Hearing this, Kamisato Ayato's eyes lit up. Was the Shogun implying that Ayaka should take over the position of the Kanjou Commissioner? After all, in Inazuma's history, there had been precedents of women holding positions within the Tri-Commission. It was said that the first head of the Tenryou Commission had been a female yokai.
However, if Ayaka were to take this position, it might not necessarily be a good thing. Although Hiiragi Shinsuke was dead, the Hiiragi Clan still existed. They wouldn't sit idly by and watch the Kanjou Commission fall into the hands of the Kamisato Clan. Even with the Shogun's decree, they might not openly resist, but who knew what underhanded tactics they might employ?
As Kamisato Ayato pondered this, Ei continued.
"Once the investigation is complete, a new Kanjou Commissioner will be appointed. Your duty will be to assist them in managing the affairs of the commission."
---
That night, Yun Fan returned to Watatsumi Island. After nodding to the guards who greeted him, he headed toward his room. But just then...
"Wait! You're not the adeptus! Who are you, daring to impersonate the Immortal Phoenix?" The guard who had greeted Yun Fan was stunned, then his expression changed drastically. He raised his spear, pointing it at the silver-haired youth's chest.
"Uh..." Yun Fan was momentarily confused, but he quickly understood the reason. After all, he had been representing Watatsumi Island in negotiations with the Raiden Shogun at Tenshukaku regarding territorial issues... Oh no!
Yun Fan facepalmed.
After meeting the Raiden Shogun, he had been so focused on fighting her and witnessing the "fragrant blade" that he had completely forgotten the purpose of his trip.
With this thought, Yun Fan sighed, then waved his hand at the guard. "Teppei, don't you recognize me?"
"Your tone and gestures... Could it be... Are you really the Immortal Phoenix?" Teppei scrutinized Yun Fan for a moment before speaking with uncertainty. However, the wariness in his eyes lessened, and he slowly lowered his weapon.
"The one and only. By the way, where's Sangonomiya Kokomi?"
"Lady Sangonomiya is in the Sangonomiya Shrine, reviewing documents. Should I summon her for you?"
"No need, I'll go see her myself."
---
Inside the Sangonomiya Shrine...
Our Divine Priestess, Sangonomiya Kokomi, was listlessly reviewing the documents on her desk. Her cute little head occasionally swayed, resembling a college student pulling an all-nighter.
"Population statistics of Watatsumi Island... Huh? The population has decreased again..."
"Funding request for the Swordfish II squad..."
"This is so boring... Hmm? This is interesting. Grandma Otose's chicken coop hatched a chicken that can sing, dance, and rap? Wait, what's rap?"
"..."
"Sigh!" Kokomi's delicate hand held a snow-white quill, circling and annotating the documents. Despite her tired appearance, the accuracy of her reviews didn't falter. Perhaps this was her talent.
After finishing the documents, Kokomi instinctively glanced around. Once she confirmed no one was nearby, she carefully pulled out a small, exquisite notebook from a hidden compartment in her desk.
Reviewing documents, energy -3
"...Hmm, chatting with Yun Fan, energy +10. Oh? It seems I'm quite valuable!"
"Ah!" The sudden voice startled Kokomi, causing her to nearly jump out of her seat. Her diary flew out of her hands due to the sudden movement.
Whoosh!
A shadow darted past, catching the diary mid-air. When he landed, Kokomi finally saw who it was.
Under Kokomi's murderous gaze, Yun Fan nonchalantly flipped through the diary and began reading aloud.
"Let's see... Reading favorite military books, energy +2. Eating... Qingxin salad? Energy +2. Talking with Watatsumi elders, energy -3. Meeting with..."
Hearing someone read her cringy diary out loud was akin to public humiliation, especially for a pure-hearted girl like Kokomi. Her face turned as red as a boiling kettle, steam practically rising from her head.
"Mr. Yun Fan!!!"
The girl's embarrassed shout pierced the night, echoing throughout the Sangonomiya Shrine. The guards, thinking an assassin had attacked, rushed to the shrine to protect their leader. But when they saw Yun Fan's amused smile and Kokomi's flustered expression, they wisely dispersed, pretending they had seen nothing.
"Now, now, Kokomi, don't get so worked up. It's not a big deal. With me here, nothing is a problem," Yun Fan chuckled, which only made Kokomi grit her teeth in frustration. She wanted to give this unreliable adeptus a taste of her "reception, transformation, and counterattack."
But in the end, she held back. Kokomi stepped forward, snatched the diary back from Yun Fan, rolled her eyes, and asked with exasperation, "Why are you back so soon? According to our estimates, you should have taken at least two more days to return. Where's the fleet that went with you?"
"Well, the fleet is probably on its way back. As for why I returned early, let's just say I wasn't too fond of the ship's accommodations."
"Uh... That's certainly a unique reason," Kokomi sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"You must have met the Raiden Shogun, right? How did the negotiations about Watatsumi Island go?" Kokomi focused her gaze on Yun Fan's face, her eyes filled with eager curiosity.
"About that... Hahaha... I forgot."
Kokomi: ???