Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Arataki Itto’s Psychological Evaluation Bail Document

Ever since the last duel before the Shogun, the training grounds at Tenshukaku had been under repair. Normally, fixing a training ground wouldn't take long in Teyvat, especially with the aid of Vision wielders who could manipulate elements to accelerate the process. In less than a day, the grounds could be restored to their original state.

However...

Because of the Vision Hunt Decree, the Shogunate couldn't find any Vision-wielding craftsmen willing to work. Even though Kujou Sara repeatedly promised that the Vision of any craftsman who helped wouldn't be confiscated, no one dared to apply.

"Not confiscate it? What a joke!" they thought. After the Battousai incident, Raiden Shogun herself had confiscated the Vision of one of her own soldiers. If the Shogunate wouldn't spare their own, why would they make an exception for a mere craftsman?

So despite the high wages and numerous promises, the repairs to the training grounds were proceeding at a frustratingly slow pace.

Every day around noon, Kujou Sara would personally visit the repair site. As the general of the Tenryou Commission, she was meticulous about overseeing both large and small matters. Even when it came to repairs, she would make it a point to inspect the progress.

After assessing the state of the repairs, Kujou Sara would invariably make her way to the cherry blossom tree that stood nearby. On the day of the duel, the mysterious individual had emerged from the vicinity of this tree, making it a focus point of their investigations. Unfortunately, the individual had been exceedingly careful, leaving no trace behind.

There was, however, a cat that had refused to come down from the tree ever since.

The first time Kujou Sara saw this cat, she recognized it immediately. While white cats were not uncommon in Inazuma, this particular one stood out due to its extraordinary intelligence.

"Meow!"

Kujou Sara's approach prompted a low growl from the cat, a clear warning. Although not yet a yokai, the cat was far smarter than an ordinary animal. It had witnessed its owner fight against this woman and now regarded her as an enemy.

Kujou Sara, however, was accustomed to the cat's hostility. She took out the food she had brought along—some dried fish and a bowl of milk—and placed it beneath the cherry blossom tree before quietly leaving. While the food wasn't anything fancy, for a weary cat, it was a feast.

"Lady Kujou."

As Kujou Sara kept a discreet eye on the cat, waiting to see if it would eat the food she had left, one of her subordinates, Ben Dover, hurriedly approached her.

"What's got you so worked up?" Kujou Sara inquired, her brow furrowing slightly at his breach of protocol. Despite the Tenryou Commission's considerable authority in Inazuma, storming into Tenshukaku in such a manner was highly inappropriate. Ben Dover was typically very strict about following the rules, so something significant must have gone wrong in the city.

"Lady Kujou, we've just been informed by the Town Magistrate that they've captured the oni who was vandalizing the bulletin board at Hanamizaka. They want to hand him over to us. What should we do?"

"..." Kujou Sara's expression darkened as she listened. She knew exactly who the Town Magistrate had captured. It was the same oni who had been leaving taunting messages on the bulletin board, always challenging her authority. As the general of the Tenryou Commission, she couldn't let such provocations go unanswered.

"Follow the standard protocol and detain him for seven days," she commanded. Arataki Itto, known for his lively nature, would find a week of confinement to be a severe punishment, perhaps even worse than death.

"But his subordinate presented a psychological evaluation bail document, claiming that he has mental issues and insisting we release him."

This was why Ben Dover had come to see her. Such documents were highly significant and required Kujou Sara's approval before they could be issued. If Itto's subordinates had one, it implied that it had her backing, which was why Ben Dover was confused.

"A psychological evaluation bail document?" Kujou Sara's expression changed again. "Is it Kuki Shinobu that is trying to bail him out?"

"Yes, I believe that's her name," Ben Dover confirmed after recalling the details.

"Tell her that it's precisely because he has mental issues that he needs to be locked up for seven days. Otherwise, if he harms someone, we won't be able to deal with it properly."

Kujou Sara's message was clear: Arataki Itto would remain in custody, and not even Kuki Shinobu could change that.

"Understood, I'll deliver the message right away," Ben Dover said, straightening up and bowing before hurrying off.

When Kujou Sara went to check on the food she had left, she discovered that the milk and dried fish were missing. However, she noticed fish bones and crumbs occasionally dropping from the thick branches of the cherry blossom tree above. This sight also significantly improved her mood, despite her earlier annoyance with Itto.

As Arataki Itto was taken into custody, the crowd started to scatter. Bai Luo was the only one who stayed behind, deep in thought, watching the green-haired girl who had followed the Town Magistrate and Itto as they departed.

"Wasn't Yoimiya supposed to have red hair? When did she join the Arataki Gang, and why did she dye her hair green? What's the appeal of dyeing it green, anyway?"

As his primary DPS in the game, Bai Luo paid close attention to such details. However, since he had only played the earlier version of Inazuma which wasn't fully updated yet, he didn't realize that the girl wasn't Yoimiya but actually Kuki Shinobu, a member of the Arataki Gang.

"Hmm? Were you calling me?" A voice suddenly broke Bai Luo's train of thought.

He turned to see a girl standing beside him, surprised that she had approached without him noticing. Glancing back at the green-haired girl with Itto, Bai Luo's confusion deepened.

Why are there two Yoimiyas?!

"Are you here to order fireworks? If a regular customer referred you, I can give you a 20% discount," the girl said cheerfully after dismissing the small children who had been following her. She had overheard someone mentioning her name and assumed Bai Luo was a customer looking for fireworks. After all, her most well-known skill in Hanamizaka was creating fireworks.

"Uh, I guess so," Bai Luo replied, collecting himself. He hadn't expected to bump into her just by chance while watching the commotion. Not one, but two of her, it seemed.

"Did you visit before? My father mentioned someone like you," Yoimiya said as she led the way, chatting with Bai Luo.

Some might think she was trying to pry information from him, but Bai Luo knew better. Yoimiya was simply a naturally talkative person who enjoyed lively company.

Along the way, she greeted everyone they passed, regardless of their temperament. In return, each person responded to her warmly.

"Yes, I've visited more than once," Bai Luo replied, finally starting to relax. 'I didn't expect we'd meet again, my dear DPS.'