The portal hummed in Edinburgh Castle's courtyard, and the family stepped through, emerging on a hill overlooking a breathtaking city. Cherry blossoms drifted like pink snow, their petals carpeting streets lined with wooden buildings, their curved roofs gleaming under the sun. A grand castle, perched on a massive, stylized plant, loomed at the city's heart, its spires piercing the sky. A tall pagoda in Sakyo gleamed nearby, adding to the city's ethereal charm.
Hazel's voice was awed. "It's so pretty!"
Julius grinned. "Looks like a painting!"
Visenya's eyes sparkled. "Can we climb that castle?"
Alexander's voice was soft. "It's… peaceful."
Aemma's voice was warm. "Like a dream."
Daenerys nodded. "Almost too perfect."
Missandei's vines twitched. "The earth feels… tense."
Dominic's voice was firm, his eyes sharp. "Don't trust the surface. Inside, you'll see the truth."
The kids turned to him, curious. Julius's voice was eager. "What's this place called?"
Dominic gestured. "This is the kingdom of Wano. That's the Flower Capital."
Hazel's voice was excited. "Let's explore!"
The family descended into the bustling streets, the air thick with cherry blossom scent and market chatter. Stalls overflowed with silk kimonos, lacquered bowls, and steaming street food—grilled fish, rice cakes, and mochi. Performers juggled, and vendors hawked wares, their voices mingling with koto music. Julius eyed a katana display, his voice bold. "Bet I could swing one!" Hazel darted to a mochi stall, her voice cheeky. "These look yummy!" Visenya watched a masked dancer, her voice fierce. "That's cool!" Alexander lingered by a calligraphy stand, his voice calm. "Their writing's art."
Dominic kept pace, his Haki scanning. Daenerys's voice was low. "People smile, but their eyes don't." Missandei's vines brushed a stall, her voice soft. "Fear's hidden here." Aemma's voice was wary. "Stay close, children."
After two hours, their arms full of trinkets—Hazel with a mochi bag, Julius with a wooden sword, Visenya with a fan, Alexander with a scroll—they entered a cozy soba shop, its wooden tables worn but welcoming. The waiter, a wiry man with nervous eyes, served steaming bowls of soba noodles, the broth rich with soy and scallions.
Hazel slurped, her voice delighted. "This is awesome!"
Julius nodded, mouth full. "Better than boar!"
Visenya's voice was pleased. "Tasty!"
Alexander's voice was thoughtful. "It's… comforting."
Aemma smiled. "A fine meal."
Daenerys's voice was warm. "Well done, Wano."
Missandei's voice was kind. "Thank you, sir."
As they ate, Julius's voice was curious. "Hey, waiter, what's the deal with Wano?"
The waiter glanced around, his voice low. "Wano's ruled by Kurozumi Orochi, daimyo and shogun. Been ten years since Kozuki Oden was boiled alive by him and Kaido. Orochi's cruel—Flower Capital's rich, but the rest of Wano starves. Kaido's Beasts Pirates back him, running weapon factories. Poor folk work or die."
Hazel's voice was shocked. "Boiled alive?"
Visenya's voice was fierce. "That's awful!"
Alexander's voice was quiet. "Why do people stay?"
The waiter shrugged, his voice bitter. "No choice. Orochi's got ninjas, the Oniwabanshu, and Kaido's monsters. Defy him, you're dead or in Udon's prison."
Julius's voice was bold. "Sounds like a jerk."
Dominic's voice was steady. "Who's Kaido?"
The waiter's voice dropped. "A pirate emperor. Rules Onigashima, an island nearby. He's a dragon, they say, and unbeatable. Orochi's his puppet."
Aemma's voice was tense. "This place needs help."
Daenerys's voice was firm. "We'll learn more."
Missandei's voice was calm. "Carefully."
Dominic paid, his voice kind. "Thanks for the food—and the truth."
### A Compassionate Stop in Okobore Town
In 315 AC, the magical kingdom of Uruk, led by King Dominic Augustus, Queen Daenerys, and Queen Missandei, stood as a beacon of hope across the Stepstones and Paradis. Having arrived in Wano's Flower Capital through a dimensional portal, the family—Dominic, Daenerys, Missandei, Aemma Arryn, Visenya Targaryen, Julius, Alexander, and Hazel—learned of the land's oppression under Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido. Moved by compassion, they ventured beyond the city's deceptive beauty to Okobore Town, a place of poverty and despair. There, their hearts broke, and their resolve hardened to bring relief and hope to its suffering people.
Under a *Disillusionment Charm*, the family slipped out of the Flower Capital's cherry-blossom-lined streets, their steps silent as they trekked through Wano's rugged outskirts. Dominic led, his Haki scanning for threats. Daenerys and Missandei flanked him, their senses sharp, while Aemma kept close to the children—Julius, Alexander, Hazel, and Visenya—who whispered excitedly.
Hazel's voice was soft. "Why're we sneaking, Papa?"
Dominic's voice was low. "To see the real Wano, Hazel."
Julius's voice was curious. "Is it bad?"
Visenya's voice was fierce. "If it is, we'll fix it!"
Alexander's voice was calm. "Let's see first."
They reached Okobore Town, a cluster of ramshackle huts baked under a harsh sun. The charm faded, revealing gaunt faces—men and women who hadn't eaten in days, children with hollow eyes. A boy whimpered, asking his mother for food, her voice cracking. "Soon, love." Another child, barely older, offered a pebble, his voice hopeful. "Pretend it's rice!" The first boy sobbed, and Hazel and Visenya's eyes filled with tears.
Hazel's voice broke, her fists clenched. "They're starving!"
Visenya's voice was choked, tears streaming. "It's not fair!"
Aemma knelt, hugging them, her voice gentle. "Oh, my dears."
Daenerys's voice was soft, her hand on Hazel's shoulder. "We're here now."
Missandei's vines curled protectively, her voice warm. "We'll help."
Dominic's voice was steady, his eyes kind. "We will, girls. No one goes hungry today."
---
Dominic amplified his voice with magic, its boom echoing through Okobore. "People of Okobore, gather at the center! We bring food!" Faces peeked from huts, wary but hopeful, as families shuffled forward—mothers clutching babies, elders leaning on sticks, children tugging at skirts.
Dominic opened his magical inventory, pulling out sacks of rice, barrels of fish, baskets of vegetables, and loaves of bread. "Let's cook," he said, his voice warm. Daenerys sparked flames to light fires, Missandei's vines chopped vegetables, and Aemma stirred pots. Julius and Alexander hauled supplies, their voices encouraging. "Plenty for all!" Hazel and Visenya handed out bowls, their tears drying, their voices bright. "Here, eat!"
Soon, the air filled with the scent of steaming rice, grilled fish, and vegetable stew. The townsfolk ate eagerly, children giggling as broth dribbled down chins. A girl shared her fish with her brother, her voice shy. "It's good." An elder bowed to Dominic, his voice trembling. "Bless you, strangers."
Hazel and Visenya joined the village kids, playing tag between huts, their laughter mingling. Hazel's voice was joyful. "You're fast!" Visenya's voice was fierce. "Bet I'm faster!"
---
As the townsfolk ate, Daenerys and Missandei approached Dominic, their voices low. Daenerys's voice was firm. "What's next, Dom?"
Missandei's voice was gentle. "These people need more than one meal."
Dominic watched Hazel and Visenya chase a giggling boy, his voice resolute. "Next, we make sure their smiles never fade."
Daenerys nodded, her voice determined. "Orochi's rule ends."
Missandei's voice was fierce. "Wano will bloom again."
Julius overheard, his voice bold. "We fighting a shogun, Father?"
Alexander's voice was calm. "If it helps them, I'm in."
Aemma's voice was soft, joining them. "For the children."
Dominic's voice was steady. "We'll plan, but today, they eat and laugh."