"I see..." Tejima understood, then looked at the basket in the girl's hand and asked, "Are you going to forge a sword?"
This was not difficult to guess. Firstly, the girl wasn't carrying a sword, which in itself wasn't unusual, but bringing jade steel for forging made her intention very clear.
"Yes, the previous one broke."
"Oh, then you should go quickly. A samurai cannot be without his sword."
"Mm."
Shiki nodded, then carried the basket of jade steel and left Tejima's house, teleporting to the Waypoint in Inazuma City.
This Anchor was right next to the stairs; going down from there led to Hanamizaka, and Amenoma Smithy was in the center of Hanamizaka.
Whether it was the suburban Anchor or the city Anchor, the walking distance after teleporting was basically the same.
She teleported to the city Anchor because she liked the feeling of looking down from above.
Although still fatigued, the numbness from the Vision Hunt Decree and the high-pressure warfare that had previously marked their faces was gone.
They all had a promising future to look forward to, not a world like stagnant water.
Going down the steps, Shiki was not in a hurry. She slowly strolled to Amenoma Smithy, leisurely as if taking a walk. If she were carrying a birdcage with a thrush instead of the jade steel, she would have Mr. Zhong's vibe.
"Hajime, where's your master?"
"Nirishiki?" Hajime, who was forging, turned around upon hearing the familiar voice, then saw the graceful girl... and the basket in her hand.
"My master is out. Are you here to forge a sword?"
"Yes, I've already prepared the jade steel. The requirements are the same as the last one: blade length of two shaku three sun, and the Nine Words Incantation carved into the tang, but this time it's 'Rin, Pyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen.'"
Shiki said this and gently placed the basket on the ground. Amenoma Tougo wasn't here, but it didn't matter; she just needed to convey the requirements.
The Kujikanesada was a standard katana style, only a little over a meter long including the hilt, nearly forty centimeters shorter than the Nine Words Thunder. This was almost equivalent to the length of an additional wakizashi.
"Alright, I understand. Because the jade steel is of higher quality, the forging will take longer. You can pick up the sword in five days, or we can deliver it to you. Does that work for you?"
"Yes. Also, you don't need to rush. Quality is the most important thing."
Shiki wasn't in urgent need of this everyday Kujikanesada. At worst, she could just use Tomoe's Lightning. Monsters that could withstand lightning with their physical bodies were generally in the top tier of their species, making it worth unsheathing the Nine Words Thunder.
Like the Thunderhelm Hilichurl King and adult Geovishaps, which had mutated or evolved due to element contamination. Their power was immense, and even Vision wielders found them incredibly tough.
For example, Tejima only managed to defeat that Thunderhelm Hilichurl King after activating No Self.
As for the Azhdaha... that thing was a World BOSS, the pinnacle of Geovishaps. Not only could it resist lightning, but it could also shoot electricity at you!
After explaining the sword forging, Shiki left Amenoma Smithy. Just as she was thinking about what to do next, a subtle gaze caught her attention.
"Hmm?"
This feeling... of being watched?
Shiki took two steps forward without changing her expression, and the gaze followed her.
'Oh, interesting...'
Things were getting interesting. Who in Inazuma City didn't know her identity as a Side Attendant now? And yet, someone dared to follow her?
'Then let's play a game. Consider it a pastime.'
Shiki first wandered around Hanamizaka, and after buying a cup of Apple juice, she left Inazuma City and arrived at White Fox Plain in the suburbs.
And the owner of that gaze naturally followed her out, completely exposing himself to Shiki's perception.
Well, it couldn't be said that way, as she had already detected him while in the city. Now, at most, it was just luring the snake out of its hole.
Her pink lips pursed around the straw as she took a sip of Apple juice, then whispered, "Aren't you going to come out yet? You've been following me the whole way."
"I've been discovered!"
A small figure emerged from the bushes, then curled itself into a ball and rolled towards Inazuma City.
"Hmph, trying to escape?"
With a cold snort, Shiki transformed into a lightning flash, instantly covering hundreds of meters to appear before the stalker.
"W-wahhh, don't hit Sayu!"
Sayu was lifted from the ground by Shiki, who held her by the back of her collar. Her short legs flailed wildly in the air, attempting to escape the clutches of the person before her.
"Why are you following me? I know you're a Anbu ninja. Don't try to lie to me."
"W-woo..."
Shiki's calm expression brought Sayu immense fear. What was wrong with this person? Why was she even scarier than the smiling Shrine Maiden sister?
"I'll tell you, I'll tell you! Someone named Ogawa gave me a..."
"Gave you what?"
"Gave me the order to assassinate Nirishiki..."
"What the heck?"
Shiki was utterly bewildered. In this day and age, someone still wanted to assassinate her? Were they out of their mind?
However, she could first rule out the Fatui, because doing so would mean they violated their agreement. Secondly, the Fatui weren't that foolish.
Sayu's abilities leaned more towards reconnaissance. Sending her to assassinate someone? What else could it be but a brain malfunction?
As Shiki pondered, Sayu cautiously spoke, "Um... can you put Sayu down now?"
"Not yet. First, tell me what's going on. You can't possibly not know my identity, can you?"
"Of course I know! That's why I didn't make a move... I only dared to hide and peek from behind. Who knew that even from this~ far away, I'd still be discovered."
Sayu said dejectedly. Her proud disguise and escape techniques hadn't lasted even a second in front of the girl.
"Knowing that, you still came? It's clearly that person named Ogawa who has a problem, right?" Shiki said, putting Sayu down. She was truly exasperated. Are you all a bit crazy?
"So, I'm not... here to discuss it with you?"
"Do you believe that yourself? Never mind. First, take me to find that Ogawa. Where is he now?"
"I'm not sure. For confidentiality, I don't know his location." Sayu shook her head.
"Is that so... Come with me for a moment then."
Shiki finished speaking and walked towards the suburban Anchor. Sayu was about to say that she could lure him out, but she looked at the girl's back and swallowed her words.
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