"What about this place called Tsurumi Island? Don't tell me it's also a dead land due to resentment, just like Seirai Island."
After discussing Seirai Island, Ember shifted his attention to Tsurumi Island, located at the very bottom of Inazuma.
Given its location, it was simply too close to the Dark Sea.
"That's not the case," Kamisato Ayato shook his head. He pondered for a moment before continuing, "Although Seirai Island is a dead land, one can still visit it to investigate, if they are willing to risk their life."
"But as for Tsurumi Island, Inazuma's records are truly blank."
"Isn't this part of your Inazuma? How can there be no records at all?"
Hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Ember interrupted him directly. Tsurumi Island was, after all, within Inazuma's territory; a blank record was quite something.
"This isn't due to human factors," Kamisato Ayato spread his hands. "For some unknown reason, Tsurumi Island has always been shrouded in a dense fog, according to Inazuma's records."
"The Shogunate once sent people there, but they eventually lost their way in the thick fog. The situation inside Tsurumi Island remains a mystery even now."
After speaking, Kamisato Ayato shook his head. It was false to say he wasn't curious about Tsurumi Island, but curiosity was useless; the dense fog covering the entire island was beyond human capability.
"Is that so?" Ember stroked his chin upon hearing this. A fog so dense it could make people lose their way—there was a huge secret hidden within.
"Did your Raiden Shogun say anything?"
"No, the Raiden Shogun told us not to go to Tsurumi Island again and to just let it be."
"The secret is even bigger then." Ember lightly tapped the table. For the Raiden Shogun to give up investigating, the secrets within Tsurumi Island must be significant.
"Hmm, a long, long time ago, some people did escape from Tsurumi Island. But now, there haven't been any such records for over a thousand years."
Kamisato Ayato's tone also became much heavier. This situation couldn't help but make him think of the worst-case scenario.
"Alright, I understand! Tsurumi Island and Seirai Island, right? Just wait and see the Fatui open up these lands!" Ember slapped the table, stood up, and was about to leave Komore Teahouse.
Seeing this, Kamisato Ayato still tried to make a final plea, "Are you really not going to reconsider my proposal? You've already dismantled the Tenryou Commission, which means you've completely stood against the Shogunate."
"Why not take this opportunity to directly join us in abolishing the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree, to avoid prolonged complications?"
Hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Ember turned around. He patted his chest and confidently said, "You know I dismantled the Tenryou Commission? Before I left, I gave your Raiden Shogun and Kujou Takayuki a few pieces of advice."
"Considering I not only dismantled the Tenryou Commission but also solidly took a strike from your Raiden Shogun, they should at least show some restraint, shouldn't they?"
"Who knows, maybe the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree will just be abolished then?"
Ember felt this possibility was quite high. After all, he had directly stormed their gates and reduced the Tenryou Commission to ruins.
Such obvious deterrence, anyone not foolish could see it. Surely, after he did all that, the Shogunate wouldn't dare to continue acting inhumanely, right?
If they were blind and truly didn't change at all, then Ember would just directly help "correct" them.
It wouldn't take long to make a round trip to a few islands.
"I hope so." Kamisato Ayato nodded helplessly after hearing this.
Although Kujou Takayuki was extremely arrogant on weekdays, with the Tenryou Commission now razed to the ground before him, he should at least show some restraint.
"Since Ember you temporarily don't want to get involved, I won't force you. Komore Teahouse has a secret passage that leads directly out of Inazuma City, saving you trouble."
Seeing that Ember temporarily didn't want to join his plan, Kamisato Ayato gave up on the idea of recruiting him.
He stepped out of the room first, leading Ember to the main hall of Komore Teahouse.
"A secret passage? Your secret base is quite well-prepared." After scanning the spacious main hall, Ember's gaze fell on the armor sitting upright in the center.
"Naturally, although Komore Teahouse can shelter Vision wielders on the run, we can't let them live here forever."
"This secret passage leads out of Inazuma City." Kamisato Ayato rotated the golden ornament on the armor's helmet a few times, and the wooden wall behind it directly split open, revealing a dark, black passage.
"Kid, if you get caught, remember to tell me. Given how responsible you are, I can make an exception and rescue you."
Before the secret passage, Ember earnestly patted Kamisato Ayato's shoulder. Whatever Kamisato Ayato's intentions, under the current circumstances, it was undoubtedly an act of rebellion.
If discovered, it would mean execution or a lifetime in prison.
"This… I'm confident I won't be discovered." Kamisato Ayato awkwardly rubbed his nose. The way he said it implied that even if he were caught, he would have a way to escape.
Moreover, as the leader of the Shuumatsuban, Kamisato Ayato handled things very cleanly. Given the corrupt and incompetent state of the other two commissions, it was more likely that the Raiden Shogun would reform and retract her decrees than for them to uncover Kamisato Ayato's plan.
"It seems you're very confident, that puts my mind at ease. See you!" After turning his head and waving, Ember's figure disappeared into the dark secret passage.
Watching Ember's disappearing back, Kamisato Ayato silently rotated the golden ornament on the armor's helmet a few times.
The cracked wooden wall closed, and the secret passage, wide enough for one person to pass, also vanished.
After a long while, he finally sighed and said, "Alas, it truly comes down to relying on oneself!"
...Outside Inazuma City was Byakko Plain, and in the middle of a flat field, a sudden bulge appeared.
Pushing open the earth-covered tunnel cover, Ember peeked at the ground. After confirming no one was around, he immediately jumped out of the secret passage.
"I didn't expect the secret passage to become an underground tunnel. This is indeed very well-hidden." After re-covering the tunnel lid, the field reverted to its original appearance.
It was unlikely anyone would believe there was an underground tunnel here.
"Should I go back and supervise the Fatui at work?" Standing in the field, Ember suddenly realized he seemed to have finished everything he needed to do.
As for the tatarigami, the Grand Narukami Shrine had sent shrine maidens to seal it; as for the Shogunate, he had warned them; now, all that was left was to check if the Fatui were slacking off.
Speaking with fists had this drawback: you had to swing your fist now and then, otherwise, those below would feign compliance and slack off.
But this was a last resort; the Fatui were completely unwilling to cooperate, and Ember had tried to reform them.
Unfortunately, the Fatui were incorrigible, almost making Ember so angry he wanted to go on a killing spree.
Walking along the path, Ember saw soldiers guarding it. He had a sudden idea and directly appeared before the soldiers.
"Do you recognize me?"
"A ghost!"
"Ghost your head, is there a ghost that appears in broad daylight?" Ember slapped the soldier's head, snapping him out of his fright.
"Do you recognize me?" Ember first pointed to his own face, then turned his head to look at the faintly visible Inazuma City in the distance, asking.
It was very close to Inazuma City; by now, the news of the Tenryou Commission's dismantling must have spread.
Now, it remained to be seen if his threat had worked.
"Who are you? I warn you, robbing a Sergeant is not only an aggravated offense but also subject to severe sentencing!" The soldier whose head was slapped retreated a few steps, saying with some fear.
This guy not only immediately asked if he recognized him but was also incredibly fast.
Could this be a powerful person with a mental illness?
"Don't recognize me?" Ember's eyes darted around. Did this mean his threat had worked, and they didn't even dare to put out a warrant?
"It's good you don't recognize me. Bye-bye, work hard!"
Seeing Ember head straight for the sea, the soldier suddenly shivered.
"Did I really encounter a lunatic?!"
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