When faced with a pure and simple youkai, the solution was also very simple to handle.
The old uncle made his move.
"Actually, to be honest with you, this is Hanachirusato. As you guessed, she is indeed Lady Kitsune Saiguu's daughter. However, I am not her father. I am merely bringing her out to learn the process of the Great Sacred Sakura Exorcism."
No matter what, coaxing a youkai was still coaxing a youkai. He still had to protect Lady Kitsune Saiguu's innocence.
"Are you trying to fool this one? Then how do you explain the extremely thick fox scent belonging to the Hakushin bloodline currently on your body?"
"That belongs to a pink-haired fox, not a white-haired fox."
"Oh, so that's how it is nu. Then tell me, who is this child's father?"
Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou fell silent.
"It's just… well… this child has no father."
"A child can be born without a father? And the child still has black hair? You're not being honest! Quickly confess — what exactly is your relationship with that stinky fox?!"
This… this one he really didn't know how to explain for a moment!
Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou's brain continued working at full speed, and in the end he still told the plain truth.
"Hanachirusato was born from Lady Kitsune Saiguu's asexual reproduction. As for why she has black hair, I don't know either. This really has nothing to do with me. As for why I'm the one bringing her, you also know Lady Kitsune Saiguu's personality — she's not good at raising children, so she left her in my care."
"Asexual reproduction? You're not fooling this one nu?"
The Shura Anyakonsen-shou took out his Shura Anyakonsen-shou token.
"We're colleagues, after all. Colleagues don't lie to colleagues. My official position is [Shura Anyakonsen-shou]. I govern in place of Lord Raiden Shogun and take care of all the citizens of Inazuma. Lord Raiden Shogun is above us — Kitsune Saiguu truly did give birth to Hanachirusato through asexual reproduction."
Upon hearing the words "govern in place of Lord Raiden Shogun," Ioroi instantly became much more obedient, and it was obvious he believed it.
"Your official position is really huge nu… This one is merely the [Hidden God Life-Preserving ] who manages the Chinju Forest, yet you actually manage the entire Inazuma… Still, that stinky fox went too far. She didn't raise her own child and even troubled you with it… So you just raised the child for her like that? Without asking for any reward?"
Lord Shura Anyakonsen-shou's expression was somewhat awkward. Lady Kitsune Saiguu had already passed away — how could he possibly ask for any reward?
In the end he could only say one sentence.
"Mainly because I personally also like taking care of children…"
Ioroi looked at the embarrassed old uncle and clearly understood something.
"Oh~ So that's how it is nu. This one understands. Another poor human bewitched by that stinky fox's beauty. You really have had a hard time. But this one thinks highly of you — high status, very responsible, and good at taking care of foxes. Today you can take care of her child, tomorrow you can win over that stinky fox. Keep it up!"
No, Ioroi, what kind of tone was that?
It made it sound like his target was to become Hanachirusato's stepfather.
But no matter what, he had at least preserved Lady Kitsune Saiguu's innocence, right?
It could be considered successfully muddled through.
"Let's discuss proper business first. I need to finish the Great Sacred Sakura Exorcism quickly so I can go see Lady Kitsune Saiguu."
"Ah, fine. As support, this one will lend you a hand…"
In the end, the tanuki stone statue watched the group's departing figures. The previously lively place once again returned to silence.
...
So that stinky fox was definitely still alive, right? She even had a daughter now!
She was still maintaining that bad habit of teasing humans! That child must be hers and that human's!
Giving birth to a black-haired little fox all by herself? Fooling humans was one thing, but trying to fool this one?
How playful.
She must be trying to lure this one out. This one won't fall for it!
This one won't go out personally. This one will send Yoshihou and the others to cause trouble for you!