Outside Inazuma City, in a small grove, two figures had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
One was Yuuko, who had already concealed his identity using Geo Elemental Power.
The other was Shimura Kanbei, whom he had just rescued.
Shimura Kanbei stared blankly at his surroundings, utterly confused by the sudden change of scenery, his mind unable to process it immediately.
He couldn't even figure out how Yuuko had brought him here in an instant.
Regardless, this did not change the fact that Yuuko had saved him.
Thus, Shimura Kanbei bowed slightly to Yuuko: "Young man, although I don't know who you are, thank you very much for saving me."
Shimura Kanbei did not ask Yuuko about his identity.
Because Yuuko had so many things concealing his identity, it was clear he didn't want to expose who he was.
Asking further would be tactless.
Yuuko shook his head: "It's nothing. I only acted because I felt the Vision Hunt Decree was unreasonable."
Shimura Kanbei thought for a moment, then worriedly said:
"But... since you did this today, I assume Her Excellency, the General, will issue an order for your arrest..."
Shimura Kanbei was very concerned about the consequences of opposing the Raiden Shogun.
After all, in Inazuma, there was no one who did not fear the Raiden Shogun.
Unexpectedly, Yuuko shook his head again: "That's fine. And since I've started, I'll see it through to the end. I will continue to impede the Vision Hunt Decree."
Shimura Kanbei looked at Yuuko in surprise, unsure how to respond immediately.
At that moment, Yuuko continued:
"By the way, although I saved you, the people from the Tenryou Commission will definitely not let you off. As for Inazuma City, you shouldn't go back..."
Hearing this, Shimura Kanbei let out a soft sigh:
"That's true. If I refuse to hand over my Vision, there is probably no place for me in Inazuma City."
"Then regarding where you will stay next..."
Yuuko was interrupted mid-sentence by Shimura Kanbei:
"You don't need to trouble yourself. I ran a shop in Inazuma City for decades and lived there for decades. It's time to go back and see my hometown."
"Huh?" Yuuko was slightly stunned: "Aren't you a native of Inazuma City?"
Shimura Kanbei smiled:
"I was born on Yashiori Island. When I was young, I passionately practiced the Way of the Samurai there.
It was only later that I moved to Inazuma City and became an obscure old restaurant owner."
"Is that so." Yuuko nodded thoughtfully.
He realized that he truly knew very little about Old Man Shimura previously.
At this time, Shimura Kanbei spoke again:
"Don't worry about how I'll get to Yashiori Island. You... must have important things to attend to."
Yuuko was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Indeed, Yuuko had very important things to do next.
"Then hurry up and go. Don't waste time on an old man like me. I can handle what comes next by myself," Shimura Kanbei urged.
"Will you be alright alone?" Yuuko asked.
Shimura Kanbei chuckled: "Don't worry, my body is still quite sturdy."
"Then take care." Yuuko nodded, wasted no more time, turned, and rushed toward a certain direction.
Shimura Kanbei watched Yuuko's retreating figure, a look of confusion in his eyes:
"I feel like that person is somewhat familiar..."
Shaking his head, Shimura Kanbei clasped his hands behind his back, hunched his shoulders, and slowly walked away... After bidding farewell to Shimura Kanbei, Yuuko began heading toward the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The reason he was going to the Grand Narukami Shrine was to find the chief priestess of the shrine, Yae Miko.
Yuuko wanted to ask her directly why the Raiden Shogun was so insistent on carrying out the Vision Hunt Decree now.
He wondered if Yae Miko, who had a close relationship with the Raiden Shogun, might know something.
Yuuko needed to figure this out.
Of course, Yuuko would conduct the conversation while concealing his identity.
Yuuko did not want to expose his true identity because of these matters and affect his future daily life... Mt. Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine, inside a secret room within the shrine.
Two figures were sitting opposite each other.
One was the chief priestess of the shrine, Yae Miko.
The other was the Demoiselle of the Kamisato Clan, Kamisato Ayaka, known as the Egret Princess.
Currently, the atmosphere in the room was slightly heavy.
The reason was the sudden commencement of the Vision Hunt Decree.
After a long silence, Yae Miko was the first to speak:
"So, yesterday, the Fatui, acting as envoys of Snezhnaya, met with the Raiden Shogun and said something.
And that's why the Raiden Shogun accelerated the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree?"
Kamisato Ayaka nodded: "Yes, Her Excellency, the General's recent abnormality is likely related to the Fatui..."
"Is that so..." Yae Miko sighed lightly: "We really should have paid the greatest price to drive the Fatui away the moment they first appeared in Inazuma."
"It was also our Kamisato Clan's oversight not to detect the Fatui's intentions immediately." After a slight sigh, Kamisato Ayaka asked again:
"Guuji-sama, do you have a way to dissuade Her Excellency, the General, now?"
Yae Miko shook her head: "No, Ei hasn't been seeing anyone lately. To stop the Vision Hunt Decree, we probably need to rely on other methods... At the very least, we need to create an opportunity to see her..."
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka remained silent for a long time before speaking:
"This morning, I received news that someone wearing a Yellow Fox mask rescued a citizen who refused to surrender his Vision right in front of the Tenryou Commission personnel.
That person must be Mr. Yellow Fox, who gained fame far and wide in Liyue some time ago.
Perhaps we can cooperate with Mr. Yellow Fox?
Personally, I believe Mr. Yellow Fox is trustworthy."
Yae Miko fell into contemplation, but quickly shook her head:
"While that's a good idea... I think meeting Yellow Fox won't be easy. After all, Yellow Fox is far too mysterious; nobody knows his true identity.
We also don't know where he resides."
"That's true," Kamisato Ayaka sighed softly:
"Now that Her Excellency, the General, is determined to enforce the Vision Hunt Decree, the stance of our Kamisato Clan must change.
At the very least... our Kamisato Clan cannot openly oppose the Vision Hunt Decree.
From now on, our Kamisato Clan may have to start operating in secret."
Having said that, Kamisato Ayaka paused, then folded her fan and stood up:
"In that case, I should take my leave. Afterwards, I will continue to investigate the movements of the Fatui."
"I will leave the rest to you, Guuji-sama."
"Little girl, please be extremely careful."
"Mhm." Kamisato Ayaka nodded, then left the secret room.