Chapter 17: The Fox Who Possesses Both Intelligence and Beauty

"Ah?!"

The sudden voice startled Sayu so much that her tail stood on end.

She couldn't be mistaken—this was that woman's voice.

Turning around, she saw the woman indeed smiling at her.

Even though the smile was gentle, Sayu knew better. This woman was far from easygoing.

Quite the opposite, in fact. She was as sly as a fox, fitting perfectly with Sayu's every perception of a cunning trickster.

"N-no... it's nothing. I was just talking about that awful woman at the city gate who wouldn't even let me wash my face! Bad woman! She deserves to be scolded!"

Her sleepy little brain suddenly started working overtime.

It was the first time she had ever lied so smoothly.

They say humans only reach their limits when they're pushed to the edge.

"Did you bring what I asked for?"

The woman took a bite of the dango in her hand. The soft and chewy texture improved her mood significantly.

The shine on the dango was like morning dew on a fresh flower, bringing a feeling of joy as it melted in her mouth, as if the entire year ahead would be as bright and colorful as the falling petals before her.

Hmm... Maybe I should bring some to Ei too? Perhaps she might come out to see me.

"I-I brought it!"

Sayu extended her hand, feeling around her large tail.

In no time, she pulled out a scroll.

This contained all the intelligence gathered by her and the other ninjas of the Shuumatsuban over the past few days on Narukami Island, including details about a suspected Fatui Harbinger—his codename, mask patterns, the element and type of his Vision, and his usual activities.

Even the top-secret discussions within the Hiiragi household involving Bai Luo were recorded on the scroll.

"Good job, little tanuki ninja."

"It's a tanuki, not... wait, what did you call me?!"

Sayu was first shocked by the woman's words, but then happiness quickly followed.

Finally, someone realized that she was a tanuki and not a... no, wait! That she was a mujina and not a tanuki.

This woman is amazing! No wonder she's known as the fox who possesses both intelligence and beauty...

Wait a minute!

Realizing the danger, Sayu quickly backed away several meters.

So scary!

Just one sentence nearly made her fall into a trap, even giving her the illusion that it would be okay to let this woman pat her head.

If it weren't for Sayu's strong aversion to having her head touched, she might not have even noticed that something was wrong.

"Alright, I'll let you go this time since you brought the information before the target arrived. Go back and tell your master that there's no need to monitor the Kunikuzushi anymore. Just keep an eye on that strange Fatui known as the Instructor."

"Before the target arrives?"

Sayu blinked, her gaze following the woman's eyes toward the lower part of Inazuma City.

Since Inazuma City was built on a hill, the further you went from the entrance, the higher the terrain became.

The highest point was the Tenshukaku, where the Almighty Shogun resided.

From their position in the middle of the city, they could clearly see the Fatui carriage that had just entered Inazuma.

"I see."

Thinking about how Bai Luo had chased her for half the night yesterday, Sayu shivered.

She was supposed to be an expert at running away, yet he had managed to chase her down, landing him on her list of people she absolutely must avoid—at least in the top five.

After skillfully avoiding Bai Luo's likely path, Sayu showcased her ninja abilities perfectly, gradually disappearing into the cliffs on the sides of Inazuma City.

Meanwhile, the woman, still holding her dango, leaned against the railing by the cliffs, squinting as she watched the Fatui carriage below.

"The Instructor, huh? An interesting character."

The ancient path gradually sloped upward, leading to the outskirts of the city.

The outskirts of Inazuma City were a tranquil and serene landscape with an old-world charm.

It seemed the bustling scenes within the city had not tainted this place. Although it was far from the Tenshukaku, the Shogun's majesty and benevolence still permeated the air, bringing a quiet but vibrant life to the area.

Beyond the outskirts lay Inazuma City, the most prosperous and lively area of Narukami Island, where most of the Inazumans lived.

From Hanamizaka to Tatarasuna, one could follow the terrain upward, exploring traditional shops and tasting the local delicacies unique to Inazuma.

Among these were treats like tri-colored dango and kitsune ramen.

There were also some rather peculiar dishes, like dango milk.

However, the more conservative Inazumans viewed this dish as a disgrace to tradition, so very few were willing to try it.

Perhaps one day, after a prominent figure gives it a try, this uniquely flavored dish will gain wider acceptance.

The Tenryou Commission's headquarters were also located within the city, overseeing public security and managing the Shogunate's military affairs.

The most famous of all was General Kujou Sara.

Even though everyone knew she was a tengu, her diligent and responsible attitude earned her the respect of most residents.

Rumors even circulated that "General Kujou Sara is definitely not a tengu demon! Someone must be slandering her!"

But Kujou Sara never let her tengu identity bother her.

To her, it didn't matter if she was a demon or a tengu.

As long as she could serve the Shogun, it was all worthwhile.

Her faith lay with the Shogun, and with the Shogun's unchanging eternity.

As the saying goes, "The eternal path is vast, and the thunder of Narukami is everlasting."

The lightning on the Shogun's blade was her unwavering faith.

Where the Tenryou Commission's jurisdiction met the streets, there lay the Tenshukaku.

The Tenshukaku was the undisputed center of power in Inazuma. Under the eternal and serene gaze of the Almighty Shogun, the throngs of people would eventually let go of their attachments, moving toward a land where desires no longer needed to be pursued—though, what exactly did the Shogun envision that pure land to be?

However, what truly captivated people were the cherry blossoms that blanketed the island.

In the season when the cherry blossoms bloomed, the petals hung like clouds overhead, and if one wasn't careful while passing by, they would fall like rain, covering everything in sight.

Before the Sakoku Decree, this place was a paradise for traveling poets and scholars.

Even the residents of Inazuma City took pride in the rain-like cherry blossoms.

But after the Sakoku Decree was issued, the island lost its former liveliness and warmth.

No longer did inebriated poets sit beneath the trees; only fallen petals and endless sighs remained.

After entering Inazuma City, even Bai Luo, who was a Snezhnayan envoy, held no special privileges here.

Anemo Slimes, no matter how you looked at them, were still monsters.

Bringing such a creature into the city would be like handing over a case to the Tenryou Commission on a silver platter.

Under the curious gazes of the Inazuman residents, Bai Luo disembarked from the Slime carriage, standing beneath the cherry tree that Sayu had once leaned on.

The Anemo Slime would be properly taken care of by the Tenryou Commission.

Once he was ready to leave, he could come to retrieve it.

But if the Slime caused any trouble during its stay, Bai Luo would be fully responsible.

However, none of this mattered to him. After all, the Fatui would cover everything.

He could cause as much trouble as he wanted, and it still wouldn't compare to the amount Childe was spending.

After all, Childe had Zhongli, who treated money like dirt and had no concept of haggling.

No matter how much trouble he stirred up, he could never outdo them, could he?

After the Tenryou Commission inspected Bai Luo's pass, they allowed him to proceed.

As he retrieved his documents, Bai Luo seemed to sense something.

He slightly raised his head and locked eyes with a woman.

Instead of looking away, she generously waved her tri-colored dango at him.

As if to say...

Welcome to Inazuma.