After his heated exchange with Kamisato Ayaka, Yuto strode purposefully toward the Kujou Estate. The air was thick with tension from their earlier conversation at Komore Teahouse. Ayaka had let slip a crucial detail: the Raiden Shogun was tightening her scrutiny of submitted documents. The Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions could no longer hide their misdeeds as easily as before.
This shift signaled a crack in the Raiden Shogun's trust in her subordinates. History taught that when a ruler began to doubt those beneath her, chaos often followed. Yuto smirked faintly, sensing an opportunity. Now was the perfect moment to unveil explosive evidence—proof of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions' collusion with the Fatui.
Such sensitive documents would be closely guarded by the family heads, inaccessible to ordinary people. But Yuto was no ordinary man. His skills went far beyond delivering takeout or cooking hotpot.
Sneaking into the Raiden Shogun's Tenshukaku had required caution, avoiding her unmatched martial prowess. But infiltrating the homes of Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke? That was child's play. They were, after all, just two aging men, high-ranking but frail.
Yuto slipped into Kujou Takayuki's room with ease, his movements silent as a shadow. Hidden in a secret compartment, he found the incriminating documents. To avoid detection, he used his Kamera to photograph the letters detailing the Tenryou Commission's ties to the Fatui, then vanished without a trace.
Without pause, Yuto headed to Ritou. The Hiiragi Clan's estate loomed under the moonlit sky. With the same deft precision, he uncovered Hiiragi Shinsuke's evidence of corruption, capturing it all with his Kamera.
Shenwei, his enigmatic ninja ally, proved invaluable in these covert operations. Beyond delivering takeout, Shenwei's stealth complemented Yuto's plans perfectly, a true ninja in every sense.
Yuto examined the photos in his hand, a sly smile creeping across his face. These images were his trump card—a weapon to dismantle the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions at the critical moment. There would be no room for excuses.
Returning to Inazuma City, Yuto decided to visit Uyuu Restaurant to buy the Raiden Shogun's favorite dessert. Komore Teahouse was out of the question; after scolding Ayaka, stepping back into Kamisato territory felt awkward.
As he strolled down the bustling town street, a peculiar scene caught his eye. In front of the Commission Office, a petite figure with green hair and a striking mask was berating four young men. The woman's sharp voice cut through the air, her authority undeniable.
The group was unmistakable. The green-haired Damselette was Kuki Shinobu, the Arataki Gang's second-in-command. The four men, heads bowed in shame, were Arataki Itto and his lackeys: Akira, Genta, and Aoi.
Among them, the burly figure with red horns stood out. Yuto recognized him instantly—Arataki Itto, the hot-blooded Red Oni of Inazuma City. Those horns were no decoration; they marked his rare lineage.
Kuki Shinobu's lecture was relentless, her cool demeanor intimidating the gang. It seemed she had bailed them out yet again. Yuto recalled her time studying law in Liyue under Yanfei, mastering bail procedures. Without her, the Arataki Gang might call the Commission Office home.
As Yuto approached, he noticed something striking: both Itto and Shinobu lacked their Visions. The Tenryou Commission must have confiscated them. Vision holders, with their extraordinary qualities, were easy targets for the Vision Hunt Decree's enforcers.
Yuto remembered the story of Itto's Vision. Kujou Sara herself had seized it, embedding it at the base of the Statue of the Omnipresent God. The act had infuriated Itto, fueling his defiance.
The reason for the gang's antics today was clear. Itto had challenged Kujou Sara to a sumo match, hoping to reclaim his and Shinobu's Visions. Instead, the four had caused a scene at the Commission Office, demanding to see Sara.
The constables, however, had a trick up their sleeves. They scattered beans—a known weakness of the Oni—toward Itto. He collapsed, his allergy overwhelming him. Without their powerful leader, Akira, Genta, and Aoi wilted instantly.
It was common knowledge in Inazuma: the Oni feared beans. Five hundred years ago, Chiyo, an Oni Damselette and close friend of the Raiden Shogun, had been consumed by a dark monster during a calamity. She burst free, but the monster's blood corrupted her.
Tainted by darkness, Chiyo rebelled against the Raiden Shogun. In their confrontation, the Shogun severed one of Chiyo's arms and horns. Chiyo fled to Chinju Forest, never to be seen again.
Some whispered a cruel fate: that Chiyo was slain by her own son, Iwakura Douei. Others believed Maguu Kenki, imbued with Iwakura Douei's memories, ended her life. The truth remained shrouded in mystery.
Though the Raiden Shogun knew Chiyo's rebellion stemmed from corruption, Inazuma's people were less forgiving. They branded the entire Oni clan as traitors. Over time, the Oni faded from prominence, their bloodline diluted.
Most modern Oni had mild reactions to beans, but Itto was an exception. His atavistic bloodline amplified his allergy. Even touching beans caused unbearable itching, pain, and breathing difficulties.
Among bean products, Itto most feared Yae Miko's beloved fried tofu. He claimed just seeing it made him ill for days. Yuto stifled a chuckle, recalling how Yae Miko once tricked Itto into eating thirty-two bowls of Kitsune Ramen laced with fried tofu.
The result? Itto was bedridden for a month, cursing fried tofu ever since.
-------------------------------
I've pre-posted chapters on Patreon!
If you like, please come check out the latest chapters first.
Here's the link:
[[email protected]/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
