July 1, 1519. Onigashima.
The Church swept overhead. The people below merely glanced up before returning to their business, though their conversations shifted to "Lord Papiyas."
The Beasts Pirates and the people of Wano Country had long since grown accustomed to the Red Tears.
By the standards of sea travel, a visit every two months or so was quite frequent.
By contrast, Young Master Yamato's flagship, the Winter, rarely came "home."
As for Onigashima's design, its exterior was clearly modeled after the demon island in the tale of Momotaro.
Its interior was essentially a combination of three archetypal Japanese buildings: a shogun's residence, a shrine, and a pleasure quarter.
The central hall corridor-
Sephiroth walked at the front, with a composed Yamato on his right and Ulti holding his hand on his left.
A short distance behind the three of them followed a father and son.
Hanafuda wore a stern, professional expression, while Page One looked dead-eyed and unwilling to work.
"My lords, please proceed to the VIP lounge to rest first... Of course, if you have other business, you are free to go wherever you wish..."
A female Headliner with pale blond hair led the way, wearing a slightly ingratiating smile.
Her words were rather pointless. Aside from Sephiroth, everyone here might as well have been coming home.
Still, formalities were formalities.
"Mizeka, who do you think we are?"
Holding Sephiroth's hand, Ulti spoke sharply. Since she was returning home, she was wearing her usual Onigashima clothes.
She looked at Mizeka's blue-green leather armor and short skirt, which covered very little beyond the essential areas, and ground her teeth.
"...S-sorry-"
Mizeka had no idea what she had done to offend this young lady.
It never occurred to her that her clothes were the problem. This was what she always