"Wow—so pretty! This is the Flower Capital? It's gorgeous!"
"The fragrance of the flowers has drifted all the way here. There are so many cherry blossom trees. That cherry blossom tree in the distance is huge~"
"It's so prosperous here. What's that over there? A gallery? And there's a bathhouse!"
After staying on Onigashima for a while, Nami and the others got a bit bored, so they urged Leno to take them to Wano Country, which he had mentioned before.
Led by Ulti, the group arrived at the most prosperous city in Wano Country - the 'Flower Capital'.
It truly lived up to its name. Cherry blossom trees were planted everywhere along the streets, and in the center of the city, there was a giant cherry blossom tree with houses built on it.
At Ulti's persuasion, saying they should follow local customs, the girls all changed into local kimonos.
Under the girls' urging, Leno also reluctantly changed into a common kimono.
The group wandered the bustling avenues, gasping over the trees, the architecture, the endless flow of people.
"Whoa, what's this? Shumai? Smells amazing."
Drawn by the aroma, Carmen ducked into a snack shop and began sampling.
"Eh? What's this—oden? What a strange name."
Staring at the partitioned trays steaming with skewers, Chopper's eyes shone.
"Oh? Oden, huh. Try that one—it should be great."
At the mention of the famous dish, Leno waved everyone to sit.
"Haha..., how is it? This place is nice, right? I come here to enjoy the food whenever I have free time," Ulti said, lifting her chin with a proud air, seeing how enthusiastic everyone was.
"Yamato, you're so pitiful. All this food, so close by, and you couldn't taste any of it."
Mouth full, Leno shot Yamato a look full of pity.
Yamato froze mid–shovel, then glared, eyes spitting fire. "You jerk! Don't rip open someone's wounds on purpose— Are you trying to rub salt in my wounds?"
"Ahem..., sorry, sorry. It was just a spontaneous thought. Don't mind it." Seeing Yamato's expression worsen, Leno quickly apologized, genuinely afraid she might suddenly pull out her kanabo and hit him.
Nami looked positively gleeful at his predicament. "Serves you right, dummy Leno. Big mouth—bwahaha…"
Nojiko rolled her eyes. He knew Yamato's history and still said it.
Seeing the situation, Robin quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Now, now, it's all in the past. Let's not dwell on it. The future is vast and open."
"Hmph hmph~"
"Oh right, Kuina—doesn't Wano feel… familiar to you?"
Kuina paused mid–bite. "Familiar how?"
"You don't know? Your Shimotsuki family lived in Wano for generations."
"Nani?"
"What!"
The words had barely left Leno's mouth when not only Kuina, but Ulti and Nami too, stared in shock.
"Huh? None of you knew?"
Leno popped another bite in, glancing around the table.
Nami thumped him, annoyed. "Of course we didn't! Out with it—what's the story?"
"Besides the Kozuki, there were five great houses in Wano: the Shimotsuki, the Fūgetsu, the Uzuki, the Orochi, and the Kurozumi."
"In the old days those families supported the Kozuki and helped rule the country—basically vassal clans."
A look at Kuina's slightly lost expression told him her father hadn't shared much about their lineage.
"However, for some unknown reason, these families gradually declined and have now almost disappeared."
"As for the Shimotsuki, they still exist—but for some reason, your grandfather's branch left Wano and moved to the East Blue."
Leno studied Kuina. Why her clan ended up in the East Blue—only her grandfather might know.
Kuina's gaze went distant. She knew little of her family's past; her father had never told her.
"I see… if you hadn't said so, I'd never have known our roots were in Wano."
"So—want to dig around while we're here? Maybe we'll find the reason."
Leno was curious. And if it led to…
"Forget it. Our parents' grudges aren't my concern. If I really want to know, I'll ask my father when we get back."
"Fair enough."
"Hm? What's all that ruckus? Sounds like a crowd."
Yamato's ears twitched; she turned toward a distant avenue. The street was jam-packed—people jostling forward in a black tide of heads.
"Ah, that's the entrance parade for this year's Oiran Festival," the shopkeeper said casually while topping off their dishes.
"Right about now is when Komurasaki makes her appearance. She's our 'Number One Beauty in Wano.'"
"Nani? 'Wano's Number One Beauty'? Sugoi!" Chopper's eyes went round.
"Chopper, why are you so excited?"
Nami stared at his exaggerated expression.
"Eh? 'Number One Beauty!' Isn't that amazing?"
"Heh... number one? Can she be more beautiful than the ladies we have on our ship?"
Leno's little bit of flattery landed perfectly. The girls' moods lifted; he gave himself a silent thumbs-up.
Nami shot him a 'good taste' look. Chopper, however, kept glancing between Leno and the ladies, perplexed. Only Robin watched Leno with amused eyes.
"Captain Leno~ don't you want to see what the oiran looks like?"
"We could—ahem—what's there to see? With you all here, no other beauty in the world can catch my eye."
"Ah Luo, if you want to see, just go. There's no need to accommodate us," Nojiko said, finding Leno's pretense amusing. 'It's just a look, what's the big deal?'
They smiled. A peek wouldn't kill anyone.
"Really? I can go—?"
Thump!
Nami blurred in front of him and decked him to the floor. "I knew it! The moment you heard 'beautiful woman' your mind drifted off—sweet talk and lies to placate us."
"Hahahaha…"
With a swelling bump on his head and his body half under the table, Leno was a sorry sight. The girls couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Leno, are you okay? Does it hurt? Are we still going to see the Oiran?"
Chopper rushed to fuss over him.
"Gee, thanks, Chopper. And you—why is a reindeer this obsessed with pretty girls?"
Thump!
"Jerk! I'm done with you! Who's obsessed with with pretty girls—I'm just curious…!"
T/n:
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