The autumn afternoon sun gently shone upon the peaceful land of Konda Village. In the distant fields, golden waves of wheat rolled, seemingly whispering the joy of the upcoming harvest. The village was livelier than before. Young people who had fled to Fudé Port for refuge had now returned to their hometown. Their return injected new vitality, laughter, and joy into the village.
In the center of the village, in a spacious open area, the young Konda Kojirou was enthusiastically recounting his various adventures in Fudé Port to the village children and elders, causing the listeners to exclaim in surprise from time to time.
"Kojirou, is it true that the water in the flush toilets in Fudé Port is potable?" The village head, Konda Densuke, a trace of doubt in his eyes, seemed somewhat disbelieving of what he had just said.
Konda Kojirou patted his chest without hesitation, saying confidently, "The water in Fudé Port is purified at least seven times. I tried it myself; the water is simply as sweet as honey." As soon as he finished speaking, the listeners exclaimed in surprise. Konda Kojirou was quite satisfied with their surprised reactions.
Just then, a rather ill-mannered little boy asked, "Uncle Kojirou, since Fudé Port is so good, why don't you stay in Fudé Port?"
Konda Kojirou's smile stiffened. He somewhat awkwardly demurred, "Although Fudé Port is prosperous, I'm more attached to my hometown."
"Hehe," the little boy said playfully, "It must be because they thought you were lazy and didn't want you to stay."
A hint of shame flashed across Konda Kojirou's face. He stammered an explanation, "It's not like that. Actually... actually, it's because they said I was illiterate." His explanation caused the listeners to burst into laughter, adding a bit more cheer to the air. Konda Kojirou was immediately mortified and quickly walked away from the area.
As he left, the people gradually dispersed, and the open area returned to its usual tranquility. Not far away, Lin Yide, Yae Miko, and Raiden Ei, who had been standing and listening, also took their steps and continued forward.
Raiden Ei was thoughtful. She turned and asked Yae Miko, "Miko, is the water in the flush toilets really potable?" Yae Miko replied, speechless, "How could it be? Don't you think it would smell terrible?"
"Then why did that person say so?" Raiden Ei was very puzzled.
Yae Miko sighed softly. "It's all because the people of Inazuma, due to their ignorance and backwardness, haven't seen much of the world. When they first saw a flush toilet, they mistook it for a water supply pool and accidentally drank the water. To hide their embarrassment, they could only exaggerate and praise how pure the water in the toilet was."
Only then did Raiden Ei understand why such an absurd rumor existed. A strong sense of guilt rose in her heart. It was because of her stubbornness that the Inazuman people had become a laughingstock like this.
Before long, the three of them arrived at their destination. In a secluded spot, they saw a woman dressed in a red and white Miko outfit. She wore a fox mask on her face and stood quietly in front of a Sky Kitsune statue.
As the footsteps of the three gradually approached, the Miko slowly turned around. Upon seeing Yae Miko and Raiden Ei, her body trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. Yae Miko gazed at the Miko, a strange sense of familiarity rising in her heart. She couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Who exactly are you? Have we met before?"
The Miko replied with a faint smile, "Lady Guuji Yae, my name is Hanachirusato. I am just a Miko from a small, unknown shrine. We have not had the chance to meet before."
Meanwhile, Raiden Ei also felt an indescribable sense of closeness, as if this Miko was a long-lost relative.
Just then, Lin Yide spoke. "I didn't expect Senior Guuji Kitsune, who intimidated countless yokai in Inazuma hundreds of years ago, would have a day where she dares not speak her true name."
Upon hearing this, both Raiden Ei and Yae Miko widened their eyes in astonishment, their faces showing expressions of disbelief. They finally knew where that sense of familiarity came from. Raiden Ei's voice trembled slightly. "You, are you really Saiguu?"
Hanachirusato gently shook her head, then slowly removed her mask, revealing an ugly face covered in filth. She said calmly, "The true Saiguu was already gone hundreds of years ago. Her memories and will after death merged with the defilement, and only then was I, this defiled existence, born. Now, what you need to do is first cleanse the defilement under the Sacred Sakura tree, and then completely erase me from this world."
Raiden Ei and Yae Miko's hearts were overwhelmed with deep sorrow.
At this moment, Lin Yide spoke again. "You are clearly Senior Guuji Kitsune, but because you turned into defilement, you are guarding this place alone, waiting for someone to erase you one day." Hanachirusato quietly put her mask back on, her voice cold and firm, "Nonsense!"
Lin Yide smiled. "I don't particularly like seeing tragedies. Senior Saiguu, I can separate your consciousness from the defilement."
"That is absolutely impossible," Hanachirusato said resolutely. "Unless..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on Lin Yide's hand. Four small elemental orbs of different colors were suspended over Lin Yide's palm. They rotated lightly in his hand, constantly changing into various captivating patterns, sometimes interweaving, sometimes separating, emitting brilliant light that was dazzling to the eye.
After a long while, Hanachirusato recovered from her shock. She blurted out, "You're truly not human!"