Komurasaki tended to her shamisen, deftly adjusting the strings; then testing them with an ebony pick.
A good sound. But the strings would have to be tightened to make it perfect.
And she needed to be at her best. She was a courtesan of the Flower Capital, and her skills were her livelihood; and her only weapon. If she was not the best, then how else could she rob the lecherous and moronic merchants and nobles who tried to woo her? Only by breaking their sycophantic hearts, by teasing and tantalizing them until they were penniless, could she undermine the Kurozumi regime.
She could have stabbed that disgusting snake Orochi in his sleep. She could have done it any number of times. But it would only have gotten her executed, and Wano would still suffer under its real tyrant.
And there he was, even now. As she looked out of the window she could see his serpentine form, far in the distance over the mountains of Kibi. That terrible dragon that had terrorized Wano for years. The nightmare that only her father had the strength to challenge.
She looked down. Down in the street, fur-caped Beast Pirates were about their work; moving from house to house, shop to shop, tavern to tavern, dragging anyone inside out into the street, and then searching; while Orochi's samurai looked on apathetically.
Her own manor was secure; for she shared it with the prominent yakuza Kyoshiroh. All the same she thanked the gods, for she alone knew who Orochi's enforcer really was.
Sighing, she looked over at the calendar. It was the middle of June, and there were preparations to be made. She was to dine with the Shogun Orochi, to sit beside him and entertain him. He was her biggest fan, both of her beauty and her music, and there were few things he liked better than her company.
The thought made her shudder, as a geisha ought never to. To have to spend an evening in the company of that fat, ugly cur. To have to look her best, and play her best, while he drank and swore and cackled, and his wretched cronies capered and carried on.
But she had no choice. She had to be strong. Her parents' prophecy held true. After twenty years, pirates from the New World would come to liberate this land; both from the King of the Beasts, and that vile snake. Her father's final words, before he vanished into the pot. Her mother's final declaration at the castle; before the arrows took her.
Orochi had never believed the Kozuki prophecy. He had always scoffed at it, at least at first. But as the time foretold drew closer, he had become more and more paranoid.
And now this. Now the Beast Pirates were on the hunt, searching for two fugitives; a certain Yamato, and a certain Deku. Kaido himself was leading the search, starting just after the Fire Festival and the great force that sent countless animals in stampede; wreaking destruction on a scale not seen since Oden's fall. The storm that came after the Festival hasn't abated. Neither has Kaido's search as well.
How cruel. For it to happen so soon after the Fire Festival, the one time of year the people could eat their fill of good food, and drink clean water, all for free. One night of innocent pleasure, and then the lash came down all the harder. From both man and nature all the same.
Komurasaki rose to her feet, setting her finished shamisen in her case. She paused, as she heard footsteps in the corridor outside. Hurrying footsteps, in a place where there should be no hurrying. Something was very wrong.
"Lady Komurasaki! Lady Komurasakiii!" The door slid open. It was one of her servants, a cute girl with red hair named Akane.
"Akane? What's wrong?" she asked, worried.
"W-we have pirates at the front gate! They are forcing their way in!" Akane cried out. Komurasaki stood up, mastering herself.
"I will talk to them."
As Orochi's personal musician, she was privileged and protected; much as it shamed her. Kaido's thugs had no business bargaining into her residence. What could have gotten into them?
Had something changed? Was even she under suspicion now?
She stepped carefully past her servant, her every movement perfect. She paused, just long enough to squeeze Akane's hand, and then continued out of the room, and along the corridor, and down the stairs.
"Alright ladies! Let's get to work!"
The mob at her gate were all women, some clad in revealing tops and skinny pants, others in loose kimonos; but all with the signature fur capes and horns of the Beast Pirates. Their weapons were sheathed, but she knew better than to drop her guard around them.
"Who do you think you are!?" she demanded. "You barge into the residence of Shogun Orochi's courtesan, and the Yakuza Boss Kyoshiro! Leave at once!"
"Oh I don't think so, Komurasaki~"
Komurasaki yelped as something grabbed her from behind. She felt herself being lifted up, and her blood ran cold as she saw what it was.
Black Maria, Kaido's own mistress and one of the Flying Six, was sitting atop the house. Her lower body was gone, replaced with that of an enormous, black spider; it's eyes staring hungrily at her. The pirates laughed at her discomfiture, while her servants cried out in fear.
'Stay strong… You are the daughter of a Samurai!'
The blonde woman smirked down at her with her ice blue eyes.
"For someone who is quite close to the Shogun, you don't seem to have gotten the memo. But I don't fault you. This is… rather sudden, I admit."
"Gnngh… release me! Orochi will not-"
"Orochi has no sway here." Black Maria chided, licking her lips as she leaned in, and Komurasaki could see her own reflection upon the blonde haired Oni's gaze. "For this is a direct mission from Lord Kaido himself. I have been assigned to search the Flower Capital and I intend to be as thorough as possible. So just answer my simple questions, and no one will be hurt. Does that sound fine by you, Miss 'Most Beautiful Woman in all of Wano'?"
Komurasaki gulped, but remained steadfast, glaring at her. "Fine. Speak your questions."
The massive spider woman chuckled at the small show of defiance. It made Komurasaki feel an inch tall.
"Are you harboring any… guests as of late?" Black Maria narrowed her eyes, her tone becoming chipped and terse. "One of them is like me, an Oni woman, but with white hair. Or perhaps a boy in green."
A white haired Oni girl, and a boy in green?
"No, I have not seen anyone like that! now let me go!" Komurasaki struggled in Black Maria's grip, but the giantess smirked.
"Oh no, I'm not done. My girls are going to check every single crevice of your home. We will not leave a single floorboard unchecked."
Komurasaki yelled, feeling her arms ache as Black Maria tightened her squeeze.
"Girls, go inside and search. Tear the entire house apart if you have to, and check the crawl spaces, above AND below!" she ordered. The pirates swarmed up the path and into the house.
Komurasaki looked away, unable to watch; forcing herself not to think about what those women would do to her home. She could only pray that her servants would not be hurt. They were common folk, and she did her best to give them a nice wage and good healthy food to fill their stomachs and to take to their families. It was her only small courtesy she could give to her people in some way or form.
Then she saw. Held high up as she was, she could see the rest of the Flower Capital. There were pirates everywhere, swarming through the streets like ants, forcing their way into houses, shops, taverns, restaurants, anything and everything. She could see the grand mansions of Orochi's ministers, the pirates forcing their way inside.
She heard a yell. Her eyes snapped to one of the mansions, and her heart clenched as she saw a finely-dressed majordomo barring the way into his master's home, shouting at the pirates to get out. The pirates knocked him aside, and another retainer ran at them, sword drawn. A gunshot rang out, and the man fell dead.
What was going on? Were even Orochi's own allies not safe?
"The Shogun won't like this!" she declared. But Black Maria just rolled her eyes.
"For all your refinement, your intellect leaves much to be desired," Black Maria oiled as she leaned in, squeezing her tighter. Komurasaki's heart raced, her strength fading, as the old fear arose.
And she was Hiyori again.
"Orochi does not rule Wano. Kaido does," hissed Black Maria. Her tongue lolled out, and licked the side of Hiyori's head, making her shiver. She could smell perfume, and sake.
"You, Komurasaki, are allowed to breathe because you are nothing. Just a pretty little pebble that has attracted the attention of ants, and a hideous snake. I could crush you in my grip, but we are under orders. Besides, I like this kimono, and blood does not wash easily from Wano silk."
She lifted Hiyori up, and turned all her eyes upon her.
"So I ask again: An Oni girl with white hair? And a boy in green. Have you seen them, or heard of them?"
"I don't! I don't! Please let me down!" Hiyori yelled, struggling in the giantess' grip. "I swear it please!"
"Hmmph, so much for your pretty mask," Black Maria replied nonchalantly. "But very well, I shall let you go."
She opened her hand, and Hiyori screamed as she fell; praying for her father to save her.
And then she landed. In someone's arms.
"Was that really necessary?" asked Kyoshiro. The blue haired Yakuza gazing up at the Spider Demoness sitting on his roof. "Black Maria?"
"When it comes to the search for the ones who robbed Lord Kaido?" Black Maria leered, thunder rumbling overhead, dark clouds looming. Behind the noise, Hiyori could hear the pirates searching her home; tearing open the closets and ripping up the floorboards.
"Yes, everything is necessary." Black Maria brought her cigarette holder to her lips, and took a long drag. "My girls will search your entire estate, Napping Kyoshiro. I trust there will be no issues?"
"Not at all. I can clean up a simple mess. Unlike you lot."
Hiyori could see it, the palest hint of anger. Not the anger of Kyoshiro, but of Denjiro of the Akazaya Nine, and one of two links to her past. The other was rotting in Udon Prison, beyond her power to help.
"Very well, on to the next one. Mizerka!" A woman with a very long snake-like neck looked back up to her. "You're in charge of this estate. Sueca, with me." And the Spider Demoness began to move, her many legs carrying her silently over the rooftops.
"Are you alright?" Denjiro whispered, as he set her down. Hiyori nodded, and watched as the pirates continued to tear apart his mansion; that had been her home ever since her parents had died, and their new lives had begun.
Out in the street, there was more of the same. More pirates, tearing apart the fine mansions, throwing things out of the windows. She saw a young man in an expensive-looking kimono, a retainer no doubt, trying to block a gateway. But the pirates grabbed him and dragged him aside, throwing him into the street, then laughing as they kicked and beat him. And then one of them grabbed his top-knot, and slashed it with a knife; his rich black hair spilling down behind his head.
A little way along the street, children shrieked as their mothers were manhandled, and their fathers were beaten. Pirates laughed and jeered, while Orochi's samurai stood around, watching with empty eyes; ignoring the pleading looks from those they were supposed to protect. Behind it all was the sound of breaking wood, ripping cloth, breaking glass, shattering porcelain, and the odd gunshot.
She felt Denjiro's arms around her shoulders, as the Dragon King flew overhead; the thunder roared as he passed. Kaido flew on, head swiveling from side to side, ignoring his subjects as they threw up their hands, crying for mercy.
"I will be fine," she replied, straightening up, and looking after Kaido as he vanished from sight.
Just what had Yamato and Deku done to enrage him so?
(X)
It was cold in Ringo, but to Jack the Drought, it was like being under an air conditioned fan. Especially when in his Beast Form.
His troops marched into a village, his massive feet planting deep prints in the soft white snow. Sasaki walked beside him, also in beast form; a giant triceratops walking beside a massive mammoth.
"Sir, may I ask a question?" the triceratops asked the mammoth.
"You may."
"Why come with us? I was assigned to Ringo you know. You didn't have to come."
Jack could see the locals scurrying into their homes. The Armored Division marched forth, torches held high, wagons rumbling behind them, making plenty of noise.
Plenty to scare off Yamato and Deku if they were in earshot.
"Ringo is the only one where snowfall is common. Even your Armored Division cannot cover that much ground quickly. Hence my being here." Jack replied. "My men can cover this ground more quickly; and chase down the Young Master and the thief once we drive them from hiding."
"A fair point, Lord Jack." Sasaki replied. "I did not mean to doubt your intentions."
"No issue." Jack uttered. They reached the center of the village, and came to a halt. The mammoth took a deep breath.
"Out of your houses! Now!" he roared, shaking the entire village. Sasaki nudged his head, and the pirates headed for the houses, breaking down the doors.
"Out of this house!"
"Mush ya lazy bums!"
"Slant eyed monkeys! Out of here!"
They cursed and jeered, dragging and bullying the villagers out into the street. Jack glared down at them as they were corralled before him.
"Who is your elder?" Jack spoke, and an old man quickly stepped forth.
"Lots of elderly." Sasaki mused. "And the young too."
Looking more closely, Jack realized that Sasaki was right. Many old, and many very young. The rest were in Kibi, no doubt; in the factories.
"Mm-my lords," the old man stammered. "W-why have you come?"
"We are hunting for two individuals. An Oni girl with white hair and a boy with green hair." Jack growled. "Do you know of any such persons?
"W-We do not sir!" The elder exclaimed. "A-side from your pirates, the Oni haven't been in these parts of Wano in hundreds of years!"
"I will be the judge of that." Jack growled, his eyes turning towards a hut.
"If you do not cooperate, I will crush your homes, and you will freeze when the storms worsen." Jack's eyes glared down. "Any resistance will be punished, and if you are lying..."
He stepped forward, his trunk wrapping around the old man and bringing him closer to his eyes.
"You will not perish, Elder," he uttered, squeezing him and making the man cry out. "But the rest of your charges will, right before your very eyes."
"O-Of course! P-Please! We haven't seen them! At all!" pleaded the Elder. Jack scoffed, dropping the old man into the snow below, a harsh cracking sound and moan of pain quickly following. An old lady rushed up to him, alongside a young boy with black hair. The boy glared up at him.
"You big meanie! He did nothing to you! Why do you gotta-" The old lady, no doubt his grandmother, grabbed him and covered his mouth; looking up at the mammoth with wide, fearful eyes.
"Forgive him! He's only a child! Please forgive his ignorance! H-He will be punished! I promise!" babbled the old lady. Jack glared down at her.
"Then he will know." He looked out of the village. "Sasaki, which house did the Elder come from."
"The biggest one."
"Burn it." Jack uttered. And the old man cried out, coughing in spite of his injuries.
"But, we will have no roof! My son, he's at the factory! We can only house ourselves, the rest of the village has little to spare! We-"
Jack glared down, and the old man went silent. The boy glared up at them with hateful eyes, which Jack returned in kind.
He would learn. In time.
He saw some of Sasaki's men walk up with Handcannons and Bazookas, taking aim. Jack flipped his trunk, as if throwing down his hand, and they fired, blasting the house to smithereens; the people screaming and covering their heads against the flying debris.
"Now stay where you are, if you wish to live. If there is any evidence of you hiding the Oni or the Boy in Green, you die," Jack glared. "Understand?"
The Elder nodded, and the pirates got to work. It did not take them long, for it was a small village; the houses little more than shacks. Within minutes they were all wrecked, their meager contents tossed outside, some even collapsing, unable to support themselves anymore.
"No signs of them, Lord Jack," reported a Headliner. Jack nodded, unsurprised.
"Carry on then. When we leave the village, fan out. Search every hollow, every cave. Use your flares if you find anything unusual."
The mammoth marched forth, the villagers scrambling out of the way; Sasaki falling in beside him. The pirates formed up behind them, laughing at the destruction, and the misfortune of the villagers. The children glared at their retreating backs, yearning to fight their oppressors. But their elders just sat on the ground; too old and tired to fight, and too worn down to even imagine doing so.
"Keep on glaring all ya want!" jeered a group of Gifters. "We can always kill ya, if ya like!"
"Gotta save our ammo if we find out who sent Malice flyin' after all!"
"Cut the chatter." Sasaki reprimanded his men. "We march!"
Jack was glad to have Sasaki. He knew how to follow orders, and how to give them. But unlike that psycho Malice, he also knew how to relax, and how to get everyone else to relax.
But now, those particular skills were not needed. Now, they had to hunt those two down, and do it quickly. Kaido was getting angrier by the day; and worse, it was sober anger. He hadn't touched his Sake since the Fire Festival.
The sooner Kaido is back to being buzzed and merry, with Yamato chained in some cave and this Deku dead, the better.
As the pirate gradually became smaller in the distance, the remains of the village were left only with the sounds of weeping and cries of frustration.
"Damnit, what did we do to deserve this?" A young teenager angrily cried out, staring at the ruined pile of wood that once was his home. "As long as we kept our heads down Kaido would leave us alone, so why…WHY ARE WE FORCED TO SUFFER LIKE THIS!"
"We need to act quickly," The Elder managed to stand despite having a broken leg and cracked ribs. "Set up a shelter before it becomes too cold and get a fire going." Despite his words, few acted, in particular the man's grandson.
"Why bother? They'll just come back and wreck it again."
"We don't have enough wood to rebuild our homes and we were barely getting by as it was."
Several others shared the sentiment.
"As long as those two…Yamato and Deku are out there, Kaido will never stop this. At this point we'll freeze to death before long."
The Elder however remained firm. "Regardless of our situation, we must stay strong and do what we can. We've survived under Kaido this long and we will continue no matter how bad things get. Now hurry."
Despite a few objections, some of the able bodied young got to work along with the elders, while the young boy only continued to glare, staring at the still burning remains of their home, matching the flame of anger burning inside him.
(X)
Kuri was humid. Kibi was smoggy. The Flower Capital and Udon were pleasant. And Ringo was cold and snowy. But Hakumai?
Dry and arid, all the time.
Ulti glowered as she sat on a log, watching as her men and women ransacked yet another village. They had made landfall three days ago, and had followed Kaido's orders to the letter. Every cavern, pothole, hollow and crevice in Wano's desert region had been thoroughly checked. This was the second village they have found, and like the first, no sign of Dekyuun or Yamato.
"Lady Ulti, we have finished our search," reported a Headliner; a red-haired woman named Zole. The blue haired Oni glared at her.
"No sign?"
"No ma'am."
Ulti scoffed, rising to her feet. They would have been to the fourth village by now if her little brother was there. But no, he was out like a light; laid up in Onigashima's infirmary. Clobbered by Kaido, just for asking a question!
All because Dekyuun had made off with Yamato. How could that be? They were going to go on pretty dates! Shopping! Food Bar hopping! Marriage! And plenty of little Ultis and Dekus running around as their brave Papa fought alongside her!
But no, that white haired bitch had seduced him somehow. There was a crafty little schemer under that false Oden facade. There had to be!
She sighed, looking around as she rose to her feet. "Everyone, get a move on. Out of the village."
She watched as the pirates made their way out of the village, mocking the cowering villagers, and spitting on them for good measure. Their meager belongings were strewn on the ground; not a thing among them worth taking. This place really was…
Then she saw it. Something green. Ulti perked up, eyes wide as her heart raced.
She ran towards the source, a child holding onto something.
"Gimme that!" Ulti barked. The child, a little girl with brown hair, trembled in fear; clutching a little straw doll, with green eyes and green hair.
"Where did ya get that doll?" Ulti demanded. That doll looked so much like Dekyuun! It couldn't be a coincidence!
"I-I got it f-f-f-from my-"
"Who!" Ulti snarled, horns forming on her brow.
"From my Mommyyyyyy~!" the girl wailed, bursting into tears. Another girl, similar-looking but older, rushed over and grabbed her from behind. She had freckles on her face.
Freckles.
"It's just a doll! Please, leave us alone!" the older girl half-pleaded, half-demanded. Ulti growled at her impertinence. This girl had the gall to order her?
The thunder roared in the dark skies overhead. Ulti gazed down at her, her morning star on her shoulder, ready to be used.
"You…" Ulti hissed, "are not worth the effort."
She scoffed, and reached down, plucking the doll from the girl's hand and inspecting it. It was rather plain, with a 'meh' sort of expression; so much like her sweet Dekyuun. It lacked his freckles, but that was nothing a marker or some paint cannot fix.
But the skin looked so ghastly.
She heard the little brat wailing for her doll.
"You want this huh?" she mocked, glaring down. "Become strong enough to beat me, and maybe you'll get it back."
She turned on her heel and strode towards her pirates, ignoring the brat's cries as her sister tried to quiet her. She saw a Headliner looking annoyed, hand on his pistol as he glared their way.
"Save your ammo. You'll need it for Yamato," Ulti commanded.
"R-Right, apologies Lady Ulti. Just the…"
"Yeah, brats are annoying too. But we'll be out of here shortly. Deal with it." Ulti looked at the doll, then back to the Headliner. "Yo, what's your name again?"
"Oh, uhh, Clag, ma'am."
"Got a marker?" She held her hand out, the man fumbling into his pockets before bringing out a pen. Ulti swiped it, noticing the tip was sharp. This would not do. "Tch…" She handed it back to him. "Craggy, think there's any artisans in the Flower Capital?"
"I would imagine so Lady Ulti, and it's Clag."
"Whatever."
She sighed, lifting the doll to her bosom. Later, she would find an artisan in the Flower Capital, who would take this doll and make it the cutest and bestest doll ever. She would cuddle and snuggle it, imagining that it was Dekyuun. Maybe even have a life sized version made to tide her over.
She will find her Dekyuun eventually, and would plead with Kaido to give him mercy. A beating would do, surely? Unto him and Yamato. And she could take care of her Dekyuun broken until he healed. And then he would be grateful. And then he would love her. And then they would get happily married, and have lots of cute babies!
She smiled, eyes curved up, clutching the doll as she imagined the beautiful future that awaited.
She began to skip.
(X)
Kozuki Sugiyaki snapped awake, as the cry cut through his dark dreams.
"Tama!"
He reached over and embraced his ward. Tama writhed and screamed, eyes flicking back and forth behind her eyelids.
"It's okay! Tama! I'm here!" he urged, hugging the girl tight, willing her to emerge from the nightmare that tormented her. Suddenly, mercifully, her eyes flew open.
"Mr… Mr… T-Tengu…" she gasped, and the old man's heart ached.
"What troubles you in your sleep child?" He asked. "We need our rest for the morrow. We need to set up our garden."
A garden to be built next to the green tree of the Okuchi no Makami shrine. Their only source of food, save for hunting and trapping. He couldn't risk going to the river for fish, not after what the factories of Kibi and Hakumai had done to the water.
"I…I… I saw him." Tama whimpered. "His eyes… his big yellow eyes…" She wept, and Sugiyaki embraced her.
"It was just a dream. Kaido won't come back here."
"He always does, in my dreams… he's outside our hut." Tama sniffled. "I don't wanna be eaten, Mr. Tengu. I don't wanna!"
"You won't!" Sugiykai said sternly. "I will protect you, I promise."
The old man held her tight, as he leant against the inside of the tree. The stone shrine had been built into the tree's hollow; a wonder in itself, and a fine shelter from the elements. But it could not keep out the sound of thunder overhead.
He began to hum, closing his eyes as he recounted one of his mother's old lullabies. He had wanted to sing it to Oden, but he had been too wild for such things, even then.
"Hate them…" she whispered. The man took a deep breath, continuing his song. He could not see the bitterness in her eyes.
"Yamato… Deku…" Tama uttered, venom leaking from her lips as she shuddered and sobbed again. "Hate them… hate them…"
Sugiyaki forced himself to ignore the harsh words, and the hate behind them. He just wanted her to sleep, to be free of this world for a few short hours. Perhaps a sweet dream would lift this darkness from her heart.
Perhaps.
Yet he shivered as another harsh wind from Kaido's storm blew through their small home, a reminder of the nightmare all of Wano was forced to endure.
Big thanks to Juubi-K for his polish, and IKnowNothing and WildJoker000 for their edits
So yeah, Kristallnacht Wano edition. They hunt for fugitives who are not there, with the suffering increasing. First draft only had the first two scenes, so credit IKN For calling me out and say "hey, make more. Got to care for Wano anywya". Hence, Ulti and Jack's senes.
The next chapter will take us back to Doyle for the climax of the arc in question. We will be back in Wano, eventually...