The Courtesan and the Sword
Wano Country: Flower Capital
As night fell, paper lanterns hung high throughout the city, their red and gold glows intertwining on the streets.
Laughter and the sounds of shamisen rose and fell outside the brothel, drunkards and geishas strolled side by side, and the night's splendor concealed an air of decay.
Zoro and Kuina, draped in dark cloaks, moved silently, like two shadows darting through the narrow, dark alley.
Finally, they locked onto their target.
That is the most eye-catching presence tonight—"the number one courtesan of Wano Country," Kozuki Hiyori.
She was tall and slender, her black hair styled into an exquisite Shimada bun, adorned with pink flower hairpins, and her embroidered kimono trailed on the ground with her every step, shimmering and dazzling.
The high wooden clogs tapped against the bluestone slabs with a crisp and steady rhythm.
Holding a pipe in her slender hands, the wisps of smoke accentuated her beautifully shaped face, revealing a quiet beauty that also exuded an undeniable resilience.
Zoro's eyes burned with intensity, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword. He lowered his voice and said, "It's her! Roy said that 'Enma' is on her."
Before he finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly, intending to reveal himself directly.
Kuina slammed her hand down on him, yelling, "Idiot! If you suddenly rush out to ask for a knife, do you think she'll believe you? You'll only alert her!"
Zoro frowned, growling in frustration, "What do we do then? If this drags on any longer, won't the sword be ruined by those useless nobles?"
A cold glint flashed in Kuina's eyes, and she said in a low, chilling voice, "Follow her for now, and act when the opportunity arises."
Hiyori slowly entered Kurozumi Orochi's mansion.
The mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. With the news of Kaido's alliance with Big Mom spreading, the nobles of Wano Country, feeling secure in their backing, became even more unscrupulous.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and vulgar laughter, the air was thick with the stench of alcohol, sweat, and decay.
Zoro and Kuina stealthily slipped onto the roof beams like ghosts, peering down through the eaves.
The Kurozumi Orochi lay sprawled on the tatami mat, its belly swollen, its face flushed with drunkenness.
The officials around him were staggering, with wine jugs and leftover food scattered all over the floor.
However, when he saw Kozuki Hiyori enter the hall, half of the intoxication in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by greed and desire.
"Oh, Komurasaki!" The Orochi drooled, licking its lips with its scarlet tongue, looking utterly lewd.
He staggered to his feet, roughly grabbing her slender wrist, a lewd grin spreading across his face. "Come on—dance for me!"
A flicker of disgust flashed in Hiyori's eyes, but it vanished instantly. She lowered her gaze, replaced her gaze with a gentle smile, and respectfully replied, "... Yes, Lord Orochi."
Her tone was gentle, her posture elegant, as if she were truly willing to submit. But her slightly trembling fingertips had already betrayed her inner disgust.
On the beam, Kuina squinted and whispered, "She's enduring..."
Zoro's eyes turned cold, his hands already on the hilts of his three swords, veins bulging. "These beasts... I really want to chop them down right now."
Kuina said coldly, "Wait! The time to make a move hasn't come yet."
Zoro gritted his teeth, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring intently at the Kurozumi Orochi below, as if he might unleash a murderous intent that could tear everything apart at any moment.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the booming of drunken voices, the atmosphere was electric.
Under the flickering paper lanterns, the air was filled with the smells of alcohol and sweat, accompanied by the crude laughter of the nobles.
Suddenly, Kurozumi Orochi's drunken eyes Flash, as if he wanted to use the alcohol to reveal a secret he had suppressed for a long time.
He picked up his wine cup, tilted his head, and sneered, "Haha! Listen carefully! The Kozuki Clan... was not wiped out at all!!"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
The sake jug tipped over, and the sake trickled down the tatami mat, the sound startlingly jarring in the quiet.
The Toko, kneeling beside him, trembled with fear, but due to the side effects of the failed SMILE Fruits, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Even the faintest sound was like a thunderclap in the dead silence!
Kurozumi Orochi's smile froze, his eyes turning icy cold, staring at Toko with a sinister, serpentine gaze. "You little bitch... what are you laughing at?"
The Kurozumi Orochi, holding a sword, slowly approached. Toko's face turned pale, and her legs went weak, but she couldn't help but maintain a smile.
"Stop!!"
Kozuki Hiyori suddenly stepped forward and shielded Toko behind her.
"Smack!"
She slapped the Kurozumi Orochi, who was approaching the Toko with a knife, hard across the face!
A crisp sound exploded in the hall, and the nobles were so stunned that they forgot to breathe.
Hiyori's fingers trembled slightly, but she gritted her teeth and shouted angrily, "You're not allowed to touch her!!"
Kurozumi Orochi's eyes instantly became bloodshot, his face flushed crimson, and he roared furiously, "You... you dare hit me?! You vile woman!! How dare you disobey the Shogun?!"
His body twisted violently, his skin bulged and cracked, and his veins bulged out in a ferocious manner!
"Roar--!"
In an instant, he transformed into the legendary Yamata no Orochi! Its eight heads roared in unison, their fangs menacing, and a foul stench filled the air!
One of the snake heads suddenly swooped down and instantly bit Komurasaki into its gaping maw!
"Ah--!"
Screams mingled with the shrieks of the nobles, and the hall descended into chaos! Cups and plates rolled over, and the patrons scattered like frightened birds!
Beside him, Kyoshiro's eyes turned cold, and he gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly it creaked, ready to draw it at any moment!
At that very moment--
"Clang--!"
A clear, sharp sword cry pierced the noise!
Kuina swooped down like a startled swan, her sword flashing like a shooting star, precisely slicing through the snake's head and fangs!
"Whoosh--!"
Komurasaki was pulled down by her and fell into her arms, narrowly escaping death!
At the same time--
"Click!!"
A sudden metallic scraping sound rang out as Zoro unleashed three swords simultaneously, his veins bulging, and his entire body erupted with sword energy!
"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!!"
"Whoosh--!"
The flashing blades were like a sudden storm!
"Pfft!!"
In an instant, all seven heads of the Yamata no Orochi were Time Slash, blood mist gushed out, and screams shook the heavens!
"Roar--!"
The Kurozumi Orochi struggled frantically, its seven massive heads vanishing like phantoms, leaving only a single human head barely clinging to life!
His legs went weak, his whole body trembled, cold sweat poured down his temples, and he even urinated!
"Don't kill me!! Don't kill me!!"
The hall was deathly silent, like a graveyard!
Everyone stared blankly at the "general" who had revealed his ugly side, a mixture of fear and shame overwhelming them.
The blood mist had not yet dissipated, and the screams still echoed.
Hiyori's eyes were hazy. Before she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was the back of the unfamiliar swordsman who had severed the snake's head with a thunderous strike—as steady as a mountain, as sharp as a gale.
"Father..." she murmured softly, before finally fainting.
Kyoshiro's eyes flashed like lightning, his mind racing. He instantly realized that if he didn't provide cover, he would definitely attract the attention of Kaido's minions!
The next moment, he suddenly threw out a Smoke Bomb!
"Bang--!"
White mist instantly filled the entire hall, and the choking smoke threw the nobles and guards into chaos, with screams rising and falling.
"Protect the general!! Quickly, escort him!!"
With a Kyoshiro led his trusted swordsmen to swarm forward, ostensibly to protect the Orochi, but in reality to stand in the center of the chaos.
Zoro and Kuina exchanged a knowing glance.
"Walk!"
Kuina scooped up the unconscious Hiyori, while Zoro picked up the trembling Toko.
The two moved swiftly, weaving through the smoke like ghosts, and quietly escaped amidst the chaos.
The Kurozumi Orochi roared angrily in the smoke, but had nowhere to vent its anger. It haphazardly overturned the wine table and screen, appearing both ferocious and pathetic.
"Damn it!! Grab them right now!!"
When the smoke cleared, only a mess and panicked guards remained in the hall; there was no sign of Zoro or Kuina.
The Orochi's roar was completely drowned out by the horrified clamor.