After some thought, and under Koala's resentful gaze, Jin chose to go to Wano Country.
After all, he simply had no interest in Kuma.
This guy had already beaten the man half to death when he stole the Thousand Sunny before.
The only things that held any appeal were the five slow-reacting old men with their strange Devil Fruit's powers, and the so-called Imu-sama, who was rumored to be Monkey D. Luffy's mother.
Other than that, Mary Geoise held no attraction for him.
Wano Country promised to be far more entertaining. It was shaping up to be as lively as a festival.
"Just to be safe, bring Harribel along," Jin decided.
While he suspected the Five Elders were just idiots who spent their time striking poses in their office, he couldn't be sure what tricks Imu might have.
Bringing Harribel, whose power operated on a different level entirely, was the best insurance policy. Not to mention her Ability was water-based, giving her overwhelming dominance over any Devil Fruit User.
"Sorry for the trouble... ma'am?" Koala said, somewhat intimidated by Harribel's cold, keep-your-distance aura, forcing herself to step forward and greet her.
"No need to be so nervous," Jin laughed, "Harribel is the classic 'cold exterior, warm interior' type. She'll protect you just fine."
Harribel shot a sharp glance at Jin from the corner of her eye, 'This bastard was always undermining me.'
But, having lost her purpose, she didn't know what else to do. So she went with the flow, doing whatever Jin said.
Of course, there were limits. For instance, his desire to see her Hollow hole was absolutely out of the question.
After the Revolutionary Army's ship departed, Jin turned his attention to Sunny, which had been docked and idle by Whole Cake Island for some time.
"Uchiha Thousand Sunny, set sail!" He declared with a grin.
"Don't give Sunny such a weird name." Nami retorted, annoyed.
His traveling party to Wano was small: just Nami, Robin, and Pudding. But that was enough. Jin was going for fun, not a serious fight.
He didn't even plan to lift a finger himself.
Sure, the Straw Hat Grand Alliance's strength was comparable to, or maybe even surpassed, an Emperor crew.
But Onigashima now hosted the combined forces of the Beast Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates, plus Orochimaru and his zombie army.
If they couldn't win with that lineup, they might as well just commit seppuku.
The Jolly Roger with the table tennis paddle background was hoisted, and the ship set sail.
The Blackbeard Pirates' fleet was already en route to Wano. The entire world watched this gathering of two of the most wicked factions with terror, a chill deeper than when Newgate and Shanks had met two years prior.
While both were Emperors, Newgate and Shanks had somewhat better reputations.
Blackbeard and Kaido were different… they were true, vicious pirates.
Even with the Levely underway, which had drawn most Marine forces to escort dignitaries to Mary Geoise, the headquarters had managed to scrape together a small, all-female unit to monitor the situation from outside Wano's waters.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi! Our Sword Agent within the Beast Pirates confirms it! The Beast and Blackbeard Pirates have formed an alliance to deal with the Straw Hat Grand Alliance!" A female Marine reported, saluting.
"Not surprising," Momousagi replied, massaging her temples. The Whitebeard remnants made up a third of the Grand Alliance. Blackbeard couldn't afford to sit back and let Kaido fall, knowing he'd be next. Allying with Kaido to crush them all was the logical move.
"If only we could launch a surprise attack when they've worn each other down... but of course, it has to be during the Reverie," Momousagi lamented, feeling they were missing a golden opportunity to wipe out both major threats.
Getting Sakazuki to spare even this small observation unit was a struggle.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi! A ship is entering Wano's waters!" The Marine's navigator shouted from the crow's nest.
"What?!" Momousagi raised an eyebrow, taking a telescope from a subordinate. She wondered if it was an advance ship from the Grand Alliance or one of Blackbeard's captains.
She put the lens to her eye and looked.
Then she saw it. The Jolly Roger with the table tennis paddle background.
"The Straw Hat Grand Alliance is doomed," She muttered, her voice trembling slightly as she swallowed hard.
Since Big Mom's death, the Big Mom Pirates had been disbanded and replaced by that symbol.
While the Charlotte Family and fish-men sometimes used it, only one person sailed that distinctive cartoon lion-head ship under that flag.
Momousagi knew exactly who was on board, 'Two Emperors and one Overlord, allied. Even if the Straw Hat Grand Alliance had the strength of one and a half Emperor crews, or even three, how could they hope to stand against Blackbeard and Kaido with him on their side?'
Had Jin known her thoughts, he would have laughed, 'You're overthinking it, auntie. I'm just here for the show. I'm not allied with those two ugly bastards. If they can't win with their current numbers, they should just kill themselves.'
Wano Country, Onigashima.
Bang!
Kaido slammed his sake gourd onto the table, traces of liquor clinging to his mouth.
He glared across at Blackbeard, who was happily devouring cherry pies, and growled, "Is this all the men you brought?"
Behind Blackbeard stood only three of his ten Captains: the Second Ship Captain, Shiryu, the Fourth Ship Captain, Avalo Pizarro, and the Tenth Ship Captain, Orochimaru.
"Are you here to watch a damn show?" Kaido fumed. He might be arrogant, but he wasn't stupid.
The Straw Hat Grand Alliance's lineup was terrifying, which was why he'd agreed to this alliance. And Blackbeard actually shows up with a skeleton crew?
"Zehahaha!" Blackbeard laughed, his gap-toothed mouth wide, "I've got to leave some men to guard my base, right? What if Red-Hair decides to pay me a visit while I'm out? Don't worry, Kaido! This is more than enough to crush them! I want them dead even more than you do!"
Kaido had a grudge with the Kozuki Family, and Blackbeard had a score to settle with the Whitebeard Pirates' remnants. Their interests aligned.
"Kaido-sama!"
A petite, masked girl dropped from the ceiling, only to trip and land flat on her face, stunning the two Emperors.
"What are you doing, Bao Huang!?" Kaido barked, embarrassed.
"Sorry, sorry, Kaido-sama!" The secretary, Bao Huang, scrambled up and presented a note, "News from Wano! Uchiha Jin has arrived!"
Hearing that name, the expressions of both Kaido and Blackbeard shifted instantly.
"Victory is assured," King declared from behind Kaido, his arms crossed, voice filled with absolute confidence.
After all, with two Emperors and the Overlord here, how could the Straw Hat Grand Alliance possibly win? They wouldn't even fear the World Government itself.
'Khu khu khu,' Orochimaru chuckled inwardly, watching the joyous faces. Knowing Jin's nature, he was sure that man wouldn't lift a finger unless something truly interesting happened.
"Then get him here!" Kaido boomed, "Let's discuss how to split the spoils after we wipe out that Grand Alliance!"
He was already dividing the loot before the battle had even begun, popping the champagne prematurely.
"That... might not be possible," Bao Huang said hesitantly.
"Huh?" Kaido's eyebrow twitched violently.
"The message is from Orochi," She explained, "He demands you back him up, Kaido-sama. He says Jin stormed into the pleasure district in the Flower Capital and reserved Komurasaki for himself..."
Kaido: "..."
He had long wanted to kill Orochi, but never felt the urge this strongly.
'Back him up? Over this? Had that fool been playing local tyrant in the Flower Capital for so long he'd forgotten to read the news? Did he not know Uchiha Jin's reputation? A man who killed Admirals and Celestial Dragons for fun. If that guy wanted Orochi's woman, or even demanded Orochi serve him personally, would that idiot dare refuse?'
"To the Flower Capital!" Kaido roared, surging to his feet.
"Huh? To back up Orochi-sama?" Bao Huang asked, confused.
Thwack!
Kaido couldn't help himself and knocked his idiot secretary on the head, "Back up your mother! Damn it! Do those artificial Devil Fruits from Doflamingo lower your IQ? Is every user in my crew an idiot?!"
One Hour Earlier, Flower Capital.
"This is... unbelievable," Nami stammered, staring in awe for a solid five seconds. They had come ashore in the desolate, polluted wasteland of Kuri. But the Flower Capital was like a paradise, a complete world apart.
"This is the only decent place left in Wano Country." Jin said, stretching lazily, "You girls go have fun. Go meet up with the Straw Hats if you want. I'm sure they've already snuck plenty of people in."
Though he spoke to all three women, his gaze, and his knowing, slightly mocking smile, remained fixed on Robin, making her skin crawl.
Nami was no concern. Even if Jin swore on his life not to harm the Straw Hats, she wouldn't go back to them.
The moment Carina became their new navigator, Nami's allegiance was firmly decided.
"I'll stay with Jin-sama," Pudding chirped, clinging to his arm like an affectionate kitten.
Nami and Robin went their separate ways to explore.
"Hmm, alright," Jin agreed. He'd sent the others away because his next destination wasn't really suitable for female company.
But Pudding, who was utterly devoted to him, was probably an exception... right?
Ten minutes later, Wano's Largest Pleasure House…
In the bright daylight, the courtesans were mostly still asleep, recovering from the previous night's work.
Bang!
The main door was violently kicked open.
"Service! I demand service! I'm here to buy some pleasure!" Jin bellowed, one arm draped around Pudding's shoulder, acting every bit the obnoxious villain.
"Esteemed guest," A heavily made-up madam hurried over, forcing a smile, "The ladies are still resting. You've come far too early..."
Jin didn't have the traditional, ugly Wano male haircut, so the madam assumed he was one of Kaido's men from Onigashima who is here for fun, and remained polite.
"Then get me Kozu… no, Komurasaki! Just her! I'm dying here! A man's got to release the pressure in the morning!" Jin waved a dismissive hand.
"This..." The madam was taken aback. She felt Jin wasn't Onigashima after all.
After all, everyone knew Komurasaki was the exclusive courtesan of Orochi, Kaido's partner. Even Queen, one of Kaido's top commanders, had been denied her.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, esteemed guest." A new voice interjected. A large man with a sharp voice and an exaggerated permed pompadour strolled over, a dangerous smile on his face, "Komurasaki is an artiste. She does not sell her body."
"Kyoshiro-sama!" the madam gasped, quickly retreating.
This was [Dozing] Kyoshiro, Orochi's top lieutenant and the owner of this establishment.
"If I play with her and don't pay, then it doesn't count as buying, right?!" Jin declared, clapping his hands.
Pudding, the madam, and Kyoshiro were all struck speechless. The sheer, audacious logic was stunning.
After a long, dumbfounded silence, Kyoshiro forced a dry laugh, "Heh... a fine joke, esteemed guest. Komurasaki's services are reserved for Orochi-sama alone. No one else is worthy."
"What's it to me? Piss off! Get her down here now! And bring a ball gag, ropes, a whip, and candles... I want the full set!" Jin clenched his fist, his patience clearly at an end.
"...It seems you've come here looking for trouble," Kyoshirou's tone turned cold.
"I hate places like this," Jin's expression soured, "You're all selling the same thing, but you put on these ridiculous airs and set all these rules."
It reminded Jin of those historical novels where the protagonist had to recite poetry just to get a prostitute's attention. It was absurd.
They were in the business of selling pleasure, and they acted like they were running an imperial examination!
"Roar-"
A roaring, silver-white giant erupted from Jin's body, its form smashing through the three floors above and shaking the entire building to its foundations.
In its right hand, the Susanoo condensed a massive Chakra Sword.
It swung down directly at Kyoshiro.
"Get lost!!!"
His words were followed by a deafening explosion that echoed throughout the entire Flower Capital.