Used as a knife?
There's no smoke without fire. Yashiori is where Orobashi is buried—there's no way the people of Watatsumi don't know the "warding object suppresses the dead god's miasma" situation.
More likely they knew they couldn't withstand the Shogunate Army's momentum, so they smashed the seal to stall for time, right?
Ei was rarely this sharp.
After being turned into a decorative mascot by the Tri-Commission once before, she'd forcibly dug up the brain she'd left sealed away for ages.
Watatsumi got "used as a knife" by accident?
More like one side wanted to swing—and the other willingly offered their neck.
"Kage… you actually thought that far?" Miko blurted out in surprise after hearing Ei's analysis.
Good, good. Now that Makoto was back, Ei finally started using her head too.
Then what's your take, Miko? Ei didn't argue—she decided to hear Miko's advice instead.
"You've grown, Kage." Makoto looked genuinely pleased. "What the truth is, we can't confirm yet."
"The angle you and Miko are looking from is probably both part of the truth."
"Just different viewpoints."
Being used as a knife was true.
Half-going-along-with-it while breaking the seal was true too.
"Miko, issue the order. Mobilize the Heavenly Fox clan." Makoto raised her head slowly. "It's time to begin the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual."
"Use the Sacred Sakura's power to comb through Inazuma's bloodline thoroughly—clean it out properly."
"As for the seal… mm. I'll go with Kage in person."
"And have Sara lead the Shogunate Army—prepare to evacuate the civilians on Yashiori."
With the seal broken, the miasma had already begun spreading.
Before the situation became truly severe,
getting the local citizens out came first.
Once the corruption was completely purged and Yashiori was confirmed safe, anyone who wanted to return could do so.
"Mhm~" Miko nodded lightly. "Leave the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual to me."
"But that last step…"
When she thought of that filth-aggregate who'd been dodging her—carrying three-quarters of Saiguu's memories—
Miko's expression darkened a little.
"No need to worry. I have a way." Makoto chuckled softly. "She isn't Saiguu, but her heart is rare and precious."
"If she's willing to continue in a new form, I'll use my authority to give her a push."
Separate will and memory.
Leave behind the filth-riddled vessel that was already on the verge of collapse, and trade it for a brand-new body—
walk Inazuma again in a new posture, as a shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
It would be troublesome, but with Makoto and Ei working together, it could be done.
Of course, all of this had to be under one premise:
It couldn't interfere with Saiguu's revival.
She could only hope Taro-sensei had a "both ways win" solution.
They were desperately short on truly independent, capable talent right now.
That Hanachirusato—who'd inherited most of Saiguu's memories—was genuinely rare.
If possible, Makoto really wanted to keep her.
And besides…
Inazuma currently didn't have much left that could be used as bargaining chips.
Her little sister had practically emptied Inazuma's foundations just to revive her.
And Saiguu's share still wasn't complete yet.
On top of that, there was Chiyo… and Qubaihe… and… so many others.
"…There's only so much we can do."
Miko's ears drooped, her face full of worry. "Inazuma's too poor. We can't scrape together enough chips to revive Saiguu, and we can't scrape together enough materials to forge Kage a body either."
"I never thought I'd see the day where I worried about something like this."
"Ahh… hey, Kage. Back then, all those generals you cut down—there were tons of spoils of war. How did you never think to stockpile more as a backup?"
So it's my fault? Ei snapped back with a dark face. Enough with the hindsight. What's the point of saying that now?
Better to think about how to take Watatsumi as fast as possible.
I've heard there's another landmass beneath Watatsumi… maybe we can loot something useful from it.
"…"
Miko and Makoto exchanged a look.
Welp. Mystery solved.
So that was why Ei was so desperate to seize Watatsumi—
so desperate she was even using her brain.
She was planning to loot spoils and turn them into bargaining chips to revive Saiguu and the others.
…She'd matured a fair bit, sure.
But that temperament—still the same impatient rush as always.
"Miko." Makoto ignored her sister's muttering and spoke softly. "Before the final step of the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual begins, Kage and I will find a way to gather the chips."
"When the time comes, I'll have to trouble you to run to Liyue again."
This couldn't be delayed.
At least, not for too long.
Otherwise, even the Sacred Sakura would be unable to bear the burden.
"I understand." Miko nodded solemnly. "Also—Watatsumi's situation. Do we need to discuss it further?"
What's there to discuss? Ei cut in immediately.
I admit the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree harmed the nation and the people—that was my fault…
If the people rose up to fight for their wishes, that was the correct choice.
The gods were wrong; the people resisted—my sister and I are willing to grant amnesty and compensation. Whether they forgive me or not doesn't matter. I'll carry that sin myself.
But if any schemers try to use this to split Inazuma apart…
Then there's only death.
The Sakoku Decree was lifted. The Vision Hunt Decree was abolished.
The rebels were all granted amnesty, and a considerable portion of Inazumans who'd defected to Watatsumi's side had already left.
Makoto had given them another chance.
As long as they laid down their arms, bowed their heads, and surrendered, they could still be allowed self-rule on Watatsumi.
And what happened?
Watatsumi's army still refused to give in—still stubbornly clung on—
and they even destroyed the warding object on Yashiori, releasing the dead god's corruption.
A death wish.
"Ehh…" Miko shook her head helplessly. "When the banner of justice falls, hearts scatter, and it gets hard to lead the team."
"That 'Divine Priestess' kid has basically been lifted up by her own people."
"She can't go up, can't come down."
"Heh. She's trapped—no choice."
Poor kid…
Hopefully she'd make the right decision before Kage arrived.
"Concrete matters require concrete analysis." Makoto chuckled, slowly closing her eyes. "Kage, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Don't mess it up."
In the blink of an eye—
Makoto's gentle expression turned cold.
She snapped her eyes open, violet lightning flickering.
The Musou Isshin in her hand burst with sharp brilliance.
Makoto receded.
The one about to face the world now was the Almighty Shogun, the Narukami Ogosho—Raiden Ei.
As twin gods, Makoto and Ei were special.
Their authorities differed, but their origin was one and the same—their existence stood on the exact same tier.
Two consciousnesses temporarily sharing a single divine body.
Switching between them took no effort at all.
"Leave it to me." Ei lifted a hand and brushed the blade, her voice low and steady. "Don't worry, Onee-sama. I'll settle it."
"I won't disappoint you again."
Five hundred years ago, Makoto entrusted Inazuma to her—
and she turned it into a mess.
Ever since Makoto returned, she'd been cleaning up Ei's disasters.
Now, Ei would cut out some of the rot for her sister.
Even if it meant adding another sin to her back.
"Begin, Miko."
"Good!"
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]