Kamisato Ayaka's sudden question left Futsu Mitama momentarily stunned. Weren't they discussing the schemes of the two commissions? Why had she suddenly brought up the Inazuma of the past and asked for his opinion on the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree?
What did he even know about Inazuma's past?
His impression of it came only from his previous life — when the Inazuma map had just been released, after he had finished exploring Mondstadt and Liyue. He had ambitiously planned to clear the entire region in a single day until the endless thunderstorms and lethal terrain promptly taught him humility.
Thus, after transmigrating into Inazuma, Futsu Mitama often lamented his misfortune. Why couldn't he have been born in Mondstadt, or perhaps Liyue — or even Sumeru? Wasn't the Dendro Archon adorable? Yet fate had placed him here, in this perpetually stormy and oppressive land.
In his early days, he couldn't even leave Inazuma. And when he finally could, the Sakoku Decree sealed off the nation completely. As such, Futsu Mitama's impression of Inazuma was far from favorable.
But now, facing Kamisato Ayaka's clear, expectant eyes, he hesitated — then secretly opened the Chat Group and sent a message.
[Futsu Mitama: "Regarding the Inazuma of the past, does anyone have any thoughts?"]
[Aila: "?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "The Inazuma of the past? You mean before the Sakoku Decree? Or before the Cataclysm?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Also—where are you? I'm at your door!!! Open up!!!"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "I don't know much about Inazuma's past. I only govern Watatsumi Island. But historically, Inazuma was known for its strong martial spirit."]
[Raiden Makoto: "The Inazuma of the past? Ah… those were good times."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Back then, Inazuma was peaceful. The people's faces were bright with smiles, filled with hope for the future. Humans and yokai lived side by side. And whenever crisis struck, everyone united as one to fight."]
[Raiden Makoto: "I don't quite understand why you're asking, Group Leader, but yes — in those days, the people of Inazuma truly smiled. And those who held Visions regarded that power not as privilege, but as duty."]
For a moment, the chat fell silent. Because the Inazuma that Raiden Makoto described was nothing like the Inazuma they all knew now. Kuki Shinobu, still squatting outside Futsu Mitama's door, stared blankly at her screen. People smiling? In the Inazuma she knew, if commoners didn't cry aloud, that was already considered a blessing.
On distant Watatsumi Island, Kokomi sighed softly. If Inazuma had truly been like what Raiden Makoto described, she would never have needed to raise the banner of rebellion, nor fight her own nation's ruler.
Inside the Kamisato Estate, Futsu Mitama read through the messages, then roughly understood how to respond. After sending a brief "thank you," he looked back at Kamisato Ayaka and said calmly,
"I don't really know what the Inazuma of the past was like. But I have a friend — and from her, I heard that back then, people lived with genuine smiles. Those who bore Visions saw them as a sacred responsibility rather than a curse. That Inazuma must have been far better than the one we see now."
As he spoke, Kamisato Ayaka's eyes grew brighter. It was as though she had found someone who truly understood.
"Yes," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I think so too."
"From the Kamisato Clan's records, the Inazuma I've read about was a nation where everyone followed the Shogun's will. No matter how terrible the enemies were, no matter how dark the times became, no one lost faith or courage."
Her tone grew animated as she spoke, but then slowly dimmed. Her shoulders sank slightly.
"But now… because of the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree," she murmured, "the people have lost their smiles. Those with Visions — the ones who once bore hope — have been stripped of their dreams. They wander aimlessly, unable to see when the Shogun's so-called eternity will ever come."
In that moment, the noble young lady of the Kamisato Clan disappeared. What remained was merely Ayaka — a sincere, kind-hearted girl troubled by the suffering of her homeland. Perhaps she thought Futsu Mitama's "friend" was merely a polite disguise for his own true opinion — after all, most people said 'a friend of mine' when speaking of thoughts too dangerous to admit openly. To her, Futsu Mitama had revealed himself as a kindred soul — someone who, like her, still cared deeply for Inazuma's fate.
Of course, Futsu Mitama himself had no such lofty intent. Before all this trouble began, his only ambition had been to earn a quiet living and stay out of politics entirely. Kamisato Ayaka continued speaking — her words tumbling out faster and faster. She had been holding these worries for too long. Few people dared to discuss the state of the nation, for reverence toward the Shogun silenced most. Even with her brother or Thoma, such conversations rarely went beyond a few sentences — both men were too busy with work and political affairs.
Thus, she spoke freely, pouring out everything she had suppressed.
Futsu Mitama simply smiled and listened, occasionally nodding or murmuring a few words in agreement. After a while, Kamisato Ayaka suddenly stopped, realizing how far she had gone. A faint blush crept across her face.
"Forgive me," she said softly. "I lost my composure."
Only now did she notice that her tea had gone cold. Time had passed far too quickly.
"It's fine," Futsu Mitama said lightly. He found this honest, unguarded side of Ayaka unexpectedly endearing.
Ayaka regained her composure and smiled faintly. Then her expression turned serious again.
"Actually," she said, "the two commissions aren't the only problem. There's another faction in Inazuma right now."
Futsu Mitama's brows furrowed. "Another faction?"
"Yes," Ayaka nodded. "According to my brother, the two commissions are troublesome but manageable. However, this hidden faction seems to be plotting something far more dangerous."
Her voice lowered slightly. "The people who were attacked mentioned that after driving off the ronin, an even stronger force appeared — silent, precise, and lethal. These were no ordinary bandits. They fought like trained soldiers."
Futsu Mitama immediately thought of the Fatui — and among them, the one currently stirring chaos in Inazuma: Scaramouche, the Raiden Shogun's so-called 'brother.'
Ayaka's tone grew even more cautious. "So, before my brother finishes dealing with the two commissions, Futsu Mitama, please limit your outings beyond the city walls."
Her clear eyes softened with worry. "Until we understand this hidden faction's intentions, it's better for you and Miss Aila to stay within Inazuma City."
This time, her concern was not that of a noblewoman issuing orders — but of a friend sincerely wishing for his safety.
Night had fallen completely by the time Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Kamisato Ayaka exited the Kamisato Estate. The soft lantern light swayed along the stone paths, reflecting off Ayaka's silken sleeves. She opened her mouth several times, as if wanting to say more, yet ultimately kept her thoughts to herself.
Thoma, following a step behind, looked between the two with a puzzled expression. In less than an hour, his Young Lady seemed to have formed a bond with Futsu Mitama as though they were old acquaintances reunited after years apart.
"Well then, I shall take my leave first," Futsu Mitama said, inclining his head slightly. Kuki Shinobu was still waiting for him at home, and he didn't wish to keep her waiting—especially since she had once helped him in his early days in Inazuma, before joining the Arataki Gang.
Ayaka smiled softly, though there was a faint trace of reluctance in her gaze. "I look forward to our next meeting."
"It will happen," Futsu Mitama replied, his lips curling into a faint smile. Given his frequent visits to the Komore Teahouse, and Ayaka's newfound curiosity about him, he suspected that their next encounter might come sooner than either expected.
As Aila turned to leave with him, she cast Ayaka a composed look—yet for reasons Ayaka couldn't explain, that calm gaze carried a faint sense of hostility.
Thoma, ever observant, tilted his head. "Young Lady, you seem unusually happy today."
Ayaka's smile deepened. "Indeed. After all, I've made a good friend with Futsu Mitama." Then, after a pause, she added thoughtfully, "Oh, Thoma, could you help me gather some information about him? Though I knew of him before, it was only a superficial acquaintance. I'd like to understand him better."
Thoma chuckled. "Understood." Gathering intelligence was second nature to him, and truthfully, he already knew much about Futsu Mitama. But since the Young Lady was interested, he would ensure every detail was accounted for.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama and Aila made their way back to Inazuma City. The once-lively streets had quieted under the indigo sky, leaving only the distant hum of cicadas and the soft crash of waves.
Upon reaching home, however, Futsu Mitama frowned—there was no sign of Kuki Shinobu waiting by the door as she had promised.
[Futsu Mitama: "@Kuki Shinobu, where are you? I don't see you."]
[Futsu Mitama: [Image]]
[Kuki Shinobu: "...Wait a moment, I'll be there soon."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Ah, how nostalgic. Is this a corner of Inazuma now? This Chat Group is truly fascinating; it can even transmit images."]
[Raiden Makoto: "@Futsu Mitama, send more pictures. I wish to see how Inazuma City looks now."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Alright."]
[Futsu Mitama: [Image][Image][Image][Image][Image]]
As he sent the pictures, Raiden Makoto's tone softened with nostalgia—only to twist into quiet bitterness.
[Raiden Makoto: "Is this the current Inazuma City? It looks almost unchanged from my memory."]
[Aila: "The Raiden Shogun seeks eternity. Under her reign, Inazuma City itself has remained frozen in that pursuit."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "The city may be eternal, but the people's hearts are not. The meaning of the Shogun's 'eternity' is elusive, at best."]
[Raiden Makoto: "What a fool..."]
Just then, lightning flickered near the doorway, and a masked kunoichi stepped into view - Kuki Shinobu, her aura crackling faintly with Electro energy.
"Hi," Futsu Mitama greeted casually.
Kuki Shinobu narrowed her eyes. "Did you… move?" She distinctly remembered that his residence was in another district. To relocate so quickly—it was almost suspicious.
"To be precise, I call it casual living," Futsu Mitama replied with a smile. "We stay wherever is convenient. After all, I have three houses in Inazuma City, but it's just Aila and me, so... we move around."
Kuki Shinobu blinked. "…" Her expression fell somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.
Without another word, she pulled a folded miko outfit from her pack, her gaze sharp. "This sign-in reward—did you set it up on purpose?"
A faintly dangerous aura seeped from her form, and Futsu Mitama immediately froze. He knew better than to joke about that.
But before he could answer—
"What the hell?!" His eyes widened. "How is that possible?! She actually got it in one try?!"
Aila, usually composed, also looked astonished.
Kuki Shinobu was taken aback by their reactions. "...Huh?" Their shock seemed even greater than hers, the supposed victim of this bizarre reward.
Yet one thing was now certain—Futsu Mitama truly hadn't orchestrated this.