One Piece: Wild Hunt

Chapter 72: Hellish Nature

Exhaling a sigh, Koharu replied, "Of course..." before enveloping herself with her tails, similar to a flower blossoming in reverse. Moments later, rather than revealing a woman with monstrous features, her tails parted to reveal a large, predominately golden-brown fox. Its face was lighter than the rest of its body, giving it the impression it had been snooping around in a pile of ash, but there were red markings around and above its eyes, making it clear it was no ordinary fox. It also had a thick mane on its back, bell ornaments tied around its neck, and what looked like an obi, fastened together with thick, blue, and white rope.

Further exemplifying the fact she was no ordinary fox, Koharu narrowed her golden eyes and asked, "How do we look~?" in a distinctly feminine tone.

Adopting a wry smile, Thomas answered, "Incredibly fluffy. I prefer your previous appearance, for obvious reasons, but you look pretty regal and kind of badass in this form. Thanks for showing me."

Surprised by Thomas's response, as most people rightfully viewed her true form with fear and reservation, a very human smile developed across Koharu's face as she mused, "It seems we've found ourselves a kind, or, at the very least, open-minded Shujin..."

Though she preferred her true form, Koharu punctuated her words by reverting to the appearance corresponding to Thomas's preferences. She didn't mind being treated like a pet in her human form, but it bothered her quite a bit when people 'looked down' on her true self. Her karmic deficit would also clear quicker if Thomas 'mistreated' her a bit, so maintaining a form that excited him was preferable.

Instead of pouncing on Koharu and helping her pay off her debts, Thomas returned his attention to Benienma, questioning, "So, what now...?" with an increasingly intrigued look on his face. Benienma's remark about everyone in the Enma-tei being sinners trying to pay off their karmic debt made him a little apprehensive. Nevertheless, his Otaku heart couldn't help feeling excited by the prospect of encountering unique, interesting, and beautiful yokai.

Nodding her head, Benienma explained, "Now we summon the Waka-okami and Nakai-sans that will attend guests. If you choose to allow the Enma-tei to provide 'additional' services, we will also need to summon or hire several Oiran as well."

As he was familiar with the term Oiran, Thomas's smile became a little awkward as he remarked, "It would certainly help us gather information, but I'm not sure I want the Enma-tei to become a proxy for a brothel..."

Though she understood Thomas's concerns, Benienma maintained a neutral expression as she said, "Many of the people we summon into such a position are the type of yokai that feed off the desires of others. Anyone else would be looking to pay off their debts as quickly as possible, so you would be doing them a favor by allowing them to work here. They perform the same services in Hell, but the clients there are a lot less...agreeable..."

"..."

Hearing Benienma's explanation, Thomas was seized by the realization he might be getting in over his head by opening a chain of bathhouses linked to Hell. The notion of becoming an 'Underworld Emperor' had crossed his mind, but he never imagined it would be so...literal.

Inserting herself into the conversation, Koharu asked, "May we offer our input~?"

Shifting his gaze to Koharu, Thomas paused for a moment before giving a curt nod. In response, the purple-haired kitsune stated, "As Oo-okami-sama pointed out, you would be doing a tremendous service to women in a similar situation as ourself. Yokai are not humans. We are creatures born from powerful human emotions and desires. As such, we are not afforded the same 'rights' once we reach Hell. So long as their living relatives offer prayers, humans are permitted thirteen chances to repent over a 32-year period. They need only demonstrate genuine remorse during a single one of their Trials to escape Hell and return to the cycle of reincarnation..."

Taking a long drag from her pipe, Koharu exhaled a large plume of smoke as she added, "Yokai are afforded no such mercy. Instead, we are forced to pay 'penance' for each human life we harmed before our exorcism and sealing. If people discover and willfully pray to our statues, the duration of our penance can be reduced. However, many of us are serving terms exceeding tens of thousands of years. Unless we demonstrate a sincere desire to repent by willfully serving others, we are forced to spend our days having our minds and bodies ripped apart by people like your little friend over there..."

Furrowing her brows, Benienma asserted, "You have no one to blame but yourself for your crimes. Do not attempt to deceive our Master into pitying you."

Looking up at Thomas, Benienma revealed, "The reason yokai are given such lengthy sentences is because they retain their memories and egos between incarnations. If they allowed themselves to be purified and their memories erased, they could reincarnate whenever they wanted. In other words, they 'choose' to suffer, clinging to the power they stole in order to become lesser deities once their karma has been balanced..."

Shrugging her shoulders, Koharu maintained a relaxed smile as she replied, "She's right. And that's why Goshujin will be providing a great service to anyone who works here. Hell is a bureaucracy where money, specifically gold, can buy you just about anything. It can even reduce your sentence, so manifesting in the mortal world is an opportunity all yokai are desperate to receive. If we can find a 'benefactor' willing to pay our debts, we can be free overnight..."

Out of curiosity, Thomas asked, "And how much gold would it cost to free you from your penance...?"

Not expecting Thomas's question, Koharu's ears and tails twitched, her yellow eyes gaining a fiery glow as she replied, "A kilogram of gold can shave approximately 25 years from a yokai's sentence. If Goshujin were generous enough to confer us 1300kgs of gold, we would happily serve your nine generations as a Kamidana..."

Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "I can't give it to you now, but if you don't cause me too much trouble over the next 4-5 years, I'll consider it. It's a considerable sum of money, but once I achieve my goal of standing at the peak, I should have more than enough to free you."

While Koharu's expression looked like she wanted to pounce on Thomas then and there, Benienam exhaled a sigh at his side, remarking, "Master is too kind..." in a faint, nearly inaudible tone. She didn't think it was fair that some sinners could receive pardons using their appearance to guile men or women into settling their debts. However, it was a policy implemented by her mother and approved by her venerable Chichiue, so Benienma had no choice but to accept it...

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After conversing for a few minutes longer, Thomas, followed closely by Koharu, entered a room with a large, blood red, and incredibly complex magic circle inscribed on the floor. Just looking at it caused him to feel like he was going to be sucked inside. Fortunately, a ring of lit candles formed a magical barrier around the perimeter, keeping outsiders from falling in while preventing anything summoned from breaking out.

Interrupting Thomas's reverie, Benienma revealed, "This is a summoning circle known as 'Desire Samsara.' Using your blood as a catalyst, you need only express your desire, and it will provide a suitable candidate. If there is something about their appearance or personality that does not suit your preferences, you can dismiss them at your leisure..."

Realizing there was a possibility that Thomas would turn down certain types of women, Benienma looked up at him, advising, "Please do not make any hasty decisions based solely on appearances. The clientele in Hell are 'expected' to torture and treat sinners terribly, so you would be providing relief to anyone fortunate enough to appear..."

Understanding what Benienma was trying to convey, the expectant look on Thomas's face morphed into a frown. He wasn't surprised to learn that Hell was a fucked up place(obviously), but the notion of hiring yokai that looked like children to protect them seemed so...he didn't even have the words to describe it...

Shaking his head, Thomas suppressed his apprehensions and said, "Fine. But I don't want to see them serving guests in an amoral capacity. I don't care if they're hundreds or thousands of years old...if they can't at least assume a mature form, they'll be stuck cleaning the baths or helping out in the kitchen..."

Nodding her head, Benienma replied, "So it shall be." At the same time, though Thomas wouldn't find out about it until later, the board within the lobby updated to reflect the updated rule/prohibition. After that, Thomas began a 'very' long summoning session, starting with a young but not 'too young' kitsune girl with golden-blonde hair and a single fluffy tail. Yokai of differing species rarely got along with each other, so the person selected to serve as Koharu's attendant/junior was naturally another kitsune...

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After an exhausting afternoon, Thomas politely refused Koharu's invitation to help him 'cut loose' and instead descended the lift to check on Vivi and the rest. As much as he wanted to go to town on Koharu's human form, he wasn't exactly hurting for female companionship. Their time would come; of that, Thomas was absolutely certain. It just wasn't right then and there.

On their way down to the bottom level of the Enma-tei, Benienma tugged Thomas's sleeve, softly reminding him, "You haven't asked me about the disappearance of my verbal tick..."

Adopting a wry smile, Thomas asked, "Mind telling me? I'm guessing it had something to do with the appearance of your mom..."

Instead of answering Thomas with words, Benienma surprised him by removing the sparrow seated atop her head, an action that was 'taboo' previously. Then, while hugging it to her chest, she adopted a faint smile and explained, "I believe you were already aware of it, but this little one 'was' my true self. My human form was gifted to me by my Chichiue, who took pity on my circumstances. After my recent promotion, my spiritual power increased enough that I was able to transfer my consciousness to this body. Now, I no longer have to use my Ventriloquism(EX) to make it appear as though I'm speaking from my human mouth..."

Squatting down, Benienma placed the round sparrow gently on the ground, patting its head as it stared up at her with its emotionless red eyes. When she stood back up, a ruddy hue spread through her cheeks as she added, "I can't sustain it for more than a few minutes right now, but I can also do this..."

Following her words, Benienma's height began to increase as her body 'swelled' ever so slightly. She didn't become a buxom beauty on the level of Vivi and Caenis, but she appeared markedly older as she asked, "Is this enough for Master to let me wash his back...?"

As he was expecting Benienma to propose something far more 'intimate,' Thomas couldn't help smiling as he extended his hand to caress the petite sparrow's head, replying, "After all the help you've provided, I would have to be a pretty massive dick to say no..."

Inhaling deeply, the first 'noticeable' breath Thomas had ever seen her take, Benienma's eyes were practically sparkling as she said, "Thank you so much! BeniI mean, I promise to do my very best...!"

Exhaling a light chuckle, Thomas continued to caress Benienma's head as he softly replied, "I know you will..."

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(A/N: Benienma is such a hard worker (O w O)...)