Just then, Shao Yun pushed open the meeting room door, leaned casually against the frame, and asked with ease, "Miss Kokomi? Teppei said you were looking for me?"
Upon seeing Shao Yun, a surge of joy and hope instantly welled up in Kokomi's heart.
This man before her was the key to saving Watatsumi Island from disaster. A faint smile formed on her face as she called out excitedly, "Mr. Shao Yun, you're here!"
However, as she glanced behind Shao Yun, looking around expectantly, she didn't see the familiar figures of Lumine and Paimon.
Unable to contain her confusion, she asked curiously, "Mr. Shao Yun, may I ask… where are Lumine and Paimon?"
Shao Yun stepped into the room and sat down on a chair without ceremony. He replied calmly, "They'll be along shortly. But first—why don't you tell me what exactly has happened here?"
Kokomi nodded, took a deep breath, and began detailing the crisis currently engulfing Watatsumi Island.
She spared no detail in her account—from food shortages and the gathering Shogunate army to the terrifying spread of sacred soilification.
Shao Yun listened quietly, nodding occasionally to show he understood.
Once Kokomi had finished, he summarized, "So in short, Watatsumi Island is on the brink of famine, and Kujou Encampment has massed troops, preparing for a decisive battle."
Kokomi nodded emphatically and added with urgency, "Yes. Watatsumi Island is on the verge of collapse."
They'd better collapse, Shao Yun thought with amusement. If they don't, how will they ever find the resolve?
He rubbed his chin, pretending to ponder deeply, then remarked, "This is definitely a tricky situation. But I might have an idea. Would you all like to hear it?"
Kokomi clung to his words like a drowning person to driftwood and asked eagerly, "What is it?"
Shao Yun cleared his throat and said at a leisurely pace, "We have to prioritize. The food shortage comes first, followed by the imminent threat of the Shogunate army. The Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri can wait. Am I wrong?"
Kokomi nodded in agreement, gesturing for him to continue.
Seeing the moment was ripe, Shao Yun dropped his suggestion directly.
"My proposal is simple—launch an immediate assault on Kujou Encampment. Eliminate the enemy there and seize their supplies."
"After all, with that many troops stationed there, they must have ample food. And if we take Kujou Encampment, we'll have a forward base to smooth out future smuggling routes!"
Previously almost invisible in the conversation, Todoroki suddenly lifted his head, eyes narrowing with a flash of determination.
Suppressing his fury, he rasped, "That's right. It's because of that Shogunate outpost that our smuggling keeps failing. Mr. Shao Yun is right—we have to take it out!"
Tsuyuko, however, frowned and a trace of doubt appeared in her eyes.
Though she was a shrine maiden, attacking Kujou Encampment seemed far-fetched even to her.
"I have to ask—don't you think you're making it sound a little too easy? Lady Kokomi just explained—Kujou Encampment has a massive army and is well-provisioned. If we attack it… wouldn't that be suicide?"
Gorou looked at Shao Yun with hesitation written all over his face.
He knew full well Shao Yun's strength was formidable—but Kujou Encampment was a military stronghold, not something to be taken by wishful thinking.
"Mr. Shao Yun, I know your strength. You could probably take down three thousand Shogunate troops alone."
"But Kujou Encampment is heavily fortified and strategically vital. With food about to run out, launching a campaign there is extremely risky."
Shao Yun saw their hesitation and almost laughed.
Even now, you still hesitate? What—hoping the Raiden Shogun in her pure land will suddenly grow a heart?
He decided to push them using reverse psychology. With a shrug, he said nonchalantly, "Fine then. If you all think attacking Kujou Encampment isn't feasible, I do have… another plan. Want to hear it?"
At the mention of a second plan, Tsuyuko, Gorou, and Todoroki exchanged anxious glances.
It was Kokomi who broke the silence. "What suggestion?"
Shao Yun casually tapped his fingers, then uttered chilling words in an indifferent tone.
"We can start by eating the elderly. Then we move on to the children. Finally, when the Shogunate army arrives at Watatsumi Island, they can kill everyone. Maybe a few will survive… but most won't."
The room fell deathly silent. The words struck them like a bolt of lightning.
The four stared wide-eyed at Shao Yun, expressions filled with disbelief.
After a beat, they finally processed his meaning and collectively gasped.
At last, they understood. If they didn't strike while they still had strength—if they didn't break the blockade at Kujou Encampment and seize resources—Watatsumi Island would fall. Its people would starve or be slaughtered by the Shogunate.
Kokomi, Gorou, Todoroki, and Tsuyuko each lowered their heads, overwhelmed by despair and helplessness.
They knew now—Shao Yun's plan to attack Kujou Encampment was their only chance.
Seeing their silence, Shao Yun knew they'd accepted the grim reality.
He spoke again, firmly, "This is our only way forward. Where the army camps, there's food. Watatsumi Island needs food. We have to do this! Trust me—Kujou Encampment can be taken!"
It's not like we're getting food from the sky.
Kokomi took a deep breath, locking her gaze onto Shao Yun. Then she said seriously, "Mr. Shao Yun, I have only one question. Please answer sincerely."
She needed one final confirmation—of his will and his sincerity.
Shao Yun spread his arms and replied openly, "Go ahead, Miss Kokomi. Speak freely—there's no need to hold back in front of me."
Kokomi stood up and slowly walked toward him, holding two brocade pouches—one in each hand.
She showed them to Shao Yun and said softly, "If you're truly committed to standing with Watatsumi Island against the Shogunate, take the pouch in my right hand. But if you have other intentions—"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun reached out without hesitation and took the pouch in her right hand.
His movement was swift and decisive—no trace of doubt.
Looking down at the pouch, Shao Yun said, "We're way past the point of testing me. I'm part of the Resistance—there's no question about that."
Seeing his firm stance, Kokomi felt a wave of reassurance.
She nodded gently and said, "Very well. Mr. Shao Yun, please open the pouch."
Now that Shao Yun had pledged himself to Watatsumi's cause, Kokomi would not treat him lightly.
Shao Yun slowly opened the pouch. Inside was a shell-shaped command token and a folded piece of paper.
Unfolding the paper, he was stunned to find a handwritten commission from Kokomi herself.
Lines of carefully penned characters filled the page, but the message was clear: Kokomi personally appointed Shao Yun as a General of the Watatsumi Resistance!
Shao Yun had expected to be made a squad captain, perhaps like Lumine.
He hadn't expected such "trust"—to be promoted directly to General!
Though elated inside, he kept a straight face, suppressing a grin. He feigned confusion and looked at Kokomi, asking, "Miss Kokomi, what is the meaning of this?"
Kokomi pressed a hand to her chest and responded firmly, "In the name of the 'Divine Priestess' of Watatsumi Island, I formally appoint you as General, equal in rank to Gorou, and co-commander of the Resistance!"
"And that command token in your hand—that's my personal warrant! With it, it's as if you carry my authority! I beg you—please save our Watatsumi Island!"
Kokomi had made up her mind. She would bet everything—everything—on Shao Yun.
Gripping the shell-shaped token tightly, Shao Yun felt a rush of emotion.
With this token, he would wield authority equal to Kokomi. Now, he could execute his plans freely.
He could raise the banner of Orobashi's Will on the front lines, forcing the Raiden Shogun to appear—and finally claim his revenge!
Gorou was stunned upon hearing Kokomi's decision.
He knew how dire the situation was, and he wasn't the jealous type.
But to appoint Shao Yun directly as General, to lead the frontlines—that still caught him completely off guard.
Gorou stepped forward, voicing his concern, "Lady Kokomi, I support your decision wholeheartedly, but… Mr. Shao Yun has never commanded troops before."
Realizing how it might sound, he quickly added, "Mr. Shao Yun, please don't misunderstand. I don't doubt your strength—only that commanding and fighting are two different things!"
Kokomi responded without hesitation, "Gorou, since Mr. Shao Yun has chosen to fight by our side, he deserves to be treated accordingly."
She turned to Shao Yun with a gaze full of trust and declared, "Mr. Shao Yun, the future of Watatsumi Island is now in your hands."
Shao Yun gave her a warm smile and replied, "Thank you for your trust, Miss Kokomi. No time to waste—I'll rally the troops and take Kujou Encampment!"
At that, Lady Tsuyuko stood and asked with concern, "Mr. Shao Yun… no, General Shao Yun—how many troops do you plan to lead in the assault?"
Shao Yun raised two fingers and said with confidence, "No need for many. Give me two hundred well-fed Resistance soldiers, and I'll take Kujou Encampment."
His words shocked even Kokomi—let alone Tsuyuko.
Two hundred to take on Kujou Encampment? Had anyone else said it, she wouldn't have believed it for a second.
"You're… not joking?" Kokomi asked. "Maybe… take more men?"
Shao Yun had already stashed away the commission and the command token. He replied, "Honestly, I could do it alone. But someone needs to carry all that food back—I'm not a demigod. I can't haul that much grain on my own."