Borrow Your Father's Knife, Yan Mo! (4/5)

After Finn left the island of ghosts, he arrived in the bustling, vibrant capital of flowers in Wanokuni. The city's streets were full of life, the air thick with the fragrance of blooming flowers. He descended with purpose, immediately grabbing a passerby who resembled a dog.

"What do you want?" the man slurred, clearly drunk, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

Without hesitation, Finn landed two punches on the man's face.

"Whoa, wait! If you've got something to say, just say it!" the man stammered, his tone quickly turning submissive.

Finn's voice was cold and direct. "Where is Xiao Zi's house?"

The mention of the name seemed to ignite something in the man. His expression shifted to a knowing grin, eyes gleaming with a lecherous understanding. "Ah, Miss Zi, huh? You planning to bring her a gift too?"

Finn's response was another pair of punches, knocking the smugness right out of him.

The man, face swollen and bruised, muttered in defeat. "Alright, alright! She lives in Yixuanju, on the east side of the city. Everyone knows that."

Finn was gone before the man could blink.

Yixuanju, located in the city's east, was guarded by a number of warriors. But to Finn, these guards were no more challenging than swatting away a few flies. With the high-level technique of Moonwalk, he effortlessly bypassed them, arriving outside Xiao Zi's boudoir.

Inside, Kozuki Hiyori, better known as Xiao Zi, was getting ready for another performance. "Did you bring the hairpin? I have to go soon, and I'm exhausted," she said without turning, assuming her maid had entered.

But it wasn't her maid. Finn quietly shut the door behind him and gently laid the unconscious servant aside. His voice broke the silence: "Kozuki Hiyori."

The sound of her real name startled her, her body tensing for a moment. But within a second, she composed herself, turning to face the intruder with a terrified expression. "Help! There's an assassin!"

Her voice was as sweet as the songs she was famous for, but Finn didn't react. He simply raised an eyebrow, impressed by her control over her fear. As her cries for help grew louder, Finn finally spoke, his tone calm but firm: "You can scream all you want—no one's going to hear you."

For the first time, real fear flickered in Hiyori's eyes. Her attempts to call for help had been a ploy, hoping to alert her guards. But now she realized no rescue was coming. The man before her had dealt with everyone protecting her home.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "What do you want with me? I don't know anyone by the name of Kozuki Hiyori. I'm just Xiao Zi."

Even as she spoke, she clung tightly to her false identity. But Finn wasn't fooled.

"Relax," he said, smiling disarmingly. "I'm not here to expose you. I'm here for something else. I need to borrow something from you."

"Borrow something?" Hiyori echoed, confused.

"Yes," Finn replied. "I need your father's sword—Yan Mo."

"My father? I don't know what you're talking about," she insisted, trying to maintain her facade. "I don't even know who my father is."

Finn sighed, approaching her slowly. Hiyori's eyes widened in alarm as he stepped closer, and before she could react, Finn scooped her up into his arms effortlessly.

"Ah!" she gasped, her face flushing as she found herself held tightly against him.

"What are you doing?" she stammered, terrified. No one had ever dared to touch her like this. In Wanokuni, courtesans like her were untouchable unless they willingly chose a patron. But Finn wasn't following the rules of her world.

"You can see for yourself," Finn said, his voice steady. "If I wanted to harm you, you'd be at my mercy. I could take your life and collect the bounty from Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido. But I'm not your enemy. I need your help."

He set her down gently, his actions belying the intensity of his words.

"You...you say you're not my enemy. But who are you? Why should I believe you?" Hiyori asked, still wary.

"My name is Monkey D. Finn, Commander of the Marine Independent Battalion. I just fought Kaido, and though I held my own, I need Yan Mo to finish the job."

"You fought Kaido?" Hiyori scoffed, unable to hide her disbelief. "No one can defeat Kaido."

Finn rolled his eyes. "I get it. He's a legend, right? Untouchable. But you don't have to take my word for it. I'll show you."

With that, Finn grabbed her waist, and in an instant, they were airborne, flying through the night sky. Hiyori screamed in terror, clutching tightly to him as the ground vanished beneath them.

"Relax. I've got you," Finn reassured her, holding her securely as they soared over the city.

"Where does Kurozumi Orochi live?" he asked.

"W-what?" Hiyori stuttered, still reeling from the sudden flight.

"The Shogun's mansion. Where is it?" Finn repeated.

She pointed shakily toward the grand estate below, still trying to process everything. "There...that's it..."

Finn smiled. "Good. Time to make a point."

He descended directly over the mansion, calling out loudly: "Kurozumi Orochi! Kozuki Hiyori is here to settle a score!"

"What are you doing?!" Hiyori gasped, her heart racing.

Below, guards scrambled as the unmistakable voice of the oiran reached their ears. "Miss Zi! She's been kidnapped!" Panic ensued, and soon Kurozumi Orochi himself emerged, flanked by his elite guards.

Seeing Finn holding Hiyori, his prized courtesan, Orochi's face twisted in fury. "Kill that man and rescue Miss Zi!" he roared.

The guards rushed at Finn, weapons drawn. But Finn barely acknowledged them. He raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, two swords materialized, cutting through the air with deadly precision.

In moments, the guards fell, lifeless, as blood sprayed the courtyard below. Silence descended over the mansion, the remaining soldiers frozen in shock.

Hiyori stared at the carnage in disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest. This stranger had just single-handedly wiped out Orochi's guards without breaking a sweat.

Finn glanced down at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "Now do you believe me?"