"What are you all making such a fuss about!?"
Just as the guards were filled with righteous indignation, eager to help alleviate Sangonomiya Kokomi's worries, a reprimanding voice rang out.
"General!"
"Greetings, General!"
"Reporting to the General: Moments ago, Lady Sangonomiya received a letter from Lord Ye Xi, and then she burst into tears! We were speculating that Lord Ye Xi must be under threat in Tenshukaku, so we were discussing how to mount a rescue!"
The newcomer was none other than the Resistance Army's general, Gorou.
A youkai with the bloodline of a Shiba Inu.
Gorou's heart skipped a beat at their words.
How could that be?
Why would Lady Sangonomiya cry?
After calming his inner surprise, Gorou said, "Don't worry, everyone. If Lord Ye Xi were truly in dire straits, Lady Sangonomiya would spare no effort to rally us all to storm Tenshukaku!"
"I suspect it's something else entirely."
The guards suddenly came to a realization.
"You're right! Lady Sangonomiya is so attached to Lord Ye Xi—if something serious had happened, she wouldn't be this composed!"
"The General's right!"
"We almost made a grave mistake! Thank goodness the General stopped us!"
"Thinking about it carefully, Lord Ye Xi holds such high esteem in Tenshukaku. The Raiden Shogun wouldn't lightly move against him!"
Reminded by Gorou, they all snapped to attention.
When Lady Sangonomiya had brought Ye Xi back initially, she had instructed them clearly.
Ye Xi shared an extraordinary bond with the Raiden Shogun and was inseparable from the High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
He was one of the most important figures in all of Inazuma.
How could someone like that run into trouble?
Gorou nodded, though in his mind, he pondered what could possibly bring tears to Lady Sangonomiya's eyes.
Kamisato Residence.
Yashiro Commission Headquarters.
In the spacious room, the Kamisato siblings sat facing each other.
"Ayaka, you've reached the age where marriage is on the horizon. Is there anyone you've taken a liking to?"
Kamisato Ayato studied the scrolls on his desk while asking the question.
As the head of the Yashiro Commission and the Kamisato Clan, his daily duties left him utterly overwhelmed.
Truth be told, he desperately needed an assistant to help manage both internal and external affairs.
Otherwise, he might just work himself to death.
A faint blush colored Kamisato Ayaka's cheeks. "Ye Xi..."
This answer came as no surprise to Kamisato Ayato.
He knew Ye Xi—quite well, in fact.
He remembered when his sister first brought Ye Xi home; their mother was still alive, but he was already swamped with work and couldn't spare a moment.
Thanks to Ye Xi's company, his sister hadn't been too lonely.
At first, he hadn't thought much of it, treating Ye Xi merely as his sister's playmate.
But one day, when he personally witnessed Ye Xi effortlessly dispatch a Ruin Guard, he realized this person was no ordinary soul.
He hurriedly dispatched investigators to probe Ye Xi's background, only to learn that Ye Xi resided within the barrier of the Sacred Sakura Tree!
The Yashiro Commission primarily oversaw rituals and the arts, so he was intimately familiar with the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The Sacred Sakura Tree housed the power of Narukami!
And this Narukami was not the current Raiden Shogun, but the previous one—Raiden Makoto!
In the Archon War five hundred years ago, Raiden Makoto had fallen while protecting Inazuma.
Her power and will lingered within the Sacred Sakura Tree.
To earn the recognition of the former Raiden Shogun spoke volumes about Ye Xi's extraordinary nature!
In their subsequent interactions, Ayato found he couldn't see through Ye Xi at all, and his sister's bond with him grew ever closer.
He confided this to their bedridden mother.
On her deathbed, she issued her final decree: to betroth Kamisato Ayaka to Ye Xi.
It was a moment he would never forget.
Hearing his sister's response, Kamisato Ayato cast an approving glance her way.
"So it's him, after all?"
"With Brother Ye Xi's help, the Kamisato Clan can surely achieve revival!"
"Ayaka, your judgment is spot on. I'll have someone prepare at once—tomorrow, I'll go speak with him personally!"
Seeing her brother's delighted expression, a trace of sorrow flickered in Kamisato Ayaka's eyes.
Though her brother didn't oppose her union with Ye Xi, which filled her with joy, Ye Xi was set to leave Inazuma tomorrow.
"Xi... he's leaving Inazuma for a while tomorrow..."
"What? He's leaving?!"
Kamisato Ayato felt as if the sky had come crashing down.
Just a second ago, he'd thought he'd finally found a reliable helper!
Who knew the next moment would bring this devastating news.
"No! He can't leave! He's the savior of the Kamisato Clan."
"Didn't you try to convince him to stay?"
"What does he want? Mora? Power?"
"As long as he stays, we can give him as much mora as it takes!"
"Or better yet, let him become the head of the Kamisato Clan!"
If the position of Yashiro Commission head weren't personally appointed by the Raiden Shogun, he'd gladly hand that over to Ye Xi too.
He couldn't bear to let such a valuable ally slip away.
Who knew when Ye Xi might return!
Kamisato Ayaka sighed.
Her brother was always so composed and dignified in front of his retainers, but the moment Ye Xi came up, he transformed into someone entirely different.
That dependable image of his crumbled in an instant.
"I did try to persuade him, but Xi has reasons he must leave."
At her words, Kamisato Ayato sensed that there was some secret between Ye Xi and his sister—something they weren't sharing with him, her own brother. It left him feeling oddly excluded.
He often sighed to himself: his sister wasn't even married yet, and already her elbow was turning outward.
"This is tricky..."
Kamisato Ayato grew serious. "Ayaka, you're of marriageable age now. If we don't settle your betrothal soon, other clans might seize the opportunity to stir up trouble."
It was much like the proverb: an ordinary man with a treasure invites calamity.
As the beloved young lady of the Kamisato Clan, Kamisato Ayaka had suitors as numerous as the hairs on a cow.
Once she reached marrying age, countless proposals would pour in.
And many would seek to infiltrate the Kamisato Clan for their own gain.
Originally, Ayato had planned to arrange the marriage between his sister and Ye Xi, leveraging Ye Xi's influence to deter any ill intentions.
But now, it seemed too late!
What was to be done?
Kamisato Ayaka fell into thought as well.
Her brother was right; at present, she was the Kamisato Clan's vulnerable point.
If she didn't exist, no one would have a chance—but since she did, there would always be those eyeing her.
Suddenly, Kamisato Ayato's eyes lit up. "Ayaka, do you still have the dance fan Mother left you?"
"Yes!"
Ayato pondered for a moment. "Good. I have a plan."