Chapter 123

Kuki Shinobu did not expect the missionary network to develop so quickly.

She had just made up her mind to buy a Pokémon egg today, even though Arataki Itto had given her a ride. Now that she had decided to get involved, Kuki Shinobu couldn't simply ignore the enthusiastic but clueless Arataki Itto.

"The Kamisato family, the Yashiro Commission... In the shogunate of General Raiden, their status and power are second only to the general."

Kuki Shinobu stared at the group chat interface and murmured to herself. Throughout Inazuma, only the Kamisato family, the Kujou family, and the Hiiragi family held similar power—apart from the general herself. At Narukami Shrine, the white fox of the Baichen lineage was one of the few who could balance the influence of these super-wealthy families.

When Kuki Shinobu suddenly thought of Narukami Shrine and the Baichen fox, it was already late at night in the study of the Kamisato estate.

After experiencing the panoramic meeting and returning from Liyue's main Pokémon House store, Kamisato Ayaka looked serious.

"Brother, have you decided?"

"Of course!" Kamisato Ayato also looked serious.

"The more I browse the Pokédex apps and the forums on the official website of the Age of Pokémon, the more I realize how closed and outdated Inazuma is today! The people of Mondstadt and Liyue have embraced a great era. Have you watched the videos and images on Teyvat Cheers?"

"What I saw were many ordinary people who aren't blessed by the gods and lack Visions. But through raising Pokémon, they harnessed extraordinary powers in a new way! Their lives and destinies have changed completely!"

To be honest, Kamisato Ayato was not the kind of reformer determined to innovate. When he became an adult, he realized a simple truth: Inazuma existed because of the protection of the Raiden Shogun, and only with Inazuma's stability could his family's prosperity be secured.

Kamisato Ayato was quite conservative.

But it was clear that the Age of Pokémon was coming too quickly and violently. Inazuma's stability would soon cease to exist. The Kamisato family had served the Raiden Shogun for generations, but Kamisato Ayato didn't want to be one of those stubborn conservatives, like a stone trying to block the torrent of change brought by the Pokémon Age—only to be shattered by that torrent.

After returning from visiting the main store in Liyue, Ayato sat down with his sister and Thoma to carefully review the messages on the Pokédex. He realized a second truth: The ancient branches of the Kamisato family could still grow anew.

Just like his mother's teachings.

His mother had once said that the people of Inazuma offered cypress leaves to the Raiden Shogun as a prayer. The cypress was an evergreen tree with large leaves and clear veins. Even when new leaves grew, the old ones did not wither. This was the principle of prosperity his mother had taught him.

Now, Kamisato Ayato suddenly felt that the situation was similar. The old leaves were the Raiden Shogun, the shogunate, and the Narukami Shrine. But new leaves had to be born.

Inazuma could prosper even more if the order was renewed rather than overthrown. Therefore, after coming to terms with the situation, Kamisato Ayato decided there was no need to hesitate.

"Great, brother!" Kamisato Ayaka was happy that her brother had figured it out.

Unlike Kamisato Ayato, who silently observed the current situation, Ayaka had a more urgent and passionate heart. She couldn't bear to see Inazuma sealed off from the world. The Vision Hunt Decree had suppressed all prosperity.

The Age of Pokémon was undoubtedly an opportunity to resist both the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree!

"No matter what you think or do, I will support you," Thoma said with a sunny laugh. Indeed, Thoma wasn't just a retainer to the Kamisato siblings—he was a friend and family.

Kamisato Ayato's eyes lit up as he said decisively, "Naganohara Yoimiya has given the square screens from Manager Takumi to us. I plan to install them at the Yashiro Commission offices and at the Kamisato estate so everyone can watch Liyue's live broadcast tomorrow! Thoma, I'll leave it to you to coordinate. Make sure the screens are defended and that no one disrupts the broadcast for everyone!"

With that, Ayato added in his mind about the second screen... He suddenly stood up from his desk.

"Brother?"

Ayaka was surprised to see her brother heading out late at night.

"To truly embrace the Age of Pokémon, we need everyone's support. I must deliver the second screen to someone who will be very curious about these new things. What's more, there are Pokémon, trainers, and Mythical Beasts—beings that can move mountains and part seas. These elements sound like something straight out of a light novel—and they have become reality. She must be amazed!"

Watching her brother leave, Kamisato Ayaka turned around, and she and Thoma exchanged knowing smiles.

That person... wasn't she the pink-furred fox who often vanished during celebrations, always looking for fun? Lady Yae Miko?

Yes—the great shrine maiden of Narukami Shrine. The descendant of the Baichen fox and a friend of the Raiden Shogun.

Though she didn't personally involve herself in shogunate affairs, the three commissions couldn't ignore Lady Yae's influence. She and Narukami Shrine were a "hidden force" that could directly impact the general's decisions.

"If we gain Yae Miko's support, the Age of Pokémon will flood Inazuma in an instant!"

Kamisato Ayaka spoke to herself. In her arms, Phione had fallen asleep. With an affectionate smile, she poked the inflatable crown on Phione's head, finding it delightfully soft—no wonder Manager Takumi had tried to poke it before.

Manager Takumi really understands~ He knows Phione's cuteness.

...

Late at night, just before dawn, Kamisato Ayato climbed Mt. Yougou, towards Narukami Shrine—the largest and most sacred shrine in Inazuma, which honored the Raiden Shogun. The Sacred Sakura, a symbol of eternity, stood at the top of the shrine, its branches spread across Inazuma's islands.

Kamisato Ayato found the miko on duty and expected Lady Yae Miko would take some time to get dressed before greeting him. However, just minutes later, Kamisato Ayato was led to the small courtyard at the shrine's peak. A few meters away stood the Sacred Sakura on the cliff of Mt. Yougou.

There, Yae Miko, the pink-haired, purple-eyed head shrine maiden, was sitting neatly dressed on a vermillion bench, engrossed in the light novel in her hand.

Seeing this booklet, Kamisato Ayato immediately understood—Lady Yae had stayed up all night reading one of her favorite light novels.

"Ha—"

Hearing footsteps, Yae Miko looked up and yawned lazily.

"It's quite rude to disturb a lady's sleep late at night, you know. I thought there was still some time until the summer fireworks festival. What brings you here in such a hurry?"

Kamisato Ayato didn't mince words. After leaving his estate, he had stopped by the fireworks shop in Hanamizaka to buy an extra Pokémon egg, a blank Pokédex, and a backpack filled with cultivation resources—all of which he now placed in front of Yae Miko.

Yae Miko put down her light novel: ???

What!

Kamisato Ayato explained patiently. He began by mentioning the magical egg his sister bought from Yoimiya for two million Mora. That egg had since hatched into a Pokémon named Phione. He then spoke of the group chats and Manager Takumi.

However, what attracted Yae Miko the most were the various apps on the Pokédex.

"Huh? Hey, hey, hey! Everyone in Liyue and Mondstadt can access this thing called the internet freely? And there's a site full of fun like Teyvat Cheers? It's so strange, but I love it! Quick! Teach me how to register and authenticate this Pokédex!"

Kamisato Ayato followed Yoimiya's example and guided Yae Miko step by step. He had also reviewed the various guides in the group chat's file library on his way here.

Soon, Yae Miko was fully engrossed in the Pokédex apps, the light reflecting on her ageless, delicate face. At this moment, Kamisato Ayato felt something subtle.

From Yoimiya to him, this network of "Pokémon evangelism" resembled a growing religion. Everyone embracing the new era willingly became messengers of change.

Feeling that his task was complete, Kamisato Ayato knew it was time to leave. Though tomorrow was the day of the Liyue Trainer Competition, one night was more than enough for Yae Miko to glimpse the wonders of the Pokémon Age.

Turning around, Kamisato Ayato descended Mt. Yougou. He looked toward Inazuma City under the night sky and wondered aloud:

"I wonder what Lady Yae will do with the third plaza screen I gave her. Yoimiya's plan is to have the Arataki Gang set up the first screen in Hanamizaka tomorrow and organize a public viewing of the event."

"But this plan will face interference from the Tenryou Commission. I must find a way to dispatch a group of skilled ninjas from the Yashiro Commission to delay Kujou Sara and the security patrol army, ensuring enough time to watch the event."

As for the second screen in his possession, Kamisato Ayato had decided to install it at the Yashiro Commission's headquarters. He had thought it through. If his subordinates could witness the marvels of the Pokémon Age through these games, there would be no internal resistance to his determination to embrace the future.

This was internal ideological work—the Pokémon competition was a manifesto, a promotional force, and a seeding machine.

"Let this era's heavy rain flood all of Inazuma!"

Kamisato Ayato's face showed a rare, heroic smile, entirely unlike his usual demeanor.

...

The night before the event, elsewhere, three individuals sat in silence, exchanging glances. Under a dry, starless sky devoid of any sign of life, the three Adepti in Jueyun Karst were also frustrated.

There was nothing they could do. Anyone sitting in such an isolated place for an entire day would feel stifled.