"Boss Beidou, is this… really true?"
A crew member approached Beidou with disbelief written all over his face, asking cautiously.
"Mhm."
Beidou nodded expressionlessly, her gaze fixed intently on the faintly glowing Mora in her hand, as though she were trying to see through its secrets.
Then, she slowly raised her head and looked at the woman standing before her—the Divine Priestess Incarnate from Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"I've seen this item before—on the Tianquan's desk. The Traveler also had one exactly like it. It's pretty much certain now… this is Shajin's token."
Kokomi silently etched Beidou's words into her heart.
"So his name is Shajin…"
She murmured softly to herself.
Just then, another crew member leaned in curiously.
"Boss, are we going to help the Watatsumi resistance?"
Beidou suddenly burst into hearty laughter, bold and carefree.
"Hahaha… Help? Of course we'll help! That man is a great hero of Liyue. If he's calling in a favor, we'd be fools not to respond. Who knows—he might repay the favor someday! Opportunities like this don't come often, so why not seize it?"
…
"Lady Priestess, may I ask why you've summoned us old bones here today?"
As the voice echoed through the hall, the grand doors of Sangonomiya Shrine slowly swung open. Two middle-aged men with greasy faces and bulging bellies strode inside.
Once within, their eyes wandered curiously across the interior.
At the center of the hall stood a long table, surrounded by wooden cabinets. Sangonomiya Kokomi sat serenely in the middle chair, radiant as a blooming flower.
Her soft pink hair flowed like a waterfall over her shoulders, and her exquisite features and clear eyes could make hearts falter.
Seeing the two men arrive, Kokomi offered a gentle smile and spoke softly, "Uncle Uesugi, Uncle Daiku, you're still young—why call yourselves old bones?"
Uesugi forced a grin, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Hahaha, we may not be old in years, but our hearts… oh, they've aged beyond repair."
He pulled out a chair and sat down casually, then added, "Otherwise…"
Suddenly, Uesugi raised his voice, his tone laced with displeasure.
"…how could a youngster have the nerve to question us?!"
His sharp gaze locked onto Kokomi, as if demanding an explanation.
Daiku sat beside him, chiming in with a mocking tone.
"Indeed. Don't forget, Lady Priestess, how exactly you got that seat you're in now."
A flicker of disdain flashed across Kokomi's eyes.
"Uncle Uesugi, Uncle Daiku… I know very well how I came to this position."
"But right now, the situation on Watatsumi Island is grim. We must stand united and face the crisis together."
Uesugi sneered.
"Hmph. Sounds noble. Do you really think we don't see through your schemes? You just want to seize power, don't you?"
He continued, feigning sincerity.
"Lady Priestess, it's not that we don't want to relinquish military authority—it's just that you haven't grown into the leader we had hoped for."
Daiku echoed him, "That's right. Don't let our goodwill go to waste."
Kokomi shook her head.
"Then tell me, uncles—what kind of 'growth' are you expecting from me? That I become… your human shield?!"
Uesugi narrowed his eyes.
"Oh? And what do you mean by that, Lady Priestess?"
Kokomi didn't answer with words. Instead, she tossed several documents onto the table.
Uesugi flipped through them carelessly at first, but the more he read, the more his expression darkened.
On those pages were detailed records of their actions over the years—and their plot to seize power through manipulation and installing a puppet.
"Kokomi, are you really going to turn against us? Don't forget—we hold control of the military!"
Uesugi's eyes were cold as he glared at her.
Kokomi drew a long breath and stood tall.
"In that case, it seems we have nothing left to discuss. I will protect Watatsumi Island… with or without your support."
She turned to leave.
Uesugi and Daiku exchanged a look, the corners of their mouths curling into smug smiles. They thought she'd been frightened into retreat.
But just as Kokomi reached the door, she suddenly stopped and looked back.
"However, let me remind you—if you insist on obstructing Watatsumi's future… then don't expect mercy from me."
With that, she flung open the door.
Her pupils contracted sharply at the sight before her.
The guards posted outside had been knocked unconscious, lying sprawled across the floor.
In their place stood over a dozen armed soldiers, faces stern and eyes sharp like hawks—clearly elite, battle-hardened warriors.
Kokomi instantly recognized several of them. They were front-line resistance fighters, now inexplicably withdrawn from the battlefield.
Her anger surged as she turned back toward the two men.
"Are you insane?! The frontlines are still engaged in battle, and you withdrew so many soldiers? What if we lose everything there?!"
Uesugi chuckled coldly, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Relax, Lady Kokomi. The frontlines are under control. These men were pulled back solely for your protection."
"After all, you're such an important figure. If anything were to happen to you, it'd be a disaster."
His sarcasm was unmistakable.
"And besides… victory or defeat doesn't matter anymore if we've already secured power. You're right—you just need to be a good little puppet. No need to throw your life away."
Daiku patted his bloated stomach, sneering.
"Yeah. Why resist, when we can just replace you? If you die from overwork, that's the perfect excuse."
"Then we can parade out some random girl, say she has the Sangonomiya bloodline, and crown a new priestess."
Kokomi stared them down coldly, then cast a glance toward the soldiers pointing weapons at her.
"If you show no loyalty… then don't expect any from me."
"Haha… You worms, behold the power that once crushed Haishan!"
Suddenly, several mercenaries burst out from a wardrobe, surrounding Uesugi and Daiku.
At that moment, Beidou and dozens of her crew leapt down from the rooftop, subduing all the traitors in one swift strike.
Kokomi spoke coldly.
"Hmph. Perhaps if you'd read a single strategy manual in your life—"
She trailed off, then sighed softly, murmuring to herself.
"Is the gap between Inazuma and the rest of the world really this vast?"
_
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