expression, an image of fragile femininity that evoked a protective instinct in any who beheld her.
But her composure faltered as she recognized the newcomer. It was the infamous assassin, the man who had terrorized the nation. A flicker of panic crossed her beautiful face.
"What's wrong, Komurasaki? Do I look that frightening?" Ian settled onto the tatami mat, Tashigi respectfully taking her place behind him, pouring him a cup of tea, usurping Komurasaki's role. She adjusted her glasses slightly.
"No, not at all, Ian-sama. You are the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on," Komurasaki quickly recovered, taking a deep breath and sitting opposite Ian.
As Ian's power grew, his appearance and demeanor had gradually becoming undeniably handsome and charismatic.
However, his cold, impassive expression had also intensified, inspiring fear and trepidation. Otherwise, he might have become the second man after Oden to capture the hearts of Wano's women. This, coupled with his assassination attempt on Orochi the previous night, had created a tense atmosphere.
"Is that what you tell all your customers?" Ian asked after taking a sip of tea.
"Of course not. You are special, Ian-sama. But is it customary now to bring one's wife to a pleasure district? And you seem to be from outside Wano, if I may say so." Komurasaki continued, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, enhancing her already captivating beauty.
Inwardly, she cursed the thug who had brought him here. She could only hope her charm would hold him at bay until Kyoshiro arrived.
An man would have succumbed to her allure, but Ian was far from normal. After all, Kozuki Hiyori was considered one of the most beautiful women in the One Piece world. As Ian's power grew, so too did his nature, lessening his susceptibility to such temptations. Tashigi's presence was more than enough.
Perhaps this was how Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, felt. Distractions were a hindrance to one's blade.
Under Ian's cold gaze, Komurasaki felt a growing sense of unease, as if he could peer into her very soul, exposing her secrets. She maintained her composure, careful not to trigger his bloodlust.
This was a true Devil…
...
Komurasaki, the Flower Capital's most renowned courtesan, was a legend, a figure of ethereal beauty.
She was a Beauty to men, a role model to women, her beauty unmatched, her elegance captivating all who encountered her.
"My instincts were right. This man is dangerous." Komurasaki held her breath, her body stiffening. She wasn't sure she could stall until Kyoshiro arrived.
Perhaps, before then…
Her thoughts were interrupted as Ian placed the blood-soaked bag he carried onto the tatami mat. He opened it, and the pungent stench of blood filled the room, revealing the severed head of a monstrous serpent.
"This is…" Komurasaki's face paled, her eyes wide with horror.
"You recognize this head, don't you, Komurasaki?" Ian's voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
"Shogun Orochi Snake Head…" Komurasaki breathed, naming the owner of the gruesome trophy. She was well acquainted with her enemy's abilities.
"Consider this head a small gift, a token of my… acquaintance."
Komurasaki was stunned into silence, speechless at Ian's audacity. To infiltrate the Shogun's castle and claim Orochi's Snake head… it was a feat that spoke volumes about Ian's strength. However, that alone was not enough. Orochi was not the true threat to Wano. The real danger had always been Kaido and his Beast Pirates.
Even without Orochi, as long as Kaido remained, nothing would change. The hope that had flickered in her eyes dimmed.
"I'm well aware of this country's current situation. Orochi is a symptom, not the disease. The true source of your suffering is Kaido and his Beast Pirates."
Ian continued, "As you can see, I possess the power to kill Orochi. But I chose not to. A man like him deserves to suffer the same fate as your father, Oden."
"And Kaido's head… is already being claimed as we speak." Ian's voice remained cold and impassive.
Komurasaki's eyes widened in shock.
"You… you're not from Wano, are you? Who are you?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and awe.
"I suppose there's no harm in telling you now. I've formed an alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates. We're here to settle the score with Kaido. You're familiar with the Whitebeard Pirates, aren't you? Both you and your father were once part of their crew."
The mention of Whitebeard stirred a torrent of emotions within Komurasaki. Disbelief warred with a flicker of hope.
The Whitebeard Pirates… how could she not know them? They were her family.
"Komurasaki!" A shout echoed from outside, followed by the sound of splintering wood. Kyoshiro, the yakuza boss known as the "Mad Dog," burst into the room, his face contorted in rage. He had received word that the assassin who had failed to kill Orochi had been seen in the pleasure district.
Abandoning his search for the fugitive, he had rushed back to the courtesan house. As a retainer of the Kozuki clan, his primary duty was to protect Hiyori. If he failed in this task, he would have no face to meet his lord in the afterlife.
He had expected the worst, but upon seeing Komurasaki unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.
However, his relief was short-lived. His eyes fell upon Ian and the gruesome trophy he held. "You!"
Kyoshiro's eyes narrowed, his muscles tensing. He couldn't believe the criminal they had been searching for was right here, in his own territory, as bold as brass.
Even the usually composed Kyoshiro was momentarily stunned. He quickly recovered, drawing his sword, its blade coated in Busoshoku Haki.
"Kyoshiro-sama, wait!"
Just as he was about to attack, Komurasaki stepped between Ian and Kyoshiro.
"Komurasaki, what are you doing?! That man is dangerous! Get behind me!" Kyoshiro shouted.
"Denjiro, please, don't attack him. He… he represents hope." Komurasaki's voice trembled slightly.
"Komurasaki… Princess…" Kyoshiro lowered his sword. Only under extraordinary circumstances would Komurasaki reveal his true name.
"It's a long story. Let's sit down and talk." Komurasaki closed the door and sat beside Kyoshiro on the tatami mat. "Kyoshiro-sama, this man is from overseas. He's with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"What?! The Whitebeard Pirates… the crew Oden-sama sailed with?" Kyoshiro's eyes widened in surprise.
"Before we continue, perhaps we should reveal our true identities." Komurasaki exchanged a glance with Kyoshiro, who shook his head slightly. Komurasaki, however, nodded resolutely, her expression determined.
"As Ian-sama mentioned, I have another name, another identity. I am Kozuki Hiyori, daughter of the late Shogun Kozuki Oden, and my father was once the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division."
She had waited eighteen years for this moment, for a glimmer of hope. She wouldn't let it slip away. "And this is Denjiro, one of my father's retainers."
"The princess and her retainer… I see."
Ian nodded, his expression unchanged, as did Tashigi behind him. Their lack of surprise caught Komurasaki and Denjiro off guard. "You… you knew who we were?" Hiyori asked hesitantly. "Then… where is Old Man Whitebeard now? Where are the others?"
"They're currently making preparations to confront Kaido. They should be ready to move soon." Ian replied.
"That's wonderful news, Denjiro!"
Hiyori's face lit up with joy, but Denjiro remained cautious. Everything they knew came from Ian's words. There was no guarantee that the Whitebeard Pirates would actually arrive.
And even if they did, could they defeat Kaido? The risk of staking everything they had built over the past eighteen years on this slim chance was immense.
The only thing Denjiro could be certain of was that Ian wasn't a spy sent by Orochi. After all, the Shogun's Snake severed head lay before them as proof.
The question was, what could Ian, as an ally of Whitebeard, Really accomplish? "You seem to doubt my words, retainer."
Ian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes. Until the Whitebeard Pirates actually appear, I cannot trust anything you say. Besides, I've heard they've also formed an alliance with Big Mom. Even Whitebeard can only handle Kaido at best," Denjiro stated bluntly.
"Then how do you propose I prove myself?"
"I've heard of Whitebeard. If you're Really his ally, you should at least possess comparable strength. I've received intel that Queen the Plague, one of Kaido's strongest All-Stars, has arrived in the Flower Capital. He's currently searching for you, along with Orochi's samurai and ninja."
Denjiro explained calmly.
"And it seems he's come to us."
"Queen… He's hardly a challenge. He clearly doesn't know who I am, or he wouldn't set foot in this town." Ian rose to his feet.
"What do you mean?" Denjiro asked warily.
Ian picked up his teacup, but it was Tashigi who spoke. "Have you two heard of… the Black-Winged Devil?"
Denjiro's face hardened, and his teacup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.
"It seems news does travel to this isolated nation after all." Ian remarked. Orochi was likely unaware of his true identity. Otherwise, he wouldn't have issued a simple wanted poster. He would have contacted Kaido directly. Kanjuro, the traitor seeking to restore the Kozuki clan, seemed to keep tabs on the outside world.
While the people of Wano hunted down News Coo, preventing newspapers from reaching the isolated nation, Kanjuro, with his connections to the Tobiroppo and frequent visits to Onigashima, was undoubtedly familiar with Ian's alias.
Though a Marine Vice Admiral, Ian's actions defied easy categorization. After repelling Kaido from Impel Down and decimating Big Mom's crew in Totto Land, the World Government had appointed him as a Warlord of the Sea.
"The Black-Winged Devil… the one who defeated several Warlords, Golden Lion Shiki, Silvers Rayleigh, even Kaido… the one who destroyed the Big Mom Pirates and laid waste to Impel Down?"
"If it's you… then Queen has every reason to fear you. I apologize for my earlier rudeness…"
"Denjiro, who is this Black-Winged Devil?" Hiyori asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
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