Narukami Island, Tenshukaku.
Kujo Takayuki stumbled out of the main gate, utterly disheartened.
A blast of cold evening wind sent a shiver through his body.
"How could it turn out like this..."
To be directly expelled by the Shogun herself.
What was so special about that brat Qin Yu!
This twisted Shogun enthusiast was deeply wounded.
He shook his head in despair and stepped out.
Suddenly, his foot caught on something.
"Ouch!"
Kujo Takayuki nearly fell, turning back in anger.
"Which unlucky soul is lying in front of the Tenshukaku!"
"It's me... Lord Tenryou Commissioner."
On the ground, Kujou Kamaji looked haggard and despairing.
He had been inexplicably stripped of his position and was in a pitiable state.
"It's you."
Kujo Takayuki's face darkened, and he snorted coldly.
Not only had his plan failed tonight,
but he had also suffered a great loss.
He couldn't understand at all.
What was wrong with the Shogun.
Was it all because of that little scoundrel Qin Yu?!
"What should we do next."
"Hmph, what to do."
Kujou Kamaji stood up with a grim expression.
He could no longer maintain the pretense of injury, the bandages had already been removed.
The two old fools left the Tenshukaku together.
"Naturally, we must first find a way to keep our positions."
"You still have a way?"
Kujou Kamaji sneered at the words.
"The Shogun has ordered her daughter to succeed me as Kanjou Commissioner."
"But as long as before the official appointment, if we can make her unable to..."
As he said this, his gaze turned sinister.
When faced with power, what did it matter if it was his own daughter?
He had never even looked at Kujou Sara properly...
"You are truly ruthless."
Kujo Takayuki seemed to understand something and smiled grimly.
"Hmph, likewise."
"Then I wish you success, Kanjou Commissioner."
The two of them knew clearly.
The struggle known as the Vision Hunt Decree was far from over.
Who would emerge victorious remained to be seen.
...
Inside the Tenshukaku.
"Shogun-sama?"
After waiting for a long time, Kamisato Ayato cautiously asked.
He looked at the distant, cold figure, his mind racing.
He wondered what the divine being wanted with him.
Was it to discuss Inazuma's politics?
Or the Tatarigami of Yashiori Island?
Or the Vision Hunt Decree?
Whatever it was, he had to handle it with care.
After all, the Shogun's will would determine the fate of Inazuma.
"Tap."
Footsteps sounded.
The Raiden Shogun walked slowly towards Kamisato Ayato.
Her expression was stern, her brow furrowed.
It was clear that something major had happened.
"Shogun-sama, please feel free to command me."
Kamisato Ayato directly declared his resolve.
In order to gain an advantage in the struggle against the other two Commissions,
the Yashiro Commission must leave a good impression on the divine being.
"Yes, there is indeed something very important."
Here it comes!
Kamisato Ayato narrowed his eyes and bowed to listen.
"Do you..."
The Raiden Shogun pondered for a moment and asked softly:
"Have any Mora with you?"
"?"
Kamisato Ayato looked up.
Shogun-sama, are you joking?
Didn't you just say you were going into seclusion to comprehend martial arts?
What kind of earth-shattering martial skill...
requires Mora?
"This... I brought some."
"All of it, to me."
"Yes."
Kamisato Ayato silently took out his wallet.
"Mm, thoughtful of you,"
The Raiden Shogun calmly put away the wallet and praised him.
Feeling at ease.
Kamisato Ayato felt that something was not quite right.
"You may leave now."
Having received the Mora, the Raiden Shogun immediately began to dismiss him.
?
Shogun-sama, are you in a hurry?
"Your subject takes his leave."
Kamisato Ayato left in confusion, bewildered.
As expected, with his strategy,
he was not yet capable of comprehending the Shogun's profound thoughts.
He needed to improve further.
...
The Tenshukaku fell into silence once more.
The Raiden Shogun stood still for a long time.
Looking at the empty room, she let out a sigh.
Suddenly, her gaze turned cold.
"Clang—!"
Lightning shattered the space, and a strike was unleashed.
The blade's light dissipated, carrying away a few strands of pink hair.
The Engulfing Lightning stopped at the critical moment, thus no blood was shed.
"Oh dear, you are so heartless,"
The fox-eared woman clutched her chest and said weakly.
"Five hundred years have passed, and you have regressed."
The Raiden Shogun snorted and retracted her naginata.
"It's not that I've regressed, Ei."
"It's that you've become stronger."
Yae Miko circled Ei, smiling broadly.
Her gaze was filled with admiration, and she occasionally reached out to poke.
The stronger the divine being, the more at ease she felt slacking off.
"..."
Ei flicked the blade with her finger, her gaze complex.
The Yae Miko of the past could withstand the Musou Isshin head-on.
But now, she couldn't even dodge his strike.
"Hoo."
Ei placed a hand on her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
There, it had become more substantial.
Her heart had, unconsciously, gained new strength.
Is it because of him?
"Congratulations, Ei."
Yae Miko gently clapped her hands, her smile filled with relief.
"Hmph, do you have business at the Tenshukaku?"
Ei glared at her and turned her face away, saying coldly.
"Oh my—my divine being."
"You've changed quite a bit."
Yae Miko turned around and went in front of Ei.
She licked her lips, sensing the scent of lies.
Her enchanting gaze inadvertently shifted downwards, her smile playful.
"My, what is this?"
"..."
Ei's face turned icy, and she quietly clenched her kitsune mask.
"Alright."
Yae Miko acted as if she hadn't noticed.
She mysteriously took out an item.
"What is this?"
"Yae Publishing House's latest and most comprehensive romance light novels."
"?"
Ei's gaze turned dangerous.
It seemed her pink-haired fox needed a good lesson.
"And some sweets too."
"..."
"Leave the items, and you may go."
Ei put on her kitsune mask and said calmly.
She was in a hurry.
The country bumpkin Sakura was back online.