Wano Country, Flower Capital, Thousand Crane Brothel.
Led by Kumagoro and Camel, Sephiroth arrived at the entrance of a luxuriously decorated three-story mansion.
Women in heavy makeup and kimonos stood along the railings on the second and third floors.
From time to time, they cast flirtatious glances at the men passing below, hoping to draw in customers.
The decadent sounds from the brothel continuously drifted into Sephiroth's ears.
"Brothel" was Wano Country's term for a pleasure house. The women working inside were generally divided into courtesans, geisha, and the brothel's top attractions... oiran!
Generally speaking, as long as the money was right, courtesans did not care who their customers were, how many there were, or even whether they were human...
Compared to courtesans, geisha were somewhat more high-end. They needed considerable talent and skill. Some sold their art but not their bodies, while others only cared whether the price was right.
Among courtesans and geisha, those with the greatest fame and highest status were the oiran.
Generally speaking, becoming an oiran was no easy matter.
They had to undergo long-term training and stand out from countless competitors before they could become oiran.
First, beauty was an extremely high threshold, one that eliminated most women.
Second, they needed talent and refinement. Literature, calligraphy, tea ceremony, chess, dance, shamisen, and more—all of these had to be studied so they could converse with officials and nobles, build their reputations, and raise their appearance fees.
If they could win over the powerful and wealthy, making them willingly play the fool, spending a thousand gold for a single night was hardly uncommon!
Once a woman became an oiran, her value skyrocketed. Compared to courtesans and geisha, she had far more freedom of choice and could refuse customers she disliked.
Even if she met them, whether