"How's the training going?" Reisen Riou asked Raiden Ei.
Not the Okuzumeshu—their training was long polished, now tougher than ever. He meant the conscripts, civilians with Visions. Each major island produced a dozen or so annually, totaling over a hundred across Inazuma, minus Watatsumi. After filtering out those joining the Tenryou Commission or inheriting family duties, about sixty remained. Most got scooped by groups like the Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade or Final Watch.
"I've handed it off to Anko," Ei sighed. "I barely have time for my own martial arts."
Teaching once fueled her swordsmanship—sparks of mortal genius could push her further. But now, Resurrection churned out endless martial arts data, swordplay, archery, all high-quality after screening. Many techniques showed LV7 potential, though most couldn't break past elemental blade aura. Scholars cracked a workaround: advancing from elemental to primal blade aura, blending both to align with Ei's "true path" of mental refinement. Pure elemental blade aura? Still viable, but to Ei, it veered toward "knife-wielding mage."
Inazuma's top "mage," a LV50+ Tenryou General with a Pyro Vision, could slash thousand-meter fiery arcs with terrifying power and speed. To Ei, still heresy.
"You're handling governance well, finding your style," Raiden Makoto said, eyeing Ei nestled in Reisen's arms.
"Lord Reisen, take Ei to check on Yae Saiguu," Makoto added. "She's pushing some armpit-baring miko outfit, probably from another world. It's a headache. Make sure she doesn't go overboard—or better, stop her."
"But, Lady Makoto, the work here—" Reisen started. Chiyo was escorting valuables to Sumeru, Anko was training conscripts, Kageyama Tengu was drilling the Tenryou, and Yae was… well, Yae. The clerks who could cover Reisen were off inspecting Inazuma.
"I'll handle it," Makoto said.
"Alright, Ei and I are off."
"Take care."
After flashing to Hanamizaka as lightning, Ei mused, "Sis will probably give Watatsumi the hydroponics tech."
"I know," Reisen said, "Better to guide than block. Watatsumi's on its last legs—nobody expected fertilizers to taint coral pearls."
Coral pearls needed pristine waters, but fertilizers polluted Watatsumi's sources. Without clean pearls, Sangonomiya couldn't meet the Shogunate's tribute, risking punishment. Hydroponics could solve both food and tribute issues.
The current Watatsumi Priestess, hearing of hydroponics, had begged the Shogunate for it, pleading at annual assemblies. Reisen always blocked it, citing immaturity. But after seeing its early commercial viability, he suspected Makoto would relent—her gentle heart couldn't refuse Watatsumi, Orobashi's legacy or not.
"Then why stall?" Ei asked, puzzled.
"Guide, don't block," Reisen said. "It's just early tech—far from perfect. Watatsumi's getting a shiny prototype, not a solution."
"Here's the hydroponics data," Ei said, handing over documents.
"Thank you, Lady Narukami!" The Watatsumi Priestess bowed, trembling with excitement.
"It's not fully commercialized," Ei warned. "It's costly—nutrient solutions, pipes, all pricey for top-tier crops."
"We're prepared," the Priestess said, resolute. "Watatsumi's ready with countermeasures."
"I'll await your success," Ei replied.
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