Having been thoroughly humiliated in front of everyone, Hiiragi Shinsuke was now absolutely seething with rage.
The events that had just transpired felt as if his dignity had been stripped away and trampled upon mercilessly!
After Raiden Saku had completely departed, he could no longer maintain his composure, his face darkening into a vicious snarl.
“Relying on being Shogun-sama’s younger brother to throw his weight around here, showing me absolutely no respect!
What insolence!” After muttering these curses under his breath, Hiiragi Shinsuke led his subordinates back up to the Kanjou Commission headquarters.
Within the Kanjou Commission headquarters, hidden among the pine and maple trees, stood a woman with an alluring figure.
This tall woman, radiating an arrogant aura, was none other than the Eighth Fatui Harbinger, La Signora.
Indeed, by this time, both the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission had already colluded with La Signora.
Originally, La Signora had been discussing matters of cooperation (collusion) with Hiiragi Shinsuke inside the Kanjou Commission headquarters.
But that sudden golden Electro lightning had startled Shinsuke so badly he nearly spat out his tea.
Shinsuke had no choice but to temporarily abandon La Signora and rush down with his men.
This unexpected development had also piqued La Signora’s curiosity.
After Shinsuke hurried down, she stood in the courtyard of the Kanjou Commission headquarters, using the pine and maple trees as cover to observe the situation below from her elevated position.
The entire confrontation between Raiden Saku and Hiiragi Shinsuke, including Saku’s veiled insults that thoroughly berated Shinsuke, had been witnessed by La Signora.
Especially when Raiden Saku finally looked up toward the Kanjou Commission headquarters – he had been looking directly at her!
La Signora couldn’t help but suspect that this fellow had discovered her presence.
After everything concluded and Raiden Saku departed, La Signora turned around, pursed her red lips, and fell into deep thought.
An unforeseen variable had emerged in their plans.
If she wasn’t mistaken, that fellow from earlier was Raiden Shogun’s younger brother, the God-level combatant in Inazuma second only to the Raiden Shogun herself!
Not an easy opponent to deal with…
This individual was remarkably perceptive, overwhelmingly dominant, and extremely troublesome!
It would be fine if he didn’t interfere with their plans, but if he dared to disrupt them…
At this thought, La Signora committed Raiden Saku’s appearance deeply to memory, marking him as a potential threat.
However…
La Signora then recalled: That fellow’s appearance bore some resemblance to the Balladeer.
No, it wasn’t that he resembled the Balladeer – rather, the Balladeer resembled him.
Since the Balladeer was created by the Electro Archon, it was quite possible that during his creation, the Electro Archon had subconsciously modeled his appearance after someone close to her.
That this person happened to be the fellow from earlier made perfect sense.
No wonder the Balladeer bore some resemblance to that fellow – he was essentially crafted based on that individual’s appearance.
Meanwhile, after leaving Ritou, Raiden Saku remained in a foul mood, traveling the entire way with a cold expression.
Atsuko, walking beside him, didn’t dare to provoke his temper at such a time.
The two set foot on Kannazuka Island, passed through Konda Village, and entered Byakko Plain.
The scenic beauty of Byakko Plain gradually helped lift Raiden Saku’s dark mood.
After walking for some time, Raiden Saku noticed several people gathered by the roadside ahead, arguing noisily as if engaged in some dispute.
Atsuko, with her sharp eyes, immediately recognized the only person she knew among the group.
“Isn’t that Shinobu?” Raiden Saku looked up to see.
It’s Kuki Shinobu!
Needless to say, this was another friend Raiden Saku had known beforehand.
Hmm, another fellow countryman he met in Liyue.
As everyone knew, Kuki Shinobu—the Arataki Gang’s second-in-command, its sole external brain, and its strategist—was the only highly educated talent in this social group.
This highly capable individual possessed one remarkable skill: obtaining certifications.
Whether useful or not, she’d get certified first.
The saying “you never have enough certifications when you need them” perfectly captured this philosophy.
Once, Shinobu, who had no desire to become a shrine maiden, fled Inazuma to escape her mother’s constant nagging and chose to further her studies in Liyue, acquiring various knowledge.
Coincidentally, Raiden Saku had just arrived in Liyue for his travels at that time.
Meeting an old friend in a distant land is one of life’s greatest joys, and so Raiden Saku and Kuki Shinobu became acquainted.
Through repeated interactions, they became friends, and as their friendship deepened, Shinobu came to learn of Raiden Saku’s true identity.
However, Shinobu later completed her studies, obtained enough certifications, and returned to Inazuma early.
Raiden Saku hadn’t expected to run into his acquaintance Shinobu so soon after setting foot on Narukami Island.
Taking a closer look…
Whoa, there were quite a few familiar faces!
Beside Kuki Shinobu, aside from the three Arataki Gang lackeys—Akira, Genta, and Mamoru—the most eye-catching figure was the big oaf Arataki Itto himself!
At that moment, the big oaf Arataki Itto stood wide-eyed with rage by the roadside, confronting another woman.
His three lackeys cheered him on from behind, while Kuki Shinobu stood nearby with a helpless expression.
So, who was this woman confronting Arataki Itto?
She was a female general with a stern, serious demeanor who never cracked a smile.
Another familiar face—Kujou Sara, general of the Shogunate Army!
As Raiden Saku approached, he observed the situation.
It seemed the Arataki Gang had clashed with Kujou Sara.
Or perhaps…
Arataki Itto alone had clashed with Kujou Sara?
A sudden thought struck Raiden Saku: Could he be witnessing a Vision confiscation scene!?
Was this the moment when Arataki Itto was defeated by Kujou Sara and had his Vision seized?
And he just happened to stumble upon it?
Upon closer inspection, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Because neither Arataki Itto nor Kuki Shinobu had their Visions on them.
So, this wasn’t a Vision confiscation scene.
As he drew nearer, Raiden Saku could clearly hear Arataki Itto’s booming voice.
“Kujou Tengu!
Kujou Turtle!
Hahahahaha…
I finally caught you here!
Enough talk!
Face me in a sumo showdown!
This time, I’ll definitely repay you for confiscating my Vision!” With that, Arataki Itto stomped the ground wildly, shaking his head and hair, and assumed his classic sumo stance!
The one exasperated by Arataki Itto’s constant antics wasn’t just Kuki Shinobu.
The cornered Kujou Sara was even more frustrated.
Kujou Sara massaged her forehead and angrily warned Arataki Itto: “Arataki Itto, I have official duties to attend to!
I don’t have time to play childish games with you!
This is my final warning—step aside!
Otherwise, I’ll arrest you for obstructing official business!” Instead of getting angry, Arataki Itto laughed, his laughter both provocative and infuriating.
“Hahahahaha…” Kujou Turtle!
Do you think I was born yesterday!?
Today, whether you want to fight or not, you’re fighting!” Kujou Sara was nearly at her breaking point, her fists clenched tightly!
Kuki Shinobu, who was standing nearby, couldn’t stand it any longer.
She stepped in to stop Arataki Itto: “Boss, that’s enough!
Didn’t you hear Miss Kujou say she’s on official business?
Don’t bother her at a time like this!
Or do you want to be thrown in jail again for obstructing official duties?
Seriously, Boss, if you end up in jail again this time, I won’t bail you out!” Kuki Shinobu’s threat was remarkably effective on Arataki Itto!
The big oaf was immediately dumbfounded, both exasperated and resentful toward his second-in-command: “Hey!
Shinobu!
Why are you siding with the enemy!?
Who’s your boss—me or that Kujou Turtle!?” “You’re the one asking for trouble, Boss!
I’m serious—if you end up in jail again, I really won’t help you this time!” “No, Shinobu, you can’t do this!!!” Arataki Itto, completely at Kuki Shinobu’s mercy, let out his signature cry of helpless frustration.
Witnessing this entertaining scene, Raiden Saku walked over, suppressing a laugh: “What a lively scene…” The reactions of those present to Raiden Saku’s approach varied.
Those who didn’t know him were indifferent, but those who did were genuinely surprised.
“Saku-sama!
I didn’t expect to see you here!” This came from Kuki Shinobu, who was pleasantly surprised.
Raiden Saku nodded at Kuki Shinobu with a smile, while instinctively glancing at her shoulder armor… Sure enough, the place where her Electro Vision should have been embedded was now empty.