"Some Watatsumi families are getting restless again," Reisen Riou said, strolling a quiet Hanamizaka path with Raiden Ei.
"Pirates?" Ei guessed, frowning. "But why no reports lately?"
Reisen smirked at her confusion. "The Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade caught Watatsumi folk among pirates they've crushed these past months. No reports? Tenryou Commission's too strong—pirates get wiped out on sight."
He continued, "Watatsumi's better off than years ago, right? Back when starvation loomed, nobody turned pirate. Now, bellies full, they're at it. Odd, isn't it?"
Ei nodded, catching on.
"When Watatsumi was starving, nobles didn't waste grain on training retainers or pirates," Reisen explained. "But with wealth, they siphon public resources for private gain. Luxury goods? Too pricey. Watatsumi's scenic but lacks indulgence. So, they train samurai and retainers to raid ships for cheap luxuries—enjoying them and buying loyalty. That's how the Watatsumi Eight Houses rose."
"Narukami's divine might cowed them into submission years ago," he added, "but, as expected, they're forgetting. Greed's eating their hearts—fools courting death. But I'm sure Sangonomiya's not involved, or Lady Makoto wouldn't be so eager to share hydroponics tech. She's sharp."
"Before, though…" Ei trailed off.
"Sangonomiya turned a blind eye," Reisen said. "Starvation left no choice. Now? Those houses are in for it."
Ei knew how fiercely Sangonomiya fought for hydroponics. The Priestess, tied to Orobashi's bloodline, wasn't just a figurehead—her lineage powered the Three Realms Gateway Offering, vital to restoring Watatsumi's soil. Without it, no ritual could heal the island.
At the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Saiguu fretted over miko outfits.
"Damn you, Alice, these are gorgeous but nobody's buying it!"
"Heh, that's your problem, Saiguu," Alice chuckled, sporting a crimson witch hat, ruffling a tiny Yae Miko.
Miko, now shapeshifted into a child, wore a mini miko outfit, learning kitsune magic and shrine duties. "Let me go, you witch, or I'll bite!"
"Adorable little fox," Alice teased.
"Wah! Lady Saiguu, Lady Ei, save me!" Miko wailed.
Footsteps approached. Miko seized her chance, morphing into a fox and darting out.
"Saiguu… who's this?" Ei asked, opening the door. Miko's fox form scurried to Ei's shoulder, glaring at Alice.
"Narukami!?" Alice gasped, standing. "No, you're her Shadow Warrior. Phew, I'm Alice, Teyvat Border Guardians' Witch No. 01, from the Hexenzirkel."
She bowed.
Reisen squeezed in, grabbing the squirming Miko from Ei's shoulder, stroking her with a squint at Alice. "A Hexenzirkel witch. What brings you here?"
"Well, well, 'Bygone Wisdom,' long time no see," Alice said, her smile faltering. "Just catching up with an old friend and sharing otherworldly miko fashion."
"I believe you," Reisen said, "but next time, register with the Shogunate first."
Years ago, Alice's suspicious moves drew the Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade. She brushed off their grunts, but their backup—elites, then Reisen, the "final boss"—overwhelmed her. In an unknown Inazuman sea, they clashed. Reisen's Perfected Thunder Barrier sealed her, but she slipped away with some trick.
Both later realized it was a misunderstanding. Reisen, the Shogun's Archivist, and Alice, Hexenzirkel's top witch, had no real beef. Saiguu and Alice were even close—Saiguu nearly joined the Hexenzirkel. They hadn't crossed paths since, until now, at the shrine.
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