SailorStar9: So with Chapter 283 uploaded, this is Chapter 284 of this fic. . For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.
Pairings: Married!Ace/Sasha, Sibling!Luffy/Sasha, Sibling!Sabo/Sasha, Background Protector!Law/Sasha
Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda EiichirÅ-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC, the pairing and the fic idea.
Chapter 284: Arc 17: At The Onsen, Part One
In Ebisu Town...
"No, don't worry at all." Tonoyasu assured Law's group. "You can use the empty house all you want. If you're Zorojuro's friends, feel free."
"Thanks." Franosuke nodded.
"No, no." Tonoyasu replied. "You see, people are dying of hunger one after another. So there are a bunch of empty houses. You really don't have to worry."
"He laughs a lot." Usohachi noted.
"All you can do is laugh when you're this hungry." Tonoyasu beamed, despite his growling stomach. "Anyway, you just missed meeting Zorojuro."
"Where did he go?" Law inquired.
"He suddenly rushed out of here." Tonoyasu explained. "He said his sword got stolen. I don't know how far he's gone."
"It's highly likely that he got lost and can't find the way back." Franosuke reasoned.
"As always..." Usohachi sighed.
"By the way, why isn't Black Foot with us?" Law noticed the missing cook.
"That fool!" Usohachi gaped. "Don't tell me... he's already gone to..."
In the famed onsen in Flower Capital...
"It's so relaxing." Onami stretched, soaking in the hot water. "So, this is how a bath is in Wano. But, isn't it a little too hot?"
"We think it's cool to endure it and say something like 'Today's bath is a bit too chilly, isn't it'." Shinobu spoke.
"I sure can't relate to that." Sahiko shook her head.
"Say, Shinobu." Orobi get on the pool's edge. "I've been thinking what's that low entrance way?"
"I think it's call a Pomegranate Gate." Sahiko looked at the wooden plaque. "It's put low to stop the steam from escaping and thus keeping the bath hot."
"By the way, Orobi," Onami pointed out. "Do you get hot easily? Don't you want to bathe in the hot water?"
"I'm not comfortable soaking in a tub in a public bathhouse." Orobi explained. "If anything happens..."
"You're as cautious as a ninja." Shinobu teased. "Magic users like me and Orobi get weaker when we soak in water. But don't worry. No enemies will come."
"It's not the enemies that I'm worried about..." Sahiko deathpanned.
"Should I go charge them?" Onami cast a baleful glare at the men bathers who were peeking in on them.
"Shinobu, why didn't you tell us this is a mixed bath?" Sahiko whined.
"Let's move to the washing area." Shinobu led the three younger females off. "When you get warm enough, you ask Sansuke to wash your back." she ducked under the Pomegranate Gate. "He's Sansuke." she introduced the octopus. "That's what we call the person who washes our backs at a bathhouse."
"But why an octopus?" Sahiko gawked.
"He has eight limbs, so he's suited for the job." Shinobu explained.
"Is that the person Kanjuro was talking about?" Orobi asked, the four women settled in the washing area after overhearing Minatomo mention Hyogoro.
"That's true." Shinobu agreed. "If Boss Hyogoro the Flower was here, he could've united the samurai at once. To be honest, I don't think we can recruit 5000 troops in a week like this. Maybe 500, at most. He was the most influential man behind the scenes in Wano 20 years ago and the great boss who had complete control over the Flower Capital underworld. He was also trusted by the bosses of the other five regions and nice even to commoners. He was a real chivalrous yakuza who had both power and magnetism. Oden-sama had respect for him, too, since he was young. But it's been over 20 years. Rumor has it that he refused to be subordinate to the Kurozumi Clan and was killed by Orochi. In contrast, Fukurokuju, who leads the Oniwabanshu, that supported the Kozuki Clan with Boss Hyogoro the Flower, chose to serve Orochi. I worked for him at that time, but I couldn't take it, so I ran. So I became their enemy."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.
