Wano Country, Flower Capital.
Once the heart of the nation, this city had long served as the political and cultural center under the rule of the shogun. When Kurozumi Orochi seized power and turned the rest of Wano into weapon factories for the Beasts Pirates, the Flower Capital alone remained untouched. Protected and preserved, it became the most prosperous and vibrant place in the entire country.
Amid its elegant streets lined with cherry blossom trees and paper lanterns, there stood a renowned pleasure house known across all of Wano. It wasn't just famous for its refined architecture or luxurious atmosphere, but for being managed by one of Orochi's most trusted retainers, a respected samurai known as the "sleeping Kyoshiro." More importantly, it was the place where the most beautiful woman in Wano resided, the legendary oiran, Komurasaki.
Every day, lines of hopeful men stretched down the streets, each willing to spend a fortune just to catch a glimpse of her.
Like now.
On the upper floor of the pleasure house, beneath drifting cherry blossoms, Komurasaki stood by a latticed window. Her kimono, rich with embroidered peacocks and layered in brilliant silks, shimmered in the afternoon light. Ornate hairpins crowned her carefully styled hair, and with a slow, graceful motion, she lifted a folding fan to her face, hiding all but her dazzling eyes.
The crowd below erupted in cheers. Voices rose in adoration, and countless hands waved stacks of money, desperate for her attention.
But no matter how fervently they shouted, Komurasaki never spared them a true glance. Behind the fan, her expression remained cold and calculating.
"So, which fool should I choose next?"
Kozuki Hiyori, concealed beneath the persona of Komurasaki, scanned the crowd with a practiced gaze. She wasn't looking for love or entertainment. She was hunting for her next wealthy mark, someone rich and foolish enough to bleed dry.
Just then, a scream of panic rang out from the distance. The cheerful street scene shattered in an instant as people scattered, shouting in fear.
From her perch, Hiyori could immediately see the reason. A group of Beasts Pirates had entered the capital, led by a towering, unmistakable figure.
"Jack the Drought?!"
Her lips tightened. The massive Fishman's reputation for cruelty was well known, but Hiyori didn't panic. Instead, her brows furrowed with concern and suspicion.
"Why... Why would Beasts Pirates come here... Could they be after Komurasaki, too?"
Her guess wasn't wrong. Jack and his men soon arrived at the base of the pleasure house, their presence enough to make the nearby civilians flee in terror. Word of their arrival spread through the building like wildfire.
An elderly madam, heavily painted and wrapped in gaudy silks, hurried out to greet them, her smile as forced as it was wide.
"Jack-sama, what an unexpected honor. Please, come in, come in..."
Jack didn't respond. His cold gaze went past her, up to the third floor where Komurasaki stood. His voice was low and unwavering.
"I'm here under orders from Kaido-sama. I've come to take that woman."
The madam's smile faltered as confusion crossed her face.
"If it's from Kaido-sama, then... may I ask what business he has with Komurasaki?"
Jack gave her a blank stare, as though he were speaking to a fool. His tone grew gruff, edged with impatience.
"What do you think Kaido-sama wants with a courtesan?"
From above, Hiyori's face drained of color.
The madam, realizing the implication, hesitated. She recalled warnings from her boss, the unspoken instructions about Komurasaki's true identity and importance. Her face tightened with internal conflict.
"If it's truly a summons from Kaido-sama, then it would indeed be Komurasaki's great honor. However... Komurasaki is our top oiran. She does not entertain guests lightly..."
"Huh?"
Jack didn't even try to hide the growing rage and impatience in his voice.
"Then what are all these men?"
Before the madam could form a proper response, he cut her off sharply and shouted up at Kozuki Hiyori, his tone stripped of any civility.
"Oi! Are you coming down yourself, or do I have to make you?!"
"Th... this...!"
The madam stood frozen, completely flustered. But before she could speak again, another voice rang out, calm yet authoritative.
"Apologies, but Orochi-sama has also summoned Komurasaki to serve him. I'm afraid we'll have to decline Kaido-sama's request."
"Huh?"
Jack immediately whipped his head toward the voice, his fury undiminished.
The already nervous crowd parted once more as a group of samurai approached from the direction of the Shogun's estate. At their lead was a tall man with a drowsy expression, a massive blue topknot, and a deep blue kimono. His sharp eyes were fixed on Jack, a clear anger burning behind them.
Hiyori and the madam exhaled in relief at the sight of him.
This man was the owner of the pleasure house, Kyoshiro.
Frankly speaking, the Beasts Pirates had always left themselves open in too many places.
Kyoshiro had already learned through his network that Kaido planned to summon Hiyori not long after Jack departed Onigashima. Though the purpose remained unclear, the very idea of offering his lord's daughter to a man like Kaido, after already enduring the disgrace of having her entertain Orochi, was unbearable. He couldn't allow her to fall into another predator's grasp. So he moved quickly and sent word to Orochi.
Orochi, obsessed as he was with Komurasaki, absolutely refused to give her up to Kaido. Without hesitation, he ordered Kyoshiro to intervene.
But Jack had been personally commanded by Kaido himself, and he had no intention of returning empty-handed. His gaze grew sharper as he stepped forward.
"You got a death wish?"
===
Kyoshiro had known this wouldn't go smoothly from the start.
Had it been anyone else, he might've used his position within Orochi's circle or the ties he had with certain Beasts Pirates to manipulate the situation. But Jack was different.
Jack the Drought was infamous for his ruthless violence and utter disregard for diplomacy. He answered only to Kaido. Still, if standing in Jack's way was the only way to protect the daughter of his true lord from disgrace, then Kyoshiro was ready.
And now that he had Orochi's direct order, he had a legitimate reason to fight.
Facing Jack's killing intent head-on, Kyoshiro didn't flinch. His eyes narrowed into slits as he responded firmly.
"Sorry. But these are Orochi-sama's orders."
Jack's pupils shrank in reaction.
As one of the All-Stars, he was used to absolute obedience. Those who defied him didn't live to regret it. The air grew tense, so thick with hostility that even those unfamiliar with haki could feel it.
People instinctively began backing away, trying to avoid being caught in the inevitable chaos.
"Go. Bring that woman down here. Anyone who stands in your way, kill them."
Jack's voice was ice-cold. His men didn't hesitate. The Beasts Pirates behind him charged toward the third floor without delay.
Just the name Jack was enough to make most people tremble, and the weak, sycophantic samurai Orochi had sent along with Kyoshiro didn't dare move. They stood paralyzed, useless.
Kyoshiro sighed internally in frustration. He could already see how worthless Orochi's followers were.
He reached for the hilt of his blade.
"Seems like this can't be avoided. In that case, I'll have to apologize with steel."
With a smooth, practiced motion, Kyoshiro vanished from view. He moved like a streak of shadow, slicing through the air toward the charging pirates.
But Jack was ready.
Steel met steel.
With both his blades drawn, Jack stepped forward and swung directly at Kyoshiro, their swords colliding in a thunderous clash.