"Introduction isn't necessary," Yun Fan chuckled lightly, interrupting Thoma's attempt to introduce him.
"You must be Miss Kamisato Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi (White Heron Princess) of the Kamisato Clan. I've heard so much about you!"
Yun Fan clasped his hands in a polite greeting, to which Ayaka responded with a slight bow.
"Hello, Mr. Yun Fan. I am Kamisato Ayaka. The title of Shirasagi Himegimi is merely a kind gesture from the people of Inazuma. I am unworthy of such praise. Please, just call me Ayaka."
Ayaka spoke gracefully, her fan partially covering her face. At the same time, her beautiful eyes kept glancing at Yun Fan, filled with curiosity.
'So this is the Mr. Yun Fan that Thoma mentioned? The one who kidnapped General Kujou? Wait, no, his wanted poster was later revoked. The one who kidnapped General Kujou was a scoundrel named Scaramouche.'
"Very well, Miss Ayaka," Yun Fan replied. Since Ayaka had insisted, it would be too pretentious to keep calling her "Miss Kamisato." Of course, calling her simply "Ayaka" would be too forward. In Inazuma, only those very close to someone could address them by their first name. Although Ayaka didn't seem to mind, Yun Fan decided to take a middle ground and address her as "Miss Ayaka."
"Brother Yun Fan, how long have you been on Watatsumi Island? A while ago, Inazuma was plastered with your wanted posters. I was so scared, thinking you had actually kidnapped General Kujou Sara," Thoma asked casually, though his words carried a hint of probing. After all, the wanted posters had been real, and if Yun Fan had indeed kidnapped Sara, it would be a serious matter.
"Ah, you mean the incident where the General of the Tenryou Commission was kidnapped," Yun Fan said as if suddenly remembering. He then casually took a seat, crossing his legs.
"Yes, I was worried for two days, afraid you'd get caught. Haha," Thoma scratched his golden hair, pretending to be deeply concerned for Yun Fan.
"Haha, to be honest with you both, Scaramouche was just a scapegoat. The one who kidnapped Kujou Sara was none other than yours truly," Yun Fan pointed at himself, smirking as he looked at Thoma and Ayaka.
Thoma: ???
Ayaka: ...
"This..." Thoma was speechless. So it really was you who kidnapped her? And you even pinned it on a Fatui Harbinger? I, Thoma, am thoroughly impressed!
"Brother Yun Fan, you're something else!" Thoma gave a thumbs-up, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This Yun Fan was truly something.
"Ahem, let's change the subject," Ayaka, ever the observant one, coughed lightly, sensing the awkwardness in the air.
"Sure, let's change the topic. I recall Watatsumi Island is the territory of the resistance, right? Miss Ayaka and Brother Thoma, what brings you two here so suddenly?" Yun Fan feigned ignorance, though he already had a rough idea of their purpose.
If the Shogunate had intended to declare war, they could have simply sent troops to attack Watatsumi Island. Even after Yun Fan's appearance, the Raiden Shogun had every reason to intervene personally. There was no need to send envoys on a suicide mission.
Therefore, the only possibility was that Ayaka and Thoma were here to propose peace talks.
"Mr. Yun Fan, to be honest, Thoma and I have come to Watatsumi Island to invite the Immortal Phoenix and the Divine Priestess, Sangonomiya Kokomi, to Narukami Island for peace talks with representatives of the Shogunate."
Ayaka spoke truthfully. After all, this wasn't a secret, and telling Yun Fan wouldn't hurt. Moreover, as a Liyue native, Yun Fan might have some connection to the Immortal Phoenix. Getting his advice now would be ideal.
"Peace talks on Narukami Island?" Yun Fan lowered his head, his eyes flickering as he pondered something. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Miss Ayaka, I have a question that puzzles me. Could you enlighten me? Who proposed these peace talks?"
"This..." Ayaka hesitated but eventually answered honestly, "It was proposed by both the Shogun and Lady Yae."
"Lady Yae, that pink-haired fox..." Yun Fan rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then turned his gaze back to Thoma and Ayaka.
"Kokomi, come out."
The silver-haired youth waved his hand behind him. The sound of elegant footsteps grew closer, and Sangonomiya Kokomi, who had been eavesdropping from the shadows, stepped out and walked gracefully to stand behind Yun Fan.
"Miss Kokomi, you..." Ayaka was stunned, her fan momentarily forgotten as she stared at Kokomi standing respectfully behind Yun Fan.
For the Divine Priestess, the leader of Watatsumi Island, to show such deference, the man before her must be the legendary Immortal Phoenix.
"Miss Ayaka, Mr. Thoma, it's been a while," Kokomi greeted them. She held a favorable impression of the Yashiro Commission. After all, Ayaka and her brother, Kamisato Ayato, had secretly aided the resistance, making them benefactors of Watatsumi Island.
"Mr. Yun Fan, so you are the Immortal Phoenix?" Ayaka exclaimed in awe. The Immortal Phoenix had disguised himself as a Liyue merchant traveling through Inazuma. Was this what they meant by "hiding in plain sight"?
"Indeed, that would be me," Yun Fan nodded slightly, then turned to Kokomi beside him. "Kokomi, what are your thoughts on the Shogunate's invitation to peace talks?"
Hearing this, Kokomi pondered for a moment, then looked up at Ayaka and Thoma before replying, "This is a clear ploy."
"Explain further," Yun Fan raised an eyebrow with interest.
"Alright," Kokomi nodded and continued, "The Shogunate might tolerate the resistance opposing them, but they would never allow Watatsumi Island to secede from Inazuma and align with Liyue. Although we have only sought the aid of the adepti, in their eyes, this is a precursor to defection. Therefore, they will undoubtedly try to stop us."
"Exactly. So this peace talk invitation is likely a trap. However, we have no choice but to attend. If you, Kokomi, don't go, it would confirm their suspicions that Watatsumi Island intends to align with Liyue. They could then use the excuse of 'securing the homeland before dealing with external threats' to launch a full-scale attack on Watatsumi Island," Yun Fan added at the right moment.
As Thoma and Ayaka listened to their conversation, a sense of unease grew in their hearts. Based on what the two were saying, it seemed they had no intention of attending the peace talks in Inazuma.
Although the Yashiro Commission and Sangonomiya Kokomi had some rapport, that didn't mean they wouldn't detain them. After all, at this moment, they represented not the Yashiro Commission but the Shogunate.