It was half past midnight when Sentomaru and the others had reached Wano's waters. Using his geographical knowledge Sentomaru had helped steered the battleship through the maze of jagged rocks and determined what would be the best point of entrance into the country.
"It would be too risky to try to take the ship up the waterfall. The ship would be very heavy for the koi to carry and it is very noticeable. Our best option would be to dock down here and climb up." Sentomaru said.
Kizaru and the others gave a nod in agreement.
"Be sure to pack only the essentials and a bit of extra food. The climb up is steep and slippery so use extra caution." Sentomaru warned
With that the crew began their ascent. The climb was tricky and at times some of the crew would lose their footing but they managed to reach the top unscathed.
Once at the top the crew took a quick break to catch their breath. During that time Sentomaru filled everyone on the orders they would need to follow in order to not raise suspicion during their stay in Wano.
"It is very important that we keep our contact with the outside world to a bare minimum if any, in Wano contacting the outside is a serious crime. Only contact the outside if our situation is starting to look dire. That being said we won't be using the normal baby den den mushi, instead we will be using the smart tanishi, don't worry they function much like your baby den den mushi only on a smaller scale. Speaking of den den mushi the only other one that will be in use is Kizaru's black den den mushi to help us keep track of the Beast Pirates.
Also, whatever you do don't drink out of the river. The factories Kaido installed have polluted Wano's sources of water, if you need to you can either purchase fresh water from a vendor or wait until the end of the day for us to bring up a new stock from the ship. I need to add on that Wano doesn't use the Beri currency instead you will have to make your purchases using gold.
As a final note under no circumstances should any of you mock the shogun, don't even laugh unless he has given the order to do so. It is a serious offense punishable by death." Sentomaru said. He then dismissed the crowd
As Sentomaru finished his debriefing the soldiers began talking to each other, some concerned about how they would be able to survive the campaign in Wano.
From behind Kizaru approached Sentomaru.
"Now all we need is a base of operations, someplace where we can stay instead of having to go up and down that cliff to get to the ship and back." Kizaru advised.
It didn't take long for Sentomaru to think of someplace they could stay.
"My old home might still be standing; if it hasn't been torn down or reoccupied we can use it as our base. I'll go on ahead and scout it out." Sentomaru replied.
"Sounds good but you better hurry, the sun will be rising soon and we can't risk being seen in the open." Kizaru warned.
And with that Sentomaru suited himself in Wano attire and headed out.
The streets of Bakura Town were dead silent not even the chirps of crickets could be heard as a low fog rolled over the town. Sentomaru had only a lit lantern to help guide his way. Sentomaru's house was on the edge of town and as such he still had a bit of a walk ahead of him. As he passed by the empty streets Sentomaru began to remember the days when he was a child, the memory that stuck to him most though was the day he met his wife. She and her family had just moved into town one hot summer month, Sentomaru and the other neighborhood boys were in the shade battling beetles when they spotted the family.
"Looks like you got a new neighbor Sentomaru." Child 1 said
"They might be more than neighbors when I come of age." Sentomaru said.
"How so?" Child 1 asked.
"I overheard my parents talking one night about an Omiai between the daughter and me; I think their planning an arranged marriage." Sentomaru replied.
"Looks like it will be a bad end for you then." Child 2 said.
Sentomaru gave his friend a puzzled look.
"How so"? Sentomaru asked.
"The family looks like they run a tailoring shop and the women of the family all appear to have pink hair." Child 2 stated.
"What does that have to do with my demise"? Sentomaru asked confused.
"Didn't you hear about the family that was murdered by a tailor"? Child 2 asked surprised.
"I know about that my older brother told me the story"! Child 1 said enthusiasticly.
"I forgot where it took place but there was this tailor woman with pink hair that thought that her husband was cheating on her with three other women. She tried to look more appealing for her husband by dressing in a similar way as the three ladies. Well as it turned out she had murdered the three ladies and stole from each a kimono, sash, and hair pin. When she finally confronted her husband she asked him if he found her beautiful only for him to act like she was a stranger. The man wasn't her husband, instead he had been the father and husband of the three the seamstress killed and in the end he too was murdered in envy." Child 1 continued.
Sentomaru started to feel uneasy by the time his friend finished the story. At this point his mother walked up to him letting Sentomaru know that they were going to invite their new neighbors over for tea and that Sentomaru should go wash up. His friends looked on in worry as Sentomaru followed his mother home.
"It was nice knowing you." Child 2 said concerned.
As the families sat around the table Sentomaru was trying his best not to stare at the girl sitting across from him.
"Am I really in danger? What if this girl is just like the crazy tailor? Will she murder me if I just so happen to even glance at another girl?" Sentomaru thought to himself.
Sentomaru sat there quietly until his father spoke up catching Sentomaru's attention.
"Son don't forget your manners, you should introduce yourself to our guest." His father said.
Sentomaru stood up and greeted himself to his guest.
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you I'm Sentomaru." Sentomaru greeted.
"It's nice meeting you Sentomaru. This is my daughter O-Etsuko." The girl's father said as he gestured over to the girl.
Sentomaru looked over to O-Etsuko who looked like she was on the verge of laughing.
"Sentomaru why don't you take O-Etsuko to the garden and show her around while the adults talk to each other." His mother suggested.
Knowing that there wouldn't be any use in arguing Sentomaru did as told.
He led O-Etsuko into the back of his house where the garden was. All the while he felt on edge knowing that they were going to be alone together and that she might try something.
Once they finally arrived at the garden O-Etsuko burst out laughing causing Sentomaru to flinch.
"What is so funny?" Sentomaru asked baffled
O-Etsuko wiped a tear from her eye.
"I'm sorry but you look like a girl!" O-Etsuko said with a chuckle.
Hearing this caused Sentomaru to blush a deep red. For some reason every now and then someone would mistake him for a girl.
"I'd rather look like a girl than a crazy murderer!" Sentomaru retorted.
O-Etsuko stopped her giggling, a sly smile formed on her face.
"So, you think I'm crazy do you?" She asked.
Sentomaru gulped and before he knew it O-Etsuko had pounced on him, causing Sentomaru to fall backwards onto the grass. The two were nose to nose with O-Etsuko on top of Sentomaru. Fearing the worse the boy prepared himself for whatever the girl was about to do. O-Etsuko then proceeded to give Sentomaru a painful flick to his nose.
"Ow! What was that for?" Sentomaru asked as he rubbed his nose.
"I overheard you and your friends talking about the envious tailor. That is very childish of you to think it is real." O-Etsuko said.
"It's not real?" Sentomaru questioned.
"No, it's just an old folk tale told to remind people not to let their jealousy get a hold on them, and besides even if it was real you should not judge a person based on their looks." O-Estuko remarked.
"Oh, I'm sorry for judging you then." Sentomaru apologized, a look of guilt on his face.
"That's okay I forgive you." O-Etsuko said.
The two children sat in peaceful silence before they both busted out laughing at the silliness of the accusation Sentomaru had made.
Back in the present Sentomaru had found himself in front of his old home. It was a typical Wano home, nothing to fancy just a small house. Sentomaru made his way up the wooden steps which creaked under his weight. He hesitated for only a second before finally sliding the front door open and entering. The inside of the house was dark, the only source of light being Sentomaru's lantern. On the floor he found O-Etsuko's sandals still by the door as the day he left them when she passed.
"O-Etsuko I'm home." Sentomaru called out.
He knew there would be no answer but Sentomaru found comfort in it.
Then there came a set of footsteps rushing Sentomaru's way. An old lady charged from out of the shadows. Sentomaru had barely enough time to react as the old lady swung a broom at him.
"Get out of this house intruder; it is not yours to take from!" The old lady yelled.
She yelled while continually trying to hit Sentomaru. It had taken a while for Sentomaru to recognize her voice.
"Grandmother it's me!" Sentomaru shouted trying his best to avoid her attack.
The old lady instantly stopped her assault, stunned and confused by the person before her.
"Sentomaru is that really you?" Grandma asked baffled.
Sentomaru raised the lantern up to reveal his face.
The old lady looked like she had seen a ghost.
"I can't believe it your alive! We were worried that you didn't make it out!" Grandma cried out.
"Yes I was able to get out. I also have good news, I brought back help." Sentomaru replied.
Grandma didn't have any family ties to Sentomaru but the old lady had helped him out tremendously after O-Estuko's passing by helping the new father care for Toko. She had become family to both Sentomaru and Toko and right now she was on the verge of tears.
"Finally our prayers have been answered!" Grandma cheered.
However her happiness was short lived as she noticed that Toko wasn't with him.
"Where's O-Toko?" She asked.
"I just got here; I'm finding a base for the marines to use while we're here." Sentomaru replied.
Grandma had a look of dread; a sense of urgency surrounded her.
"You need to get to the flower capitol now!" Grandma demanded.
Before Sentomaru had a chance to speak up the old lady pulled out a newspaper from her sleeve and showed a recent article from the page.
"Child wanted for dishonoring the shogun. Reward for apprehension is set at 200 gold".
Sentomaru felt his heart stop as he saw the picture on the opposite page, it was Toko. Sentomaru's worst fear had come to light.