Chapter 158. The True Inazuman Authority Is With The Resistance!
"What if I told you this is what the Raiden's desires?"
The moment Futsu Mitama said those words, Kujou Sara froze, her thoughts grinding to a halt.
Because in that instant, she realized something—it might truly be exactly as he said. Aside from the Shogun, who else in Inazuma could command Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama, two of the Raiden Shogun's retainers?
In Inazuma, the two of them stood above the Tri-Commission.
Originally, Futsu Mitama and the Guuji had received travel permits personally issued by the Shogun, ordering them to journey to other nations for certain matters. Although Sara never knew the specifics, one thing was certain—
After her father allied with the Fatui to suppress the Resistance, Futsu Mitama and the Guuji immediately returned to Inazuma.
That was no coincidence.
And judging from her father's conduct, he seemed to have anticipated their return all along. That must have been one of the reasons he dared to cooperate with the Fatui.
Seen from this perspective… all the questions that had troubled Kujou Sara were suddenly answered.
"Why?" she asked before she could stop herself.
The word slipped out instinctively.
Almost immediately, she regretted it. Was it truly her place to question the Shogun's intentions?
The fact that Futsu Mitama had already revealed so much showed that he trusted her deeply.
Sara also understood that if not for their years of friendship, he would never have told her any of this.
Moreover, if the Shogun had personally instructed Futsu Mitama and Yae Miko to assist the Resistance, then it was even possible that the Resistance itself had been established under that directive.
Her thoughts became tangled.
On one hand, she desperately wanted to know what mission they had received from the Shogun.
On the other hand, she was fully aware that, given her identity and position, she had no right to probe further.
She stood there, caught in indecision, her heartbeat quickening as she waited for his response.
If he refused to answer, she would not press further. If he chose to speak, she would bury the truth in her heart and remain silent until everything was over.
"That…"
Futsu Mitama stroked his chin, his expression subtle as he said, "This is rather complicated. To explain it properly, I'm afraid I'd have to take you somewhere else."
He was referring to the Chat Group. Futsu Mitama wasn't particularly skilled at explaining things, and it would be better to let Yae Miko and Raiden Makoto speak for themselves. If those directly involved told her the reasons behind their actions, Kujou Sara would surely understand.
"Somewhere else?"
Kujou Sara's expression tightened. Instinctively, she assumed he meant Tenshukaku. She quickly replied, "A simple explanation will suffice. There's no need to go into too much detail."
In the past, she might have agreed without hesitation. But her current position was far too delicate.
If she went to Tenshukaku now, what would she say to the Shogun?
After a moment's thought, Kujou Sara decided it was better to grasp Raiden Shogun situation and refrain from probing too deeply.
"Very well." Seeing her refusal, Futsu Mitama did not press the matter. "Simply put, because of the Kanjou Commission incident, the Shogun believes that today's Inazuma is vastly different from the Inazuma of five hundred years ago."
"The Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission were meant to strive for Inazuma's future. Yet now both have grown corrupt—selfish and greedy. They disregard Inazuma's future entirely, convinced that everything they do is justified."
As he spoke, Kujou Sara's expression darkened. Everything he said was true. She had sensed it long ago. But no one around her had found anything amiss. So she buried her doubts and told no one.
It was only after the head of the Kanjou Commission was arrested and the atmosphere in Inazuma began to shift that she realized change was inevitable.
At the time, however, she had been focused solely on eliminating the Resistance. She had neither the time nor the inclination to involve herself in political affairs.
Looking back now, wasn't what her father, Kujou Takayuki, had done precisely what the Shogun-sama condemned?
He had allied with the Fatui for personal gain, provoked war, disregarded the people, and ignored their voices.
"Therefore," Futsu Mitama continued, "Shogun-sama asked me to assist the Resistance. She also requested that Guuji Yae Miko lend her support."
He watched Kujou Sara's downcast expression before adding, "I wasn't lying earlier. Aila and Kuki Shinobu have indeed returned. They are with the Resistance now, serving as high-ranking generals."
"An Adeptus disciple from Liyue has also come with us. Her purpose is to oppose the Tenryou Commission."
Since he had already said this much, there was no reason to conceal it further. They were, in truth, targeting the Tenryou Commission.
Still, the Commission was a secondary concern. The true priority remained the Raiden Shogunwithin Tenshukaku.
Moreover, Futsu Mitama had not lied. Raiden Makoto was the true Raiden Shogun.
Whether it was Futsu Mitama, Yae Miko, Kuki Shinobu, or Sangonomiya Kokomi, all acted in accordance with her will.
Now that Kujou Sara had heard this, she would likely choose to stand with them. No one understood better than Futsu Mitama the weight the Raiden Shogun's words carried in Kujou Sara's heart.
"Is there anything I can do?" Kujou Sara asked at once.
As expected.
Upon learning that the Shogun intended to deal with the Tenryou Commission, she could not remain idle. If this was for Inazuma's sake, then she would contribute—both to atone for the Commission and for the Kujou Clan.
"No." Futsu Mitama shook his head. "You need only wait for the war to end. Maintain order in Inazuma City and the surrounding villages. Ensure they do not fall into chaos."
"And… be wary of the Fatui."
In truth, he remained curious about the Fatui's intentions. Scaramouche would not be foolish enough to wage open battle in Inazuma—would he?
If he used the Electro Archon's authority again within Inazuma, then Raiden Shogun would inevitably sense it.
The Harbingers already knew this; they had suffered for it before. But did the Raiden Shogun know of the Tenryou Commission's cooperation with the Fatui?
Futsu Mitama doubted Kujou Takayuki would have dared report such a thing. To admit needing the Fatui's aid against the Resistance would be to admit incompetence.
If Scaramouche acted recklessly and drew the Shogun's attention, he would likely be cut down—or captured.
Would the Tsaritsa demand his return? Would the Harbingers descend upon Inazuma together?
Either way, Scaramouche would almost certainly be discarded.
"Understood." Kujou Sara nodded solemnly. She had always been wary of the Fatui.
Before long, they stepped out of the alley.
"Hahahahaha! I won! Hand it over!"
Arataki Itto stood nearby, laughing uproariously, a lollipop in hand. In front of him, a child with tearful eyes struggled not to cry.
Kujou Sara pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation.
Futsu Mitama only smiled faintly. Disputes were inevitable wherever people gathered; where there were contests, there were winners and losers. As long as it was fair, there was nothing to say.
Arataki Itto was many things, but he was not dishonorable. If he had wagered a lollipop, he had surely put up something of equal value.
"Finished talking?" Itto asked, licking his prize. "This tastes even sweeter when you win it."
"We're done," Futsu Mitama replied, glancing at the child running off in tears. "I have matters to attend to. I'll be going."
He truly did have business. Forging his companion weapon was now the priority. With the Fatui's intentions unclear, he needed to strengthen himself as soon as possible.
According to Raiden Makoto and Zhongli, once the weapon was completed, his strength would rise to another level.
"Already?" Itto sounded disappointed. "I wanted to spar with you. Shinobu and Kujou Tengu both say you're strong. I like fighting strong opponents."
"It'll have to wait," Futsu Mitama replied with a light chuckle.
After a brief farewell, he headed toward Tenshukaku.
Left alone, Itto studied Kujou Sara.
"You look better," he said casually. "Did Mitama no Anchan tell you something?"
Despite his carefree demeanor, he had noticed how shaken she'd been earlier. Friends joining the Resistance was difficult enough. Hearing it directly from them out of respect made it worse.
Now, though, her complexion had improved.
"Mm." Kujou Sara nodded calmly. "I've come to understand something."
"What is it?"
"Have you heard the rumors circulating in Inazuma City?" she asked.
"Rumors?" Itto scratched his head. "You mean the ones about the Tenryou Commission being traitors, Kujou Takayuki being Inazuma's sinner, and the Resistance being the rightful authority?"
He knew them well. As a citizen who wandered the city daily, he heard everything—though he tactfully left out the harsher insults.
"Mm."
Kujou Sara gazed toward Tenshukaku, her voice steady.
"Sometimes, the most outrageous rumors are the ones closest to the truth."
"The Tenryou Commission are traitors?" Itto asked cautiously.
"No," she replied evenly. "The Resistance is Inazuma's legitimate authority."
Itto froze, staring at her.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered whether Kujou Tengu had suffered too great a shock—or whether he had.
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