Kurozumi Orochi felt the sting of loss, unwilling to part with the money he had humbly borrowed from Oden. After painstakingly building his business to its current scale, he felt as though the Hundred Beasts were outright robbing him.
However, for the sake of his future plans, he handed over the money and proceeded to discuss their future base. The members of the Hundred Beasts Pirates couldn't just settle into someone else's home, and Orochi was inherently uneasy with them stationed nearby, a feeling that had now only intensified.
So he pulled out a map of Wano Kuni and pointed to a location within the Inner Sea of Wano.
"Would this work for your base? The area is quite vast, and you can use the entire island as you see fit."
"That's acceptable, but your people will need to supply the craftsmen for the construction."
After Kaidou realized what he believed to be Arceus' intentions, he earnestly began business negotiations with Orochi, though he made exorbitant demands in all regards. Ultimately, under the pressure of Kaidou's strength, Orochi was coerced into signing a series of agreements with the Hundred Beasts.
Kaidou also declined Orochi's invitation to stay, wanting instead to visit the brothel with the other pirates.
Just when Orochi thought everything was settled, Arceus, who was about to leave, suddenly turned and cast a glance at him.
"Sweet dreams, General Orochi."
At that moment, Kurozumi Orochi felt as if he had been eyed by some primordial beast, a sensation of imminent danger creeping up from his heart, sending uncontrollable shivers through his body.
...
"What did you do to him?"
"Scary Face, just a little trick. He should have some interesting dreams tonight. By the way, did you really want to club him to death? Have you forgotten the plan we discussed earlier?"
He had indeed shared some of the plans about Wano Kuni with Kaidou. If Kurozumi Orochi were to die now, all those plans would go to waste.
"Plans can change, besides, that guy is practically asking to die. However, I seem to understand your point now; perhaps it's best to leave him to you for now.
Wardens! If you want to visit the brothel, get your money from Queen! Gather back here by noon tomorrow, understood!"
Such business occurs on other islands, though less frequently. Stussy's Joy Street is entirely made of such business. Most of these people are pirates, and unless everything is fully cut off, these activities cannot be entirely prohibited.
It initially took considerable effort to prohibit illegal activities, but visiting places like the brothel wasn't against the rules. However, there are always those who are uninterested; and these were the ones who accompanied Arceus as he first headed towards the Hundred Beasts' base, the future site of Ghost Island.
"Zeraora, what is a brothel? Is it fun? Why am I not allowed to go?" Setsuna didn't understand the term brothel. Seeing the pirates excitedly queueing for money, she thought it was a particularly fun place and lined up for money as well.
However, Queen did not give her any money, but instead tossed some to Zeraora.
"That's not a place for children. Let's go grill some fish instead." He twitched slightly, pulling Setsuna away, but still took a hundred gold coins from Queen, as everyone received an activity budget, whether or not they visited the brothel.
And things hadn't yet settled down at Queen's, because Asie was also seen among those collecting money.
"Yo, what's up, you thinking of going too?"
"Uh… cough cough…"
"Alright, I understand, we're all men, have some fun." With that, he grabbed a handful of gold coins for Asie. Ordinary members had limitations on how much they could take, but Asie, being the sole pure desk officer, was exempt from such limits.
He hadn't engaged in such activities for many years, and passing by the brothel earlier had stirred some interest in him. But at that moment, he noticed Queen's expression seemed to change, and he was giving him a wink.
As he turned to look, he saw a figure he least wanted to encounter.
"Ol…Olga?! What are you doing here!"
"Isn't it normal for me to be here? But where are you planning to go, Dad? Is the brothel really fun?"
"This… this… I…"
"Never mind, do as you wish. Just pick a pricier place and don't catch anything untoward." With that, she handed her money over to Asie and rode Elizabeth out of there.
This left Asie in a dilemma, uncertain whether he should join the group heading to the brothel.
...
Soon after, numerous outsiders entered the brothel in the Flower Capital. Officially recognized as the red-light district in Wano Kuni, the brothel housed both courtesans who sold art but not their bodies, and courtesans involved in regular flesh trading.
Kaidou and his crew flagged themselves as guests of Orochi, which did somewhat curb Wano Kuni's xenophobic issues, and in the brothel, wealth makes one a lord. On average, the pirates with their fifty gold coins each were still treated quite well here.
Quite a few people eyed the foreign pirates from the windows on the second floor; their clothing, so drastically different from Wano Kuni's traditional attire, piqued their curiosity. Yet, some children's attention never wavered from the horns on Kaidou's head.
These were children bought by different brothel owners, tasked with cleaning at a young age, and some, once of age, would either start learning from adults or directly engage in business.
One of them ran back inside and sought out someone.
"Riko, Riko, someone has come who has horns like Uncle White."
Judging by her features, this person was approximately 30 years old, an age ripe for retirement. Although still here, she now took on menial tasks, yet uniquely bore a baby on her back with little horns visible.
The girl outside had been raised by her, making their relationship rather close.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, he's even taller and stronger than Uncle White."
She was once an ordinary courtesan here but had been redeemed and bought out several years ago. However, due to her good relations with the madam here, she remained, doing jobs like floor cleaning to supplement her household income.
The person who bought her out was her current husband who also remained in the brothel doing chores because being an outsider made it hard for others to accept him.
Previously, he sold off all his belongings to buy Riko's freedom, and being penniless, they had no option but to stay and maintain their livelihood through honest work. Outsider Blake White was unwanted, and Riko knew nothing else.
The brothel's madam wasn't too heartless and allowed them a room to temporarily reside in.
Everything was fine; they even had a child. But recently, White fell severely ill, and it's at a dire stage where he might pass anytime.
"Lily, are you certain about this?"
"Truly, the outsiders called him… hmm… that's it, Kaidou!"
Hearing this, a glimmer seemed to cross the otherwise dim look in White's gaze.
"Cough cough…Riko, take me to see him…"
"Wait, White, your health…"
"I am dying. If it really is him, you might be able to rely on him…"
The man's full name was Blake White, and their daughter's name was Blake Maria, or alternately known as Black Maria.