While Raiden Saku and Yoimiya were happily conversing at the Kiminami Restaurant, uninvited guests arrived.
As pedestrians hurriedly cleared the path, a group of people could be seen approaching from a distance with imposing momentum.
Drawing nearer, the composition of these individuals became clear.
It was a dozen or so soldiers from the Tenryou Commission escorting an elderly man past his prime.
The old man’s expression was cold, his demeanor haughty.
A bystander who recognized him revealed his identity.
The visitor was the head of the Tenryou Commission, Kujou Takayuki.
Kujou Takayuki and his subordinates appeared to be targeting Raiden Saku.
It was unclear how he had obtained information about Saku’s whereabouts.
Perhaps Hiiragi Shinsuke had informed him, or maybe the Kujou Clan had spies around the Kiminami Restaurant.
Under the fearful gazes of surrounding pedestrians, Kujou Takayuki arrived at the restaurant.
He looked toward Saku sitting there, his eyes betraying traces of apprehension.
Nevertheless, being a cunning old politician, he concealed this apprehension and disgust quite well, even managing to display rare friendliness on his cold face.
Kujou Takayuki approached and initiated greetings, offering insincere pleasantries: “Isn’t this Saku-sama?
It’s truly been a long time!
During these years Saku-sama was away from Inazuma, this old man missed you dearly!
Might I ask when Saku-sama returned?
Was your journey tiresome?” Raiden Saku detested dealing with such honey-tongued people, but considering he was the Tenryou Commission head, some courtesy was necessary.
Remaining seated, he turned slightly toward Kujou Takayuki with a lukewarm attitude: “So it’s Head Kujou.
After all these years, I see much silver has appeared at your temples—doubtless from laboring for the Shogunate.
Truly moving.
In my opinion, Head Kujou needn’t toil so hard.
Why not delegate work to the younger generation?
Let them gain experience.
Once they’ve matured through training, Head Kujou could comfortably retire—wouldn’t that be better?” These words carried hidden barbs, rich with implication and sarcasm.
How could Kujou Takayuki miss the subtext?
His expression darkened as he silently stared at Raiden Saku.
After several moments of scrutiny, he chuckled coldly: “Saku-sama jests.
This old man is far from retirement age.
Moreover, the younger generation remains unreliable—the Shogunate requires my supervision to avoid disorder.
I intend to continue serving Shogun-sama for several more years!” Raiden Saku naturally understood the implications in Kujou Takayuki’s words.
He sneered coldly without responding.
The atmosphere between them grew stagnant.
Yoimiya, noticing the tension, cautiously inquired: “Saku-sama, who is this uncle?” Kujou Takayuki seemed to seize this as an opportunity to break the stalemate, inexplicably lashing out at Yoimiya: “What ‘uncle’!?
You ignorant girl!
I am Kujou Takayuki, head of the Tenryou Commission!” Yoimiya could swear on her fireworks that she genuinely didn’t know this person!
She was acquainted with Kujou Sara, but never imagined this clearly disagreeable old man was the Tenryou Commission head!
But even if he was the Tenryou Commission head?
Yoimiya wasn’t intimidated.
She stood up casually and, for propriety’s sake, greeted Kujou Takayuki: “So it’s Lord Kujou.
My apologies for the disrespect.” Being treated so dismissively by a young girl nearly made Kujou Takayuki bristle with rage.
“Little girl, I seem to remember you.
You’re the daughter of the Naganohara Fireworks shop, aren’t you?
You…” Kujou Takayuki wanted to say more, but was coldly interrupted by Raiden Saku: “Head of the Kujou Clan, Yoimiya is my friend.
I believe someone of your stature as the head of the Tenryou Commission wouldn’t stoop to holding a grudge against a young girl, would you?” This single statement completely shut down Kujou Takayuki.
The old man forced a strained smile: “Of course not.
A minor offense from a young girl is hardly something I’d bother remembering.” Despite his words, his tone suggested otherwise.
For someone so advanced in years, holding such a high position and wielding considerable power, to be so petty—this was the head of the Tenryou Commission!
While feeling disappointed in the Tenryou Commission, Raiden Saku gave Yoimiya a meaningful look.
Understanding the unspoken message, Yoimiya subtly covered the Vision at her waist, realizing Raiden Saku wanted her to leave.
Yes, it was indeed time to go.
Carrying a Vision made it unwise for her to appear so openly before the Tenryou Commission.
Fortunately, the head of the Tenryou Commission was entirely focused on Saku-sama.
If he had noticed my Vision was still intact, there would have been serious trouble!
I mustn’t cause any trouble for Saku-sama!
Having reasoned this through, Yoimiya discreetly concealed her Vision and naturally said to Raiden Saku: “It seems Lord Kujou has important matters to discuss with Saku-sama.
I won’t intrude any further.
Let’s meet another day.
Goodbye.” Waving, Yoimiya departed, and Raiden Saku waved back in farewell.
After Yoimiya left, Raiden Saku continued eating and drinking, completely ignoring Kujou Takayuki as if he weren’t there.
Kujou Takayuki’s expression grew increasingly dark, barely containing his frustration.
Yet, as the head of the Kujou Clan, he possessed considerable composure.
Despite Raiden Saku’s blatant disrespect, he managed to restrain himself.
Since Raiden Saku hadn’t permitted him to sit beside him, Kujou Takayuki had no choice but to stand at his side.
Glancing briefly at Kujou Takayuki, Raiden Saku cut straight to the point: “Head of the Kujou Clan, with your busy schedule, what brings you to seek out an idler like me?” Kujou Takayuki struggled to keep his tone calm: “Saku-sama, you jest.
I heard from the Kanjou Commission that you had returned and came promptly to welcome you.” “Oh?
I suspect there’s more to it than just a welcome.” “Well…
indeed.
I also heard from Lord Hiiragi Shinsuke that there was a slight…
misunderstanding between you and the Kanjou Commission.” Raiden Saku let out a cold laugh: “Misunderstanding?
Hardly.
I witnessed with my own eyes the Kanjou Commission tax officials abusing their authority and power to bully orphans and widows.
How could that be called a misunderstanding?” Perhaps taken aback by Raiden Saku’s bluntness and lack of regard for his dignity, Kujou Takayuki could only awkwardly attempt to smooth things over: “Saku-sama speaks rightly, and your reprimand is justified!
In an organization as large as the Shogunate, it’s inevitable that a few rotten apples will appear.
My apologies for the embarrassment.” “Embarrassing me is of little consequence.
What truly matters is disappointing the Shogun-sama.
Don’t you agree, Head of the Kujou Clan?” As he spoke, Raiden Saku turned his head and fixed a cold gaze on Kujou Takayuki.
Under the piercing chill of that stare, Kujou Takayuki involuntarily shuddered.
Beneath Raiden Saku’s formidable scrutiny, he felt as if all the filth in his heart had been laid bare!
Beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead as Kujou Takayuki, his conscience uneasy, could only feign composure while engaging in hollow pleasantries with Raiden Saku: “Ahem, might I ask what brings Saku-sama back to Inazuma this time?” “What kind of question is that?
Inazuma is my country.
What reason would I need to return to my own homeland?
After spending so long away, of course it’s time to come home.” “Ah, Saku-sama speaks true.
One must always return eventually!
Though I heard that the reason Saku-sama left Inazuma years ago was to travel across all of Teyvat.
I never expected Saku-sama to complete his journey and return so quickly.” Raiden Saku deliberately sighed, shaking his head as he drank: “I haven’t finished my travels.
It’s true that I’ve been journeying across Teyvat these past few years.
Mondstadt, Liyue, Sumeru—I’ve visited all these places, having already covered half of Teyvat.
But just as I intended to continue my travels, I suddenly heard that Inazuma was planning to implement something called the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree!
I simply don’t understand—why would we enforce such disastrous policies that bring ruin to the nation and its people when everything was fine before!?
It must be that treacherous officials and vile schemers have gathered around Shogun-sama, deceiving her and leading to this terrible situation in Inazuma!
I cannot stand by and watch Inazuma continue down this wrong path beyond redemption.
Thus I decided to temporarily suspend my travels and hurry back to Inazuma.
Next, I plan to purge the villains and eliminate the treacherous ministers, resolve both internal and external threats, and restore clear skies to Inazuma once more.”