Raiden Ei sighed when Kokomi was speechless and said, "Forget it. For Inazuma's current calamity, ultimately, I must bear some responsibility. Firstly, I trusted the Tri-Commission too much, which led to me being deceived.
Secondly, my understanding of eternity was flawed, and I tacitly approved the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree.
Thirdly, when Watatsumi Island submitted to me after I slew Orobashi, I should have eradicated the remaining Living God Priestess lineage completely! I should have destroyed all shrines dedicated to Orobashi! Integrating Watatsumi Island into Narukami Island's rule would have been a permanent solution.
If I had done that, the Eastern Invasion War wouldn't have ended a thousand years ago, and the people of Watatsumi Island would still be begrudgingly obedient to me, the Raiden Shogun. Watatsumi Island would also have never truly integrated into Inazuma's rule."
After the Raiden Shogun uttered these murderous words, the officials from Watatsumi Island looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy. Gorou, in particular, couldn't help but want to draw his sword to protect Kokomi. But the next moment, he remembered that the person before him was the Raiden Shogun, who could slay his own god with a single strike! How could they possibly fight her?
"To the Raiden Shogun, although our Watatsumi Island has been incorporated into your rule, you have never truly acknowledged us. As your subjects, we have never received assistance from Narukami Island.
Due to the effects of the Sacred Land, Watatsumi Island's land is barren, with little food and water. We are forced to sell Watatsumi Island's specialties and buy grain from Narukami Island at inflated prices. We also constantly endure the Kanjou Commission's exploitation. The people of Watatsumi Island have never received the care of Narukami, so how can you expect them to feel love and respect for you?
Kokomi knows her sins are grave and is willing to accept punishment, but she hopes that, from now on, the Raiden Shogun will treat Watatsumi Island equally and grant them the same welfare policies. They are all Inazumans, and they are all your subjects."
After speaking, Sangonomiya Kokomi knelt and bowed her head, looking as if she was ready to be slaughtered. The Watatsumi Island officials behind her had clearly discussed this beforehand, and one by one, they prostrated themselves, bowing their heads to the ground. It was clear that from the moment they decided to come to Narukami Island for this meeting, they had resolved to sacrifice their lives for the future of Watatsumi Island.
The Raiden Shogun looked at the more than ten people kneeling before her, filled with emotion. Everything is relative. After experiencing the betrayal of the Tri-Commission, seeing the Watatsumi Island officials united as one, with the army and people of one mind, was striking.
The resistance of Watatsumi Island, fighting the heavily armed Shogunate Army back and forth with limited personnel, food, medicine, weapons, and armor, clearly had a reason.
Sangonomiya Kokomi's leadership abilities are absolutely first-rate. If she cannot be used by me, then it would indeed be better to kill her outright. But what Inazuma lacks most right now are talents, especially managerial talents.
"Do you, the people of Sangonomiya, see me as an unreasonable tyrant? Do I not even have room for a single Watatsumi Island?"
Hearing the Raiden Shogun's words, the people of Watatsumi Island who were kneeling and bowing their heads looked up in surprise. What did this mean? Was there still a chance for them?
"However, a nation with two different powers, policies, and beliefs is indeed a path to disaster. It is time to rectify the mistakes made back then.
By Narukami's divine decree, Watatsumi Island has always been an inseparable part of Inazuma's territory and must not be treated differently. The Tri-Commission shall establish branch offices on Watatsumi Island to participate in and guide its construction, repair the Narukami branch shrines, accept the Narukami faith, and enjoy equal treatment.
As for the Living God Priestess on Watatsumi Island, she will be under the unified management of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Furthermore, the Priestess may no longer hold official positions or participate in the political administration of Watatsumi Island. Yae Miko, I leave this matter to you."
"Understood. The Priestess is a position that serves the gods. It is enough to manage matters like rituals, exorcisms, and celebrations. Why bother interfering with politics?"
"Raiden Shogun, this… this… is too…"
"Overbearing? Is that right? It's precisely because you, Watatsumi Island, still insist on believing in a defeated foe who died over a thousand years ago, not to mention Orobashi was slain by me. Under the influence of your Living God Priestess, Watatsumi Island has perpetuated this hatred to this day, which is why you have never been able to integrate into Narukami Island.
Someone once gave me a mad yet simple and crude suggestion: to execute all subjects on Watatsumi Island who believe in Orobashi, for a permanent solution to eliminate future troubles, and then to resettle Watatsumi Island. But I refused, because I still recognize the people of Watatsumi Island as my Inazuman subjects and they deserve a chance.
In the future, if your Living God Priestess wishes to worship Orobashi, you may, but you must report it to the Grand Narukami Shrine beforehand, and you must not privately spread its faith to the residents of Watatsumi Island. I will also explicitly stipulate that those who believe in Orobashi may not hold any official positions in Inazuma."
The Raiden Shogun's actions were practically uprooting the foundation of the Living God Priestess. If her regulations were truly enforced, it would likely take less than twenty years for Orobashi, the god who once helped Watatsumi Island, to slowly fade into the annals of history, and these Living God Priestess would likely also become history.
Sangonomiya Kokomi wanted to refuse, but standing before her was the incredibly powerful and assertive Raiden Shogun. Moreover, the threat she had just made was, to some extent, a good method, but Kokomi dared not gamble.
Secondly, this might be Watatsumi Island's most hopeful chance to integrate into Narukami Island and no longer suffer differential treatment, which would actually be a good thing for the people of Watatsumi Island.
Kokomi was silent for a long time, then kowtowed in gratitude, "I humbly obey the Raiden Shogun's decree."
The Raiden Shogun nodded and said, "Since that is the case, within the next month, I need to see these changes on Watatsumi Island. The Tri-Commission branch offices on Watatsumi Island must be established, the Watatsumi Island army must be re-integrated and reorganized with the Shogunate Army. The general of the Watatsumi Island army is named Gorou, correct? Sara, I leave this person to you."
"Yes, Raiden Shogun!"
"Alright, that concludes the matters concerning the Tri-Commission and Watatsumi Island for now. I believe you have all seen the person on my left, haven't you? Do you feel unfamiliar and confused? Why is he seated on this high platform?
The reason is simple: he is currently the only human who can withstand my Musou no Hitotachi, and he is also the one who exposed the Tri-Commission's crimes to me. I wonder if these two reasons can convince you."
The Raiden Shogun's few words directly stunned everyone below the platform. Even those already familiar with Yuto were no exception. This young man could actually withstand the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi?! That was a power that could cleave an entire island with a single strike! This alone was enough to amaze everyone.
"Furthermore, I have an announcement for all of you: I have decided to appoint Uchiha Mikage as the Inazuma Regent, a position second only to me, and above the Tri-Commission, to oversee the Tri-Commission's work."
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